Lady Bunny’s Don’t Bring the Kids Is Coming to Rich’s and Nothing Is Off Limits

By Cesar A Reyes

For more than four decades, the drag icon, comedian, DJ, and outspoken commentator has built a career on saying the things other people are afraid to say, finding humor in politics, pop culture, and even herself. On July 9, she returns to Rich’s San Diego for a one-night performance that promises exactly what her fans have come to expect: outrageous jokes, sharp observations, and plenty of material that is definitely not suitable for children.

Bunny laughs when asked what she is most proud of after decades as one of drag’s most enduring performers.

“Paying my rent!” she says. “Performing is all I know how to do. I never have and never will be able to work in any tech field. I don’t need hashtags, I’ve got skin tags!”

That self-deprecating humor has always been part of her appeal. Long before drag became mainstream entertainment, Bunny was developing her act in late-night clubs where audiences expected performers to push boundaries. Those experiences helped shape the irreverent style that continues to fill venues around the world today.

Her comedy often starts with everyday observations before spiraling into unexpected territory. Sometimes inspiration comes from music. As a longtime DJ, Bunny keeps an ear on what people are listening to and what cultural moments are ripe for satire.

“I’ve always loved music and loved to dance,” she says. “I DJ as well, and that gives me the opportunity to determine which songs are hits, and therefore ripe for parody. It doesn’t make sense to parody a song no one knows.”

Her current material includes original songs tackling subjects as varied as Ozempic and Elon Musk, proving that no topic is off limits.

The legendary performer has also witnessed drag evolve from a niche underground art form into a global entertainment industry. While she admits she is not a regular viewer of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she recognizes the extraordinary polish of many modern performers.

“Most of the queens look fantastic, way more polished than I’ve ever looked,” she says. “But if a queen walks onto stage looking gorgeous, I’ll applaud. She’s got five more minutes. Does she just look good or is she an entertainer?”

It’s a perspective shaped by years of commanding audiences through personality, wit, and stage presence rather than relying solely on appearance. For Bunny, a great drag performer has to do more than serve a look. They have to hold a room in the palm of their hand.

That ability has made her a favorite in San Diego over the years. Her upcoming appearance at Rich’s carries a sense of nostalgia, bringing her back to a city where she spent many memorable nights performing.

“I haven’t performed at Rich’s for many years, so it’s great to be back,” she says. “I worked in San Diego for years at Martinis, and was very sad to see them go.”

The mention of Martinis immediately recalls an era when the venue was a cornerstone of the city’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. Bunny remembers those years fondly, especially the performers and patrons who became part of her extended family.

“Several of the queens from Rich’s would come to see me at Martinis along with some very tantalizing go-go boys. I’m not averse to mixing business with pleasure!” She jokes.

Her affection for San Diego goes beyond the nightlife scene. The city itself keeps drawing her back.

“I’m like bed bugs—I always come back!” she says with a laugh. “I actually have friends in San Diego, the weather is gorgeous, and the food is scrumptious.”

Fans attending the July 9 show should know exactly what they’re signing up for. Bunny is not interested in sanitizing her material or softening her edge. In fact, she openly embraces the reputation she has spent years cultivating.

“I got my start performing in late-night clubs for gay crowds and was encouraged to be wild,” she says. “Because liquor was sold everywhere I worked, there were very few places for kids to see drag. So we never had to worry about that.”

While public conversations about drag have shifted dramatically in recent years, Bunny remains committed to the kind of adult comedy that made her famous.

“Of course, some drag is perfectly fine for kids,” she says. “But mine ain’t!”

When the curtain rises at Rich’s on July 9, audiences can expect a night filled with political jabs, outrageous stories, music parodies, and the kind of fearless humor that has made Lady Bunny a drag legend. As she puts it herself, the best way to describe the show is simple:

“Sick and twisted.”

And for Lady Bunny’s fans, that’s exactly the point.