DISCUSSING ALLURE is a one hour discussion panel led by Chicago photographer Erica McKeehen in support of her solo exhibition AUTHORING ALLURE on display at The Martin from March 4th – 20th.

Join us for this discussion on sex work, burlesque, bodily autonomy and more as McKeehen leads the panel with models from her Authoring Allure series.

Panelists include Secret Mermaid, Lavender Vyxn, and Miss NYXon. McKeehen will lead the 45 minute discussion, followed by a 15 minute open Q&A from our audience.

Doors open at 6pm with the panel starting at 6:30!

Stay after the panel and head downstairs with us to Dorothy for a cocktail and to keep the conversation going. Want to dine at Split-Rail before the panel begins? We recommend making a reservation!

Entry is $5 in advance and $6 at the door. All proceeds will be shared with the panelists for the evening.

A card only bar will be available in the space! Proof of vaccination and ID are required at the door.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Erica McKeehen (she/her) (b. 1987) is an American photographer raised on Coca-Cola and rock and roll in rural Bucyrus, Ohio who currently lives and works in Chicago. She received her BS in Commercial Photography from Ohio University, her MA in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago while working as a curatorial assistant at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. @ericamckeehen

Our catch of the day, Secret Mermaid (she/her), is a burlesque performer and professional model. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from Loyola University Chicago and has always adored musical theater. Her favorite role was as Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera. She has also sung at the Vatican and with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Secret Mermaid is a regular burlesque performer and choreographer and also teaches classes and workshops. You can book her for your next corporate event, cocktail bar, or pool party. A delight to multiple senses, she is a triple threat and uses her combination of vocal and body movements to dazzle audiences of all sizes. Whether she’s reimagining a classic from the Broadway stage or carefully designing one of her unique Nerdlesque routines, Secret Mermaid always makes a splash on stage. @secretmermaid13

Lavender Vyxn (she/they) has been prancing and peeling around Chicago’s stages and nightlife for eight years. Having graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Dance, they have been choreographing and performing their own burlesque routines ever since. They advocate for sex workers’ rights and beating the stigma sex workers face… with lots of glitter. @lavendervyxn

Miss NYXon (she/her) is a performer down to her witchy bones. Growing up in the professional wrestling industry, hailing from the iconic wrestling dynasty Los Guerreros, she has been in front of audiences of thousands since thirteen years old. She has been a professional wrestler, ring announcer, dancer and stunt woman. Currently she is a dancer and choreographer for The Vaudettes, an international touring rock n roll dance troupe. When she isn’t dancing on cruise ships or teaching dance with Dolls in Action, she actively performs in the Chicago burlesque scene and can be found at: Untitled, The Drifter, Bordel, The Darling, and more. She is The Wicked Nyx of the West and All of Burlesque, Latina Heat — Miss NYXon! @missnyxon

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Tags: Chicago, Discussing Allure: a panel on sex work burlesque & bodily autonomy, Erica McKeehen, Lavender Vyxn, Miss NYXon, Secret Mermaid, The Martin, West Town