Musical guest: Colby Gile (https://www.facebook.com/TheStolenWinnebagos)
Community moment: Bill Clause
Featured speaker: Penelope Mais Ouis, “A Journey to My Own Power”

Erin Owsley (she/they) grew up on stage. She spent most of her childhood playing in the woods of Lake Tahoe and was especially connected to her Gramma Max, watching Gypsy and strippers compete on Phil Donahue. Many years later, as a stay-at-home mom and foster parent, she took a burlesque performance class in 2015 as a way to pushed herself, and while the experience was certainly overwhelming, Erin knew she had begun a new chapter in her life. Penelope Mais Ouis was born in Colorado Springs, and while the experience was certainly overwhelming, Erin knew she had begun a new chapter in her life. Her experience on stage as Penelope empowered her and filled her with confidence. It taught her about safety, consent, sexuality and gender, and gave her the courage to leave an abusive marriage. She found success performing solo and in groups all across the world, winning awards such as the title of Most Classic in the Edmonton Burlesque festival.

In 2019 she moved to Kansas City and immediately recognized that the musical and art history of this city lent itself well to becoming a hub for burlesque in the Midwest. In December 2022, she produced a speakeasy style Classic Burlesque revue in the West Bottoms. It sold out. She began her mission to elevate the burlesque scene and partnered with local brands, venues, artists and performers. In 2024 she’s bringing artists from across the country right here to the City of Fountains, many for the first time. They’re falling in love with the city as well, and telling their friends. Ultimately the thing Penelope loves the most about burlesque is creating a relationship with her audience. They are the real stars of her show, and without happy audience members she knows none of her success would be possible. When she’s not performing as The Yes You May Girl, Erin enjoys a loud night at home with her many children and pets.

Parallel park in the neighborhood near our building or in the “free on Sundays” KU P2 parking garage two blocks west of our community center. Please reserve the small south parking lot for those who need the ramp to enter the building.

By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (http://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).