GLAMOUR SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD

Open audience, insert information, incite activism

“Burlesque is not all about rhinestones, glitter and fake flowers. It’s not all about T&A. People can go to strip clubs for that,” says Paula the Swedish Housewife. “Burlesque is about honoring social commentary.”

A diversely-curated lineup of acts that ranged from sublime to silly to socio-political kept an SRO audience’s tails wagging and wallets open recently at rePRODUCTION, a show benefitting NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

“Our issue is what it is … people have sex,” said NARAL’s Sasha Summer Cousineau. “But given that, our organization is not about sex, it’s about reproductive rights.”

One of the show’s highlights included Flirty Sanchez, who created a raw piece about sexual violence that silenced the audience.

“It was so intense,” said Wiggy Stardust, who produced the show with Heidi Von Haught and Randi Rascal. “One woman had to leave she was so affected.”

A panel discussion including local sexperts from Babeland, The Cair Project, Legal Voice and NARAL, followed the touching show.

“I’ve been peeling back the layers of why I was feeling so emotionally overwhelmed by the show,” continued Cousineau. “As a pro-choice movement, we are always so incredibly careful about how we message our work. While that approach is politically successful, it may not always appeal as much to the hearts and minds of the masses. We don’t really talk a lot about sex because it’s so vilified.”

Sometimes, just the right medicine is a heartfelt bump and grind!

For more information, visit NARAL, or call (206) 624-1990.

Photos from left to right: Flirty Sanchez, Paula the Swedish Housewife, Wiggy Stardust and Randi Rascal, Ernie von Schmultz and Heidi Von Haught, the spermicide team! Photos by Deirdre Allen Timmons.