10th Extravaganza | 80’s Party
Elsewhere drags it back to the 1980s at annual Extravaganza By Savi Ettinger
Triad City Beat November 15, 2018
“Colored lights bounced off of metallic bomber jackets and neon shirts in a dim room. Pop hits from Madonna and Prince prevailed. Xylophones and cymbals hung from tall bookshelves that stretched to the ceiling, where they met fabric scraps dangling down. All three floors of the Elsewhere Museum and former thrift store opened for its 10th extravaganza on a recent Friday, its rooms themed to the 1980s for the evening of time travel.
Creative Director Emily Ensminger said the theme varies for the extravaganza every year and serves as inspiration for dress and music. Performers also utilize the prompt for their own works.
“A lot of us were eighties babies,” Ensminger remarked.
The occasion showcases not just the era of synth and shoulder pads, but the museum itself. Each room of the building contains experimental sculptures and interactive installations.
The decade-old museum encourages people to, as artist Anne “the Wondercabinet” Weshinskey puts, “accept the abnormalities.”
Weshinskey herself carries an unusual history. Her background as a tightrope walker for a circus inspires her piece. She calls it “umbrella trauma.”
It made sense that she kicked things off. Though the night centered around the ’80s, the three floors hosting three simultaneous acts seemed like the rings under a big top.
After Weshinskey coated the tips of her socks in paint as red as her dress, she held a candlestick headstand. Then, using her dyed feet, she lifted a parasol up and spun it open. The pigment formed circles on the canopies of two umbrellas as she twirled them during her acrobatic routine.
By her own claims, she stumbled a few times, unnoticed by many audience members.
“The umbrellas are a little finicky,” she joked. “They’re like cats.”
Up a staircase sporting decoupage of paper cards and tickets, a distinctly different act commenced. A hallway lined with rooms of art exhibits provided an intimate space for Greensboro-based rap band Bad PPL Collective. The group, all in their early twenties, omitted the mic stands for the most part. Instead, they preferred to weave around the onlookers stopped in doorways and on either side of the small informal stage. The bass reverberated through the wooden floorboards as they rhymed.
After a year of giving shows, the band noted that their Elsewhere concert yielded a diverse atmosphere, in both the attendants and surroundings.
“We’ve never performed in a space with so much history,” singer-songwriter Elijah Rock said.
They noticed the quirky atmosphere maintained the momentum and allowed for genuine expression. Other entertainers shared this attitude.
“The energy vibrates off the walls,” a breakdancer by the name of B Girl Chaos mentioned, after her performance with the Raleigh Rockers ended.
Past a room brimming with ribbon, another staircase offered a rare glimpse into the museum’s third floor. A lounge flooded with blue lights hosted a bar, where partygoers ordered cocktails inspired by Beetlejuice or The Breakfast Club.
After dancing and teaching a workshop, Jaleel Cheek of voguing duo the Twinz sipped a Pretty in Pink, a drink that mixed spiced rum and bourbon with cranberry, lemon and rosemary. Cheek delighted in how vogueing, with its rich past, is “expanding to all genres of people.”
“It opens up an underground world of art and dance,” he excitedly rambled. Like many of the performers, Cheek’s craft harmonized well within the context of the museum, and not just during a celebration such as this.
Cheek pointed out, “Art can be anything.”
Original website for 10th Extravaganza in 2018:
Join us for Elsewhere's 10th Annual Extravaganza on Nov. 10th! Dance your way through 3 floors of artworks, music, food, craft cocktails, & performances. Celebrate a fantastic season with the best fundraising art party in the world's only thrift store turned museum! Doors open at 8pm!
Tickets
INDIVIDUAL................................................................................................$60NIGHT OWL (entry after 11pm)......................................................$25MEMBERS + ARTISTS (20% off ticket cost)*
*Pre-ticket sales end November 9th at 11:59pm EST. Day of purchases can be made at the door with a $10 increase.**Are you a museum member or artist in our community? Email extravaganza@goelsewhere.org for a discount code. Artist should include a link to a website or share an image of your work!
Benefactors make Elsewhere grow and go. Learn more about membership benefits, including Extravaganza tickets!
Sponsors & Performers
Our sponsors and performers providing food, drinks and entertainment include (click on image for website):
Event Details
Elsewhere has had another spectacular year. The 2018 Extravaganza is our 10th annual fundraiser and we are eager for you to celebrate with us! Don't be late to the party--follow us on social media for updates on the performances and other event details.
Performers
8:10 Anne The Wondercabinet Weshinskey
8:30 Rockers Raleigh
8:45 Pearl (Janis Joplin cover)
9:00 Anne The Wondercabinet Weshinskey
9:10 Bad PPL Collective
9:20 Joseph Alexander
9:45 Pearl (Janis Joplin cover)
10:00 UNCG Spartan Gs
10:20 #TheTwins Voguing
10:45 Pearl (Janis Joplin cover)
Rockers Raleigh
11:00 #TheTwins Dance Lesson
11:30 DJ Dance Part
11:45 Pearl (Janis Joplin cover)Activities
Bounce House Gallery
Fire pit + S’mores
Photobooth
Caricatures
Food
Diva Dogs by Ms. Cheryl
Turkey legs
Hamburgers
Veggie burgers
Grilled chicken
Hot dogs
Mac-n-cheese
Saffron rice
Fries
Tickets include:
Free Beer and Wine or Craft Cocktails at 2 cash bars
Tasty Treats and Grilled Delights
3 floors of immersive, experimental art
Live music, dance party and DJ's throughout the night
Benefactor members receive:
All of the above!
Free Craft Cocktails all night
Volunteer
The wildest 3-floor art party is nearly ready to blast off -- all we're missing is you!
We are looking for volunteers (must be 21+) to help us pull off this night. Volunteers receive free admission to the party in exchange for working a 3 hour shift (7-10 pm or 9:30- 12:30 am).
