Cedar Valley School's next fundraising event may be the most popular yet, but the kids are sure to miss it. That's because organizer Heidi Nielsen has come up with a new and unusual way of raising funds to support the independent school - a burlesque act.
"It's a very fun, entertaining, exciting dance performance," said Nielsen. Then adds: "It's not stripping."
The Burlesque Lounge Night takes place Saturday (April 9) starting at 8 p.m. at the Howe Sound Inn.
Nielsen, whose son attends Cedar Valley, first came up with the idea after watching a burlesque show last year.
And selling the act as a fundraiser to parents of the school, which uses Waldorf education, was a piece of cake, she said.
"Waldorf is an open-minded type of education," she said. "And the women and the men involved in the school are very open-minded."
The Howe Sound Brew Pub will host Sweet Soul Designs' burlesque act featuring performers Miss Cara Milk, Miss Crystal Precious and Miss Cherry On Top. Based out of Vancouver, the trio formed a burlesque-influenced fashion company in 2002 and soon began wearing the pasties and bloomers for their own performances, which fuses burlesque with comedy and contemporary dance.
The act will be followed by a fashion show with apparel from Squamish stores Basic Intimates Lingerie, Trinity Romance and renaissance-inspired gowns designed by Cedar Valley teacher Suzanne Glick. The evening will also include appetizers and raffle prizes.
Doors open at 8 p.m., admission is $12 and close to 100 per cent of profits will go to the school, said Nielsen.
