Tearing hair to show you care

By John Showalter

Body hair waxing has been the butt of its fair share of jokes, whether there are some guys on a night out joking how they can’t understand how women do it, to women saying it’s the reason they opt for a razor, to pranks on roommates and humorous movie scenes. But what if you could get those arms and legs or that back and chest silky smooth for a good cause? And coupling that with good food, drinks, music and laughs?

That is what Paul Evans is going to be doing for the fourth year in a row. You might have seen the posters around town -- where this Bismarck Tavern bouncer flexes his biceps, obscuring the breasts of two of his topless coworkers from the establishment. It certainly catches the attention. On Oct. 11, he will be hosting a benefit at Woody’s Bar, complete with food, live music, a silent auction and, yes, waxing. For five bucks a pop, people can rip a wax strip off a willing volunteer and enjoy all their hilarious reactions while donating to a good cause.

The money goes to Karen Stoker, owner of the HoDo and the lady responsible for the colorful rows of brassieres draped across downtown during the breast cancer awareness event Bras on Broadway, which pays for gas cards for local people living with breast cancer. In the past, these benefits that Paul has put on have raised anywhere from eight to fifteen thousand dollars for the cause.

Paul, like many people, has had personal experience with breast cancer himself. He unfortunately lost his mother on Christmas Day 2010 after her struggle with the disease. But even though this inspired him to start this benefit, it isn’t just a case of helping him cope, as he has reached a point of acceptance. “I got to spend twenty-seven years in this world with my mom,” he said. “It’s not for her, it’s because of her. I just want to help other people out.” He then went on to share a piece of wisdom from his father. “He said that you’re pretty damn lucky to make it out of this world alive.” Of course, that’s not reason not to help, in his eyes.

But why did Paul settle on waxing? “You have to do something unorthodox to bring people in,” he said. “Anyone can do a spaghetti dinner.” That isn’t the only reason, of course. “I like to make my friends feel pain. I’m not a sadist, I just think it’s hilarious.” However, he’s quite persuasive in getting his friends to go along with these adventures, talking several of the music lineup and even local radio host Jack Sunday into showing up and doing some manscaping. I’m considering showing up myself.

Paul is no stranger to doing crazy stunts to help people out, however, such as when a good friend of his broke his arm in several places after an auger accident. He was all too willing to lift up his shirt and show me his Hello Kitty “tramp stamp” tattoo in support of his friend. “I originally wanted to get myself branded, but Jack Sunday told me, ‘You’re not doing that.’”

Though these antics might call to mind the misadventures of Johnny Knoxville and his ilk on “Jackass,” Paul said that he is not that big of a fan, pointing out how they do it for personal profit and he’s doing it to help other people out.

As he does this event annually, Paul keeps hoping to raise the ante on how much more painful and stupid his money-raising stunts can be. “I have plenty of ideas,” as the branding anecdote would suggest, “but people won’t let me.” He is not at risk for running out of ideas, though. “I can always think of stupider s***,” he said.

The question of the hour before you consider going hairless for the benefit is probably, “Does it hurt that bad?”

“It totally doesn’t stick around for days,” Paul said, shifting his eyes slyly back and forth.

IF YOU GO:

Party with Paul E

Sun, Oct. 11, 3-11 p.m.

Woody’s Bar is at 1550 32nd Ave S Fargo