Pynk Spandex Night to light up Oak Street Saturday

For those who find White Linen Night a tad too pretentious — or who simply want to experience another side of New Orleans’ unique art culture — Oak Street will be hosting its own response to the annual Julia Street event this Saturday.

The second annual Pynk Spandex Night will be held on Oak from 5 until 11 p.m.t. The creation of Oak Street local artisans Magda Nelson, Becky “Hyena-Hell,” and Samantha Ritter, Pynk Spandex Night is a celebration of Oak Street’s unique “funkiness” and is to be celebrated through the artwork, costumes, local bands, comedians, troops, and burlesque that can be found along that avenue.

All goers are encouraged to wear pink, or better yet, pink spandex, and there will be $10 print screening for shirts. Anyone who, for some unfathomable reason, doesn’t own anything pink can buy inexpensive t-shirts at Glue Clothing Exchange. The events start inside Z’otz Cafe and outside Glue and Abeille NOLA.

Pynk attire is de rigeur for Pink Spandex Night.

The burgeoning post-Katrina art scene in New Orleans is “a double-edged sword,” says Oak Street shop owner Magda Nelson, “for the artists who have lived and worked here since before Katrina and want to keep the art funky.”

Pynk Spandex Night is “a community event with two goals,” she says. “To keep Oak Street an eccentric cultural destination” and, “to sustain work for local producing artists.”

Bands that will be playing include Darel Poche & Friends, The Tributaries, and Hopetoun. Comedians Brian Bonahagen and Chris Fontana will be performing in the back of Zotz, as well as burlesque troop Rev. Spooky Lestrange & the Billion Dollar Baby Dolls.

New Orleans fashion designer Alicia Zenobia will be displaying her latest fashion line. Local visual artists and craft makers, including Sherry Francalancia and Tim Kennedy will be displaying their works for sale outside Z’otz and Abeille NOLA. A $50 store credit to Glue Clothing Exchange will be credited to whomever wins the costume contest.

Pynk Spandex Night. “is a family friendly event,” says Becky Hyena-Hell, “with the exception of the burlesque show, which will likely perform last, and will be in the back of Zotz.”

Everyone is encouraged to come out, wear pink, and to celebrate the unique cultural atmosphere contained in New Orleans’ Oak Street.

Maggie Migliozzi writes about New Orleans people and events for NolaVie.