Event

Thrifty Thrills!

Thrifty Thrills is a fundraiser and burlesque challenge that was originally produced by Barbacoa Jones of Creme de les Femmes in Indianapolis, IN in June 2013 benefiting the Damien Center, a community based nonprofit organization that helps provide services to individuals and families dealing with HIV and AIDS. Our Chicago version will be benefitting the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Chicago (NAMI Chicago), an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by serious mental illness through education, advocacy and community outreach here in the Windy City.

Thrifty Thrills is a $20 burlesque challenge. Barbacoa originally came up with the idea after hearing an interview with Kevin Smith where he described that his best work happened when his budgets were the tightest. Smith said it forced one to be creative as opposed to throwing money at something and making it go away. In addition to a limited budget, performers will be randomly assigned a type of store at which they will be allowed to spend their $20 on their costume, pasties and props.

Since the show's inception, we have seen performers repurpose and reimagine materials from hardware stores, grocery stores, thrift stores, party supply stores and dollar stores. One of the performers managed to spend none of her budget and, using free advertising circulars and expired signage from Dollar General, created a ballgown, corset and full length boa for her act. We can't wait to see what our participating performers will pull off this time!

Join us on Friday, March 6th at 9pm at She-Nannigan's for a burlesque show unlike any you've ever seen!