So many men, so little time.This past Thursday night was the fifth annual Rent-A-Gent Bachelor Auction sponsored by PEZ and Student Events. PEZ, which is best known for dances such as "The Less Your Wear, the Less Your Pay" and the Foam Dance has run this event the past four years to benefit the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC). The organization spreads breast cancer awareness through activism, advocacy and education, allocating some of its funds to breast cancer research. The event showcased about 60 bachelors. Supplementing the bids was a raffle, for which tickets were sold at the door. While this year's total did not reach the $6,000 precedent set last year, the auction still managed to raise more than $4500.

When the doors opened, videos were playing on a projection screen featuring interviews with some of the bachelors. They were cute and charming as they described their perfect first date, favorite pick-up lines and interests. Bidders and audience members filed in, and by the start of the auction, almost all of the seats were filled.

Master of Ceremonies Jonathan Sherman '05 was very energetic and funny as he tried to up the bids on the available gentlemen. The event was co-hosted by Stephanie Levine '04, who kept track of the bids and the time as the event progressed.

The participants in the auction did whatever they could to increase their bidding value. Most participants were auctioned off as individuals, while a few, like the different classes of the men's Ultimate Frisbee Team, were auctioned off in groups. While some gentlemen danced, sang or strutted on stage, others proceeded to shed clothing - mostly shirts, though one bachelor mooned the audience - to gather more money. Some even displayed their unique talents - Jason Colon '05 and Michael Weinstein-Reiman '04 gave lap dances to audience members, Kai Kadoich '06 performed a song on an accordion, Min Moldover '07 made a balloon parrot, Noah Cohen '05 performed some freestyle rap (with the emcee) Mark Paige '07 did some flips, and Josh Levine '06 displayed his golf skills.

The bids started at $30, and ran as high as $280, the bid for Clay Auspitz '07. Over a third of the bachelors went for more than $100. Some of the other large bids were on the sophomore Ultimate Team, Matt Christian '05, and the mystery bachelor, emcee Jon Sherman.
All who were involved seemed to enjoy the event. Women in the audience were screaming and showed a lot of enthusiasm for their favorite men throughout the evening, cheering on all of their friends. Levine commented afterward that "It was lots of work, but a great experience." Travis Seifman '04, one of the bachelors auctioned off, was pleasantly surprised at how high the bids were. Sherman commented that "It was a good time for a good cause." The event was concluded with free pizza and soda, around which bachelors and bidders mingled and got to know one another.

Although the event was fun and entertaining, it was the fact that all of the proceeds went to a good cause that was the most rewarding for the participants. As Sherman said, "It's not about love, it's about 'breastices,' which are near and dear to my heart." In a similar spirit, one of the bachelors shouted, "Down with breast cancer!"
The MBCC will no doubt be pleased with the turnout at this event, and all of the bidders are sure to enjoy their winnings.