Sex Week dances its way back to UT

Sunday, April 8, the University of Tennessee’s sixth annual Sex Week kicked off with a cabaret show at the Clarence Brown Carousel Theatre. By popular demand, this year’s Sex Week featured two shows at 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

UT’s own Boss Dance Company took the stage accompanied by a live band. Many different acts graced the stage for exclusive performances. Due to performers’ privacy and venue, organizers prohibited videography. However, the intimacy allowed for the audience to be more engaged in the show.

If students reserved tickets ahead of time, they received the option to sit in the “consent zone.” This zone allowed for more audience-performer interactions. This aspect certainly came into play during the second half of the show. A performer serenaded an audience member with Khalid’s “Location” in the middle of the stage.

Katie Petrie, a sophomore attendee, enjoyed the rendition of “Bad Idea” from the Broadway hit musical “Waitress” and loved its humor. She also enjoyed seeing friends dance with the company.

The show brought old friends together. Freshman Rachel Griffin reunited with a friend she had not seen in four years. After benefiting from her first Sex Week event, she hopes to attend more despite crazy scheduling near the end of the semester.

While the show started off fun and friendly, the second half featured emotional ballads. Many songs conveyed the theme of sexual identity to unite the crowd and encourage acceptance.

The cast joined together for the finale, encouraging the audience to join in song. The cast sang “Love Train” to end the night.

Sex Week continues through April 12.

Written by Lauren Claxton