Revelstoke Women’s Shelter executive director Nelli Richardson is looking forward to an evening of fun and empowerment this Saturday when Vancouver burlesque revival pioneers Sweet Soul Burlesque take the stage at the Traverse Lounge.
The rollerderby after-party will feature a performance at 9:30 p.m., followed by a Take Back the Night walk to entertainment venues in downtown Revelstoke. The event is in conjunction with Prevention of Violence Against Women Week.
Richardson said both rollerderby and burlesque feature powerful and expressive personas ideal for the awareness-raising evening.
“As women, we need a society where we’re safe to express whatever it is that we need to be doing. I think that the roller derby girls and obviously women who choose burlesque are expressing that,” Richardson said. “[It’s] the whole idea of women doing what they want to do and feeling powerful and safe in your own skin. At the women’s shelter we believe that all women have the right to live safely in their own communities.”
Sweet Soul Burlesque are Vancouver burlesque revival pioneers, founded in 2003 and featured in festivals, events and media across the continent and beyond. Each troupe member has honed their individual style and performance, creating an energetic ensemble show that fuses classic burlesque with contemporary cultural influences.
The Take Back the Night walk happens after the Sweet Soul Burlesque set, around 11:15 p.m. “Part of our mandate is to educate our community and make our community safer for women – that’s more of what this event is about,” Richardson explained.
The walk will be followed by DJ sets by DJ Ch3 and Jayse Aspey until close.
Richardson said the community has been very generous with donations for the silent auction and other fundraising initiatives, so don’t forget to bring your wallet for the cause. She thanked Traverse Lounge and the Regent Inn for their help hosting the show and their guests.
What to wear? Purple is the theme colour for Prevention of Violence Against Women Week. Traverse Lounge cocktail culturist Jay Shoji is creating a special purple cocktail for the evening.
Tickets ($15) are available at Society Snow & Skate and Escape Within.