Hi! My name is Boybarella. Over a week in February, I shared writing from my new chapbook and took time off from work to focus on packing up my home before moving to Bloomington. While journaling, I visited some of my favorite places and people in Indianapolis. I tried to squeeze in as much as I could, yet what I’ve written here barely scratches the surface.
Day One
6:40 p.m. I’m reading from my chapbook in Twirlisha Devine’s show, “Big Diva Energy: Love Hangover,” at 8th Day Distillery. My dear friend Patsy Blue Ribbon is on the lineup with me and it’s a few days before her birthday. I stop in at The Flying Cupcake and pick up a lemon raspberry prosecco cupcake to celebrate.
7:15 p.m. I arrive at 8th Day and head backstage to check in with Twirlisha. 8th Day’s team of spectacular bartenders makes specialty cocktails/mocktails for this show. Pictured is the “8000 Thread Count” (I didn’t write down what’s in it like a goofball, but I had two of them, if that tells you anything). Wolves Den Vintage is here with vintage lingerie and sleepwear — just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The cast of Big Diva Energy: Love Hangover. From left to right: Dahlia Desire, Miss Thang, Rachel Schwebach, Twirlisha Devine, Elle EssDee, Vagina Woolf, Patsy Blue Ribbon, Boybarella and Haute Hunny.
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My chapbook is about my time as a burlesque performer. Over a year, I attempted to capture the ephemeral aspects of my work by journaling about each performance. I wanted to go beyond photography or video in an attempt to find the feeling that passes between performer and audience.
Coincidentally, the first piece in my book is from the very first “Big Diva Energy” and tonight is the second anniversary of the show. I’m nervous about how my writing will measure up against more exciting entertainment.
It turns out my nerves are for nothing. The audience and my castmates are incredibly generous.
A specialty cocktail from 8th Day Distillery with a rose petal garnish.
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Backstage with Patsy Blue Ribbon and her birthday cupcake from The Flying Cupcake.
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Credit: Provided photo/Boybarella
Day Two
7:45 p.m. I am reading at “Amorous Art,” an annual show of erotic art curated by BRIDGE Collective. In years past, this event was held in the Murphy Building in Fountain Square, but this year it moved to the Irvington Lodge.
Rachel Schwebach, a gifted artist and touchstone in my life, guides me backstage while offering words of encouragement to fight off my nerves.
8 p.m. I begin my reading on the stage in the ballroom, which is being broadcast over speakers in the gallery on the upper floor. I adore this audience. They are engaged and responsive, which makes my heart swell. It’s Valentine’s Day and I end my set choking back tears while reading a villanelle I wrote for my partner, Ty.
A poem Boybarella wrote for their partner.
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9 p.m. It’s Rachel’s turn to take the stage. She has an extensive knowledge of rope bondage, and has been expanding her practice with burlesque-influenced performances in which she either starts or ends tied up. She begins with one such performance after which she does a rope demonstration on me. Creative play is a foundational aspect of our friendship. I think the chemistry we’ve honed over the years really came across in the performance.
Later, we visit the gallery upstairs. Indianapolis is so lucky to have an event like Amorous Art! It’s uncommon to find a show so bold and daring. The pervasive feeling for me is one of joy. From the humorous to the beautiful, the works in the show identify the body as a wellspring of pleasure.
“A photo of some of my retired costumes at the ‘Amorous Art’ Art Gift Shop.”
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Rachel Schwebach and Boybarella “prom pose” against Amorous Art’s backdrop.
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Day Three
10 a.m. Ty and I enjoy a Valentine’s brunch at Milktooth, a treat I’ve been looking forward to for months. I could wax poetic about Milktooth’s food and wonderful team endlessly. I order the savory Dutch baby pancake and the special Valentine latte with beet, ruby chocolate and oat milk. We get a second cup of coffee at Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company while we scheme about the rest of the weekend.
I read again at Amorous Art tonight, but the roads are expected to be treacherous. To get Ty closer to where he needs to be for work on Monday, we drive to Bloomington after my reading.
6 p.m. Ty and I grab dinner at Jockamo’s in Irvington. We split a Greek salad and the Jockamo special, securing breadsticks for Rachel, who is across the street getting her models ready to walk in the “Unspoken Desires Fashion Experience” by Say Less Is More. The fashion show is one of the main events for Amorous Art and provides local artists and designers an opportunity to show wearable work.
7:15 p.m. We arrive at the Lodge and I deliver Rachel her breadsticks. Ty and I visit the gallery again before I do my reading. The crowd is a little more subdued, but I still have a lovely time.
10 p.m. Ty and I arrive safely in Bloomington with time to stop by a friend’s house party. Our friend didn’t get a fellowship they wanted, so they threw a “pity party.” We wore pajamas, snacked and played video games together. Community is a superb antidote for disappointment.
The Jockamo Special at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza on East Washington Street.
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A savory dutch baby pancake with baked egg, refried beans, ranchero salsa, queso fresco, cilantro and tortilla strips from Milktooth.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?fit=225%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1″ data-id=”46951″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1″ alt class=”wp-image-46951″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=450%2C600&ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C400&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C200&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C2091&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2667&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C533&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C941&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-scaled.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Image-9-768×1024.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px”>
Day Four
7 a.m. We wake up to a winter wonderland, grateful we did the driving last night. I bake a quiche while we listen to Thee Oh Sees “Singles Collection Volume 3.” We are looking forward to seeing them at the Old National Centre on Oct. 22!
4 p.m. Following a cozy day of chores and reading, I make a roasted root vegetable salad for an early dinner. After eating, we watch “Nomadland” (2020) and “Portishead: Roseland NYC Live” (2002).
Day Five
7 a.m. I see Ty off to work then drive home to Indy. I’m off work this week, with plans to make some real progress with the move.
Legendary Indianapolis bartender and writer E. Brady behind the bar at Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant.
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4:15 p.m. With my chores complete, I head to Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant to catch Fernando Trueba’s “Belle Époque” (1992), part of the Butler Race, Gender & Sexualities Studies Series. Conveniently, my best friend E Brady is working behind the bar. After the film, I grab dinner so we can try to catch up between tasks. I scarf down a rice bowl with tofu along with a cocktail E Brady’s been working on for the menu.
Day Six
1 p.m. It’s time for a break from chores. I head to Irvington Vinyl & Books to pick up Autumn Pryor’s new chapbook, “30 Poems About Love.” Autumn is the founder and facilitator of Chrysalis, a workshop for queer writers held at the store on the first Wednesday of each month. Irvington Vinyl & Books does so much for our community, whether it’s hosting events, stocking local writers and artists, maintaining a food pantry for those in need or keeping our bookshelves full.
2:15 p.m. I head over to La Parada for a late lunch. La Parada always makes me feel nostalgic. I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager and have innumerable memories of meals shared with friends and family. Today, I’m dining alone, but it’s nice to have some quiet time. I luxuriate in my go-to (#15 quesadilla, veggie), a small sangria-rita and some Ezra Pound I just picked up at Irvington Vinyl and Books.
3:30 p.m. On the way home, I stop at Garfield Park for a walk. I live about a mile from the park and try to go as often as I can. It’s frigid, but in the winter, I’ll do anything to get some sun.
A lively corner at Irvington Vinyl & Books.
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A winter scene from one of Garfield Park’s seven bridges.
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Day Seven
10 a.m. I pay Amberson Coffee & Grocer in Fountain Square a visit. I usually go for a cold brew, but bitter winter persuades me to treat myself to a date latte. I love the coffee here without question, but one of my favorite features of Amberson is their jar program.
Rather than serving a drink in a single-use container, the drink is served in a glass jar, which can be returned at the next visit for $1 off the next drink. After getting my coffee, I walk down to Amelia’s and grab a lemon ricotta danish.
“This is one of my favorite photos of myself performing at the White Rabbit Cabaret back in 2022,” says Boybarella.
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6:30 p.m. After a day full of packing, I head to Kuma’s Corner for dinner. The burgers are the crown jewel here, but I have a weakness for the basil vinaigrette on their house salad. This is another place that makes me feel nostalgic. I’ve been coming here since they opened and have a lot of pals who work here. I always have a good time.
7:30 p.m. Next, I head to the White Rabbit Cabaret, one of the most important places in the city for me. I started going to the Rabbit shortly after turning 21. Before long, I found myself on stage with the Rocket Doll Revue. I’ve met so many friends here and made so much art with them. The Rabbit will always hold a very special place in my heart. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend an evening at this magical venue.
Tonight is the debut of Lucas Waterfill’s new monthly show, “Ride or Die Comedy.” Lucas is one of my favorite comedians and he puts on a great show, to boot. The next one is Wednesday, March 19!
Kuma’s Corner is known for its heavy metal inspired burgers. Pictured is the Goatsnake with an impossible patty.
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A colorful lemon ricotta danish from Amelia’s atop a plate made by ceramicist Jenn Cole.
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Culture Journal is a series that shares a week in the cultural lives of Indy residents. If you are interested in submitting a journal, email arts and culture editor Jennifer Delgadillo at [email protected] and tell us about yourself.
