Shag-a-thon: It isn’t what you think

September 2, 2010 by Erin Garza 

Salon holds third annual fundraiser for Relay for Life

Brownies, buzz cuts, sex toys and ripped shirts. It doesn’t exactly sound like the average ingredients for a charity event, but Shag Me Salon isn’t your average salon.

And that’s just the way owner Dacia Metsker and her team like it.

Shag Me held its third annual Shag-A-Thon Sunday, raising money for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life.” Featuring $20 haircuts, a bake sale, caricatures and booths from both Scentsy and Slumber Party, all proceeds will go directly to Relay for Life. Local businesses including Buffalo Exchange and Hooters also donated items for a raffle while Hot 97.5 KVEG-FM broadcasted the event live. Monday, Metsker reported raising nearly $2,400 with money still coming in.

Attendee T.J. Fritz heard about the event through a friend who works at Shag Me. He said he passed on the haircut but showed support by purchasing a brownie from the bake sale. Other attendees included several families with children getting haircuts and passersby walking in.

Metsker, who opened Shag Me in 2008, said she wanted to create a comfortable and approachable environment for her clients when she started her first business. “We cater to everyone,” Metsker said. “That includes everyone from soccer moms to UNLV students.”

Master stylist Anna Drew said she sees a fair amount of fanny pack-toting tourists due to the high prices of salons on the Strip. “People appreciate that we have fair prices and less attitude,” Drew said.

Shag Me Salon has a team of professionals who specialize in a wide range of techniques including vintage retro up-dos and dreadlocks. Shag Me certainly exudes a welcoming yet hip and funky attitude.

But behind the tattoos, piercings and ripped shirts, the Shag Me team is actually a group of self-proclaimed “softies” who take pride in giving back to their community. All nine Shag Me stylists showed up with smiles to donate their time (and tips) to Shag-A-Thon. Many also brought their loved ones to help. Metsker said she even had calls from people who no longer work at Shag Me who also offered their talents.

Shag Me’s philanthropic efforts can also be seen elsewhere in the Valley. Drew volunteers as a hairstylist for local high school theater productions. Her workstation at Shag Me is plastered with photos and thank-you cards from the students she has worked with.

“It’s fun to do,” Drew said of her volunteering efforts.

With Shag-A-Thon deemed a success in its third year, Metsker plans to continue the event.
“We’ll definitely do it again next year,” she said.

Shag Me also caters to UNLV students. Metsker says she enjoys working closely with the UNLV community, especially considering the close proximity to UNLV’s main campus. If you’re interested in Shag Me’s services, flash your RebelCard and save $5 on a haircut. They’re located at 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, on the corner of Maryland and Flamingo Road.

Prices start at $30 for a typical haircut. But if you want “business in the front and a party in the back” (a “mullet”) Drew will charge you $200. The smile comes free.