Friday, October 31, 7:30pm
Calgary, AB
Sexy doctor...sexy pirate...sexy witch.
There is nothing scarier on Halloween then a visit to the Girl’s Costume Aisle. Year after year, a growing, multi-billion dollar industry costumes girls, boys, women and men in sexist, racist costumes.
This year Hillhurst United Church and Urban Curvz Theatre are partnering to create an event that offers an alternative to this terrifying trend. The event will feature live performances, a patriarchy haunted house (what could be more terrifying?!) a screening of the documentary ‘Wonder Women’ about female superheroines, and of course, large amounts of popcorn and candy. It is also holding a Feminist Costume Contest - promoting the opportunity for all genders to make and wear costumes that are empowering, clever and creative.
"Last year I was in a costume store and saw a ‘naughty leopard’ outfit complete with fishnet stockings targeted at girls between the ages of 3-6 ...and I thought enough is enough" says Urban Curvz Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell. "And it’s just as bad for boys and men, as displayed by the ‘Mac Pimp Daddy’ costume for boys ages 11-14. I love Halloween and I want to celebrate it without feeling nauseated by the hyper-sexualization and cultural appropriation that seems to accompany it. When I was a kid, Halloween meant dressing up as an awesome scary character, hanging out with friends and of course, eating tons of candy. We created Take Back Halloween so that people could experience that feeling again, without the disturbing and harmful gender stereotypes that commercialized Halloween unashamedly promotes."
This unique event isn’t the first time that Hillhurst United and Urban Curvz have partnered together. In 2012, they co-presented a sold-out screening of the documentary "Miss Representation" – an important film that deconstructs the insidious role that media plays in the unbalanced depiction of women and girls.
"We’ve been wanting to work with Urban Curvz again, so when this idea came along, we both jumped on it. Why can’t we turn this area of warped Halloween culture on its head and reclaim it in a way that people will actually want to be a part of? Gender equality AND candy? A feminist costume contest with prizes? Why not?! We are a fully inclusive faith community that works really hard to advocate for social justice in unique and engaging ways, so we are thrilled to be co-hosting this event!"
Take Back Halloween happens on Friday, October 31, at 7:30pm. This event is recommended for Ages 13+
Proceeds will go to the Women’s Centre of Calgary. Tickets are available online now for just $10. (Limited seating.)
Visit hillhurstunited.com or urbancurvztheatre.com for more info.
