Lions and tigers and corsets, oh my!
This year's seventh annual James Bondage event took Squamish by storm on Saturday (Feb. 12), raising almost $10,000 for the Howe Sound Women's Centre and public art installations downtown.
The fundraiser was every bit the "sensory experience" organizer Eric Armour promised and more - more than 600 guests crowded the Howe Sound Brew Pub for an evening of unique performances, dance-inspiring music and ingenious costumes.
"I would say it's probably one of the best ones so far, but I think I say that every year," said Armour.
"I think people really dug the circus theme - it definitely gave some costume focus to a lot of people and with circus there's so many different characters so people really got into it."
Only beautiful and seductive corsets outnumbered leather pants, snake charmers, ringmasters, lions, tigers and elephants.
"Some of the costumes were simply amazing," Armour said. "There were a few really good ones that really flipped my lid.
"There was one human cannon ball one that was really awesome - this guy wore a silver skin suit with a helmet and a flip-down visor that I thought was really creative."
Armour said the guests' costumes are every bit as important as the performances and the venue d茅cor.
"All the people who attended in their costumes were equally a part of the production," he said.
Howe Sound Brew Pub and Restaurant was unrecognizable - massive red drapes lined the walls, the ceiling became the top of a circus tent, cages were in every room and "carnies" handed out popcorn and cotton candy.
Performances wowed the audience sporadically throughout the night - there was belly dancing, circus acts, live art and vocal performances.
Underground Circus, a Vancouver-based circus-performing group, had three dancers performing complex and daring moves above everyone's heads.
Marie-Eve, Michelle and Ninon were suspended from an aerial structure (three metal hoops) performing Triceau, which includes intricate choreography and spectacular dance manoeuvres.
After their performance, Marie-Eve was glowing as she described the act.
"I just love the reaction from the crowd at events like this," she said. "This is a great party to perform at."
Guests shared Marie-Eve's point of view and said it was the best event they had attended all year.
Courtney Driver, who teaches fire spinning and hooping in Squamish, was dressed to the nines and had her hoop in hand for impromptu demonstrations all night.
"This is an invigorating party to attend," she said. "It's a great opportunity for everyone to showcase their originality through outfit design."
Other performances by Luciterra belly dancing and drag queen Jaylene Thyme were well received and local artist Amber Butler was busy demonstrating a live art show - complete with gunpowder and paint.
"It was so awesome," Armour said. "She [Butler] painted the canvas throughout the night, lined it with gunpowder, took it to the patio and ignited it.
"It blows the paint into crazy abstract lines and changes the look of the piece."
Armour said quality entertainment is the key to pulling off a phenomenal event every year.
"Every year we get different performances and that's what keeps it unique," he said. "But it's going to be hard to top these ones next year."
