Bizarre CotErie was a large scale theatre arts event that Russell Frantom created, hosted and organized as an arts opportunity for his hometown community in South Bend Indiana- taking place in a historic haunted theatre (The State Theatre). Frantom used the annual events to donate 100% of the profits back to the city.
Click the link below to watch the actual WNIT episode: Somehow the day I showed up to do this We landed getting taped on the 666th episode. Pure coincidence or is it?
For these events, Frantom gathered dozens of different musicians, visual artist booths, stage performances, Burlesque shows, Rocky Horror, Drag Shows, fire breathing, hypnotism, cinema shows, door prizes, tarot readers, and a lot more for one day events that would sell out the house.
-each Event sold out, with almost one thousand in attendance for each show.
-Booth & Ticket fees were maintained at low prices for all.
-Each event garnered media attention
- All ticket sales were donated to local businesses
Russell wanted to benefit his community and the artists within it- in an odd way. His goal was to create an event unlike any other he had seen in the area- and wanted to create an unforgettable and interesting night for everyone.
A lot has been lost over the years as far as documentation of these events, sadly.. Many videos and photos have been lost. Nothing that we have gives what we did any justice.. There was so much more.. Thry were so fun we didn’t focus on documenting then. Big mistake.
jed walls, performance art
Allison Eve, visual artist
Kevin Scott Joiner; musician
Karen Nemes, La Grotesquerie
The Hot Patooties, Rocky Horror performance
the Disdress Dolls, Burlesque
jack hardy, visual artist
lee Bradford, tarot reading
Sarah dolezal, visual artist
hail shot, band
Joshua kouga, DJ
Lynette Pompey, visual artist
In this style, band
tori Rodriguez
amber olsen, visual artist
aly kaluzny, visual artist
Rocky horror picture show with the south bend hot patooties