Bigger is definitely better when it comes to the 'dos on display at this weekend's Mile Hi Hair Ball.
Gary Stefanski
Wig out at this weekend's Mile Hi Hair Ball.
Details
7 p.m. Saturday, October 5
Turnehalle Ballroom, Tivoli Center, Auraria campus
Tickets $20 in advance at Raves, 4990 East Colfax Avenue
Studio Lites, 333 Broadway
and Unique of Denver, 2626 East 12th Avenue
$25 at the door, 303-816-0764,
www.MileHiHairBall.comRelated Content
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The ball was inspired by New York's Wigstock and Houston's Wigs on Fire, says David Westman, who will host Denver's inaugural do as NuClia Waste, the Princess of Plutonium, his drag-queen alter ego. "We wanted to have an event here in Denver that celebrates wigs, fabulous hair and having fun. Texas is known for their big hair. We want Colorado to give them a run for their money." The lovely Waste, he notes, is "the brainchild behind all of this. Her signature hair color is bright green, but she also looks fabulous in hot pink."
Color is important -- Saturday's event is sure to bring out every shade in the rainbow -- but size matters, too. Currently (believe it or don't), there is no listing for "World's Largest Wig" in the Guinness Book of World Records, and Westman thinks it's time for a change. To that end, he's commissioned Granada Wigs of San Diego to create a record-worthy blond wig with pink streaks, which will make its debut at the Mile Hi fete. Made from synthetic hair, the wig will be the largest by far that the company has built.
"We called up the Guinness people in London and figured out what it would take to establish the record," Westman says. The guidelines imposed by Guinness include the proviso that the wig has to fit on a human head and be wearable. If Granada's monster hairpiece makes the cut, then Westman will have to provide the proper documentation and authentication required for Guinness to verify the claim.
So, just how big is this wig? "It's a secret. You'll have to show up to find out," Westman teases. "We have gravity working against us and hairspray working for us."
And what fun would a hair ball be without a few head games? Denver's version promises plenty of entertainment, including a wig fashion show and contest. Prizes will be handed out for Biggest Wig (well, second-biggest, most likely), Most Creative Wig, Most Colorful Wig and Best Overall Wig.
"I think we're going to see some really interesting styles," says Westman, who stresses that wigs are not required for entry to the ball. "There is also a surprise category, which is Best Hair Sculpture. We want to honor people that do something crazy and creative with their own hair." Also on tap for the evening: DJ Andrew, who will be spinning tunes -- and heads -- on the dance floor.
Proceeds from the Hair Ball will benefit Project Angel Heart, an organization that home-delivers meals to people in the metro area who are battling AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. "They're a group that is really near and dear to me," says Westman, "so we wanted to give something back." He's hoping to raise at least $6,000 for the local nonprofit.
Finally, if you've never had a formal portrait taken while wearing your favorite wig, photographers will be on hand to capture the moment. "A lot of people like to dress up for Halloween, so we're hoping that people will come here to try out their costume, give it a trial run," says hairman of the board Westman. "We're really marketing this to anybody who likes to have fun hair."
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