Like, SoCal Vol. 1 / no. 3: The YUQQIE Edition
Covering the best in SoCal drag and queer nightlife: Haus of YUQ, YUQ Studios, Faerialand, and Yvette Getarian
LA-based writer, drag artist, and creative Samara is back covering local drag, this time in her hometown of Los Angeles, California. Like, SoCal is a monthly newsletter centering the rich, queer nightlife that stretches from West Hollywood to Palm Springs and back up 66. We’ve heard from the Boston Uncommon. Now, it’s time for everything, like, sooo Cal!
This week’s YUQQIE edition of Like, SoCal I:
Cover a BIG STORY: I want haus (of YUQ) – Young Underpaid Queers carve space in a crowded scene
Shine a SHOW SPOTLIGHT: Faerialand, a destination for trans and queer joy
Investigate WHO IS, LIKE, SOOO CAL?: Yvette Getarian talks harm reduction and SoCal trans excellence
And let you SCROLL THE ROLL: Vanity Halston makes it rain
BIG STORY: I want haus (of YUQ) – Young Underpaid Queers carve space in a crowded scene
I had only taken a few steps into Precinct — “Excuse me! Can I have a House of Love cocktail, straight up,” when I grabbed my dear friend’s wrist, spotting someone strange and perfect from across the bar. Squinting through her blinding light, I stood dazzled. Yes, by her beauty, but mostly by her indescribable nerve— the nerve it took LA drag artist Bohenne Arreaux to bring a ginormous (incredibly flattering) flashbulb to the drag show. Nothing YUQ about good lighting.
Working in live theater before the pandemic as a production manager, technical director, and venue manager, Bohenne purchased her first camera in 2019 before ever starting drag. Her only experience being one college film class, Bohenne first took on learning how to actually use her camera (obviously long before being booked to shoot show photography as mentioned above).
“YUQ Studios kind of came out of necessity, not just for finances, but for having something creative to do for myself,” Bohenne said. “My work in theatre was to facilitate others fulfilling their artistic vision, and during the pandemic, I had access to all of those resources to finally do something for myself.”
Bohenne first built YUQ Studios with a network of actors from her time in theater, eventually branching out to socially distant photoshoots and collaborations with other artists.
As Bohenne’s photography skills developed, partner and collaborator Calla Faeria was working on her own projects, both exploring drag and gender while in quarantine; it took one wig that the two shared for them to both become drag artists overnight.
“Since we were quarantined at the time, we didn't have a way to perform or connect with other drag artists other than online. I launched Drag Scene LA and a YouTube web series called ‘Monster Movie Friday.’ After a few months, it just kept growing, we decided to start a drag haus, move into a bigger place together, and launch a studio. We've been investing in it and growing ever since,” Calla said.
However, launching and pouring time into YUQ Studios also meant determining how to monetize to support their
“Creating the type of images I like takes a lot of gear…At the start, nobody had much of a disposable income, were weren't making very much, but I needed gear that was affordable and could grow with me as I learned more photography techniques,” Bohenne said.
As artists newer to the scene, it took time to determine exactly what was fulfilling both creatively and financially.
“When we were first starting in drag, we would get dressed up, go out to shows, take photos, and conduct video interviews. We built a name for ourselves pretty quickly,” Bohenne explained. “We were invited to do this and when we asked to be compensated for our work, it didn't go as well as we'd hoped. Everybody wants it but nobody wants to pay for it.”
Currently offering photography and editing services, Bohenne and Calla hope to eventually be able to provide more comprehensive photo/video production studios with a commercial space.
“We're just two queer drag artists, and neither of us comes from a lot of money, so the growth of the studio and its services has been all word-of-mouth,” Calla said. “We are hopeful that someday soon we will come into some capital (maybe from a grant) that will let us grow even more.”
Since its inception, YUQ Studios has worked with artists like Pangina Heals, Ongina, Disasterina, Kalista Stage, Marta BeatChu, considering Sasha Colby a dream client. Bohenne also captured Salina EsTitties’ entire package for “Drag Race” Season 15.
“With Salina we did a lot of guerilla-style shoots, running into a scene and having to capture the look in just a few seconds without drawing too much attention. That was a fun challenge for me!” Bohenne said.
With the studio expanding, the two hope to spend more time creating art for themselves as they continue building their drag haus, Haus of YUQ. What originally started as four artists, now home to ten, the Haus of YUQ boasts a massive variety of drag styles.
“I think the Yuqqies are such a diverse group of people with the infinite talent to grow into anything they want to. The obvious answer would be to see some of us on TV, but I certainly have goals beyond that,” Bohenne said.
Book a shoot with YUQ Studios today and keep reading for more information on their upcoming parties and haus members!
“I just want us to keep partying on, doing incredible drag, and offering love and support to our community,” Calla said.
SHOW SPOTLIGHT: Faerialand, a destination for trans and queer joy
Picture a magical place. No, not AMC. A different kind of place. Where sexy sprites and pwetty pwincesses play alongside goth girls and gocks with glocks. Yeah, read that doozy of a sentence again. It’s a place where gorgeous trans beings roam and rule. With costume contests and queer artists, pay what you can for your one-way ticket to Faerialand.
“Networking, vendors, great music, excellent photography, free harm reduction, and none of the pressure or intimidation you might feel at an established bar or club,” LA drag artist and Haus of YUQ member Yvette Geterian said.
Produced by the Haus of YUQ, Faerialand is a monthly trans-led drag show and harm reduction space. Originally launched in April 2022 by LA drag artist Calla Faeria, the show was born as a response to some of the oversaturation of drag within LA. Having been gigging around the city for a year, Calla was struggling to keep consistent bookings and wanted to create a new space for both themself and the artists around them.
“I thought it was going to be a one-time thing…Honestly, I am still shocked the event is as successful as it is and has continued to grow this whole time,” Calla said. “It’s where we connected with all of our subsequent drag kids and made other really great connections. It’s now a well-known space, we even have famous drag artists visit the party which is wild to me.”
Recognizing financial disparities within the community, the show entrance fee is Pay What You Can with an $8 suggested donation. Hosting a $100 costume contest with a new theme each show, the Yuqqies invite everyone to be in on the fun.
“It was important for us to create a trans-safe space. Venues have ‘trans night’ or some equivalent until they become a regular gay bar again, but we've kept the party at our house because this is always a safe space,” LA drag artist and Haus of YUQ Co-Creater Bohenne Arreaux said.
Choosing to host at a private venue, the Yuqqies can better utilize their resources to build a space they can ensure is consistently safe and inclusive to trans people. In partnership with a variety of organizations, LA drag artist and Yuqqie Yvette Geterian offers free harm reduction supplies and resources including NARCAN, fentanyl tests, COVID kits, condoms, lube, and liquid IV.
“I love that I can bring my knowledge of harm reduction and safe drug use to this setting and give resources out to the community,” Yvette said. “The most rewarding part is most definitely the community-building aspect. I have met so many incredibly talented and kind trans artists, many of whom I now consider my close friends, all because they saw a poster and wanted to come to the event.”
Save the date for the next Faerialand on Saturday, Feb. 24, “Artificially in Love.” Follow Faerialand for information on how to RSVP and potential opportunities for an open stage!
“We are creating a "micro" drag scene for ourselves in Mid-Wilshire. We are creating an event based around a growing drag family and LGBT+ business that gives back to our community,” Calla said. “I still have high hopes for the party to continue growing and become something bigger than it is now, but I am so thankful for everything it has become.”
WHO IS, LIKE, SOOO CAL?: Yvette Getarian talks harm reduction and SoCal trans excellence
What defines SoCal queer nightlife? Beyond our vocal fry and general disinterest. Who defines our scene? “Who is, Like, Sooo Cal?!” is a space for local performers and community members to explore regional talent and culture.
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Getting into performing live just before the pandemic, drag artist and Haus of YUQ Member Yvette Getarian moved to Los Angeles after graduating from UC Santa Barbara. In addition to working with the Haus of YUQ on Faerialand, Yvette performs around WeHo, DTLA, and, as she says, “anywhere they’ll have me.” In addition to doing drag, Yvette is a full-time harm-reduction healthcare worker and certified NARCAN and HIV trainer. Working with various organizations, Yvette supplies NARCAN, fentanyl tests, COVID kits, condoms, lube, and liquid IV. “I love that I can bring my knowledge of harm reduction and safe drug use to this setting and give resources out to the community,” Yvette said.
Find out who else is like, sooo Cal here! And are you a drag artist who’s like, sooo Cal and wants to be featured? Email thesamara66@gmail.com!
SCROLL THE ROLL: Vanity Halston makes it rain
As a bonus for making it to the end of this week’s Like, SoCal, I’ll let you take a peek at my camera roll. But don’t you dare swipe!
On the final day of LA’s most recent cyclone (4 days of rain that shut down the city), the queers came out to Bullet Bar in North Hollywood to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Volta Charge’s “Shell Shocked.” With queens walking puddles (literally) LA drag legend Vanity Halston gave “make it rain” a whole new meaning. After all, no queen has ever let a small slipping hazard stand between her and her cash.