ROCKLAND — The Hot Mamas, an eclectic group of Midcoast women, aren't into your plain, old, run-of-the-mill fundraisers. If they're going to put their energy toward something, it's a sure bet it's going to be innovative, it's going to be energetic and it's going to be hot... tssssssss.

On Saturday, May 11, they're getting behind Fashion's Night Out and a cause they deeply believe in: helping the teens and young adults who are part of Rockland's Out! As I Want To Be, an organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer and questioning young people ages 14-22.

The Fashion's Night Out fashion show will take place at the David Scriven Crowley Gallery at 409 Main St. in Rockland, featuring five designers and outfits from two local retailers modeled by a dozen local men and women, including Oceanside East Principal Tom Forti and Trekkers' Executive Director Don Carpenter and The Hot Mamas.

Participating designers include Lisa Barfuss of Skirtin’ Around; knit-wear designer Sarah Brand-New of Belfast; Gail Perezutti of New York-based Candela; Susan Perrine, an artist known for her creative outfits fashioned from books; and furrier extraordinaire Greg Tinder of Tsarevich Couture in Northport. Participating retail stores include Four-Twelve in Rockland and the Eclectic Closet in Belfast.

One of The Hot Mama founders, Marianne Forti, said, "We just wanted to do something a little different, a little edgy, something we haven't done before to raise money for a local cause. So, we pulled in all of the contacts we knew to put this together. A fashion show is necessry for spring - I think we're all looking for a little boost in our wardrobes." 

"Most of The Hot Mamas are moms - not all, but all of the groups we support have to do with families and children," continued Forti. "We just thought it's hard enough to be a teenager, period. And when you add in questioning your sexuality, or being labeled as different, we just all sympathize how these kids must struggle because a lot of us have kids of our own."

Sarah Brand-New, one of the designers offering her pieces to the show said, "This particular cause is dear to me as I've watched close friends struggle with coming out. It's a great cause for teenagers who are coming out. This type of support could be a life saver." A yoga instructor as well as a knit-wear designer, Brand-New will be offering 19 pieces in the show with eight walks featuring her yoga knit wear line consisting of shorts and pants and legwarmers.

"I love the local yarn I've discovered living in Maine," she said. "The colors are absolutely psychedelic."

Doors open at 6:30 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Three Crow/40 Paper will offer a cash bar and DJ Terry Frank will spin tunes next door at Asymmetric Arts after the show.
 
All the proceeds will benefit Out! As a I Want to Be. Tickets are $30 and available at HAVII in Camden and Rheal Day Spa in Rockland, and online at www.outmaine.org. 

The Hot Mamas is about 35 women from the Midcoast who raise awareness and funds for the benefit of local women, children and families by hosting, creating and participating in fun and adventurous events. In the past, creative fundraisers have included camping out for an entire night to raise money for homeless teens as well as hosting a cocoa stand at the U.S. National Tobboggan Championships to raise money for fuel assistance to benefit local families. Find them on Facebook at: The Hot Mamas.

———————————————————————————

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.