826Chicago’s Moustache-A-Thon

'Stachend

April 3rd, 2008

The moustaches mingled and the prosthetics presented the results from their final challenge: taking care of (and pictures of) their moustachioed eggs. ‘Stached eggs were seen on top of ski slopes, knocked off a table by a cat, snuggled into bed, hanging from a rope and as the stars in a crazily imaginative melodrama. Kudos to Anna B. and Kathy K. who won the weeks prize!

And for those of you listening to private radio this morning, you missed a little piece on us that aired on WBEZ. (Check the archives for Eight Forty-Eights show from 3/19/2008 HERE)

But who won the overall competition?

• For facial hair beauty, Winner of the Moustache-Sash: Jesse Woghin!

• For greatest overall prosthetic growth, Winner of the Moustache-Tiara: Meghan Keys!

• For BEST fundraising, the grand prize, Winner of the coveted Chap ‘Stache Cup: Damon Magnuski!

• For being able to benefit from the generous amounts of time and energy our growers and donors put into the competition to the tune of some $9300 dolars: the students at 826CHI!

THANK YOU ALL!

Moustacheckup!

March 13th, 2008

Suggestive poetry from Christine Q! Moustache shaped pinata from Meghan K! Facial hair from all!

Kara T’s haiku captures the spirit going into our final week:

Moustache! hair catching
the light so seductively
you like this? pay up!

Moustache Midway!

March 6th, 2008

We are halfway through the competition! Didn’t make it to the festivities last night? Well, besides a beautiful slideshow and a roaming reporter with a microphone, you missed the presentation of the prosthetic growers’ artwork. But have no fear, you can stop by the Boring Store and see some of the winning pieces. Currently on display is a fine work where a googly-eyed moustachioed man is about to wrestle a polar bear. Other moustacherpieces used the full range of artistic media: pipe cleaners, magazine pictures and yarn! And there is Christine Q’s 1st place winner: a moustache that is made out of human hair clippings obtained from a barbershop!

While you’re on the internet here, check out Thomas Qs interactive website about his face: www.tommysbeard.com. Its educational and magical. Thomas is our reverse grower. He started with the full face of hair (as seen on the site!) and is trimming down to different moustache varieties each week!

Keep the donations coming in! These ‘staches cant grow without them!

It's been one week since you looked at me...

February 28th, 2008

A one-week-o’clock shadow has formed over the competitors faces. Growers had a chance to discuss their trials and tribulations with their new facial friends. The most harrowing tale was told by Bryan B. who revealed that his ‘stache was almost sacked by a certain crispity, crunchity, peanut buttery candy bar commercial he was shooting. He convinced the admakers of his ‘stache’s worth and they left it in (perhaps to be airbrushed out in postproduction)!

Our prosthetic growers, going for strokes of Sharpie on their fake moustaches, submitted the photos they took over the last week of people who have moustaches. Congratulations go to Kara T who was awarded with the most hair. She was so on the lookout for good moustaches that she even took a few pictures of her tv during the Oscars, documenting the Coen Bros & their Hollywood facial hair. Oh! And Meghan K. (sporting her ‘stache apron) brought a moustache flavored cake shaped like raspberry and chocolate. Or, rather, a moustache shaped raspberry and chocolate cake. MmmMMmmMoustache.

Join us at Pint Pub next Wednesday at 7pm and see all the action LIVE! And dont forget to donate!

To shave-a da face, to start-a da race!

March 11th, 2008

Sitting around tables arranged as a beautiful moustache, the competitors and their supporters listened as growers gave impassioned speeches wherein they cited what will be fueling their moustache making in the coming weeks: emulation of fathers and grandfathers, recently joining a barbershop quartet, jealousy, environmentalism via scaring children, desire to see what moustache would look like 35 years since last grown. As a giant, 3.5 ft razor was placed across all competitors faces (ensuring a clean shave and hopefully a clean fight) the competition officially began!

Our organic growers are letting Ma Nature do her thing while our prosthetic growers this week are out in the streets with cameras, trying to capture as many pictures of strangers sporting moustaches. The prosthetic grower with the most pictures will win the most fake hair for his/her prosthetic moustache next week.

Early pledging helps all growers as they are competing for weekly prizes! So, get to it!

To further get you in the spirit, the results of our moustache haiku/awesome poetry e-newsletter contest:

Paul Fermin (2nd place):
comes off with your sleeve
no need to use a razor
milk moustaches rock

Vicki Crain (3rd place-tie):
Upper lip tickles
follicle pores fantasy
while filtering crumbs.

Kirsten Hansen (3rd place-tie):
Carnival freak show,
Fear not! Love for thee rings true.
Hirsuteness breeds zeal.

Carrie Colpitts (3rd place-tie):
Wind caught in my stash
Rollin’ up to Robins Nest
“Oh My God Magnum”

Sandra Schrecengost (1st place!):
The Moustache

It isn’t just fluff,
This fur on my face.
It’s way more than that.
Its a special space.

Not all can demand
The growth of such style.
And when one begins
It can take quite a while.

Just simple desire
Unlike a good tan,
Produces no fruit,
Until boy turns man.

Gender specific
Another require.
Females who try this
May quickly retire.

No, it takes a man
To grow a moustache.
One who’s quite able
To handle backlash.

For tools of this harvest
Can eat up some cash.
‘N just wait ‘til dinner
collides with your ‘stache!

Problems are many
The rewards so few.
Thus motivation
Must lie beyond you.

It’s done for the KIDS!
Down at 8-2-6!
Hearts and moustaches
Now that’s a great mix!