SUBMITTED PHOTO Miss Trans Iowa Carmen Love Monroe will serve as host for A Night of Burlesque at Pilgrim Heights near Montour on Monday evening. Organizers of the event had to quickly find a new venue after its original location — The Fiddle and Whistle — suddenly shut down.

MONTOUR — After the sudden closing of the downtown Marshalltown Fiddle and Whistle Irish Pub on Sept. 1, quick movement began to find a new venue for Monday evening’s A Night of Burlesque event.

The organizers, Taylor Bear and Sadeigh Damman, began making calls to find a new location for the Marshalltown LGBTQ+ event. Bear was sad about the closure of the popular downtown bar.

“Fiddle has been in my life personally for the past 12 years, and it was disappointing that it couldn’t continue with the success it was cultivating,” she said. “We had more inclusive community events scheduled and now we are having to cancel or find new homes for these events. It’s unfortunate for the community as a whole, so many people felt welcomed and at home there because of the space Sadeigh and Adam and Aaron and Shel Buzbee created.”

A Night of Burlesque organizers were successful in securing Pilgrim Heights near Montour. Bear said they had been working with Pilgrim Heights on other events, and she reached out to them to serve as host. Other local venues did not feel comfortable in hosting such an event, she said.

“It may look a little different than Fiddle, but it gives us more space,” Bear said. “I can’t express how grateful I am that they wanted to be inclusive and supportive to not only this event, but the other events they are collaborating with Marshalltown LGBTQ+ and Soul Magick on.”

Sarah Story, the assistant director for Pilgrim Heights, which is a nonprofit organization, said they are a very inclusive and LGBTQIA+-affirming organization. A Night of Burlesque dinner and show will be held in the Four Seasons building, she said. After the show, Story said attendees will be free to have a campfire or go hiking. One of the goals of Pilgrim Heights is to share their beautiful acres and encourage people to get out into nature.

“We welcome everyone no matter their sexual identity, race or age,” she said. “We have this beautiful venue that we are happy to share with any group.”

Story said Pilgrim Heights has many facilities available for any group of people to rent. She said anyone with questions can email her at sarah@pilgrimheights.org.

A Night of Burlesque, which is only for people aged 21 and older, will be hosted by Miss Trans Iowa Carmen Love Monroe and Chey Boi. Other performers include Stella Rivers, Infinity Dragon, Andromeda Renee Riviera, Noah Guy and John Menver.

Damman said they noticed burlesque was a type of event missing from the community. Residents were traveling to other Iowa towns and even out of state to attend them. She said when the idea was brought forward, it was immediately acted upon.

Bear said the event was the idea of Rivers, who recently moved back to the area.

“Burlesque is another performing art that we are happy to support and bring to Marshalltown,” she said.

Bear is excited about bringing Miss Trans Iowa to the area.

“I have been attending drag shows personally for years, and love the safe space they cultivate,” she said. “In that time I have met a lot of amazing performers. A friend of mine who is a drag king in Waterloo suggested I connect with Carmen Love Monroe to host. Carmen is a burlesque and drag show host and performer and has been doing it for years. I am excited to have Carmen with us.”

The goal of bringing LGBTQIA+ events to the Marshalltown area is about inclusion and creating a space for expression. Activities such as burlesque and pole dancing are forms of art, Bear said, which require a lot of talent and feature people who want to express themselves.

“Art, like humans, should be appreciated in all of its forms,” she said.

Damman agreed, and added they might not be everyone’s style, but they are someone’s.

“We’re not forcing anything on anyone,” she said. “We’re just offering this to the community. You do not have to participate if you do not want to.”

Bear said she also hopes these events will bring abundance and success to Marshalltown.

“We hope those that are interested come out and support,” she said.

Tickets can be purchased through the Marshalltown LGBTQ Facebook page by messaging Bear.

EVENT DETAILS:

Location: Pilgrim Heights, 3005 E. Ave., Montour

Date: Monday, Sept. 18

Time: 5 p.m.

Cost: $40

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.