6th Annual Exotic Dancer for Cancer Fundraiser

6th Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer Fundraiser

Probably the best thing that could've happened to the Exotic Dancers For Cancer is when some toffee-nosed charities refused their stripathon money a few years back.

A lot of folks bridled at that caste-implied snobbery. The ED4C's efforts gained a higher profile and, subsequently, larger hauls for charity.

The dancers' sixth annual fund raiser takes to the stage this Thursday at Vancouver's Cecil Showlounge. (May 24 at the Fox Showroom in Victoria.) "Last year we raised $10,000, and I'd love to beat that," says Ryann Rain, whose company, Stilettostorm, is organizing the show in Vancouver.

"The theme this year is 'Believe,' so it's this whole fantasy atmosphere of hope and beauty and inclusion -- this really fun atmosphere." Along with organizing fund-raisers, Rain's company holds erotic arts workshops, philosopher cafes, and provided most of the entertainment for the Naughty But Nice trade shows in Vancouver and Abbotsford.

"I customize the show for the event, so Exotic Dancers For Cancer is a stripathon -- it's very much about exotic dancing. Abbotsford, they would set us on fire if we did that." Says Rain: "One of the reasons Exotic Dancers For Cancer is so dear to my heart is that it allows people an opportunity to support the cause in a sex-positive, women-positive event -- and remember that really it comes down to cancer doesn't discriminate and nor should we."

© Copyright Dan Murphy, The Province

Seduction 101 teaches women how to strut it

Seduction 101. Lap dancing all about confidence
Sandra Thomas, Vancouver Courier
Published: Friday, May 23, 2008

A team of who's who in the exotic dance world will share trade secrets next month at a workshop designed to bring out the erotic dancer in every woman.

But learning the art of arousal isn't cheap. For $235, tax included, Ryann Rain and members of her production company Stiletto Storm teach women everything they need to know about pole and lap dancing, as well as sexy moves like the "stripper strut." The group produces one Seduction Workshop a month.

"It's all about teaching women confidence," said Rain. "And in particular, their sexual confidence."


Rain, who helped organize the recent Exotic Dancers for Cancer fundraiser, said women attending the workshop will be broken up into groups of eight. Each group will take lessons in one exotic art for about an hour before rotating to the next class. Rain will teach the lap dancing classes.

"I've taught a lot of lap dancing," said Rain. "There's a real level of curiosity about it. A lot of women want to give it a try but without knowing how, they might be too shy. This goes right back to the basics on things like how to stand and how to look."

Rain recently taught lap dancing to a group of women in Duncan--all 50 years old and up. Rain said women of all ages and sizes come away from the lessons with a newfound awareness of their sensuality. She adds they have a lot of laughs along the way.

"I teach them how to move, where to move and what to move," said Rain. "And how to maintain control of any situation."

Rain notes no experience is necessary and nothing is off limits. The workshop includes a floorshow and demonstrations by industry professionals, makeup and clothing tips, lunch and a chocolate fountain. Sex toys, lingerie and exotic clothing will be on sale. Rain suggests for maximum "giggles," women should bring a friend--or several.

"It's perfect for a stagette or bachelorette party," she said.

The Seduction Workshop takes place June 14 at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive. Tickets are on sale at www.stilettostorm.com.

© Vancouver Courier 2008

Seduction Workshop

Stiletto Storm is hosting a Seduction Workshop taught by industry professionals. The day will be split into morning and afternoon workshops and will be a full day of sexy and educational fun. Grab your girlfriends and get set for a day of no holds barred, step-by-step introduction to the exotic arts!! Ladies Only! Nothing is off limits. No experience required. Get ready to strut and be prepared to laugh.

The workshop will feature lessons in: Lap dance, Pole dance, Floor show, Stripper Strut, and Makeup and clothing tips. There will be shopping, a chocolate fountain, demonstrations by industry pros, and sexy secrets to inspire and empower! ~
Capacity for this intimate event is only sixty-four women that will be divided into small groups of eight. Register with a couple of friends and enjoy learning to shake it while spending quality time with your girlfriends. Each group will have time in the social area for snacking and shopping. Food will be provided, and what is seduction without a chocolate fountain! I know oozing warm chocolate always heightens my enthusiasm!

Booths will be set up to outfit and accessorize your complete seduction package. From new lingerie, to makeup tips and sex toys for later, we have all the bases covered. A gift bag will be distributed to every guest.

The day is split into morning and afternoon workshops and SPACE is LIMITED. Register now!! To take these classes separately would cost over $600. Stiletto Storm is bringing you an inclusive 4 hour lesson in the exotic arts of seduction for only $235. Book your Stagette or girls party of 8 women and receive a group rate of $1500. (save $47.50 each)

Tickets are $235.00 including GST. Check out the Stiletto Storm website for more information or email me for registration.

Peeling with Purpose

April 2, 2008
Taking it off for breast cancer
By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS


A group of local women are trading pink ribbons for pink boas at a racy fundraiser for breast cancer awareness Friday night.

Retired exotic performer Trina Ricketts said the fifth annual Dancers For Cancer allows adult entertainers to contribute to breast cancer awareness as a concerned community just as other professional associations do.

"The coolest byproduct of our event is the women volunteering are given a great opportunity to challenge the stripper stereotype," she said.

Last year, Ricketts' troupe gained national notoriety when the Breast Cancer Society of Canada considered their $8,000 donation too controversial to accept.

Other charities were open to receiving the group's donation anonymously.

"Everyone kind of woke up and asked, 'Why don't you want their money?'" organizer Ryann Rain told 24 hours. "We're women."

Rethink Breast Cancer, a national charity responsible for edgy awareness campaigns targeting women under age 40, rose as Ricketts' beneficiary of choice when the two groups' mandates were an apparent match.

"We just looked at their heartfelt message and their goals to advance the breast cancer cause," said Rethink executive director MJ DeCouteau.

Dancers for Cancer is a continuous live show featuring 19 performers Friday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Penthouse Nightclub on Seymour Street.

By popular demand, a second strip-a-thon takes place in Victoria on Sunday.

Dancers for Cancer 5

5th annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer is only days away. This Friday, April 4, at the Penthouse come out and join the cause. Tickets are available at Urban Body Laser or you can buy them directly from me. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

See you Friday!!!

We're also holding a sister event in Victoria at the Fox Showlounge (Red Lion hotel) on Sunday April 6. Admission for Victoria is by donation.

The WOW Event

It’s entirely too sunny out for me to be inside for much longer. I’ve been pretty productive this morning and I think it’s almost time for tea. I have a million things to do and I’m loving every moment.

I attended the WOW event yesterday. Founded by Christine Awram, WOW is now in its fourth year. Wow! It’s one of those experiences that’s hard to translate into conversation or print. “You just have to be there” seems to be the most common response. As I was leaving someone asked me “well what is WOW?” and all I could come up with was “it’s a celebration of how amazing and fabulous we are.”

But it’s much more than that. It’s more than a feel-good day. I left last night feeling inspired, energized, and even more confident than I normally am. My heart was open, my spirit was positive, and my mind was racing. The energy of having almost a thousand women in one room sharing in their power was electrifying. It was a gathering of women owning up to how fabulous each and every one is. There were no apologies or minimizing of effort or experience. It was a day of support, strength, and positive learning, especially with Michael Losier teaching about the Law of Attraction.

I learned about leadership from Elaine Allison, a woman who is both powerful and full of grace. I learned about finance from a bubbly blonde from Edmonton, Kelly Keehn, and I laughed and laughed and laughed with both hypnotist Wayne Lee and award winning humorist Linda Edgecombe.

I’ll be back next year. I hope you’ll join me.

The WOW credo. By Christine Awram

I am a Woman of Worth!
My worthiness is inherent, infinite and persevering –
it is my natural state.
My value is a reflection of who I AM -
and I am magnificent.
And ... who I AM –
always makes a difference.
I MATTER
I am successful –
because I come from my true power, which lies within.
I lead through inspiration –
from quiet acts of kindness, to leading a nation.
I am empowered -
I make choices from the clarity of my heart, mind and spirit.
I am abundant –
as the core of my true essence ALWAYS supports manifestation.
I cherish my relationships –
they are part of what makes me strong.
I am a Human BEing -
as my BEing is of far more significance than my DOing.
I play and I laugh and I bring beauty and light into the world –
I am RADIANT.
At times I despair and I weep, when I feel the pain of a world that has momentarily gone mad.
Yet even when I tremble through a dark night of the soul, I renew my faith and my courage in a single heartbeat because my spirit is indomitable.
I FEEL and I CARE and I am PASSIONATE -
with a heart as open as the universe.
I AM A WOMAN OF WORTH, AND I AM GLORIOUS!

WOW
Because every woman … is a Woman Of Worth

Ladies Night

It's a pathetic attempt at getting another blog out but I'm busy dammit!! I hope all the ladies in the area come check it out. It'll be a blast!!! And I swear I'll get back to writing the details of work and life soon. It's all been very wonderful but I'm going to be late for another meeting and I'm still in my PJs. Aaaaaaaaaah!!

Hello everyone,

The Fourth Annual Exotic Goddess Night Sexpo for Women fast approaches – Thursday, October 18 from 6 to 10 pm. I wanted to give you all an update so you can pass it on to your friends. Let’s make this a packed event!

We will have free hair and makeup makeovers – so come undone if you want to be pampered!

The theme is fashion – so wear your sexiest outfit ever. You know that little lingerie thing that you can never wear out? Well this is the night to show it off!

Our sex toy booth will be hosted by Ninepartsdesire.com and they are donating a top-of-the-line, g-spot stimulating, clit-massaging, pleasure-inducing vibrator to the silent auction! Some of the other auction items include hand-painted martini glasses from GlamaRama, pole dance lessons from Tantra Fitness, and a custom corset made by Susan Davis – a vocal and compassionate local sex worker.

Ever tried airbrush tanning? Well a local exotic dancer who offers FLAWLESS airbrush tanning – dancers love her work – is donating some gift certificates for door prizes.

There will be pole dance lessons on a strip club stage, lap dance lessons in real VIP booths that are curtained off, airbrush tattoos, and a part of the History of Sex Work installation created by several Vancouver sex workers over the past three years.

For entertainment, we have a fashion show by Fantasy Dancewear displaying some of her spectacular work, an exotic dance show down to bra and panties by Ryann Rain (our lap dance instructor), a pole dance demonstration by one of the best pole dancers in the world – Tammy Morris of Tantra Fitness, and a blow job lesson with props – all performed on the stage of the club.

This year’s event is being held at the Penthouse Nightclub. The Penthouse has historically been a safe place for both exotic dancers and sex workers to earn a living. In 1975, police began to push sex workers out of the clubs and onto the streets and by 1976 owners of the Penthouse were on trial for “keeping a common bawdy house.” But now we’re bringing the sex workers back to the club for a common and worthy cause – to raise funds for programs and services that will directly benefit the women who were most impacted by police raids on the club in 1976 – survival sex workers.

The event costs $30 at the door and includes one drink and a gift bag with sexy surprises inside.

Come out and show your support! It’s going to be a blast! It may be the first time the Penthouse has ever been full of women rather than men. At 10 pm the doors will open to the general public and the exotic entertainment will begin. Guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the shows – they’ll meet some of the dancers at the event anyway!

Hope you can come! ;)

Trina aka Annie Temple

Event Coordinator


PS. We still need more items for the silent auction and for door prizes. If your target audience is women and you want to promote your business at our event, please contact me for more information.

ED4C4 Thank you

I’m exhausted!
I’m also famous. Urgh. Well if anyone didn’t know I’m a Peeler- they do now. CTV carried the story on both the 6:00 and 11:00 news. Global picked it up at 11:00.

The day itself feels like a very long, very exhausting dream. It’s been overwhelming and exciting, and wonderful, and challenging all at the same time. I’m very proud to be able to call myself a member of The Naked Truth and the exotic dance industry. What an incredible community!!!

I want to personally thank everyone that came out us last night. The support has been tremendous. A HUGE THANK YOU to all the women that donated shows last night. We had 20 different girls get up on that stage out of the goodness of their hearts. Ashley came all the way from Toronto, and Alena joined us from Edmonton. I also want to send out a special thank you to Lady Sable for making the trip down.

There are other donations still to come in, but last night we raised $7705

I’m exhausted, but I’ll be back at the bar in an hour… It’s Monday and I have a full week of work ahead of me at The Drake.

Thank you everyone. Every dancer I know has experienced the stigma associated with this job at some point in their career. The judgment and negativity can follow you for years… When the Breast Cancer Society turned us down I was hurt. I wasn’t angry, or bitter. I was hurt to be reminded of how harsh some people view us, view me, simply because I get naked.

Even now, being inundated with positive energy and love, I’m still waiting for the backlash. I’m still waiting for the hate mail and the condemnation. That’s how deep the stigma runs.

Thank you to Rethink for accepting our money, and openly supporting our compassion and desire to make a difference. We’ve all been touched by cancer and if I think about it too much tears well in my eyes. Cancer has broken so many hearts in my life, and broken my own too often. Thank you to the media for covering this event in such a positive and respectful manner. Thank you for validating our humanity to the masses who may not have thought too much about strippers before.

“Our beauty lies deeper than what we expose to the masses on stages all over the world. We are strong, independent, powerful women who deserve to be heard, not just seen.” Trina Ricketts.

24 hours to go...

In the background I can hear my laundry clanking against the walls of the machine. I’m waiting impatiently for the cycle to finish before I leave to do errands. Exotic Dancers for Cancer is tomorrow and I still have a long list of things to get done before I make my way to the ferry.

I pull my geisha costume out of the closet and quickly count the pieces. It’s all there. I grab metallic paints from the cupboard, and dig my wig out from behind my posters. Due to popular demand I’ll be doing my Geisha show at the event. My show time is tentatively scheduled for 7:30, and all my props are ready to go!

I’m exited. The event this year is going to be our biggest yet. At last count there were 20 girls donating shows. The list of items up for grabs at the silent auction is sweet. The media attention has been overwhelming, and the guest list has become long.

I’ll be at The Drake from noon on tomorrow. Hope to see you there!!

ED4C4 letter from Annie

Dear friends, family, and colleagues,

The Naked Truth presents the Fourth Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer – a stripathon fundraiser – on March 4, 2007 from 4 p.m. to midnight at The Drake Showlounge, 606 Powell Street, Vancouver. Cost is $10 at the door. There will be a silent auction, door prizes, t-shirts for sale, and live exotic entertainment.

This year we made the news across Canada when the Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC) declined our donation. We were disappointed they turned us down and really didn’t expect it since they accepted our donation wholeheartedly last year, being quoted in the news about how cancer does not discriminate. Our decision to go public with their decision to not accept our donation this year had more to do with finding a charity than exposing the organization. But what happened could not have been predicted!

News articles like this one prompted an overwhelming response from people touched by cancer.

Outraged community members from all over the world expressed their support for Exotic Dancers for Cancer and disgust at the treatment we had experienced. For us, it was par for the course. We’re used to having organizations turn us away. In fact, the BCSC had been the FIRST cancer organization WILLING to accept our donation.

Due to the incredible publicity, we had several cancer organizations come forward willing to accept our donation (including some who have declined us in the past) and many more non-cancer related organizations. We discussed our options as a community and chose Rethink Breast Cancer, a national, registered charity that focuses on women under 40 years of age through education about risk factors and early detection. They also provide training grants for innovate breast cancer researchers and have started funding support programs for young women with breast cancer.

Rethink www.rethinkbreastcancer.com seemed like a perfect fit because this event is in memory of Jocelyne, who was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 34 and later died at the age of 40. They are also known for their edgier campaigns, including www.checkoutmybreasts.com.

Please join us for Exotic Dancers for Cancer on March 4, at the Drake. Partial proceeds will go to Rethink with the rest going to Lady Sable, a former exotic dancer who is fighting ovarian cancer for the second time.

We still need items for our silent auction – so please contact me at http://by118fd.bay118.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?curmbox=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&a=5ae447435e684aa35d0f30d039ed33118f37b19c59913098d59b60984f16cbcc&mailto=1&to=annie@nakedtruth.ca&msg=C996247C-89B7-4B44-9D51-76F2A4648F08&start=0&len=559282&src=&type=x if you can donate towards our fundraising efforts. In the meantime I will leave you with this short video – we’ve gotten permission to show it at our event http://aabc.org.uk/campaign/dancer.html

Hope to see you there! Please forward this email to others you know, and hang the attached poster at your place of work, if possible.

Love Trina aka Annie Temple


Letters from cancer charities found here:

Letters from non-cancer related charities found here:

ED4C4 media circus

For readers that are curious about the media attention we've recieved...
we have letters to the editor. Trina setting the record straight, a hilarious cartoon in the province. Another article in Orato and the cancer blog

There has been an overwhelming response.

Breast Cancer Society of Canada doesn't want our money

Well I’m back in Vancouver and it’s that time of year again. The 4th Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer will be held at the Drake Show lounge on March 4, 2007.

I’ve been a little out of touch lately, geographically that is. So I haven’t been participating in the media circus that this event has become. Another dancer came across this video while researching, for obvious reasons I’m using it as an example of why we’re doing this. http://aabc.org.uk/campaign/dancer.html

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada chose NOT to accept our money this year. We received a letter saying… “We will have to decline your kind offer as we have certain major donors that are not in favour of this connection. Believe me you are not the only fundraising event that we have had to decline accepting proceeds from. This decision came as a result of donor disgruntlement and together with the Board of Directors we have decided not to accept any donations from what donors consider controversial sources.”

I have a lot of mixed feelings about our money being refused. On one hand I want to scream and rage at the blatant discrimination. They don’t want our money. Strippers are immoral? What about the corporate men I entertain every day? What about the men who pay me to stare at my pussy? Why is their money welcome and ours isn’t? I want to be surprised, but really I wasn’t. I know it’s not fair, and I know it’s bullshit, but part of me can understand why someone wouldn’t want to intentionally subject themselves to the level of stigma associated with my job.

The media and the public reacted far more intensely than I did. I’m glad. We put out the call to find a cancer charity that wanted our money, and were overwhelmed by the response. Hundreds of emails can in, almost all in support of us. After sorting through everything we finally decided on Rethink Breast Cancer.

Rethink is a national, registered charity that focuses on women under 40 years of age through education about risk factors and early detection. They also provide training grants for innovate breast cancer researchers and have started funding support programs for young women with breast cancer. http://www.rethinkbreastcancer.com/
We’re very happy with our choice and the event looks to be our biggest yet. “This event is in memory of a woman who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34,” says Trina Ricketts, organizer of the event and founder of nakedtruth.ca – a resource and advocacy website for exotic dancers. “For this reason and so many others, Rethink just seemed like a great fit.”

I’ll talk a bit more about the event as it draws near, but mark on your calendar friends. It’s gonna be one hell of a party!!

March 4, 2007
4pm-midnight
The Drake Exotic Show Lounge
606 Powell St. Vancouver, BC

United we Dance

I get Naked for Charity

Okay people, Exotic Dancers for Cancer is only a few days away. The stars aligned and I have the weekend off. YAY!!! I’m flying into Vancouver for the event. I will be donating a show, and having a blast. (tentative show time 6pm)

I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!

Silent auction includes items such as: Canucks tickets, symphony tickets, spa packages, Molson Canadian gear, tattoo time, glamour photo shoots, Harley Davidson gear, and a slave for a month.

… and much more… Pole dancing lessons, amateur hour, door prizes, and continuous naked ladies from 4pm on…

Come say HI!!! Come out and support the cause.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=c81e4ee6-bd2d-4a83-bdcf-15638e12a2c1&k=81638

It has been a whirlwind week, and I’m sure by Monday I will be exhausted. I fly out tomorrow morning, and everything seems to be coming together. A bit of late night, last minute graphic design work (see banner below), and a lot of running around… three shows tonight then I drive to Calgary to catch my plane… bright and freaking early tomorrow.




I can’t wait to meet all the girls I’ve been working with to organize this for so many weeks and months. I can’t wait to see my friends. I can’t wait to absorb the energy. I can’t wait to see what we can raise.

The Drake Showroom. Vancouver. Sunday February 26, 2006. 4pm-midnight.

And now I need to shower, pack, eat, run, possibly scream…

Exotic Dancers For Cancer

It's almost time for the Third Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer Event.

Where: The Drake Show lounge. 606 Powell St. Vancouver.
When: Sunday, February 26, 2006 from 4pm till midnight

In a few short weeks a multitude of beautiful naked ladies will be volunteering in a Strip-a-thon for Charity. There will be a silent auction, as well as door prizes, t-shirts, and a great deal of side attractions to keep everyone entertained for hours. I've heard rumours of amateur hour, aquire a slave for a month, body cages, tattoos, and various other items.

For the first time in history, the Breast Cancer Society of Canada has agreed to accept our money. In the past we have struggled with finding charities to accept the proceeds. Donations from the Exotic Entertainment Industry are often not welcome. This is a HUGE accomplishment, and I am so proud of Annie Temple for making it happen.

As Annie wrote in her letter to the BCSC, “I would like to offer our donation to your organization from this year’s Exotic Dancers for Cancer which is planned for February 26, 2006. I am not sure if you feel that it would be unethical to accept money from exotic dancers as we have heard this from other organizations in the past. I would like to assure you that all the women involved in the event are participating out of their own desire to make a difference. No one can argue that breast cancer affects anyone of any occupation. Exotic dancing is a legal occupation. We pay our taxes and we vote. We are mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters. We dance naked to make a living, but in all other ways, we are no different from any other women.”

One small step for Strippers, one large chunk of change for breast cancer.

Call for donations. I will be on the phones collecting donations for door-prizes, as well items for the silent auction. If anyone would like to donate, please email me. ryannrain@hotmail.com

Donations may be made online through paypal at www.nakedtruth.ca. Click donations. memo "dancers for cancer" under 'payment for'

If you are Vancouver on Feb 26, come join The Naked Truth girls, and all the supporters as we make history, and whole lot of money for a damn good cause!!


The history of Dancers for Cancer can be found at http://www.nakedtruth.ca/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=13