Movin', groovin' in a big way
Friday, March 24, 2006
The Oregonian
A trio of large-size, sexily dressed female dancers grinds though a long mix of Salt N Pepa's "Push It" right into Kelis' "Milkshake" without a break for breath.
The dancers, called "Cupcake Girls," are clearly grooving circles around two still-prevalent misconceptions: that people of size are lazy, and they're not sexy. Stacy Bias, the founder of Portland's FatGirl Speaks, is hoping to change these ideas.
And "Cupcake," the new monthly dance party Bias launched at Holocene, is as much about busting old stereotypes as new moves.
Bias, who is not afraid to reclaim the word "fat," notes that fat folks are as diverse a group as any other segment of the population. Powered by inviting beats and sexy dancing, typical nightclubs can sometimes be a bit intimidating for bigger folk, however.
"Cupcake is a safe space for fat people and our allies," she says this Sunday night in late February. "A night where anyone can come and dress up in their craziest clothes and just celebrate."
Events like Cupcake are important outlets for folks of size to meet and "just make themselves visible," Bias says.
There are not a lot of large-size role models in our culture to look toward right now, Bias notes. But she does cite sassy comedian MoNique, Queen Latifah and Kathy Bates.
"When she dropped her robe and got into that hot tub nude (in "About Schmidt"), I jumped out of my seat and screamed, 'Yea!' " says Bias.
FatGirl Speaks holds workshops on size positivism, and the popular FatGirl Frock clothing swap as well. The group recently gathered and donated about 800 pounds of plus-size clothing items for hurricane survivors in New Orleans. "Some people were walking around in garbage bags," Bias says.
This night, northwest bakery Saint Cupcake donated 75 cupcakes to nibble on, and DJs spun "phat" sets to trade moves.
For Krissy Durden, Cupcake is a place to meet friends in a regular spot and time. "I wish more guys would come, though," Durden says.
For the occasion, Stefanie Wells wears a special T-shirt, which girlfriend Jamie Koty stenciled with a delicious new design: a silver glowing cupcake, frosted with a proud smile.
Cupcake runs 4-10 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Holocene, 1001 S.E. Morrison St.; 503-239-7639. $5 cover charge. For more info, check out www.fatgirlspeaks.com.
-- Lee Williams Special to The Oregonian
Lee Williams - The Oregonian (Mar 24, 2006)