Tag Archives: Suzanne Forbes

The very last Poke House and House of Presents in Quarantine (for now!)

Pansy for Pansys House of Presents in Quarantine Aug 18 2020 by Suzanne ForbesPansy didn’t put on any drag for the last night of House of Presents in Quarantine.

She just appeared as herself, hot and tired after spending the day – GETTING PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN GERMANY! And there is other great news for the HoP crew.

Live, in-person Drag shows begin again at beloved Queer Berlin institution Monster Ronson’s on September 8! You can get tickets (they must be bought in advance and there are stringent protocols to follow) here.

House of Presents poster Fall 2020So the digital drag shows that have helped to support the incredible, intersectional cast of the House of Presents and Gieza‘s Poke House have come to an end.

As much as I have loved these shows – they have been so crucial to my sanity and that of so many others- I know performers need a stage and these beautiful creatures can’t thrive without an IRL audience.

I want the Queens and Quings and Drag Things of HoP and the Poke House to do what they love most! Pansy and Gieza plan to stream the IRL shows, and are working on how to do that, so I look forward to seeing these some of these amazing folx return to their home stage.

I am incredibly grateful to Pansy and Gieza for the work they did these five months, providing a virtual community and psychic anchor when so much else in Berlin was shut down.

Gieza Poke final Poke House in Quarantine Aug 18 2020 by Suzanne ForbesGieza Poke wore a Sacred Heart crown I made for her final digital show!

She came by our flat one more time to collect raffle prizes, and I gave her a box of mermaid jewels to give away to Berlin’s queer community. I have loved being able to contribute value to the Berlin Queerconomy this way!

If you look here, under the VIDEOS tab of Gieza’s twitch account, you can see so many incredible Quarantine performances.

Gieza Poke in Sacred Heart Crown by Suzanne Forbes on Aug 18 2020Here’s Gieza in her crown!

It was actually August 18, the date wasn’t updated! You can see us babbling supportively in the chat. I showed up for every single show!

 

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

 

Sadie Lune in Thistle and Spire, August 2020.

Sadie Lune in Thistle and Spire by Suzanne Forbes Aug 19 2020My first official Zoom portrait drawing session!

With actual poses, costume and a plan! Of course I picked longtime muse and collaborator Sadie Lune as my model. Sadie and I have worked together long enough, and I have drawn her so many times, that we could easily surpass the limitations and challenges of the Zoom platform and webcam logistics.

Sadie Lune in Thistle and Spire 2 by Suzanne Forbes Aug 19 2020I wanted to do something nice for the sex-positive, sex worker-positive boutique lingerie brand Thistle and Spire.

Thistle and Spire did so much for @thebswc during #whosallowedtomakemoney. They really put their brand on the line in allyship and solidarity with Black sex workers of the Black Sex Worker Collective, while the event was being heavily blocked on social media.

Sadie Lune in Thistle and Spire 3 by Suzanne Forbes Aug 19 2020I knew Sadie had their Medusa bodysuit, a gorgeous Art Deco snake design, in the teal color.

So I hired her for a Zoom drawing session wearing it. Sadie brought her majesty, her beauty, her own wonderful props, makeup and delicious Goth aesthetic.

Sadie Lune in Thistle and Spire 4 by Suzanne Forbes Aug 19 2020Sometimes you can actually tell I went to Parsons for fashion illustration back in 1984!

My inner fashion illustrator pops out when I feel relaxed and confident, as I do when working with Sadie. After I posted these drawings on my Instagram, my Beloved Never-Muse as well as other muses said they have or plan to get the Medusa bodysuit, so I’m gonna do a series!

I am so grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support lets me work safely at home.