Movember Mustache Madness

By John DiGilio in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 1, 2011 8:20PM

Ah November! It’s time for sumptuous turkey dinners, warm family gatherings, the obligatory football game, and mustaches. That’s right... mustaches.

Move over pumpkin pie, November is ‘stache season! Dubbed Movember by the men who are nurturing new caterpillars on their upper lips, the 11th month of the year is about to get hairier for a good cause.

Movember is a month long celebration of men and men’s health. Started in Australia in 2003, this furry fundraiser has become an international hit. Its goal is to raise awareness of and funds for the fight against men’s health issues. This year’s partners include such major organizations as LiveStrong and The Prostate Cancer Foundation. This will be the fifth year Movember is celebrated in the United States and "Mo Bros," as participants are called, are starting today with a cleanly shaven face and the goal of raising money with the mustaches they will grow.

This is serious business,folks. Movember is not for the lazy. There are rules of etiquette that govern both ‘stache cultivation and social behavior. Even the follicle-challenged can join the ranks of the Mo Bros if they can adhere to these precepts. When it comes to what is on your face, your mustache must be distinct and not connected to other facial foliage - no goatees and no beards. You must also maintain it and keep it groomed. A scraggly lip carpet will not cut it. When turning that face to the world, Mo Bros are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen.

It’s okay, boys: it is just for a month.

A sweet handlebar is nice, but fundraising is the true reason for the season. The best mustaches as well as the best fundraisers are recognized at the local, national, and international levels.

Ladies, even you can get involved. No, you are not asked to skip your regular lip waxing or wear anything silly to make up for your lack of facial hair. Mo Sistas lend support to their men and encourage them to keep working on those mustaches. According to the official Movember site, more than 1.1 million men and woman have been involved worldwide, raising over $174 million dollars in just eight years. Now that is some serious lip service (or shall we say, “above the lip” service!).

Here in Chicago, Movember is gearing up to be a furry frenzy. The Art of Shaving, a major partner in the initiative, is offering free shaves to participants today only. The Michigan Avenue location already had a pretty full schedule. I was the first victim of the morning. I've set up a blog to chart my progress. Over at The Bedford, a freshly shaved crew is preparing to celebrate its first Movember with its own team, special promotions ($1 for each Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is being donated to the cause) and plans for a final ‘stache bash complete with prizes for the best under-nose-growth.

Who else out there in the Windy City is getting their ‘staches on for this great cause? I’d love to hear from you! Share your plans and Mo Spaces in the comments below. I know you can grow ‘em, fellas. Let me know if you are putting your money where your mustache is!