Boxcar Books rocks out ‘under the sea’

Mermaids, punk rockers and sequined dresses invaded Bluebird on Saturday night for the fifth annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Prom. Bluebird was transformed into this year’s theme, “Under the Sea.” Supporters were encouraged to dress for the theme, in prom dresses or in rock ‘n’ roll attire. \nAttendee Alissa Jordan dressed as a mermaid in a pink gown covered in seashells, and said she spent five hours creating her costume.\n“I came to benefit the charity,” she said. “And I love dressing up.”\nBloomington resident Matte Weltschmerz followed the theme in a suit with a large stuffed animal octopus on his shoulder.\n“I wanted to support Boxcar,” he said, “And I like octopi.”\nOther attendees were dressed as punk rockers complete with mohawks and red hair.\nIn addition to a disc jockey, three different bands were formed to play cover songs from classic rockers such as The Pixies, Tina Turner and Iggy Pop and the Stooges. The Pixies band member Matt Romy said that said their performance went well.\n“The crowd liked it and I think we played close to our best,” he said. “It was thrown together at the last minute, and we spent a lot of time practicing.” \n Romy also said he and his band wanted to support Boxcar Books.\n“Boxcar is a great place and this was a good opportunity to support it.”\nMembers from the local bands Puppy vs. Dyslexia, Green Fuzz Society and One Reason performed songs from the legendary rockers Iggy Pop and the Stooges.\nTina Tuner songs were performed by The All-Girl Summer Fun Cover Band.\nIn between each set, a skit was performed by three drag queens. \nThe event has traditionally been held in the Second Story Pub but was moved to Bluebird after it closed down. Event organizer Steven Stothard said he hopes Bluebird will draw more people and a more diverse crowd.\n“This is our main fundraising event.” he said before the event. “About 500 people usually attend, but with the bigger venue we are hoping for about 800.” Stothard estimates that about 500 people attended the event Saturday. \nStothard said Bluebird is an ideal place for the fundraiser because of its size and multiple bars. He said that the popularity of the event has grown enough for it to move to a bigger location. \nThe fundraiser was a split benefit for both Boxcar Books and The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project. The money will help support Boxcar Books, a nonprofit organization with books and other literature about social justice, independent media and fiction for Bloomington residents. The store also provides a place for community groups to meet. The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project provides free books to prisoners in the Midwest. All of the money raised came from ticket sales and the photo booth, said Stothard. \n“We charge $6 per person, $10 for couples and $15 for a menage trois,” said Stothard, “and for couples, we say ‘gender-schmender.’” \n Stothard said the prom usually raises about $5,000 each year, which is split evenly between the two organizations. This year, Stothard said the fundraiser only brought in about $3,000.\n“It is a fundraiser for both organizations, but all of the money gets funneled back into Bloomington,” he said. “We hope to make it a more radical place.”\nFor more information on Boxcar Books, go to www.boxcarbooks.org and for Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, go to www.pagestoprisoners.org.