When Sister Spit emcee Imani Sims introduced Baruch Porras Hernandez, she did so with a caveat.  Baruch had spent much of that day in a Kaiser ER and would be performing that night under the heavy influence of morphine.

“But he’s here and queer and a ready to delight you,” Sims said.

If Hernandez tells you that he doesn’t remember much of the evening, you can assure him that he kicked butt. Literally. His posterior jokes drew belly laughs from the more than 250 people who attended the Sister Spit spoken word showcase at the Icehouse on Saturday evening.

Sister Spit is a touring queer spoken word company. They were hosted by the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach.

“Sister Spit’s annual stop is hands down one of the most creative, innovative and acclaimed LGBTQ arts events in Long Beach,” said The Center’s executive director, Porter Gilberg.

As to what caused Baruch’s medical detour, he figured it had something to do with his addiction to donuts.

Cristy C. Road gave a rousing performance when she paid homage to Queen and got the audience involved with a “We Will Rock You” stomp to one of her songs.

Imani Sims later performed the most provocative set, highlighted by a narrative between a therapist and “Patricia”, which is Sims’ nickname for her southern region.

Not that naughty part nicknames are that unusual, some very powerful folks have given monikers to their business parts: Warren G. Harding referred to his “member of congress” as Jerry and though his name was “Johnson”, LBJ’s White House diaries make references to entertaining Oval Office guests with his friend “Jumbo.”

Sims postulated as to what would be an appropriate nickname for the current Commander in Chief’s man part.

“It should be something orange to match his hair,” Sims said. “Maybe Lil’ Cheeto? But definitely not of the flaming hot variety.”

She paused as her face lit up when she came up with a better sobriquet.  “For someone as delusional as he is, I think an excellent name would be Dong Quixote!”

 

Imani Sims performs her routine at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019 Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Jei Garcia and Darko Blazic look at a mural before Saturday’s show at the Icehouse. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Performer Imani Sims checked out the Icehouse Arts Complex before going on stage with Sister Spit. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Austin Hernandez performs at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Imani Sims checked out the Icehouse Arts Complex before going on stage with Sister Spit. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Katherine Agara arranged the Sister Spit merchandize table. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. (Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Imani Sims shares a laugh at Icehouse Arts Complex before going on stage with Sister Spit. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Katie Fricas talks about her illustrations during her performance on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Arthur Reeder takes a photo of a mural at the Icehouse before the show. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Austin Hernandez performs at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Imani Sims performs her routine at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Baruch Porras Hernandez performs at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Baruch Porras Hernandez performs at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A crowd of more than 250 enjoy Saturday’s performance at the Icehouse. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A crowd of more than 250 enjoy Saturday’s performance at the Icehouse. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A group of friends enjoy the cocktail hour before Saturday’s performance. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Performer Cristy C. Road studies her routine before going on stage. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach was hosting nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit at the Icehouse on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Sarah Clingan checks out the view from the fifth floor of the Icehouse. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Darko Blazic checks out the murals at the Icehouse before Saturday’s show. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
More than 250 people attended the Sister Spit show on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Illustrator and librarian Katie Fricas talks about her work at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019.Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Katherine Agard is a artist and writer from Trinidad and Tobago. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Couples listen to the spoken word performances at the Icehouse Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019.Photo by Bill Alkofer.
A concert goer looks out a window of the Icehouse before the show. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
Cristy C. Road performs at the Icehouse on Saturday. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach hosted nationally-renowned spoken word showcase Sister Spit on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo by Bill Alkofer.