For Ermen DelliCarpini, there's nothing quite like the thrill of getting naked on stage with hundreds of people cheering her on.

"It's very affirming," she said. "It's also kind of fun to be able to live out that fantasy."

DelliCarpini, 25, first performed three years ago at Rent Cheque, a monthly amateur strip night at the Astoria Hotel in Vancouver.

That night, she took off her clothes to music — while hula hooping.

The gimmick got her top spot in the contest. She has since performed the same stunt three more times.

"It's my niche and I'm sticking to it," she said.

Veteran Rent Cheque performer Ermen DelliCarpini likes to strip while hula hooping. (Rent Cheque/Facebook)

This weekend Rent Cheque marks its fifth anniversary.

Unlike most strip events, Rent Cheque is open to performers of all ages, sexual orientations, genders and body types. Participants run the gamut from 19-year-old construction workers to middle-aged people visibly transitioning from one gender to another — and everything in between.

Event organizers pride themselves on creating a safe, positive environment that champions sexuality while also advocating for consent. That means no unwelcome touching, leering or other types of sexual attention.

In an era marked by a feminist backlash against unwanted sexual advances, as noted through movements like #MeToo, Rent Cheque organizer Abby Normal says her event presents a unique opportunity.

"We're given this incredible opportunity to teach consent in what I would call 'Ground Zero,'" she said. "So much harassment happens in a bar and nightlife situation."

At first glance, Abby Normal — her stage name — isn't the type of person who draws attention.

Normal grew up in the suburbs of Vancouver, is married and works at a multinational corporation. In her spare time, she organizes Rent Cheque, hosts queer sex parties and creates avant-garde pornography.

She says she wanted to organize an amateur strip night to meet other like-minded people who were also interested in "weird smutty porn things."

Normal discovered Rent Cheque, which had been started by a couple of guys but had since fizzled out.

"We found Rent Cheque on the side of the road and we gave it a push-up bra and a feminist makeover," she said, laughing.

Rent Cheque volunteers patrol the event to make sure attendees are following consent-based guidelines. (Rent Cheque/Facebook)

Performances are judged by audience applause, which is measured with a smartphone app. The winner gets $500, second place gets $200 and third gets $100.

Normal says the performers vary greatly. Some, like DelliCarpini, practise for weeks. Others sign up on the night of the event, carried away by the energy of the evening — and, quite possibly, beer.

The event's guidelines haven't wavered since it started, Normal says. Rules are printed on flyers and distributed throughout the bar, and reinforced by volunteers from Good Night Out Vancouver.

They include:

No booing or body shaming.

No photography (except by the official event photographer).

No unwelcome touching, cat calling or sexual comments.

Amateurs only — drag queens, professional strippers and burlesque performers are not allowed to compete.

Abby Normal organizes Rent Cheque. She also hosts sex parties and creates avant-garde pornography. (Abby Normal)

Some rules have been added as organizers learned about some of the province's laws governing stripping.

For example, there's no food allowed on stage.

"Like for some reason if you eat a hot dog and take your clothes off it will throw people over the edge," Normal said.

The rules are meant to create a positive environment for performers and audience members alike. Environments fuelled by booze and nudity are known to be a source of exploitation and sexual assault, Normal says.

The rules of Rent Cheque are strictly based on consent. That means no uninvited touching, cat-calling or harassment. (Rent Cheque/Facebook)

While most people who attend are respectful, occasionally someone wanders in who needs to be taken aside. Volunteers explain the rules and why they're relevant. If the person doesn't comply, they're asked to leave.

Because these rules have been reinforced since the event started, Normal says she hasn't noticed a big change in the past five years — despite movements like Me Too.

But that doesn't mean she thinks her work is done.

"For me, post Me Too, I'm hesitant to accept that things are different yet," she said.

"I'm hopeful and I think all we can do is, you know, keep the conversation going on a social level and keep these things relevant."

Rent Cheque prides itself on being an inclusive event that creates a positive environment for performers. (Rent Cheque/Facebook)

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