'■ 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.
F or
e v e r y o n e w h o is s e r io u s
ABOUT PLAY
ASK YOUR ADULT REALTOR OR
ORDER ONLINE
WWW.DYNADOUCHE.COM
800-501-7674
DynaDouche is the finest tool ovailabe to quarantee
you the deep cleansing you need to perform at vour
best every time. With its unique flow, design ona
professional grade materials, DynaDouche outscores
the competition and leaves you clean, confident,
assured and ready to play.
DynaDouche comes complete and easily installs in less
than 5 minutes. Best of all it has a limited lifetime
warranty and it's only $99.95
S o MOW, CUTAN I 'P AND <»iff INYO TMI! G
a
MIM
ft
!*1
1
SO
Season
is just
af° and
orne*-
c
the
T
Teams are now Forming
All skill levels
are encouraged to participate.
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!
|