And the Results Are In: Bras on Broadway

Support. Anyone driving past the Hotel Donaldson this month has been exposed to all sizes and shapes of support. The HoDo is literally and physically draped in it.
         
Along with the physical support of the bras hanging from the roof of the Hodo, each bra also represents at least a $5 contribution to area women living with breast cancer. The money goes through the American Cancer Society to ensure it stays local.

For the last four years Karen Stoker, owner of the Hotel Donaldson, has been putting on the Bras on Broadway event, gaining more support and raising more money each year. Last year more than 250 breast cancer patients in our area were helped by the money raised.

The Bras on Broadway Benefit and Auction was held Oct. 22. Tickets were $50 per person, for which each person enjoyed the HoDo’s gourmet appetizers, a complimentary drink, live music featuring The Front Fenders in the lounge and Ecce’s Brenda Weiler performing in the restaurant.

Other than the obvious, the focus of the evening was artwork donated by local artists specifically for the event.

“It really started going back to the relationship that we have with artists in the area,” says Stoker. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

The silent auction of artwork included paintings, photographs, sculptures and metal work. Many felt the artwork was moving, since artists incorporated themes of the fight against breast cancer—hope, humor and honor – into their art.

Despite all the beautiful artwork on display, for some reason guests couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off the bras.

“The bra part has really opened the door for people who quilt or craft,” says Stoker. “It’s nice to have that be open and have so many people participate in that.”
Doors opened at 6 p.m. and by 7 the place was packed. At about 7:30 Stoker provided a nice welcome in the restaurant followed by “The Broadway Bra Show,” an exhibition of exuberantly artistic bras worn by models or the artists, plus a selection of non-wearable artwork was also paraded in front of guests.

The procession started in the restaurant where Bob 95.1’s Jane and Chris were emceeing the exhibition. From there the artwork moved to the lounge where The Mojo’s Dan and Ryan gave guests the rundown on the goods. After that, the action moved down to the basement where KFGO’s Jack and Sandy finished things off.

The bras ranged from a half green-half purple Brett Favre bra to a fishbowl bra (Nemo included) to a crowd favorite pheasant feather-encrusted bra.

After the exhibition, non-wearable artwork was hung back on the wall while “thirty women running around in bras,” as Stoker described, tried to raise money for a great cause. Bidders could place their bid next to the non-wearable artwork or with the bra models.

It was Darcy Simonson’s sandbag bra that brought in the most money of the evening, at a staggering $855. For the non-wearable artwork Jay Pfeifer brought in $775 with his piece made from bits of wire, wood and wax representing his idea of female form.

With the Hotel Donaldson donating $40,000 to the American Cancer Society from this year’s event, over $10,000 more than last year, it is clear that Bras on Broadway is gaining momentum and has no plans on slowing down.

“Each year we’ve raised more money than the year before,” says Stoker. “Considering the state of things, that says volumes about our community. If we can do that again next year, we’ll be thrilled.”

Breast cancer affects men as well as women; however, this evening was geared more towards the female gender. Of course the Hotel Donaldson realized this, and that’s why they started Movember (November+mustache=Movember) to raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness. But with Novembeard running back to back with Bras on Broadway they decided to switch things up this year and put on FeBROary (I hope you get it).

Essentially the same event as Movember, FeBROary will have men growing mustaches in February. Sadly enough there will not be mustaches or jock straps hanging from the top of the HoDo. The idea is, when the mustached men get asked about their new mustache, they will inform the person about the event and ask for a donation. Like Bras on Broadway, the money will go through the American Cancer Society to keep the donations local.

If you are still interested in donating, you have until October 31st to make a contribution. You can visit http://www.brasonbroadway.com to make a donation, see more information on the event as well as get information on what you can do to get more involved with this wonderful cause.

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