I went to a burlesque show at COATI in Colorado Springs, and honestly? The whole thing was completely adorable.
Which might not be the first word you’d expect for a show called Drop Dead Gorgeous, but here we are. I had so much fun.
Sultry Sensations Productions put on the October 17 show to benefit Give ’Em Heaven, and I came away impressed by more than the performances. I loved the way they made the charity part of the night.
A very fun way to get to know your community
Here’s the thing about Colorado Springs: it feels like we have a billion charities. There are so many people doing good things, and I cannot possibly keep straight who does what.
Then you go to something like this. You’re having a great time, watching people put on a show, and throughout the night you’re also learning about an organization in your own community.
That makes an impression.
What I loved was the idea of choosing a charity, giving it some attention throughout the evening, and bringing people together to support it. The cause had a place in the night, and the night itself was so much fun.
I think that’s such a smart way to help people connect with local organizations. Give somebody a lovely experience associated with a cause, and there’s a reason for that name to stick.
This night supported Give ’Em Heaven
The Drop Dead Gorgeous event listing named Give ’Em Heaven as the beneficiary.
According to Give ’Em Heaven’s website, its work includes scholarships, access to wellness activities, counseling assistance, and practical support for people experiencing hardship in Colorado Springs.
The organization grew out of Scott and Tina Wilson’s experience building community through Peak Pickleball and seeing the financial obstacles some people faced in participating.
That’s the kind of context I appreciate. When there are so many organizations around, being able to connect a name with what it actually does helps.
The elf singer was insanely good
There was a singer dressed as an elf doing this pop-rock-screamo thing, and I was completely obsessed. She was so badass. Of everyone I watched, she’s the one I could most imagine seeing make it big.
That’s my completely unscientific prediction from the audience, but I’m keeping it.
Goth hop? Apparently, I’m into it
The performer at the end introduced us to goth hop, and honestly, it sounded like rap where you get to dress like a badass witch. Why wouldn’t I be into that?
It was a weird way to end the show, and I thought the whole thing ran about an hour too long. I can love a night out and still be ready for it to wrap up. They were fun to watch, though.
That’s where I landed: great performers, a cause worth learning about, and a show I would have happily enjoyed with a shorter running time.
COATI is already home to a little downtown discovery I’ve written about, the Green Magick Vault, and this gave me another reason to appreciate what happens inside that building.
I went out for a fun night in Colorado Springs and came home impressed with the people putting it together. Sultry Sensations made supporting a local cause feel like something you got to be part of.
More nights that help us get to know the people doing good in our own community? Yes, please. Just maybe a slightly earlier finale.
