Janet Jensen
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On Friday and Saturday evenings La Costa Mexican restaurant in Tacoma, Wash. transforms into a drag show venue for biological men who left behind disapproving families, drugs or poverty in Mexico. The gay Mexican performers have found a haven at Tacoma’s downtown restaurant run by owner and performer Lupe Cervantes. The performers say the shows at La Costa are the high point of their week—even when there’s only a handful of customers. And Lupe - who goes by Lupita for the show - says he's the reason some aren't on the streets.Maritza Gonzalez, left, and Miranda Manjairez take a cigarette break before performing in the Mexican drag show at La Costa restaurant. -
Maritza Gonzalez dresses back stage often changing costumes several times before deciding on the right one.
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On Friday and Saturday nights, Lupe Cervantes becomes "Lupita" and performs at his Tacoma restaurant, La Costa. About a half dozen performers, many from Mexico, lip synch to both English and Spanish languages pop tunes during the drag queen shows.
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Miranda Manjairez chats with customers arriving for Saturday's Spanish language drag show.
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The restaurant’s draped off banquet room serves as a dressing room every Friday and Saturday evening. Maritza Gonzalez, left, waits to go on stage as Carlatina Alvarez sprays her hair. Many performers spend up to three hours preparing their make up, hair and costumes.
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Carlatina Alvarez, Jessica Gonzalez and Kasandra Ceja soak in the applause at the close of Friday's Spanish language show at La Costa. About a half dozen performers, many from Mexico, lip synch to both English and Spanish languages pop tunes during the drag queen shows.
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A tip falls from a performer's costume during a drag queen show at La Costa.
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Someone grabs Lupita's attention while she works with performers Maritza Gonzalez, left, and Kasandra Ceja, right, on the evening's song list.
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Even when the audience is small and seemingly disinterested Jessica Gonzalez delights in the opportunity to perform.
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Jessica Gonzalez, 29, a biological man, lives as a woman seven days a week. She started the idea of having the show at La Costa and has been performing there every Friday and Saturday for the past nine years. She shares the small dressing room with owner Lupita. Other performers dress in a draped off banquet room.
