G-Sync – I’m With The Band

Last week as I crafted my editorial highlighting creative exports from metro Grand Rapids,  I really messed up by not including probably our most outrageous and distinctly local act: the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque show.

But in all fairness to myself, the reason I neglected to include SHFB in my roundup is I didn't considered them a traveling troupe. Rather, I've always thought of them as OUR burlesque show --  and a bit of a jealously guarded secret from those outside of West Michigan.

The secret will soon be out if SHFB manages to pull off its whirlwind tour of 30 cities across the United States in 30 days starting this August. The group must have gotten some wanderlust after popping in and out of various Michigan cities and Chicago over past few years. 

Now the only thing holding them back from their ambitious plan is -- you guessed it -- some cold, hard cash.

But unlike pledging money to NPR or PBS, you can get eyebrow-raising and cooler stuff in return for supporting SHFB.  (I'm really sick of my Nina Totembag.)  

Besides the obvious stuff like "investor only" tickets to their exclusive tour preview show happening at Wealthy Theatre this July (and their only appearance in the area before hitting the road) patrons can secure awesome items like singing telegrams, photographs with their favorite performer or as the $150 package outlines, a 3-hour caricature session for your wedding, graduation party or bar mitzvah.

If you've never seen an SHFB show, I can only describe it as something akin to "Gilbert and Sullivan meets Rocky Horror Picture Show."  

In addition to local pandering, SHFB has tapped into a national, grassroots support for the arts by publishing a request on Kickstarter, which is administered by Amazon.com.  Kickstarter is a new way to raise capital for the creative class and is a wonderful avenue for patrons to interact with artists through direct investment in their projects. (SHFB Kickstarter page)

Many have suggested that the SHFB should travel more, and some have even offered to drive them out of town. (Hmmm)  But local restaurants and watering holes say they have to double their waitstaffs when SHFB is performing nearby, so there's no accounting for the public's taste in entertainment.  Let's all give them a hearty sendoff.

The Future Needs All of Us (to lighten up.)

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
          

Email:  [email protected]
Twitter Feed: @TommyGSync

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Photo of pianist Tommy Allen and Jon Benet Buttercup of the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque provided by Terry Johnston


Press Releases for upcoming events in the West Michigan area should be sent to [email protected]. Please include high res jpg images that are at least 500 pixels wide.