Man up and go to the market.
The first ever Mo Sho men’s art market runs Friday night (Nov. 16) and Saturday at the Fernwood Community Centre.
“Combining a men’s art market and Movember was something my wife (Paige Coull) and I had wanted to do for a long time,” said organizer Campbell Kearns.
As the holiday season approaches, so do the artsy markets. Sadly, for some men out there, particularly of the 20 to 45 age demographic, Christmas craft bazaars are not always the most appealing destination for precious weekend time.
This is where the Mo Sho shines.
“Think Christmas fair with an over-the-top men’s theme,” Kearns said. “It’s a great place for men to get their shopping done, with a manly feel to it, as well as more of a social theme with drinks (tonight) and food.”
The couple knows a thing or two about craft markets, as Coull has run a successful pottery business out of her Saanich studio for four years.
For Kearns, who runs Entree At Home private catering, the event has meant putting down his knife each day and picking up the phone.
“After having been to so many markets aimed specifically at women, we wanted to create an atmosphere where men would feel more comfortable and welcome perusing the vendors,” Coull said.
More than 20 hand-picked vendors will be on hand for the event, with products such as homemade musical instruments, pottery, leather work, clothing, and wood work.
Proceeds from the gate (by donation), beer sales, and silent auction revenues will be donated to Movember, of which Mo Sho is an officially registered charity event.
“We also will have a few spaces where people can decorate their own ceramic moustaches, and a barber chair where people will be able to get their moustache groomed and photographed,” Kearns said.
Hoyne Brewery will be serving at the Friday night event, and The Refiner Diner food truck will be serving man grub all weekend.
The Mo Sho runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, at the Fernwood Community Center, 1240 Gladstone Ave. Admission is by donation.
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