Tag Archives: queer berlin

Martini Cherry Furter models for BSC Life Drawing, with two suitcases of looks!

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 flashdanceI am such a fan of Berlin performer Martini Cherry Furter.

I was exhausted from a month of working like a fiend when Martini announced she would be modeling for one of my favorite Berlin life drawing groups.

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective with pole bySuzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 2minsBut I could not possibly pass up drawing Martini posing for Berlin Strippers Collective Life Drawing!

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 blue dressMartini brought TWO SUITCASES of looks and wigs!

She had a fabulous playlist, and as always, SO MUCH CHARISMA!!! Everyone in the session went wild with happiness, so moved by Martini’s presence and style.

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 last poseEach costume change was lightning fast!

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 shrugWonderful BSC cat-herder Chiqui Love was on hand to facilitate the session.

Always a joy to join a session run by Chiqui!Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 2mins

Martini for Berlin Strippers Collective by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021 decoThis beautiful flapper-at-the-end-of-night pose really deserved a serious photographer.

Martini has inspired me so many times; I would buy a coffee table book of photos and drawings of her in a heartbeat. In very exciting news, Martini is in an upcoming short film and video installation by Zara Zandieh, inspired by two works of Octavia Butler. It’s called Octavia’s Visions and has several Berlin performers in it.

You can learn about the organizing and empowering work of the Berlin Strippers Collective on the BSC site here. BSC also has a Patreon for financial support of this crucial work.

I am incredibly grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support lets me keep documenting Berlin’s queer performers while I work safely at home.

The last, for now, House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons.

Pansy at Halloween House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons by Suzanne Forbes Feb 25 2021Halloween 2020 seems like seconds ago, or years.

It seems impossible that Berlin nightclubs were ever open again. But for a short time last Fall, clubs were open, observing careful Covid protocols.

Beloved queer clubhouse Monster Ronsons changed its entire setup, creating a cabaret dinner theater with table service from the bar.

Pansy of Pansy’s House of Presents (in full Jessica Rabbit style at top) and Gieza of Gieza’s Poke House redesigned their stage shows, instructing the audience to clap instead of scream and politely nod to strangers instead of fingering them.

I feel like these drawings were some of the best I did from a livestream last year, because I was drawing performers I’d seen and drawn in real life, and they were performing in a space I know well, to a real audience.

I so much appreciate Pansy, Gieza and Nana making these shows accessible to folx at home by streaming them!

Lola Rose at Halloween House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons by Suzanne Forbes March 6 2021For the two nights of double-header Halloween shows, the family of House of Presents created spectacular acts.

Lola Rose hit the stage to deconstruct a racist American caricature, Aunt Jemima- with a knife!

Naya at Halloween House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons by Suzanne Forbes Feb 25 2021Naya The Cisgenera had a powerful reading and a very sexy look.

Follow Naya on Instagram for humor, decolonization teaching and trans awareness.

Lolita Va Voom at Halloween House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons by Suzanne Forbes Feb 25 2021

Gieza decorated the stage with a monster theme, using old wigs!

Lolita Va Voom, above, shook it gorgeously. Always a joy to draw Lolita.

Lolita’s ongoing show with Nana Schewitz called Jews! Jews! Jews! is a treasure of Berlin.

Nana Schewitz is seen below, performing an interactive and hilarious act.

Nana Schewitz at Halloween House of Presents show at Monster Ronsons by Suzanne Forbes Feb 26 2021

Jews! Jews! Jews! has an online Virtual Queer Seder on March 28.

I am incredibly grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support lets me keep documenting Berlin’s drag and burlesque performers while I work safely at home.