SAN FRANCISCO — Perry Mann has set the show's date; now he's just waiting for investors to come knocking.
Mann, founder of the Exotic Erotic Ball, says he wants to revive the San Francisco Bay Area show, which was cancelled at the 11th hour last year. Mann said he is hoping that a white knight will infuse the event with cash.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the right partner/investor to come in and own a piece of a San Francisco tradition,” Mann said.
Up until last year, the annual Halloween-time event attracted a colorful crowd that comes for the "flesh, fetish, and fantasy, under the undulating umbrella of love, freedom and respect." Past events have included a contingent of porn stars and celebrities, as well as strippers, sexy contortionists. It even included a human petting zoo.
But Mann said the event producer "who will remain nameless" pulled the plug on the eve of last year's show at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond's Marina District. It was the first time in its 30 years that the event had been slated outside the San Francisco peninsula.
Mann, through his publicist, Hope Gainer, told XBIZ that there was a "conflict of interest" with the production company and that the event was cancelled "against the founder's wishes."
“I’m very optimistic about turning over a new leaf for the Exotic Erotic Ball with new partners who can really take it to the next level,” Mann said. “We are entering our fourth decade and look forward to partnering with a new team to bring the Exotic Erotic Ball into the next era of its growth and development.
"The ball has grown into a global brand with numerous ancillary rights. Not only does the ball make money, but so do the other products related to the ball like merchandising plus potential brand extensions to be developed in the future.
Mann said that he has picked the date of the 2011 show — Saturday, Oct. 29 — but hasn't yet disclosed where the event will take place.
Mann organized the first Exotic Erotic Ball in 1979 to raise campaign funds for friend Louis Abolafia, who ran for president. The event attracted 800.
Over the years, the event added an expo and ended up at the Cow Palace and Treasure Island, with attendance hovering about 20,000. But last year the ball and expo moved to across the San Francisco Bay to Richmond, where the show apparently had difficulties.
