Sunday mornings don't have to be a drag

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For many, Sunday morning is a time to put on your best suit and head off to church. But for Gigi Coutre and Xavier Onassis Bloomingdale, it’s a time to put on risqué clothing and dance for a hungry audience.

Gigi and Xavier go by “Love Sensation” and are two of the most popular drag queens who perform every Sunday morning at Perry’s in Adam’s Morgan. For 16 years, Love Sensation has been singing, dancing and pleasing their audience members with everything from a kiss on the cheek to a feel of their breasts.

“We’re party girls,” says Gigi as she puts on lipstick and gets ready for the first performance. A floor above, the customers enjoy the fusion buffet of traditional breakfast and Asian delicacies. The dining room brims with anxious anticipation as the queens get ready to take the stage.

While waiting, costumers enjoy an all you can eat buffet that is as satisfying as it is aesthetically appealing. Perry’s offers everything from scrambled eggs and bacon to sushi and egg rolls. With the variety of options, it’s worth it to keep going back and try everything. The dishes are continually refilled and the queens encourage everyone to eat as much as they can.

All of a sudden music explodes out of the speakers and a scantily clad drag queen struts across the dining room. Some look and laugh, others look in awe and many hold up dollars bills. The queens make their way around the dining room posing for pictures and give special attention to anyone with a few bucks. “Remember to tip your performers,” says Love Sensation, “it keeps us from prostitution.”

For the most part the queens just lip sync and collect tips. But there is another way to get the attention of the outrageous performers- ignore them. If you keep your eyes on your food, you’re sure to get noticed by the queens and they’ll come over to say hiya… again and again and again.

The brunch draws lots of 20-somethings just looking for something different and of course to have fun. It’s also popular for couples and birthdays but beware -- these queens just might try to steal your man. Any anxiety about what to expect is washed away after the first performance and a pitcher of mimosas. The performances are amusing and harmless so as long as you can leave your inhibitions at the door. Most of the audience knows what to expect and has a great time with it. But some may take offense and once seated, you’re at the will of Gigi and Xavier.

While not a place for the conservative, Perry’s caters to a predominantly straight crowd that is looking for a unique way to wind down the weekend. The mix of comedy and musical performances makes for a good time. It’s not everywhere that you’ll find such a lively scene on Sunday mornings. It’s even rarer when the entertainment focuses around drag queens.

The doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the buffet is $22.95, which doesn’t include alcohol, but the tasty selection and unique entertainment is worth the money. Perry’s does not take reservations so it’s best to get there around 10 a.m. Remember to bring lots of cash if you want the queens to give you or your table some extra special attention. They come out about every five minutes until they take a half-hour break. In that time, most costumers leave and the next wave comes in to join the celebration.