Showpony Studio is a collaboration of efforts between three of Vancouver's beloved burlesque companies; Diasporic Dynasty, Geekenders, and Virago Nation. Needing a permanent place to call home, we have been offered an exciting yet time-sensitive opportunity to take over the old "Chicken Coop" - a 2,000 sq foot studio complete with dance mirrors and costume storage. Our companies are all coming together to create a community-driven space for rehearsals, workshops, performances, and live-streamed shows. By donating to this fundraiser, you will be providing a safe and welcoming home for performers and producers to create their art, and you will also be supporting LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities. With COVID-19 closing down theatres all over the world, our revenue and funding has been cut to pretty much nothing, and we need your help to keep this space afloat until performances become normalized again!
Taking over a lease in the middle of a pandemic is an ambitious endeavor, especially with the current state of businesses not being able to open up fully until a vaccine for COVID-19 is discovered. We know it's sad to hear, but there’s no guarantee that theatres will open up anytime soon. For that reason, the ideal situation is that we are able to raise enough funds to cover at least 6 months of costs, without having to worry about relying on show revenue to foot the bills. We are very lucky to have found a physical location to call home, and this fundraiser helps to ensure we will be able to keep this studio in the glitter-covered hands of the Vancouver burlesque community members. With your generous support, we will be able to offer the space to other Vancouver creatives as well, with proper social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in action, of course.
Plain and simple, funding a studio costs money...
Before we can even begin to imagine using the space to bring more sparkly magic into the world, we need cash in hand for the upcoming rental fees & utilities. Since most venues and shows (aka our main revenue streams) are not able to go on for the unforeseeable future, we are hoping to raise enough to prepare at least 6 months of rent and utilities. This makes up a large chunk of money needed; about $10,000-$12,000.
While this rehearsal studio's approach to redecorate is black box theatre style (neutral and minimalist), the upgrades in function and style that we will have is going to cost between $3,000-$5,000; with the focus being on new paint for the walls and set pieces, backdrop curtains, a sound system, and photo studio lighting for live streaming shows and filming performances. The more we raise, the better quality equipment we can invest in!
That doesn't even cover campaign funds, advertising budget, physical perks fulfillment, business permits, insurance, website design, cleaning equipment and more. All those little things really add up!
Graciously donated by performers, creators, and artists of the local burlesque scene, there's some wonderful prizes available for our fundraiser! From Showpony Prize Packs, to Pin-Up Photography Packages, to homemade pasties, to 1 on 1 classes with some of Vancouver's BEST Burlesque Dancers, there's a magical perk for everyone. Scroll along the side bar of this campaign to see every gift there is to offer.
You can also buy a yearly MEMBERSHIP to our society if there's nothing there that entices you, but we doubt that will be the case. Perks include studio time, reduced rental rates, and (eventual) show tickets!
We would also be grateful for bigger donations, if you want to become a permanent sponsor of Showpony Studio. If anyone needs to organize a payment plan outside of IndieGoGo, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: showponystudioinfo@gmail.com
Below is merely an introduction to each of our companies, and we hope you feel intrigued to get to know more after reading about our campaign.
DIASPORIC DYNASTY: Diasporic Dynasty is a newly-established Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (#BIPOC) collective, aiming to champion and uplift the stories of BIPOC within the Vancouver Performing Arts communities. Their group comprises of burlesque and drag performers who have performed around the province over the past decade - thus, their practice largely centers on movement, striptease, and satire while celebrating the diversity in their voices and paths. As individuals weary of working in productions and communities that do not see them as priorities, they have joined together to decolonize stages and foster inclusive opportunities for BIPOC creators.
Find out more about DIASPORIC DYNASTY here.
GEEKENDERS THEATRICALS: Geekenders, called a "cult sensation" by Vancity Buzz, is British Columbia's pre-eminent geeky theatrical and performance troupe. Producing ‘nerdlesque' shows, variety shows, fandom-based parties, plays, and immersive theatre, Geekenders is, first and foremost, about community. Their emphasis is always going to be about providing a quirky, interesting evening full of art, socializing, and fun for those of you who might not otherwise spend their Friday at a party, while also offering space for LGBTQ+ stories and body-positivity.
Find out more about GEEKENDERS here.
VIRAGO NATION: Founded in May 2016, Virago Nation is on a mission to reclaim Indigenous sexuality from the toxic effects of colonization. Through humour, seduction, pop culture, and politics, they will show that Indigenous women will not be confined to the colonial virgin-whore dichotomy, but will design a new dynamic and multi-faceted sexual identity rooted in their own desires. They are a collective of Indigenous artists creating performance through burlesque, theatre, song, and spoken word as well as workshops and community networks rematriating Indigenous sexuality.
Find out more about VIRAGO NATION here.
We understand that people don't have a lot of extra funds to spend, especially in these times. But there are many other ways you can help us.
Please share the campaign widely! Every time you share this in your favourite Slack, Discord, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook group, or wherever it is that you do your socializing online, it helps bring visibility to our campaign and to more folx who can help make the dream of this studio a reality.
We will also need lots of hands on deck for cleaning, re-painting, hanging lights, installing sound systems, organizing, etc. Volunteers will be offered studio time as a thank you.
Adding prizes to the list is another way you can help. Are you a teacher, photographer, artist, or another creative that can offer a perk to add to the roster? Please send us an email!
If anyone is able to offer connections to big sponsors or grant funding in regards to supporting LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and BIPOC artists, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at: showponystudioinfo@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your time and support, and we hope to see you at Showpony Studio soon!
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We gratefully acknowledge that our companies operate primarily on the stolen traditional terrorities of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/ Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. We do so to honour the original caretakers of these lands who have been here since time immemorial, and the Indigenous people who continue to activate, protect, and care for these lands. Learn more at: https://native-land.ca/