Tag Archives: Martini Cherry Furter

My perfect IRL drawing comeback show: The Sinner’s Saloon from Felicity Felicis!

Felicity Felicis at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes May 15 2023 webSince my self-prescribed and Berlin-drag-performer-delivered MECFS antiviral meds are working so well, I went back out to work!

I was very much helped by the fact that I could travel with our dear friend Daniel Paikov, a fellow documentary artist who records Queer Berlin in photographs.

And I was welcomed and supported by The Sinner’s Saloon producer Felicity Felicis, above! Felicity is one of Berlin’s great cabaret performers; she’s also the magic behind productions like TSS and The Theatre of Leeds. Her website is here!

I love to draw her IRL and also jumped in online when she was modeling for Sketcherei not long ago.

Misty Lotus performs at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes April 19 2023 web editWhen I saw the performer list for this show, I HAD TO BE THERE.

Misty Lotus is one of my very favorite burlesque stars. Misty is based in Switzerland, and is a producer, performer, fire-eater and doyenne of the Swiss Burlesque Academy.

Misty Lotus performs at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes May 25 2023Misty did two acts; her Ursula is incredible!

I first drew Misty at the incredible 2019 Berlin Burlesque Week, a wonderfully rich series of shows that also included a powerful social justice education panel.

Bishop Black at the Sinners Saloon by Suzanne Forbes Bishop Black is another absolute Berlin legend I love to draw.

I’ve drawn them modeling for Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin several times and workshop-modeling for Shine Louise Houston, but this was the first time I drew them dancing! This performance involved kinetic movement, self-tying and insertion with a rubber tape.

Bishop Black at the Sinners Saloon Suzanne Forbes April 27 2023Bishop did two acts, and the second one involved a staple gun!

They stapled paper hearts all over themselves! I am not a great piercing or sideshow audience as I tend to flinch, but the effect was lovely.

Marta Karta performs at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes April 21 2023It was the first time I’d seen hostess Marta Karta perform: what a dark cabaret legend!

She hosted, and sang, and danced! See her insta here and upcoming shows here.

People with great hair!

Redhead from Finland Armi Von Vep, who also did a spin onstage, and in the background DJ Don Rogall.

Martini Cherryfurter and Enjo Flint perform at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes May 15 2023There was another wonderful surprise – Martini Cherryfurter is back in Berlin!

Such a joy to see and hug her after so long. She was called onto the stage to do an impromptu act with Enjo Flint. Enjo smashed a bunch of glass on the floor and Martini stood on his head!

Gracefully, of course, as she does everything. Photo of the actual moment by Daniel Paikov here! I of course was flinching 🙂

Constance Peach performs at The Sinners Saloon at Crack Bellmer Berlin by Suzanne Forbes April 19 2023 It was also my first time seeing/drawing Constance Peach!

She brought glamorous and wicked Marie Antoinette vibes. Her insta is here and site here.

The Next Sinners Saloon is June 4th; I won’t be there cause I will be wiped out from Hurentag the day before, but tickets are here!

All in all, I couldn’t have asked for more for my return to drawing in a club after over three years.

Crack Bellmer has a ventilation system (although I had to ask them to turn it on) and Felicity made sure I had exactly the seating setup I needed. Having a buddy system with Daniel helped so much.

I felt a little weird going out in my prescription swim goggles and 3M Aura FFP3 mask, but my self-consciousness melted away when everyone was so kind to me.

Misty Lotus said, “Ah, it’s Berlin! It’s fine!”

As always, I am so grateful to my Patreon Patrons, whose monthly financial support makes it possible for me to continue documenting Berlin performers as a vulnerable disabled person. For as little as a dollar/euro per month, you can help!

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.