It's time to once again grab your tuxedo, costume, or fetish wear for Trinity Romance Shop's sixth annual James Bondage Fundraiser for the Howe Sound Women's Center.
Over the past five years the fetish-themed fundraiser has raised approximately $25,000 for the Women's Center. And this year, Armour hopes proceeds will be matched by the Squamish Chamber of Commerce to create art doors for businesses in Squamish's historic downtown.
The March 6th event takes place at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub, with stages in the pub and Northbeach Lounge, and an "experience room" in the Garibaldi Room, says Eric Armour, owner of the Trinity Romance Shop.
This year the party line up and rules have changed somewhat, and the music offering consists of DJs playing breaks, funky house, and electro.
"Every year the party evolves in some shape or fashion," said Armour. "This year we'll be featuring Screaming Chickens Burlesque, and former Cirque de Soleil performer Beverly Rice. We'll be featuring a dungeon this year, which will be monitored by Vancouver DM [dungeon monitor], and there's a whole new lineup of eight DJs."
Personal cameras are not allowed for the 2010 event, but there will be a photo booth setup and a roving accredited photographer. Cameras are outlawed and full-on costumes are required because, Armour said, "the whole driving force behind this event is the empowerment of women, and having that compromised in any way requires us to adjust the rules slightly."
In the past, some attendees put in minimal effort on costumes, but this year, partygoers must wear their most formal attire or most kinky costume.
"[James Bondage] is an amazing collective of people getting together for a good cause, and making their town a better place," said Armour."While participating in that community-minded approach they're given the opportunity to escape their regular routines of home and work to become a totally separate person free of inhibitions in a very safe environment."
Armour is certainly freeing his inhibitions for his costume this year, adding he's still working on it.
"I'll say this much: there will be PVC, flesh, and metal. On that note, I think I have to go do some sit-ups."
Tickets are available for purchase at Trinity Romance Shop and at the front desk of the Brew Pub.
