There are certain events that happen ever so rarely but leave a long-lasting impression.   Sometimes these epic events can electrify your creativity and imagination - inspire you to strive to be better in your own creative endeavors.  This was the case of The Cheaper Show, one hot night of art and creativity in Vancouver.

Here's the concept:  200 multi-disciplined international artists, 400 pieces of art at $200, all for one night only.  Sexy, right?   Okay, then listen to this: all the art work is displayed in a brilliantly interactive way, so they compliment one another - or as the show describes it “Works of art, regardless of medium, are displayed so as to activate one another” …. dang! THAT just activated me. (ahem…)

Anyway...I was lucky enough to attend the preview show called “Salon”, which was a preview night for guests and artists only.  It was a rather cozy evening, filled with hot, sizzling, freshly made works of art - and did I mention ALL MEDIUMS?  The doors didn't officially open until 6pm but people started lining up a full twelve hours before that!  Yes, 6 freaking AM.   It was like a boxing day in June -- same deal --you get in line at some ungodly hour, you flirt with your fellow line-up buddies, grab a coffee before smooshing your face into the front doors as they countdown the minutes to open them. That’s how intense the Cheaper show was (no wonder our beloved Cargoh was one of the sponsors!)  Dude - and Jack Black was there!  You kidding me?

Now, let’s move on to the real meat of the show – the art.  It was just plain out of this world.  Such a rich mix of talent, all with different styles and influences.  It's easy to let your mind run wild, imagining the wild life experiences these artists must have had (you know...alien abductions - stuff like that) motivating them to create such out-of-this-world pieces, but, the one thing that I discovered when I talked to some of the individual artists showing work was that they are all driven by their daily anecdotes with friends and family - drawing inspiration from life's little pleasures and pains.  That simple.

[Photographer] Cherry Vega did an awesome job capturing the energy of the event for us -

Do you realize that in every city there is an ever growing amount of creativity happening? … the trick is to find it.  The Cheaper show makes it possible by bringing pieces of art to a diverse audience that is ravenous for fresh talent.  This show really feeds the principles of community and social interaction, and even though it only happens for one night, it’s enough to open up the eyes of all spectators and seduce them into the amazing world of art.  This show is such an awaited and beloved event that the Mayor of Vancouver declared June 26th as The Cheaper Show day.    And check out this video that the ever-dedicated No.9 organizers shared: a rare behind the scenes peek at artist drop-off-day - pretty inspirational stuff -

The night ended with three FANTASTIC (yes I am using capitals, because it was that good) after parties that were jam-packed with up-and-coming talent, inebriated muses, misfits, avant-garde fashionistas and energetic sexy-bots (...let me tell you, some of the attendees, were specimens of human beauty themselves...for real.)   An amazing experience was had by all.   Especially me.   Being on the Cargoh Street Team rules.   All summer long I'll be hitting events like this and we are sharing everything for you right here!

{reporting by Gabriel Cabrera for the Cargoh Street Team.}

{All photos appear courtesy of the brilliant and talented Cherry Vega - so show her some love.}