Melinda Clynes - Post 3: Detroit Wig Out Leaves Good Will in its Wake
Posted By: Melinda Clynes
Posted: 6/8/2009
It was wiggy, indeed, as more than 200 wig-wearing revelers gathered last Saturday night for the first-ever Detroit Wig Out at the Magic Stick in Detroit. The crowd was a flurry of head-topping color, from red, to green, to pink and every shade in between, and man, oh man, everyone was having a hoot. The Detroit Wig Out greeted Detroit with an infectious spirit amplified by excellent entertainment.
Here's a quick-and-dirty summary of how the night unfolded…
Silverghost launched the evening's music, with a lively performance on the deck, culminated by a Wig Walk to one of the duo's fabulously poppy numbers. A big thanks to Flip Salon for designing the 10 ornate wigs that were modeled during the Wig Walk.
By 10:30, Dale Beavers & Bootsey X were revving up the crowd inside. Dale, sporting a full-height blonde pompadour, at one point yelled, "Come on you wig-wearing mother f*#&-ers, come out here and dance."
Mesmerizing and talented, SPAG Burlesque riveted the crowd with six sassy routines. And our engaging emcee for the night, Creepy Clyde, kept the entertainment moving and the crowds amused, as his horror-show voice bellowed through the Magic Stick between acts. He also, constantly reminded us why we were there: to support Gilda's Club, the charity that will receive proceeds from the event.
The grand finale of the Detroit Wig Out was a performance by six members of Black Jake and the Carnies, all wearing silver-white, Mark Twain-esque wigs, eyebrows and mustaches. The performance was so raucous that most of their facial hair ornamented the stage floor by the end of the night, having fallen off from sweat. I wonder what the janitor thought while sweeping the stage the next day?
So, what did I learn about wearing a wig and being wig-consumed for the past three months? Mostly, that everything is more fun in a wig, especially a big night out on the town. Dancing and beer-drinking are loads of fun in a wig, but so is talking politics and religion. I think Obama and Jesus would be proud.
Planning this event also reaffirmed that Detroit is filled with a slew of really good, silly people who are eager to step outside their comfort zone to support this city's cultural life and who believe in the admirable work of our local nonprofits. From the folks who posted Detroit Wig Out posters in their storefronts, to the accommodating crew at the Magic Stick, to all of the local media outlets that talked-up the event – Metro Times, Detroit Free Press, Model D, WDET and Real Detroit to name a few – everyone I came in contact with was interested, engaged and willing to lend a hand.
Thank you, Detroit, for making the Detroit Wig Out a huge success in its infancy. I'm already scheming about next year's event and how we'll enhance it and make it even better. Maybe the Detroit Wig Out will become the city's signature eccentric event, like the Halloween Parade is to New York City or Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. Ten years from now, we may be taking up two street blocks for this party, with people flying in from across the country to be a part of the Detroit Wig Out because it's our coolest, hippest party. Amen to that.