Red Dress Required

Red Dress Party guests pose outside the party, which was held at the BodyVox Dance Center, a large warehouse space in NW Portland. A red dress is required for admittance; how you wear it is entirely up to you.

Guests find their groove on three separate dance floors. The first and largest pumps classic Madonna and—Hey, We ARE family!—etc. The second pounds slightly fearsome electronica. The third dance floor, tucked away on the second floor for the VIP tickets, is ruled by the fabulous and soulful Tahoe Jackson & The Love Bullie Diaries.

There are many ways to wear a red dress, and we saw most of them.

Some costumes are carnival-esque; others are proudly incongruous. We saw many dudes in dresses. Sure, the clothing involves a skirt, but accessories make the man. Running sneakers and a white baseball cap keep the frocked fellow at right squarely in guy-ville.

Although it’s possible that the outfit at left ends in a hoop skirt, this gentleman’s get-up pushes the definition of “dress” to its outer limit. Others arrive classic and cross-dressed and practically ladies-tea-ready, such as the two Ednas—as in Dame—at right.

Androgyny, mystery, futurism, hints of Dick Tracy, and the well-placed red trench, as seen on the dance floor.

Without a doubt this is a dude in a dress. Bassist Davey Nipples feels the funk with Storm Large and the Balls.

Storm Large is the coolest girl in school. The headline entertainment in an evening chock-a-block with contenders, Storm Large and the Balls commanded audience attention with ease.

Our Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence volunteered at the event, taking tickets and keeping the good-natured and rowdy crowds in line. At right, a dancer whom we hope to someday meet at the YMCA.

The party theme is the Red Eye, taking partygoers to exotic places. In the First Class Lounge, accessible with a VIP ticket, seating takes the form of giant open suitcases.

In a smaller suitcase, this reveler finds rest for presumably weary feet. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by two red-clad flight attendants, with name tags that read: Miley High and Bubbles McAir.

There is a line at the free body paint station; some made liberal use of red paint to meet costume requirements. Cheri Betts, a Red Dress Party board, member wore only thigh-high red boots and red body paint in the shape of a flight attendant’s outfit, and a wig. She is very nice. She is—ahem—not pictured.

Signature drinks are served, including the Mile High Cosmo, mango vodka, cranberry, and lime, and the Black Box, Crater Lake vodka, black cherry puree, and citrus. Airplane snacks—tiny bags of peanuts and pretzels—are served from wheeled carts.

Good night from a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence and an elegantly attired attendee. The 9th annual Red Dress Party raised $30,000 to be divided among three Portland charities: Esther’s Pantry, which provides food to people living with HIV/AIDS, Outside In, which serves homeless youth, and SHARE Senior Housing and Retirement Enterprise, that supports Gay and Lesbian seniors.