Party with me, plus. All photos by Joshua Rotter.
By Joshua Rotter
Going out dancing can be a confidence-buster for peeps of all sizes. But the extreme shame imposed on plus-size women often outweighs their desire to hit da club. Full-figured party promoter Lady Tigress was no different. “I was never a clubber in my twenties because I didn't feel like I would be comfortable in a nightclub setting,” Tigress said. “I bought into what I saw on TV and thought everyone in bars or dance clubs looked like Beyonce or Britney.”
In a world where the Barbie doll reigns supreme, these notions are only reinforced by a media that has little love for big girls. Rarely on the covers of magazines, large women remain the laughing stock of hip-hop videos, the early eliminations on reality showmances, and stand-up fodder for late night television: think Jay Leno’s Jonah and the whale jokes about Lewinskygate. And Lady Tigress knows that clubland is no kinder.
“There are gorgeous plus-size women in all types of clubs all over the Bay,” Tigress said. “But even if they are confident, there is snickering that sometimes happens when a crew of big girls shows up at a mainstream club, or they are sometimes ignored because a lot of people don't want to admit that they are attracted to women who live outside of the super-skinny American beauty standard.”
After Tigress started going out to Bay Area BBW parties such as Big Boogie Nights, Sexy at Any Size, and Heavy Rotation in her thirties, she realized that if the event was fat-friendly, these women would come out and party. So Tigress was inspired to create an even larger night, a hip-hop party for plus-size women and their fans called Full Figure Friday, and decided to host her evening, unlike similar hotel-based events across the Bay, at the stylish San Francisco club Bambuddha Lounge.
“I wanted to make some space for those women who haven't come into their confidence about loving the bodies they have," she said, "and just because we are a specialty crowd doesn't mean we don't want the same thing anyone else wants when they are going out - great drinks, a great venue, and great music. I wanted big girls to have a place that was just as amazing as the places where mainstream crowds go.”
Debuting March 28 and featuring premier turntablists DJ Shug (Ruff Riders) and DJ Fuze (Digital Underground) spinning hip-hop, R&B, club classics, and dancehall, Full Figure Friday challenges our perceptions of larger women since these bootyful ladies aren’t covered up or cowering in corners. On the contrary, they are showing their curves and kicking up their heels old-school-style to a sweat-inducing mix of tracks, ranging from Slave’s funk classic “Just a Touch of Love” to Notorious BIG’s “Nasty Girl."
The media seems to be catching up, and we’re finally seeing a new breed of plus-size woman like comedians Mo’Nique and Sommore and model Toccara, who prove that you can be beautiful at any size.
“Media is shifting to include more of those images, but there are still way more messages to us that being a fat woman is morally and socially wrong,” Tigress said. “But walking through our doors, a woman knows that she is entering a place where she is the ideal and her body type is admired and desired.”
And what about all those Jenny Craig commercials and weight-loss reality shows like Celebrity Fit Club and The Biggest Loser, which admonish us that extra padding is not just unattractive, but also unhealthy?
“Changing your body is a personal choice,” Tigress said. “If you're a fat person and you want to lose weight, so be it. But you should be allowed to get out and enjoy your life no matter where you are in the process of celebrating the body you have or changing it - if that's what you want to do.”
FULL FIGURE FRIDAY
Fourth Friday of the month, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $20
Bambuddha Lounge
601 Eddy, SF
(415) 885-5088
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Comments (6)
I wish there was something like this going on in my area. I may have to make it happen myself. Keep up the good work Tigress!!
Posted by Glen | April 16, 2008 04:44 PM
Glad there are people are like you Tigress who make things happen for the big beautiful people! :) I definitely agree... no matter what you look like and how much you weight, you should definitely go out there, be proud of how you are, how you look and most of all enjoy life! Besides, nothing beats a good booty shakin session on the dance floor =)) No one should be left out!
Posted by Sarah | April 17, 2008 02:34 PM
Its great to see that we full figures are finally being acknowledged and accepted. It’s such a joy to know there is a place for myself to be me and not feel awkward. Thanks Tigress for the hard work in putting this much needed party together.
Posted by Darlene | April 22, 2008 12:04 PM
Its great to see that we full figures are finally being acknowledged and accepted. It’s such a joy to know there is a place for myself to be me and not feel awkward. Thanks Tigress for the hard work in putting this much needed party together.
Posted by Darlene | April 22, 2008 12:04 PM
Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and yes, that includes those of us that have some extra padding. I have had the opportunity to attend this event and I support Full Figure Friday and the proprietors’ message completely. It is so refreshing to have a place to come and kick back and not be worried about being judged on my size. It’s all about empowerment and pride. Mixing and mingling with other sexy and friendly people of size gives me a real boost after a hard week at work. I can’t wait for the next event.
Posted by NorCalCutie | April 23, 2008 09:48 AM
Great to learn about this -- I'll be there and hoping for more fat-positive parties.
Posted by Art | April 24, 2008 09:35 AM