The savory smell of tamales permeated the air while drag queens sporting Día de los Muertos attire lip-synced between tables filled with cheering spectators. This was the scene at Bellingham’s El Sueñito Brewing Company’s Día de los Muertos drag show on the night of Saturday, Nov. 4.
The evening was hosted by Rumor Cabaret’s Queer Ass Friday host Rikki Sinsation and featured a cast made up of queens of Mexican descent. Along with performances by Rikki, the talents of Isabella de la Rosa, Isabella Richards, and Kali Vera were also showcased. The majority of the performances included Spanish songs, and the makeup worn by the queens was heavily influenced by the look of a calavera (a painted skull that represents the holiday).
The show also entailed a costume competition for the patrons of the restaurant, ranging from cute Barbie outfits to a Michael Myers so committed to the role, he refused to speak.
El Sueñito is a recent arrival to Bellingham, having opened its doors in February. The owners, the couple Osbaldo and Dennis, intend the space to be a community-centered place to celebrate Queer and BIPOC culture. The brewery, which prides itself on being a Gay- and Mexican-owned establishment, boasts colorful decor and sells “Support Queer Beer” T-shirts.
And yes, El Sueñito does have a Queer beer; it’s called Un Poco Gay, and it was a seasonal brew created for Pride.
For more information about El Sueñito Brewing Company, visit https://elsuenitobrewing.com or follow its Facebook and Instagram accounts by the same name.
