If you haven't noticed the influx of men walking around with carefully manicured mustaches, as if they were all baseball players from the 1970s or Burt Reynolds impersonators, then you're probably not aware of Movember. Basically, it's the only season where mustaches become a style trend (outside of Echo Park or Silverlake of course). But it's also part of a great cause. Movember takes place during the month of November as a celebration of the hairy upper lip in order to raise awareness and funds for men's health — with a focus on prostrate cancer.
Starting on November 1st, men all across the country joined Movember by shaving and then beginning a month-long growing and grooming process for their stache. After committing to not shaving, the participants reached out to their community for sponsorships while their nose hairs bloomed into a glorious mane of mustachio. A fundraising opportunity that once seemed absurd and comical has raised $299 million since 2003, and in 2011 alone, Movember raised $126.3 million. Staggering numbers. And it's a number reached by men and women creating events and opportunities all across the country, raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
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And in Orange County this Friday, Movemberians will have their chance to rejoice in their “crumb catcher” glory at the 3rd annual OC Mofest 2012 at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach. The event will feature live music from Seedless and Fortunate Youth, mustache awards for best and most original staches, mustache art auctions, and drink specials. Plus, mustachioed-themed costumes are strongly encouraged.
“Cancer is a serious subject,” Devin Ryan, organizer of Mofest and OC Ambassador for Movember, says. “Nobody likes to talk about it. So to do things like grow a silly mustache for the whole month of November makes the conversation fun and creates awareness without being so serious.”
While Mofest is a way to lighten up the sobering conversation around cancer, it's a fundraiser, and so far Ryan has already raised around $1200 (even before the Mofest event). Last year, Devin and his fellow Movemberians raised $3800, a number that he sees growing exponentially in 2012. At Mofest, there will be donations at the door and raffles in support of the cause.
This is an event for all those Movemberians who are showing up to work with weird mustaches, getting dirty looks from their significant others, or simply dying to shave off itchy facial hair. Mofest will be a celebration — almost a rite of passage — so participants can finally shave after a month of grooming. Some will even be shaving their nose hairs that very night. It's almost like a red carpet event for mustache fashion. Don't miss it.
OC Mofest 2012 happens Friday, November 30 at Don the Beachcomber. 12678 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. $10 Donation Encouraged.
