The first event in the three-month, six-event Artists for Choice series at Cafe Montmartre went off with flying colors. There was a pretty decent turnout for a weeknight.

Lauren Rauk, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Public Affairs coordinator extraordinaire, played MC to kick the night off. Visual artists Nancy Peidelstein, Lynn Lau, and Jenn Utley stepped up to the plate and spoke about their art and what choice meant to them.

The performances were pretty smokin', despite the smoking ban (hurray for the smoking ban, BTW!). Mahela, a belly dancer, started it all off with a set of dances that had the whole bar staring in amazement. I was pretty inspired. I've decided I need to take some classes. That was hawt! Nicole Gruter got us all thinking with a set of beautifully sung Italian arias, whilst being painted (in a set of paper hospital gowns) by her assistant.

MaeRae was up next. They sounded pretty god but, though I hate to admit it, I wasn't able to pay much attention at the time. Someone was talking to me about buying one of my pieces.

Ahem.

Let me say that again.

Someone was talking to me about buying one of my pieces!!!! Woot!

Box Elder finished out the night with a set that saw a bunch of us dancing in front of the stage and singing along with, "All of your friends think you're an asshole...and they're right!" (great song that I'd love to hear again.)

Don't forget, the next event is coming up next week:
Wed, August 17
featured performers: Stephanie Rearick, Clear Blue Betty, The Dorothy Heralds
featured visual artists: Sara Naatz, amandagaze, David Nevala

Be there or be square!