Thread: A Charity Burlesque Event - Work In Progres

My wife and I have been talking about runnng a Burlesque night to raise money for Cruse Bereavement, a chaity that helps and supports people who are finding it difficult coming to terms with the death of a loved one or the loss of an unborn child.

Today we started the ball rolling on what will no doubt be a long and dfficult quest. We have found an excellent venue that will seat about 60 people and actually have space to move, an actual stage, a music system and lighting rig - it also has actual dressing rooms for performers rather than the usual grotty toilets. And the price of the room for the day is very agreeable. Our plan is to try and run the event some time in April 2008 as at this moment.

Obviously we are going to apply for funding to help run the night, with the intention that with funding we might actually be able to generate some money for the charity rather than just cover our expenses, neither of us are loaded. My wife is dealing with the funding appliction side of things as my days of finacial dealings are long gone (accountancy... shudder).

We also wish to put on a quality night of entertainment, although this may prove to be a difficult situation because of a limited cashflow. Obviously we want to justify a reasonable ticket price i.e. donation to Cruse, but we are aware that the paying public won't want to pay a large amount of money if we are filling the stage with unknowns and amateurs. I have a feeling we may have a tricky balancing act ahead of us.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice or good ideas. Has anyone had experience dealing with funding applications? In fact any information that will asist Angel and I to get this project beyond the initial planning stages.

With kind regards,

Gehenna

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

I have no experience in putting on a show however anything I can do to help in the coming future promotional wise or even just knocking a few nails into the stage I am at your service!

DG

Thank you DG. If the event gets off the ground then with some luck it will be on at a time when you can attend and watch the show - thus your ticket fee will go towards the charity, that's a perfect way to help.

:twothumbs:

this sounds really cool!

i've had a fair bit of succesful experience with arts council funding although i know they're not incredibly burlesque friendly. have you contacted cruse direct yet? something the charity can help secure funding if they like the event...

if you would like me to read over anything or if you have any questions ask away, i'll have intermittent internet over the next five days

xx

What a great idea - a lot of work of course but I'm sure you'll get all the momentum you need. If you've odd jobs to do I'd love to get involved - I've a group of male friends who are getting a comdedy burlesque skit together who I'm sure would love to perform. As for me I'll serve or something, anything to help
xxx

Originally Posted by Anjakinz

What a great idea - a lot of work of course but I'm sure you'll get all the momentum you need. If you've odd jobs to do I'd love to get involved - I've a group of male friends who are getting a comdedy burlesque skit together who I'm sure would love to perform. As for me I'll serve or something, anything to help
xxx

Would you be willing to maid at the event with the perhaps the help of another female friend?

Charity work ? BAH HUMBUG !

( You know im in )

I don't think you need to worry too much about the audience not wanting to see unknowns. If you market to the burlesque crowd, such as the Candy Box regulars, surely they wouldn't be averse to seeing a few 'up-and-comers'? And as for the non-burly crowd, well it'll be something new and interesting and a different sort of night out to what they're used to, which would get them interested. At least, that's the way I'd look at it ...

Thank you for everyone who has replied to this thread. I have started negotiations with the head of Cruse Bereavement Birminghm. With some luck we will get some firmer confirmation shortly, but Christmas will probably throw up some delays just as everything gets started.

I'm pretty sure that even if you just promote on here, you will have all the support you need, and sell all the tickets you have!

All the burly fans i know are just as happy seeing newcomers as stars, and it would be a great opportunity for newbies to try their hand.

Good luck with the project x