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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2004)
'■ a:.n R 2004 • | U * t O l i i , ; CULTURE DynaDouche Devil in a red dress by Couvier Limited From humble beginnings sprouts one of the hottest annual tickets in town by M ichael E B arrett E ver wanted to he a drag queen hut couldn’t he bothered with the whole makeup, wig and high heels thing? Well, put on your happy face because the fourth annual Red Dress Party is March 27. Actually, drag isn’t really what this party is about, hut show up in anything other than a red dress and you’ll spend your evening outside the front door. This is the now notorious yearly 21-and-over party where the dress code is self-explanatory. You don't have to wear makeup, a wig or heels, though you can bet some will. You do have to wear a red dress. Not a skirt. Not a kilt. And for god’s sake not pants. A dress. And it has to be red. Party co-founder Kyle Sheeley reminds us that “the first year was just silly and frumpy— $5 muumuus, feather hoas and combat hoots” were the couture du jour—but as party- goers have discovered the joy of accessorizing through the years, they’ve gone “all-out to look as sexy Above: Party organizer Bill Soderherg celebrates at last or as hutch as they can in a red dress.” year’s Red Dress Party in a As one who went the sexy route shimmers sequined number. || last year, I can tell you the fashion Right: Kvle Sheele\ (left, .g** ranged indeed from femme to bjrtch with partner Russ) notes to downright scary. Which brings me parts goers hase ’ to the part where I mention you don’t stepped up to the J m* . even have to wear underwear. I might plate in recent ils have noticed some who didn’t last w ars, discovering year. Not that 1 was looking. the o! V K And lest you think there will as eessor zi ne only be cocks under those frocks, organizers say this party’s for real girls, too. Says a bit party organizer Bill Soderherg, “It’s just a bunch further of guys and a bunch of girls having fun in red through the maze dresses and raising money for a good cause.” of black Two good causes, in fact. Proceeds from this year’s party will go to Cascade AIDS Project’s plastic Kids’ Connection program, which serves children sheeting in infected with HIV and delivers age-appropriate search HIV prevention information, and the Sexual o f...I’m not Minority Youth Resource Center, which provides sure what. I was either a safe haven for queer and questioning kids. blinded by the darkness or my he philanthropic side of the Red Dress Party own inno is a new component that evolved when the cence, so I really don’t know what was going on event moved out of a North Portland base back there. . ment and into a vacant grain silo loft behind Portland Public Schools headquarters. Thanks Don’t own a red dress? Ask your mom to to Barry Pilip and Jim Feild, founders of the make you one; she’s probably been dying to. Better yet, make a day out of it on a shopping summertime Alley Productions events, Red tour of Portland’s numerous vintage and Dress has grown from a house party of about 75 friends to more than 325 guests. The number is otherwise secondhand clothing stores (you expected to top 500 this year and will include can take your mom along or not, up to you). out-of-towners from places like New York, Los My suggestions: Magpie on Southwest Ninth Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia, Avenue, Lady Luck on Southeast 28th based on advance ticket sales. Avenue or any Goodwill outlet. Tempted, but not yet convinced? Consult For something a little more ready-to-wear, your inner party animal because for 25 bucks, you hit the women’s department at the downtown get live entertainment, dancing to music by DJs Meier and Frank store, where there’s always a sale and plenty of red. J71 Stormy and Puppet, a midnight fashion contest and hosted beer, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The fourth annual R ed DRESS PARTY starts at You read it correctly— hosted alcohol. You can 9 p.m. March 21 in the Warehouse at Kertry leave your cash— and your purse— at home. Oh yes, and there are the “lounges.” Tired Alley, 2119 N . Kerhy St. Tickets are $25 from Balloons on Broadway or Gai-Pied. Visit feet find an oasis of relaxation in a semi- uteu1. reddresspdx .com. enclosed area away from the dance fltx»r (simply follow the trail of detached sequins). Here you M ichael E B arrett is a free-lance writer who can sit with friends and enjoy a drink, get a foot massage (just ask, someone will do it) or wander will ogam go the sexy route this year. W in n in g is a l l a b o it p r e p a r a t io n When you're looking to play, don't waste your time or money with equipment that doesn't perform or worse yet, lets you down during the game. 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Women’s Division and Open Division (Mixed League - Men and Women) Upcoming RCSA Events March 20th B id-A -B ach elo r _ B id -A -B ab e • at Embers • Bid for a date with your favorite player! • • Doors open at 6:00 • Auction Starts at 7:00 March 26th M e e t-n -G re e t for N ew Players • at Hobos 7-9pm April 17th O pening C erem o n ies • at Panorama 7-9pm • Com e and M eet a Sexy Player! • April 18th O pening D ay • George Faber Sports Complex, Hillsboro • C heer on your favorite team C h e c k out the R o s e C it y S o f t b a l l A s s o c i a t i o n w e b s i t e at r o s e c i t y s o f t b a l l . o r g or p o r t l a n d g a y s o f t b a l l . c o m I Summer Softball ■ Make Friends ■ Have Fun! |
