For a Solid Decade It’s Been The XX Factor in OKC Creative Events. Self-billed as “The Art Show With a Curve,” The Girlie Show has brought female artists, craftswomen and entertainers together (along with vast hordes of guests) for an estrogen-powered cavalcade of creativity and fun. And now they’re calling it quits, but before the curtain falls on a beloved metro concept, there’s still time for one final glorious, glamorous go-round November 1-2 at the OKC Farmers Public Market – mark your calendar for The Girlie Show 10: The Last Her-Rah.
For those readers who came late to the party (and it is a party), co-founder Dawn Harth explains the concept: “The Girlie Show is an art show featuring all handmade, handcrafted, hand-drawn, hand-sculpted, hand-done creativity; it’s just that all of the creators happen to be female. Which makes for a lovely time for both the guys and girls. We have a big, loud party with food and music on Friday night and a bit more of a laid-back, family-friendly vibe on Saturday, featuring live bands all day.”
That big, loud Friday party is adults-only, by the way, because of the sensational entertainment: In addition to spinning from DJs Kelly Trance, Kylie and Ostara, there’s a killer burlesque show featuring knockouts Ginger Valentine, Missy Lisa, Angi B. Lovely and Ilsa the Wolf. The all-ages Saturday show has what Harth calls “a lot of really talented locals in the line-up: Carter Sampson, Ali Harter, Anna Kinder … and a girl who I think is going to be really interesting: Bat-Or Kalo.” Plus, in a new twist this last year, there’s an official afterparty at VZD’s starring the Oh Johnny! Girls.
Both days keep patrons ready to rock with plenty of deliciousness from area restaurants. Iguana Grill, Cuppies & Joe, Big Truck Tacos, Rococo, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant and The Metro are all on tap, among many others.
Most importantly, though, are the girlies themselves – organizers selected over 40 artists from nationwide submissions to fill the show with their varied wares. Right, Dawn? “Yes, everything our girlies bring is indeed for sale. And we do bring ’em in from all over; we’ve had girls from both coasts and many places in between. Our first love is always Oklahoma, of course, but we believe in bringing the love from all kinds of different cities to our hometown. We wanted to open [the art show concept] up a little and give all kinds of creativity a place to belong. Our first rule is that it is 100 percent handmade. Outside of that, we just look for unique approaches, new twists on ideas, attitude and quality workmanship.”
And now, the big question: Why call it quits after this year? Harth swings for the fences by quoting Jerry Seinfeld: “I wanted to end the show on the same kind of peak we’ve been doing it on for years. I wanted the end to be from a point of strength. I wanted the end to be graceful.”
Graceful and glamorous. And eminently girly, in the best possible way.