In a word? Outrageous.
The third Outrageous Evening danced its way into the hearts of audience members for the popular lip-sync battle on Saturday, April 5 at Aggie Hall in Ladysmith. Teams were cheered on by an appreciative and enthusiastic crowd as they competed to impress the judges, who scored them on creativity and technical ability.
Presented by the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) with proceeds being split between the association and Ladysmith Family and Friends (LAFF), the event was hosted by DLBA president Brianne Mactier and vice president Taylor Nelson. The glamorous pair kept the show on track and tickled funnybones before touching hearts with their completely original, never heard before country duet about Ladysmith, 'We’re Going to be Okay'. Vaguely reminiscent of 'Picture' by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, the song included shout-outs to Ladysmith Days, Transfer Beach, the Temperance Hotel, Light Up and more. Lyrics including “Ladysmith’s gonna be OK/thanks to the LDBA/I just want to say I’m happy to call this home” had the audience cheering and singing along.
It was nothing but a good time when Ladysmith council member Jeff Virtanen led his spandex-clad band of hair rockers, dubbed “Class of 88”, in a performance of Poison’s hit song, 'Nothing But a Good Time'. In true 1980s fashion, they had the crowd throwing horns and banging heads while some of us had flashbacks to our questionable fashion choices from the decade of decadence. No doubt there were many bangovers the next day with sore necks and aching heads but no regrets.
Perhaps all that cinnamon bun icing explains the outrageous energy on display once again by Old Town Bakery/Wild Poppy. Their sugar rush-inducing performance of Katy Perry’s 'Firework' delighted the judges and stunned the crowd with stellar choreography, surprising stunts and even a full-sized gingerbread person, the infamous Gingy.
“My favourite moment of the night were the acrobatics from Old Town Bakery/Wild Poppy,” said Mactier. “They threw someone in the air!”
Andrew “The Man” Bastion was back for his third consecutive year and poured his heart into an intense and powerful lip-sync to Nickelback’s 'How You Remind Me'. Giving Chad Kroeger a run for his money, the solo performer brought precision and heart to the song and the appreciative crowd was all for it, even waving cell phone flashlights at one point, transforming Aggie Hall into a full-blown arena concert experience.
With not one but two scorching contingents, Motus fitness blew the doors off the joint with their first number. Motus Hot Mamas heated things up with their fitness-inspired version of Chappell Roan’s 'Hot to Go' complete with legwarmers, headbands, plus a thrilling mix of thongs and high kicks.
The second group from Motus, the Motus Girls featuring Wade’s World, electrified the audience with their dynamic performance to the ever-catchy 'APT' by Rosé and Bruno Mars. Embodying Motus’s philosophy of “move well, move often, move together,” the routine celebrated movement in all its forms. A highlight was Motus member Wade’s charismatic Bruno Mars lip-sync, which had the crowd swooning as he confidently strutted across the stage.
The performance embodied not only the inclusive theme of the evening but also Motus’s ethos of movement as a lifelong, empowering practice. It emphasized that fitness isn’t about changing your body; it’s about celebrating what it can do, at any size. What made the number especially powerful was what it represented: joy, confidence, and community. Stepping outside their comfort zones, the Motus crew reminded everyone that movement belongs to every body, and that support — on stage, in the gym, and in life — is everything.
As proud Motus co-owner and event emcee Tylor Nelson put it, “They know they can get out of their comfort zone, they can do hard things, they can do fun things, they can do things for themselves.”
Is there anything sweeter than two old friends in stripey pants dancing and singing to ABBA? That’s what we got when Bayview Brewing’s Rod Alsop and Jonny Ludtke performed as Jonny & the Alsops to the Swedish band’s 'Money, Money, Money' showering the crowd with fake dollar bills. It was a lot of look, and a lot of fun.
If there’s one thing we know about the Ladysmith Latinas it’s that their hips don’t lie. And they don’t stop! Bringing the house down with an energetic, full-force Shakira medley, the core strength was on full display and the audience was captivated by their glittering mylar skirts that were at risk of bursting into flames with all that twerking and shaking.
The always-ready-to-pitch-in Ladysmith Kinsmen kept the bar running smoothly all night. Between acts there was stand-up comedy, a magic act, and a walk-off to establish the best dressed audience member.
Once the judges’ scores were tallied, the Motus Girls featuring Wade’s World took home third place and Old Town Bakery/Wild Poppy placed second.
But it was the team from Ladysmith & District Credit Union who took home the top prize for their creative take on Dolly Parton’s '9 to 5'. Kailee Ponsford from LCU Insurance danced up a storm as Dolly Parton before Marketing Manager Michael Robinson (as terrible boss Frank Hart Jr.) escaped his ropes and exploded into the Pitbull and Dolly Parton collaboration, 'Powerful Women'. Turns out rapping is yet another of Robinson’s talents and undoubtedly he’ll be quitting his day job soon to pursue a career in hip-hop.
It was a night filled with audience participation, cheering and jeering, and more entertainment than you could shake a sparkly skirt at. The vibe was one part outrageous, two parts heart, with more than a dash of generosity. A $2,500 donation to Ladysmith Family and Friends was part of the night’s impact, thanks to proceeds raised at the event. Once again, Ladysmith poured its whole heart into a truly outrageous evening.
