AFTER HOURS INTERLUDE....

 ....with Philadelphia's fabulous homegirl...Sapphira Cristal!

Werk it girl, but don't break it.

SANDERSON SISTERS

Just leave it to some Queens. You want to see a drag treat, Hokus Pokus Live will be for you this fall. It took flight in late August and stars Ginger Minj, Sapphira Cristal, Jujubee and drag king Landon Cider. But Minj is doing triple duty, starring, writing and directing this production, and one of the biggest touring productions to date for any of these queens, crossing the country into 29 cities. This version of the play is a love letter of sorts to the classic film, and Ginger herself was told by Bette Milder, and even encouraged by her, to take the movie and see what she could do with it. Bette even told Ginger she loves seeing her take on the part Milder played. I don't know I'll have time to see this in Philly, but I understand they all nail the parts they are playing, and audiences are leaving very entertained and spellbound by three queens and a king.

PRIDE PSA

A quick reminder that with Pride month in full swing, now is a good time to remind all to stay safe, not just on the streets but in the sheets!! Make sure with all the celebrating and gaiety, we are keeping ourselves and our concubines safe as well, Take the precaution kids. Now here is Sapphira Cristal, yes her singing... and the boys from MISTR with a fun commercial break. 

This has been a Casa du Borghese PSA.

HAPPY PRIDE🏳‍🌈

PRIDE INTERTUDE-SAPPHIRA CRISTAL

This self-proclaimed grand dame of Philadelphia needs no introduction. Fresh off her monumental run on Drag Race, Sapphira has only blown up bigger, with two national, one queen shows, and now released her first album, with new single, Enough, filmed in and all-around Philly and Voyeur nightclub, and used local Philly queens in the video. The upcoming album, Sapphira co-wrote and performs the whole album and sought to combine her burgeoning love for dance, funk and the opera she's become so famous for. A fun light bop for summer, and the lyrics are positive with a message...so Sapphira.

Happy Gay Pride🏳‍🌈

O MIO BABBINO CARO

 More Sapphira! Continuing with the Cristal Ball Era post the other day, in addition to her forth coming album and single Enough, she has also made O Mio Babbinao Caro into a video. Which is an aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi, about tensions between the main character Lauretta and her father, Gianni and the family of Rinuccio, the boy she loves, with a twist of kept girl and sugar daddy.  And yes... darlings, it is her singing, changing the words and subtitled it yet. Just another example of her brilliance, creativity and bringing a genre like opera and putting a spin on it. Not to mention knows the biz and had the likes of the crazy and zany Katya in the video with her. 

CRISTAL BALL ERA

 

Yes, Hunnies....the Cristal Ball Era... as in Sapphira Cristal. I don't think that shade of blue has ever looked better on a queen!  Now that the 16th season of Drag Race has ended, many I know, queens, close friends, and viewers, obviously were upset and felt sad for Sapphira Cristal not winning the crown. I'd be remiss if I didn't say I too, was a bit bummed. Philadelphia and the surrounding area have got some phenomenal drag queens, with fresh and raw talent, a mix of old and new school rolled into one, very colorful style, and very community riddled personalities which I adore. So yes, I was bummed about her not winning the crown as it has taken 16 seasons to get a Philly queen on. And it took one to do just that well. But I have on good authority Sapphira is just fine girls. After all she came away with over $50,000, a trip for two to an exotic locale, and Miss Congeniality, not to mention a broad and widen pulpit to preach from henny. And as we have seen from herstory, the runners up often go on to have even bigger drag careers then the actual winners. Miss Sapphira is already getting ready for a huge one queen tour, The Cristal Ball, to visit over 40 US cities so far, has another show, All That Glitters, with Plasma, Langoo Blu,Selma Nella, Pink Pancake, and Danilla Darling. All that, and a forth coming, dance single, Enough, getting ready for release soon. Girl is just fine.

Even though we may have seen some queens close to Sapphira in style, this bitch just has that something special, to be able to wrap the old school and new school together in one very entertaining queen, Style, talent, singing, hosting, room mother, activists, all with varied style and ensembles. Sapphira for those not in the know, is a classically trained opera singer, composer and full time drag queen, full of spectacle with glitter, glam and groundbreaking talent.

For I and other queens Sapphira getting on Drag Race was such a huge honor for everybody, but especially the drag youth who is coming up in the ranks in Philly, and she showcases the Philly style to a T. It was also cool to see fellow queen Maddelynn Hatter's handy work with Sapphira's wigs. Queen does some sickening hair. Sapphira originally hails from Houston but has called Philadelphia home now for some time. Her name Sapphira is a nod to her birthstone, Sapphire, and her favorite pre-sober drink, Cristal champagne. This dive is easily set apart by her singing, with a remarkable six-octave vocal range. I can recall the show held for her right after the historic moment she got on the show. The air buzzed at the Brooklyn Bowl, with a screening of the premiere followed by a campy stage drag show with Sapphira, and graced with the performances of Avery Goodname, Iris Spectre, VinChelle, Eric Jaffe, Onyx and DJ'D by Honey Davenport, who all and one, mesmerized and captivated the audience. I hand it to these queens for holding their tongues, because they know by time the show premieres who's still on the show, at least up to the top four, and they keep mum.

Here's to Sapphira Cristal for a great season, representing the City of Brotherly Love with such style, camp and grace... long reign a Royal Blue Era!!!!

And if this wasn't severing Too Wong Foo realness, I don't know what is.

SIXTEEN QUEENS.....

 ...enter a club and one will come out!

Here we are, at the end of yet another season of RuPaul's Drag Race.  I was originally not going to watch, what with trying to keep up with the main show and then all its international sisters. But then Ru decided let's air 2 or 3 at one time. Well, I gave up...it's impossible to keep up with. But what with friends and sisters Sapphira Cristal and Megami who got on this season, what kind of person would I be if I didn't tune in to support them? Over all, not a bad season, and one of the better ones in some time I though. Here is some of my thoughts and predictions. Most of the queens left in almost the order I thought they might, although I thought Plasma might have lasted longer and Mh'ya Iman leaving sooner. I had them flipped. As for the crowning queen? I think it's going to be....

Of course I'm rooting for Sapphira girls!!!!! I'm mean Philadelphia hennies!!!! Sapphira for me is a good mix of fabulous old school drag, but then twists just the right amount of new school to keep things fresh. She takes herself seriously but also not, weakness and body issues she embraced and makes light of them and use them to her advantages. She knows her herstory, and her style in shows NEVER disappoints. She can host, do comedy and then there's that 6-octave singing voice. Incredible... and you need to see her use that in person. She really does embody the CUNT. Creativity, uniqueness, nerve and talent. When you leave one of her shows, you will remember, or be back, or both, not to mention she won 4 challenges, and four mini challenges Trust. So I think it's her or.....

Nymphia Wind

This queen kept me cracking up all season in the work room...and I found it utterly fascinating as comical and crazy and relaxed as she was just how detailed, structured and flawless her runways would be. While she only won 2 challenges and safe otherwise, so did Bianca Del Rio, who ended up winning her season.  Nymphia is not your usual drag queen who is going to do a lip synch or stand up, and thanks heavens for that!!!A Nymphia show is going to be very Sasha Velour...very artsy, avant-garde and part performance art... and she is going to treat you to a very one-of-a-kind dance performance where she will take her cultural background and takes us somewhere new with it. Her style and mug is always flawless, yet she is very laid back and accessible. 

Plain Jane. Yes Yes...she made the top three. I'm still not sure how, as most of her looks contained mostly skin, or a one pieces body suit, or a tight shapely long column dress, with exception to a few break outs. Michelle even called her out on it. And let's face it, she was mean spirited and not trustworthy most of the season, but I did like her better by the season end. But for me something is not there or missing. She also waited too long in the competition to break out the glam and different looks, after what seemed like a long line of body suits. I could be wrong, but I think Ru is going to throw a curve ball in the finale with a group lip synch and I think that is where it will come down to Sapphira and Nymphia...and Plain who historically doesn't dance, or lip synch well will be knocked out. My friends and girlfriends think I'm nuts and Nymphia will be out, but I'm not so sure.

Megami. I have always enjoyed her and one of the biggest sweethearts you'll ever meet. She is soooo Brooklyn New York with her style of drag. I'm just glad she made it on, and unfortunately, she didn't really gain her passion and the side I'm used to seeing till the She Done Already Had Herses Tournament. Now that was the Megami I'm used to seeing. Her looks not seen this season are also sickening! She is a good drag egg.

Morphine Love Dion was a joy to see all season. I didn't think she'd get top 4, but damn was she pretty funny all season, and I just loved some of her looks. And the funny part? She won $50,000 dollars for winning the lip synch tourment right? More than the first runner up will win tomorrow night!!!!! Maybe not a bad thing she didn't make it to the crowning circle? I think I could hang with her and be shady all night.

Mirage was the queen that was my surprise and delight queen. I didn't expect to like or enjoy her, and I loved her lots. And that bitch knows how to give body and use that body m'kay!!!!

Mhi'ya Iman Le'Page. I'm still trying to see how her, and her looks got her that far, but alright. And you have no idea how gleeful and happy I was to see her face when Megami sent her packing in the big lip synch tournament. Miss Thang was pissed. Sorry, don't see the lip synch assassin here. These queens get to reliant on the dead drops and flips. If that's your only means to woo an audience, then move on. It's SOOOOOO overdone. I want to see a tight Morgan McMichaels style lip synch, and a body feeling the music. Not constant flips and drops. I personally think she should have been an early out. She was right next to Dawn with being plain annoying.

Xunami Muse...so different then her drag mama Kandy Muse, and thank heaven for that. Xunami was another I really grew to love while she was there, was always positive and had everyone laughing, a good sister to be with in a workroom I surmise. I enjoy most of her looks. Wouldn't surprise me if she wins Miss Congenitally. Yeah, I could hang with Xunami, and I had a huge crush on boy Xunami!!! Oh yes I did. I found his laugh very sexy and catching. After a show we could must definitely take turns on each other!!!

And Q. Now I started out loving her, but she quickly became painful to watch if she didn't win. There was no hiding her feeling. And I found the voice annoying after too long. But no denying bitch had some tough and very memorable and avant garde looks. The above was one of my favorites.

And next season can we get less of the queens talking like stupid valley girls? So annoying. We will also see the exit of Ross Matthews and rumors are swirling with sisters, that the fabulous Jinkx Monsoon will be the newest rotating judge.

So, who you rooting for, or do you think will crown kids! What's your thoughts on the season???? As for moi, I'll may watch the finale in a new number created for me by good friend Miss Bill. Or should I save it for the Woods shows this summer?

You know I adore pink... and a matching chapeau and bag girls.

CATEGORY IS....

 Old School,  QueenGlam of Excess Realness...

Sapphira Crisital

SAPPHIRA

One of the things I miss about Philly is this fabulous queen in Philadelphia. Her shows are a standout and one I highly recommend if in Philly. A singing drag artist, who's true passion is being on stage making other people happy and look on in awe and wonder. Sapphira Cristal was born and raised in Houston Texas, so you know she has some tough drag skills. Sapphira is also a trained composer and operatic singer with an incredible 4-octave range and has emerged as one of the sought after queens in Philadelphia, New Hope, where she was its chosen Miss Gay Pride New Hope, and NYC. In addition, she has inspired me on numerous occasions, and inspires and encourages the next generation through her appearances at the Emerson College, and Temple in the talents of youth camps, dance studios and even high schools...not to mention is there to lend support in any LGBTQ related charity or protest...and raising funds for tangible change. Sapphira is not just a pretty face...but has some major receipts to back it up! And her style: Fierce henny!