ArtErotica, an annual charity auction and dance party for AIDS Services of Austin, is back on track with a new date and venue after plans to hold the event last month were derailed by a fire code conflict. The festive fundraiser will take place Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Tillery Street Theater.
"We're ready to rock 'n' roll," said Tim Young, co-chair of the organization's fundraising arm The Octopus Club.
The event will feature more than 200 pieces of erotic art donated from both local and out-of-state artists. Complimentary drinks and erotic deserts will be provided by local food artists and businesses, including Twin Liquors and the Texas Culinary Academy. Two disc jockeys and live models sporting Ginch Gonch and Andrew Christian underwear will also be in attendance, Young said.
The club narrowed down a large number of venue alternatives based on occupancy, noise and alcohol considerations, he said. The adult nature of the art to be featured at the event was also a factor.
"Some places wouldn't allow the art, because they felt it was beyond what they could handle," Young said.
The Tillery Street Theater is an old Mrs. Baird's Bakeries factory that was redeveloped into an "artist colony" in 2003.
Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of ArtErotica. The fundraiser donates 100 percent of its proceeds to the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund, which provides supplementary assistance to Austinites living with AIDS. Last year, ArtErotica raised about $20,000 for the fund.
Between 600 and 700 people are expected to attend the event. Tickets are $50 at the door, $35 in advance at www.octopusclub.org.
Be the first to comment on this article!