Tag Archives: documentary drawing

The Shimmy Shake Show at Ballhaus Berlin, with Scotty the Blue Bunny!

Scotty the Blue Bunny at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne ForbesYou can never really get used to the sight of a very tall, loud, slightly drunk gay man in a glittering velvet bunny suit.

As often I as see, and draw, Scotty the Blue Bunny performing, there is still a pleasant frisson of shock at just how much blue bunny he is. Even in flats!

The beauty below is La Viola Vixen, mâitresse of Shimmy Shake School.

La Viola Vixen at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne ForbesThis was my first time making it to the Shimmy Shake Show, which features students, graduates and teachers from Berlin burlesque school The Shimmy Shake School. It is held at the beautiful vintage venue Ballhaus Berlin, where I go multiple times a year for Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin.

You can call the bar to order a drink with the antique telephones on the tables, though the bar is always too busy to bring you a beverage when I’ve been there!

As you can see, the audience members were dressed for the show.Attendee at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne Forbes

I was invited to draw at the show by Shimmy Shake teacher La Loba Lucía, who I became a mad fan of after I saw her perform at Extravagant Shambles. She is the most leonine, ferocious, superheroic burlesque performer I have seen so far. Drawings of her act coming soon!

Meanwhile, here is another instructor, Anja Pavlova, performing a ballet-like burlesque that had a rococo Rites-of-Spring feel!

Anja Pavlova at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne ForbesAnd here is Cadbury Parfait, who produces Extravagant Shambles.

I have been invited to draw at Extravagant Shambles several times now and really love the crew.

Cadbury Parfait at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 30 2019 by Suzanne ForbesI also know Stella Von Fersen, seen below as a pearl emerging from satin oyster fans, from the Shambles.Stella von Fersen at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne Forbes

There was a Neo-burlesque duet, below, that was passionate and lovely, Adèle Meta Morphosis is the dancer.Duet at Shimmy Shake Show Ballhaus Berlin March 24 2019 by Suzanne Forbes

And btw, check out Scott’s beautiful gay portrait sanctuary, Love Gay People, here.

Lots of love to my beautiful Patrons on Patreon, who make it possible for me to document Berlin’s queer intersectional burlesque scene and release the artwork free to all!

The Hunger Moon at Full Moon Cabaret!

Viva Lamore at Full Moon Cabaret Hunger Moon event by Suzanne Forbes Feb 28 2019This was my first time at one of Full Moon Cabaret’s secret suppers.

I have been to Berlin’s most transgressive burlesque show before, in another very cool secret venue, and I love to draw producer Viva Lamore, who is a fellow New Yorker. (That’s her above with her gong! She told me she was having so much fun with “the fucking GONG!”) The acts are always fierce and freaky.

Plus, there’s a mooning contest which is pretty exciting!

So I was psyched to see this show and I was not disappointed.

Guests at Full Moon Cabaret Hunger Moon event by Suzanne Forbes Feb 28 2019Behind a secret door was a long room with a stage, lined with a very long dining table.

I took a seat on the sidelines so I could draw. (I learned my lesson about trying to eat and draw simultaneously at a LOTR-themed immersive dinner theater event put on by the Greater Bay Area Costumers’ Guild in 2005 or 6!) Most of the Full Moon attendees were in ’30s finery and there was a crew of gorgeous performers in really wonderful Shanghai 1930s style. That’s stage manager Maylisss standing in the background above; she is an expert at vintage clothing and costuming.

Hikaru Inagawa of 4RUDE at Full Moon Cabaret Dec 31 2019 by Suzanne ForbesA fierce and hungry being appeared, climbing over the tables!

The performances opened with The Hunger Artist, a Butoh performance by Hikaru Inagawa of Theater-Butoh company 4RUDE.

Below, more lovely audience and attendees!Audience at Full Moon Cabaret by Suzanne Forbes March 15 2019Chika at Full Moon Cabaret Hunger Moon event by Suzanne Forbes Feb 28 2019

That’s Chika, above helping with the mooning-hole!

and below with legend Vanessa Jupiter in the long gloves who is a trained massage therapist and was doing massages for the guests.Performers at Full Moon Cabaret Hunger Moon event by Suzanne Forbes Feb 28 2019Viva and her crew are so vibrant and sexy, and there is a kink vibe to the shows so I feel right at home!

Marianne Cheesecake at Full Moon Cabaret Hunger Moon event by Suzanne Forbes Feb 28 2019This was one of those events where I wanted to draw everyone a dozen times.

Marianne Cheesecake, performing with a very badly behaved dragon puppet, was SO beautiful!

The finale performance, by Crystal Tassels, was fantastic. Sadly, I cannot show you the drawing on a Patreon post. (It involved a cake and a chair!)

As always, I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to document Berlin life and art!