On a recent Wednesday evening at Sookram's Brewing Co. in Winnipeg, Curtis Einarson, a father of three young girls, attended the "Beers and Braids" event aimed at teaching fathers hairstyling skills. With a craft beer in one hand and a hairbrush in the other, Einarson found himself seated behind a mannequin head adorned with long, colorful pink and blue hair. He admitted his hairstyling skills were "average at best," stating, "I can do a ponytail, I think OK." His journey began when he discovered the event through a post on Reddit.
The "Beers and Braids" concept was introduced earlier this year by makeup artist Ren Cherlet, inspired by a similar event in England called "Pints and Ponytails." The two-hour classes are designed for dads or father figures to learn various hairstyling techniques, including ponytails, ballet buns, and braids, all while enjoying a drink at the brewery. Cherlet, who described herself as a dance and sports mom, noticed a need for such classes after observing single dads struggling to manage their daughters' hair and moms who deserved a break.
The response to the inaugural class, hosted in March, was immense, with many fathers expressing interest in future sessions. "It’s really phenomenal. It’s taken off," Cherlet commented, emphasizing the importance of changing traditional gender roles and allowing for fluidity in parental responsibilities.
Einarson, who has three daughters aged six, eight, and ten, explained that they often requested ponytails. His goal for the evening was to master the intricacies of styles like twin ponytails and pigtails. "I want to be better at it for them," he said sincerely. The challenge of hairstyling, especially for someone else, is acknowledged by Cherlet, who keeps class sizes around 20 participants to ensure each father receives sufficient attention and support, enhancing their confidence as the evening progresses.
Caleb Doerksen, another father of three daughters aged three, six, and eight, shared his experiences with hairstyling, admitting that mornings often resulted in rushed attempts at hairdos, sometimes met with his daughters' blunt feedback. "They’ll let you know pretty quick if you’re pulling too hard or if there are knots," he quipped. Doerksen expressed his desire to learn the complex fishtail braid and took satisfaction in creating his own unique braid style on the mannequin by the class's end.
Some fathers arrived with friends, while others, like Einarson, attended solo and ended up forging new friendships during the event. Cherlet noted the importance of these classes, not only as a chance for fathers to bond with their daughters but also as an opportunity for men to connect with each other over shared challenges in hairstyling. Throughout the evening, Einarson and the other dads at his table exchanged tips and experiences, fostering a supportive environment.
Conclusively, Einarson reflected on his experience: "It’s a lot of fun. I’m really proud of myself so far. (I’m) meeting some new friends here and just having a good time." This innovative event not only aims to improve hairstyling skills for dads but also serves as a refreshing social experience for fathers navigating parenting challenges together.
