Her Royal Highness...RuPaul!

"I've Made My Decision" - pastel & pencil on toned paper

I have been doing artwork inspired by each episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6. This week (episode #5) I drew the Queen Mutha herself! in honor of the runway theme, "Night of a Thousand Ru's." I spent some time on this one, in order to do Her Majesty justice...

DETAIL "I've Made My Decision"

It was also the night of the ever-popular "Snatch Game," and I think I see a Judge Judy (played to perfection by Ms. Bianca Del Rio) or an Anna Nicole (by the hilariously sloppy Adore Delano) drawing in my future!  In the meantime, here's a quick recap of  my art-by-episode drawings so far:

Week 1: BenDeLaCreme

Week 2: Adore Delano

Week 3: Laganja Estranja

Week 4: Laganja Estranja

Also Week 4: Milk

NOTE: Two of these drawings have already appeared on the official RuPaul's Drag Race fan art page! They select one piece of fan art per week to show on the air. So far, no luck...but I'm keeping my fingers crossed because if they show one of mine, then I could die happy.

an Artsy Fartsy interview: DIEGO SANSON

He's performed in various forms of ladies' underwear onstage and off for over 20 years now; he's marched miles in make-up & heels in gay pride parades; and he recently werked the runway for a cause in a corset and platforms like nobody's business! Oh, and did I mention that he's straight?

Who is it? None other than the Long Beach Art Theatre's current reigning Frank-N-Furter, the deliciously demented diva, Diego Sanson! I recently got a chance to catch up with the performer during this quick Q&A sesh...

AFB:  How long have you been performing in a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast?

DS: "I've been doing Rocky Horror for 20 years now. I know...too long."

Diego explains to me that the cast had to change their name a few years back from Midnight Insanity to Rocky Horror at the Art Theater Long Beach, due to an attempt to be sued for the name by a disillusioned ex-cast member..."but we are the same cast though."

AFB:  What or who initially drew you into this crazy troupe?

DS: "I was an audience member and got picked to do a "Rookie" show- and have stayed ever since."

AFB:  How long have you been playing 'Dr. Frank-N-Furter'? What do you enjoy most about playing this character?

DS: "About 7 years. I like becoming somebody else for a couple of hours...and you can get away with a lot, especially when you're in drag."                                                                                                      

AFB:  You recently worked with and developed a friendship with Richard Elfman, creator of the cult classic Forbidden Zone (and co-founder of Oingo Boingo) when a shadowcast performance was put together for the film... What was that experience like? 

Diego performing onstage with Richard Elfman

DS: "Incredible!!! Best thing ever!! One the coolest things ever to happen to me."

AFB:  Are there plans to do more with Richard and'Cell 51' (the name of the Forbidden Zone shadowcast)? 

DS: "Yes...sometime in early 2014."

AFB:  Awesome! Can't wait to see more. Have you run into any issues or obstacles in your life due to basically being a straight drag queen? What have you learned the most about yourself by wearing ladies' undies?

DS: "Well....my mother still hasn't accepted me about me dressing up. She doesn't like it. And trying to be pretty is really hard!!"

AFB:  Tell me about it, gurl! So what, if any, are your hopes & dreams for the future, as far as performing is concerned?

DS: "Going to keep doing this until my body and mind give up. I love performing. It's addicting. And maybe, hopefully, make a career out of it one day...not sure what yet..."

Well, pretty-please Mr. Sanson- keep doing what you're doing- because we love it!

Diego sites B-movie maker Ed Wood (a pioneer in the area of "hetero" cross-dressing) as a personal hero.

Last Night a DRAG QUEEN Saved My Life...

People often ask me, "Desiree, just what is

your obsession with Drag Queens?!"

It's not a very difficult question for me to answer, since there are just SO MANY things I adore about the Fabulous World of Drag!  For me, drag queens are like the glitzy, gorgeous & glam fairy godmothers of my most self-indulgent, over-the-rainbow dreams!  I mean, they represent just about everything that I love ~ lots of sparkle, over-the-top fashions, music, dancing, fierce performances, cult cinema, comedy, sickening make-up artistry, subversive culture, gender-bending... 

I mean, really - what's not to love?!

Me, invading Venus D Lite's personal space...

But my adoration for these decadent creatures is more than skin-deep. Unfortunately, due to the small-mindedness of many in our society, most of these queens have had to endure a lot of suffering and heartache on their road to the throne ~ but in the end, they have become some of the most wonderful, caring and strong individuals you will ever meet!  This deeper side of drag - combined with all the fun & fantasy - has proven itself to be a magic elixer for me in my life. By doing what they do, these Queens have helped pull me through some very dark & difficult times. They've shown me that, come what may in life, you must always be true to yourself, love yourself...and for heaven's sake, child, do it with some panache!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you fabulous girls for doing your thang...your talent, tucking and tears are never in vain. XOXO

LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!!!

There is no misconceiving the talent of Miss Conception...

Sharon Needles, latest winner of RuPaul's Drag Race

Gabriel Villarreal (aka Delta Work) poses with little ol' me!

The fabulous Kristie Champaigne of Velvet Lounge, Santa Ana

Delta Work (runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race 3) at work.

The sickening Latrice Royale, runner-up on Drag Race 4

Sharon Needles/Drag Race Update: TOP THREE!

1. SHARON NEEDLES (my pick!)

Well, the season started with my favorite queen, Sharon Needles leading the pack...but I guess RuPaul didn't want to be accused of playing favorites ~ so for a few episodes now, my devestating queen of darkness seemed to have taken the backseat.  BUT, now that we're getting down to the nitty-gritty of the competition, the goth-underdog from Pittsburgh has once again pulled to the front position ~ proving she has most definitely has the charisma, uniqueness, NERVE and talent to win the race!  Go all the way Sharon!!!

#SharonNeedles

2. CHAD MICHEALS

At the beginning of the season, many wrote off this seasoned perfectionist as "nothing new" ~ but as Snow White and Chad Micheals prove,  one doesn't have to be a bitch to make it to the top.  While some of the other queens have felt it necessary to show their claws in this competition, Miss Micheals has shown us that grace, beauty, wisdom and talent can also get you far in life (...though the catty bitches are a little more fun to watch)! 

Good luck Chad - you're a true professional and one classy lady!

3. PHI PHI O'HARA

Don't hate her because she's beautiful ~ or a ROYAL bitch.  Phi Phi O'Hare is lovely, talented, and loud! This queen likes to argue - A LOT, and usually about why she's better than you.  As many of the younger competitors seem to prove, with youth - often comes a defensive, arrogant ATTITUDE.  Phi Phi is fierce, both in a good and bad way ~ but she has also shown a surprising softer side throughout the competition, revealing that underneath her bedazzled diva exterior, lies a sequined heart of gold lamé.

Of course if I had any say, the hilarious, fabulous and super-sweet Miss Latrice Royale would be in the top three rather than Phi Phi... MISS YOU, Sugar!

So - who will be named top dog in this competition - or should I say "top bitch"?  Stay tuned to find out...

CLICK HERE FOR SHOWTIMES & MORE INFO AT LOGO.COM

Drag Race Update: it's a SHARON SWEEP!!!

Congrats to my favorite Queen, Sharon Needles!

She has individually won the main challenges on episodes 1 & 3 on this season of Rupaul's Drag Race, and was on the winning team in episode 2!  I am so glad everyone else is loving this devastating diva as much as I am...

GGGOOOOOOOO SHARON! YAY.

a young Sharon Needles dreams of her future in the spotlight...

other articles about Sharon Needles...

1/31/12 - I'm in Love! Why Sharon Needles...

1/30/12 - NEW SEASON! RuPaul's Drag Race

#SharonNeedles

I'M IN LOVE! Why Sharon Needles makes me weak in the knees...

She's funny, fabulous and fucking fierce - she's Sharon Needles!  And do you want to talk about "charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent"?  Hello?!  She's got it all.

I've made no secret of my affection for the newest season of Drag Race's most sickening, goth-punk contestant - and the more I get to know her, the deeper I fall.  With wit as sharp & stinging as a rusty razor blade, a dark and devastating sense of style (and even a penis!) Ms. Needles very well could be my perfect man!

CONGRATS ON WINNING THE FIRST ROUND, MY DEAR!  I WILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU ALL THE WAY...

CLUB RIPPLES RETURNS! Thanks to Tabatha

Once upon a time, Club Ripples was the hottest gay bar & nightclub in Long Beach...but that was way back in 1988.  And since it's neon-infused, roller-skating-on-the-beach, Madonna-was-still-wearing-pointy-bras heyday, Club Ripples had become (until recently) a sort of sad, dusty icon of a bygone era.  I understand.  Change is hard.  Don't many of us long for the seemingly simpler days of our youth... a time before 9/11, iphones, or the Kardashians?!  But alas, time marches on, and we must choose to either change with the times - or slowly fade away, like a hot-pink speedo left laying in the sun...

The good news is - thanks in part to Tabatha Coffey of Bravo's hit reality show "Tabatha's Takeover" - Club Ripples is back and better than ever!  This season, Tabatha is bringing her no-nonsense, whip-you-into-shape attitude to all types of businesses (rather than just hair salons, like seasons past), and Club Ripples was her first stop.


When Ms.Coffey arrived at Club Ripples, it was truly a ghostown.  With a talented, hip & professional staff in place, it didn't take long to see that the club's owners - life and business partners, John Garcia and Larry Hebert - were primarily to blame for the lengendary club's demise. Although quite a charming couple on a personal level, the pair had fallen into a professional rut of bad business habits. Garcia's "over it" apathetic attitude, combined with partner Hebert's big-brother-style of micro-managing (like chastising customers for putting purses or sweaters on the bar, yet not providing hooks!), proved to be a deadly combination for the business. There were several super-cheesy rules and practices in place - like serving drinks in plastic cups, no free water, always charging a $7 cover (whether there was entertainment or not), AND no drinks on the dance floor (really, even in plastic cups?)!  Not to mention that the furniture and decor looked like it hadn't been updated since the first Bush was in office!

Owner John Garcia is all smiles
after Tabatha's ass-kicking

One can say what they want about Tabatha's often harsh, ball-busting tactics - but no one can argue that the woman gets shit done. Before you knew it, Tabatha had bitch-slapped John & Larry into the 21st century - and given Club Ripples the breath of fresh air it has needed for a loooooooong time.

These days, the new & improved Club Ripples has an updated look, serves drinks in REAL glasses, gives FREE water, boasts a full calender of weekly EVENTS (including drag shows featuring the best in the business) -- and all for NO COVER!!!*  Thank you, Tabatha - for helping to turn Long Beach's oldest gay nightclub back into the one of the best!

*with the exception of the drag shows, which sometime charge a small cover

article author: Desiree Guerrero

CLUB RIPPLES is located at 5101 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA.

Call 562.433.0357 or visit http://www.clubripples.com for more info.

Click here for before and after photos on Bravo.com