Not Your Grandma’s Show About Sex (Wait, Yes It Is)

“A Grandma’s Surprising Sexual Renaissance” is the subtitle that says it all for Charla Hathaway’s one-woman show, Naked at My Age. Hathaway is a Portland-based sexologist who is known by many as the “fairy godmother of sex.” Naked at My Age follows Hathaway’s experience getting into sex work in her mid-50s (which was over 20 years ago) after having an extramarital affair with a French soldier, and the lessons she’s learned about sex and intimacy through her adventures. Hathaway, who has written multiple books on sexuality, says “I’ve been an erotic muse and teacher with vulnerable and valuable stories to tell.” Her show, which is more of a lively conversation, promises lots of laughs and lessons spanning from her 20-year career as a sex worker. “People attending my show will find a mature woman advocating bodily autonomy — our basic right as consenting adults to use our bodies how we choose, without government interference. It’s about freedom, a clear message to decriminalize sex work,” she says. The show will also feature clown opener Nicole Medema. “For me, clowning is about exploring what makes us human. Often, I end up going places that are uncomfortable or unseen,” Medema says. “The inspiration for this show came from a conversation that Charla and I had about how a clown’s unabashed curiosity might encounter sexuality.” The show and the opening act is an irreverently reverent and “salacious” sexual exploration that “you could take your mother to,” according to Hathaway.

Naked at My Age is 7:30 pm Friday, May 30, at The Hybrid Gallery, 941 West 3rd Avenue. Doors open at 7 pm, and the event is 21-plus. Tickets are $20 advance at TheHybridEugene.com and $22 day of the show.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!