In 2001, "How to Become a Tortillera" and "Papi Duro: F.B.I. (Fearless Bucha Instigator)" premiered and became the foundation for MASTERING SEX & TORTILLAS! Invited by Dr. Alicia Gaspar de Alba to ponder the question, "Why do you love being a Chicana lesbian?" Adelina responded with the high-femme & high-drama diva La Profesora Mama Chocha. This character comically deals with her own dyke drama, while teaching her class some valuable lessons on "tortillerismo." Adelina received the first of many standing ovations as the closing performer at U.C.L.A.'s historical conference "Otro Corazón: Queering the Art of Aztlán."

Ten months later, Tongues (a Latina lesbian collective) invited Adelina to perform at one of their special community events at Highways Performance Space. Adelina used this opportunity to premiere the debonair, Papi Duro. This old-school butcha examines the historical (albeit invisible) role of jotería during the Chicano Movement and connects her "embodied knowledge" with the next generation of butchas in the making.

Shortly, thereafter, these segments coalesced into MASTERING SEX & TORTILLAS! a performance work exploring sexuality, gender, race/ethnicity and other interconnected issues from queer Ch/Xicana perspectives. A few months later, Dr. Emma Perez, Dr. Scarlet Bowen, and Prof. Gregory Ramos made it possible for MASTERING SEX & TORTILLAS! to participate in U.T.E.P.'s 2002 National Endowment for the Humanities Series. Over the years, the show went through many transformations. In 2003 the show went on hiatus as Adelina entered graduate school at Stanford University… but the show is BACK! Tighter than Mama Chocha's mini skirt and as some Chicanas will say, "Hey, man, even MORE FUNNIER than ever!!"

Part stand-up, part performance art, part teatro, and not to mention the always guaranteed improvisations--this unique show has lots of buttery Chicana flavor with its hilarious and unflinching examination of Chicana/Latina lesbian sexuality.

Photo Concept and Credit: Weenobee, 2007