Whether it's a lively ladies outing or an adventurous date night, visiting Atlanta's Booze & Nudes will make it one to remember.
It's like paint and sip but with an R-rated twist. At this event, which will be held on Jan. 5, a beefy male model poses in the buff while attendees express themselves artistically by painting what they see − all of what they see.
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The event's first showing November was a sold-out affair, so several dates have been added each month since. Tickets are currently available for Booze & Nudes, which will be held at the Little 5 Points Community Center, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, (tickets are selling fast) and there will be more opportunities to sip on your favorite drink and artistically interpret a male model.
"A lot of people come to paint and to learn how to paint, but most people come for that experience. And they will be guaranteed to get it," said Jasmine Strickland, professional artist and creator of Booze & Nudes.
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Find out everything to expect during this head-turning night of sipping spirits and stripped-down artistry.
Interest is particularly high.
Strickland was shocked when the first ever Booze & Nudes event on Nov. 10 sold out on Eventbrite in days. She thought the night would only attract her friends' attention.
"I had no idea that it would have this much success," she said. "I literally went to sleep and woke up and the event sold out."
Strickland started Booze & Nudes as a way "to get the entire room together," where attendees can let their guard down and create art.
"Having someone in the room that is vulnerable makes you want to be vulnerable, too," she said. "And honestly I thought what woman wouldn't want to paint a nude male, and you don't get that opportunity too often."
Male models are hand-picked.
Each model is specially selected by Strickland from a modeling website, Model Mayhem. Currently, she's choosing muscular African-American men to reflect the look on Booze & Nudes' infamous fliers.
"They are like fitness models. So, they have chiseled abs. They are very handsome," she boasted.
Unlike traditional nude models with softer features, Strickland wants the Booze & Nudes men to appear "more stripper-like." She also interviews them to make sure that they have the personality to interact with a crowd.
"I wanted to bring the eye to the middle of the room," she said. "I didn't want someone who was boring who would kind of lay there and sit there and pose. I wanted someone that really brought attention to the room."
It’s not all about the nudity. You’ll actually learn art techniques.
Booze & Nudes is for anyone with any level of art expertise, because it's a guided workshop.
"The first 10 minutes people are just trying to get used to having a naked man in front of them. So, after everybody kind of calms down...everybody starts talking to the guy and just painting," she said.
Attendees will be shown how to sketch the subject. Then once they are satisfied with the outline, they will shade their figure in with paint.
Plan to buy tickets in advance.
More Booze & Nudes events are planned through December.
Other upcoming dates include events on Jan. 6, Jan. 12 and Feb. 3. For more updates on upcoming events, visit the Facebook page.
An upcoming model is described as a “6-foot-3, muscular man from England who has an accent.”
In case you don’t make it to the local Booze & Nudes, you’ll also have options outside of Atlanta.
Due to the event's high demand, Strickland wants to bring Booze & Nudes to more locations in the Southeast, including the Carolinas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama next year as a tour.
Strickland also hopes to open up a studio in Atlanta where Booze & Nudes will happen every week.
"It makes me feel good that this is something that I thought of that's getting such positive attention," Strickland said.
Tickets: Admission includes access to the show, a 9x12 canvas and painting equipment. Tickets must be purchased online here, and attendees must be 21 or older. Prices are $15 for early bird admission and $20 for general admission.
Strickland said women at a previous Booze & Nudes described the event as a one-of-a-kind experience.
"They say that it's something you can go to that's not the strip club, because a lot of people don't feel like going to the strip club...," Strickland said.
Parking and snacks are available onsite.
No worries on guessing where to park at this event. There's a parking lot attached to the Little Five Points location.
Alcohol won't be served onsite, but Strickland encourages attendees to BYOB and food. Just bottled water and a few snacks will be available.
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