PORT ANGELES — Confronting a family emergency, Clay River has assembled a cabaret show in short order.
“Last week, I got a call from my mom. Her breast cancer came back, and she is having surgery next week,” said River, a Port Angeles performance artist and poet.
River’s mother, Teresa Breton, a bartender in Boston, is facing her second bout with cancer. The first time, she had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, so she hopes it’s only surgery this time.
“Having to take time off for surgery and recovery is going to leave her broke and unable to pay rent or buy groceries at a very crucial time,” said River.
Alle Stage
So this Saturday night, River will host the Cataclysm Cabaret, a fundraiser for her mom on the Alle Stage at Studio Bob, upstairs at 118½ E. Front St.
Admission is a suggested $5 donation, but this is a pay-what-you-can event.
Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show, which is open to patrons 18 and older. The Loom bar adjacent to Studio Bob will be open all evening, too.
“I pulled together all my local performer friends,” said River, adding that they’re “really excited because it’s not that often that we have shows that don’t have a strict theme.
“This is a show where you get to see the creative minds of our local performers pour out,” River added, “because their acts are from the creative and passionate part of their hearts.”
Among the Cataclysm Cabaret stars are dancer Merryn Welch; performance poet Angie River, aka Paige Rustles; Kaitlan Cargo; and Geezer Teezer, who wowed the crowd at the Jan. 18 Drag Off at Studio Bob.
Myriad donations
There’s more, emphasized Clay River, who is also a performance artist who goes by the stage name Butch Mo’Queen.
“I’m accepting donations in all forms for my mom,” River added: nonperishable food, tea, cash and credit card donations through PayPal on River’s iPhone.
River’s Butch Mo’Queen page on Facebook has information about the Cataclysm Cabaret and other events River is involved with in Port Angeles and Seattle.
Details about other public events at The Loom and the Alle Stage at Studio Bob can also be found on the venues’ Facebook pages.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
