An electric cocktail:

By Suzanne Redekopp
Contributing Writer

What do you get when you pair an erotic art event with the talented Bad Weather Burlesque performers? Answer: an electric current sending sparks throughout the entire evening, leaving you charged and visually stimulated. Visit the Red Raven Espresso Parlor Thursday Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m. to experience that electric charge during their second annual Erotic Art Show.
 
The Erotic Art Show was previously showcased at the Robert St. Studios for a number of years, but the show premiered at the Red Raven last year and will be hosted there again this year.  According to Sarah Watson Curry, worker/owner at the Red Raven, “This is my first year helping plan the event and I must say, I’m no authority on eroticism, but people look forward to attending the event and participating. It’s exciting for us to have our space used and exposed to new people. It’s also very interesting hosting a group art show, as works can really run the gamut,” Curry said.
 
The term “erotic art” might seem vague to some.  Curry gave her definition.
 
“Well each artist seems to have their own interpretations. Desire and anticipation are qualities that I associate with erotic art.  Images of the body are commonly used. Also humor has been an element in the past… [For example,] images and phrases printed on underwear. I hope to see some works that challenge what can be viewed as erotic, [and] the idea behind the poster was to help spark that. The plug in is an inanimate object, but with implied sexuality,” Curry said.

There isn’t a concrete list of artists appearing in the show, as submissions will be trickling in throughout this week. Curry said that local exhibited artists like Sabrina Hornung, Denise Knudson and Kim Jore are currently planning to submit art pieces. But along with old favorites, some new artists will be featured as well. “…also I’m talking to artists who have never submitted or exhibit[ed] art before, [and] I think that is a wonderful element about the show,” Curry said.
 
Speaking of new artists… you could be one of them. The Red Raven is currently accepting art submissions for The Erotic Art Show.  Visit redravenespressoparlor.com to fill out a submission form.  Deadline for entries is Feb. 4 – 7.  If your art is shown, not only will hundreds of adoring people view your work, but you’ll also receive $5 off your ticket to the show.
 
Bad Weather Burlesque will also be featured during the show as a performance-based form of erotic art.  Sabrina Hornung, co-founder of Bad Weather Burlesque, known as “Alabaster Disaster” on stage, said that Bad Weather Burlesque also performed at last year’s Erotic Art Show at the Red Raven. “It’s the variety show format with a bunch of different performers performing anything from belly dancing to something more traditional,” Hornung said.  Along with the Alabaster Disaster, you can also expect to see Anytime Jones, Charlie Valentine, Lady King and Ezra from Bad Weather Burlesque. In preparing for the show, Hornung also said that this year has been somewhat difficult “Bad Weather Burlesque will be the only group there,” Hornung said. “It’ll be a challenge this time around.  The Red Raven doesn’t play copyrighted music, so [our performances] will be brand new acts that haven’t been seen in Fargo before.”
 
Here’s a brief rundown of the evening: you’ll want to get there early, as the free reception runs from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Dr. Sketchy’s will be running from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., which, according to Hornung, is a session that teaches learners more about figure drawing in a unique way. For more information on Dr. Sketchy’s, visit drsketchy.com/branch/fargo. The variety show starts at 8:00 p.m., so don’t be late. 
 
Tickets are still available for the Erotic Art Show at a cost that could fit anyone’s budget. “Tickets are for sale at Orange Records and Red Raven. They are $10 in advance, $12 at the door (assuming we don’t sell out!),” Curry said.
 
Missing out on this event would be a major bummer.  But if you absolutely can’t make it to the Erotic Art Show, you’ll have to clear your Valentine’s Day evening for a similar event.  “The Stagedoor Johnnies: Stripped!” is premiering at JT Cigarro’s on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.  The Bad Weather Burlesque performers will again make an appearance, only this time with other burlesque groups. According to the brownpaperbag.com press release,
“This full-length show, hosted by Minneapolis celebrity Nadine Dubois, features female guest performers Jeez Loueez (Chicago), and local burlesque artists from Bad Weather Burlesque. It’s a perfect balance for couples looking to start their night off with a scandal.”

The Stagedoor Johnnies recently received the “World’s Best Burlesque Group 2011” title.  According to their website, “The Stage Door Johnnies is the world’s only all-male burlesque group of its kind. Performers Ray Gunn, Jett Adore, and Bazuka Joe give the audience a rare glimpse at a male twist on the historic art of striptease.

In just two years, the Johnnies have stripped their way through Las Vegas, NYC, Montreal, Toronto, Windsor, San Francisco, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and the list goes on.”

Hornung is excited for Bad Weather Burlesque to be a part of the show. “It’s interesting because it’s making North Dakota burlesque history.  This is one of the first times that a national touring act for burlesque is here.  Before this, the only other national acts were peep shows in the 40s and 50s.”
 
So now that you’re all revved up after reading about these two fantastic events, be a part of making North Dakota history and attend the Erotic Art Show on Feb. 9 and “The Stagedoor Johnnies: Stripped!” performance on Feb. 14.
 

IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Erotic Arts Show
WHERE: Red Raven Espresso Parlor
WHEN: Thursday, February 9
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
COST: $10/ticket in advance, $12 at the door, available at Orange Records and the Red Raven
SUBMISSIONS: Deadline is Saturday Feb. 4 – Tuesday Feb. 7. Visit redravenespressoparlor.com for the submission form. Cost per entry is $5.

IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The Stagedoor Johnnies: Stripped!
WHERE: JT Cigarro
WHEN: Tuesday, February 14
TIME: 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
COST: $15/ticket
TICKETS: brownpapertickets.com/event/220616
MORE INFO: thestagedoorjohnnies.com/Home.html

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