SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Sacramento will hold The Ball, a benefit concert, Saturday, Oct. 13 with proceeds to support the org’s outreach efforts and activism in support of Sacramento’s sex workers and sex trafficking survivors.
Hip-hop artists MariahLynn and Jazzy Jay are set to perform, while performer-activist Siouxsie Q will serve as master of ceremonies. Additional performers on the roster include “legendary San Francisco songtress” Vixen Noir, a rep notes, as well as pop/electronica singer-songwriter Elena Rayn.
Bella Bathory and Redbone are among the burlesque performers on the bill and “Sacramento’s own dance goddess” Kim Bernadette will represent dancehall. Dr. Vanessa Carlisle and Darius Simpson will contribute spoken-word performances, while “acrobatic clown and XXX star” Michael Vegas “will delight participants with his unique performance,” the rep notes.
“Our inaugural Ball will be a rare and wonderful event,” said Tara Coccinelle, the coordinator of SWOP Sacramento’s drop-in center. “Where else can Northern California fans catch renowned hip-hop artist and reality-TV star MariahLynn, enjoy hours of high-quality, live entertainment from some of the most talented performers in the country and enjoy decadent desserts – all while supporting SWOP Sacramento’s vital work to provide harm reduction-based outreach and assistance to people in the sex trade and protect their rights and safety? This Ball is not to be missed.”
SWOP Sacramento Executive Director Kristen DiAngelo has observed “a deepening divide between those who are surviving comfortably and those who are homeless,” she said. “With the increase of our homeless population, there is also an increase in survival sex work and human trafficking. SWOP Sacramento believed that we can change this through community participation, education and funding.”
“The Ball is simply a way for us to raise funds in order to continue the work we do in this arena, while at the same time throwing a party to be remembered. We hope that this event will build bridges between us and our community, to raise funds for our marginalized, and to shed light on this often misunderstood problem.”
Purchase tickets to SWOP Sacramento’s The Ball here. Visit the org online for additional details and follow them on Twitter.
SWOP Sacramento has employed the hashtag #SWBall2018 to allow Twitter users to track the latest developments.
In related news, SWOP Los Angeles recently held an inaugural fundraiser with proceeds in support of their work in the city (click here for details).