You don’t need to go to New York or Milan to see this year’s most creative fashion show. Nor do you have to spend years working as an apprentice to finally get your shot at showing your wares as a designer.
The only catch: Outfits must be made from reused or recycled materials, otherwise known as trash.
The Second Annual Trashion Show, sponsored by Canyonlands Community Recycling, will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at Frankie D’s.
“If you missed last year’s event, you won’t want to miss this one,” said Rikki Epperson, CCR vice-president.
It’s more than just a fashion show: It’s an art show, fire show, and techno dance night, too.
WabiSabi held a fashion show each February for years.
“It was a big, fun community event and everyone looked forward to it,” Epperson said. “When they quit doing it there was a need in February for people to have fun. That’s how we decided to do it.”
Last year was the first Trashion Show, which the non-profit hopes to become an annual event.
“We saw some incredible costumes,” Epperson said. “It was really exciting to see everyone’s creativity. This town is full of creative souls.”
Dressing up is encouraged. It’s $10 to enter the event if you’re wearing a costume, $15 if you’re not. Judges Sallie Hodges, Erin Trim and Scotty Foster will be determine which costumes are Most Creative, Most Couture, and the one that is Downright Trashy. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Dre Carman will be showing his art, which is made with recycled and found items. His inspiration comes from the history and landscape of the area – from the ancient people to the cowboys and miners. His art pieces will be in Frankie D’s courtyard by the fire pit throughout the evening.
Moab’s own gypsy circus will perform a fire show at 9 p.m.
“The line up includes Melissa Strickland aka Lady Blaze, Daily Haren, Ashia Corbin, Liz Jimenez, Switch, Clark Tereese aka Sparky and one very special surprise guest,” Epperson said.
When the Fiery Furnace Marching Band starts to play their mix of gypsy, New Orleans brass band, Latin blend of hype – everyone is encouraged to head to Frankie D’s dance floor, as the costume contest will soon be underway.
Epperson has four DJs lined up to provide dance music throughout the night.
DJ Sydney Frost will both begin and end the night with an arsenal of obscure classics and never-to-be-released burners.
“If Sidney Frost is on the flyer, there’s no confusing what to expect: muscular techno, with a pool of ‘electric Kool-aid’ residing underneath,” Epperson said.
Eric DeMuth found a love of nature in the seven years he’s lived in Utah, but he’s always held onto the music of the city. Other than New Year’s Eve, DJ DeMuth hasn’t played since his days in Minneapolis. He will play Tech-House, “something with a little bump, and a little more energy,” Epperson said.
“It’s nice to be back” Demuth said. “It’s even better to be doing this for a good cause!”
Thirtina has been playing sets on KZMU for thirteen years, but she has been performing for several decades, beginning her career playing in bands in Salt Lake City in the late ‘80s. Her show starts at 9:30 p.m.
DJ John G has been imbibing dance beats since he was a wee lad in the north Florida house scene in the early ’90s. He developed the Boom Boom Room with Thatcher a couple years ago with the simple goal to share good music with good folk.
“You can check out their electro and tech house thang every couple months at Frankie D’s,” Epperson said.
His set is at 11 pm.
All proceeds from the evening will go to support CCR’s education and outreach work to promote recycling, reuse, and waste reduction in the community.
CCR hosts a paper drive on the third Saturday each month with the U.S. Postal Service. They also just completed an electronic waste and battery recycling drive each May and November with WabiSabi.
CCR’s new mission is to enhance sustainability by empowering the Moab community to reduce, reuse or recycle. To do so, CCR has embarked on a new education and outreach program with the goal to divert at least 15 percent of the community’s waste from the landfills by 2015.