Bitch City, Helen Johnson's Wardrobe at the Wildrose, March 18

Artist Helena Rogers

Performing artist Bitch City

Performing artist Helen Johnson's Wardrobe

Venue Wildrose

Datec. 1997

Mediumpaper (fiber product); ink

DimensionsOverall (HWD): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.94 × 21.59 cm)

Credit LineMoPOP permanent collection

Object number1997.417.5

Text Entries

Portal Description

The Wildrose is one of the oldest lesbian bars on the West Coast, and now the only one north of Los Angeles. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood at 1021 E Pike, five women opened the doors of the Wildrose on New Year's Eve, 1984, and Bryher Herak (b. unknown) was soon running the bar by herself. Martha Manning became a bartender at the Wildrose in 1997 after moving from the East Coast, and she purchased the bar with her coworkers in 2000, one of whom Shelley Brothers bought out in 2002, and the last of which Manning and Brothers bought out together to become co-owners in 2005. The bar was originally only open to women, but since the two took over the ownership of the Wildrose, it has been open to all. Over the years, the Wildrose has hosted DJs and musicians from across the US, with an emphasis on local and LGBTQIA+ artists. Inside the bar there is a rose mural, painted by local artist Takiyah Ward (b. unknown).

Physical Description

Rectangular handbill on yellow paper with black ink. "Here comes bitch city" is printed in black ink on the top half above a gorilla like creature with a human face. The creature is above a cityscape. Below the cityscape is information on the performance and venue.

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