Burlesque show to benefit Open Pantry

“Burlesque: Camilla’s Annual Charity Extravaganza” with female impersonators will aid Open Pantry Community Services.

Female impersonators will be the stars of the upcoming “Burlesque: Camilla’s Annual Charity Extravaganza,” to benefit Open Pantry Community Services. The event, held annually to benefit Pioneer Valley-based charities, takes place Friday at Chez Josef in Agawam. The fundraiser is hosted each year by Springfield hairstylist Tony Isham, who performs as the Contessa Camilla. It started 18 years ago and has also benefited the AIDS Foundation. Four years ago, Isham brought it to the Open Pantry. Isham said this year’s show is based on the movie, “Burlesque.” “I have a lot of people doing it pro bono,” Isham said. “I have a young man coming in from Boston who is a female impersonator by trade, someone from Northampton who does it as a hobby, and another friend who opened for Cyndi Lauper.” In all, there are 17 performers in the show, including a Cher impersonator. “It won’t be risqué by any means,” Isham said. “It will be kind of New York-style Cabaret entertainment.” A big opening number kicks off the show, where members of the event’s committee will be involved. “It will include bankers and judges,” Isham said. “We’ll have them come up and perform in ‘Fashionista’ – it’s a runway number. It will be kind of fun because they’re not entertainers in the show.” Miss Senior America contestants will also make an appearance. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a raffle, and dancing for all at the show’s conclusion. Isham said he expects about 300 people at the event, at which he hopes to raise several thousand dollars. He said holding the event to benefit the Open Pantry was a no-brainer. He said hunger and homelessness affects so many people locally. “One of my cast members said, ‘There was a time in my life when I was hungry,’” he said. “It’s not just food (at the Open Pantry); it’s an all-encompassing organization.” Isham said when he and others who put on the event first started their work, they helped out at holiday meals for the needy, serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. “It was rewarding to see the people benefiting from this,” he said. “It helps people from the homeless to those who are out of work and struggling.” Cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres run from 7 to 8 p.m. Show time is 8:30 to 10 p.m., with dancing to follow till midnight. Tickets are $40 per person with open seating. A standard table of 10 is $350 with assigned seating, and VIP seating for a table of 10 is $500, including two bottles of wine and hors d’oeuvres specifically for that table. Tickets can be purchased by calling Isham at (413) 222-4763 or Kim Kennedy at Open Pantry at (413) 746-6241.