Caught Red Handed
February 28th, 2013
Dorothy Parker, she of the wicked satire and wit, wrote, “I always saw, I always said / If I were grown and free, / I’d have a gown of reddest red / As fine as you could see.”
Every year, Portlanders dare to don red at the annual Red Dress Party (May 4). A yearly bash that requires all attendees (regardless of gender) to don crimson ladies’ wear, this party gets bigger and bolder each year, raising more than $100,000 for local organizations which help people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as gay youth.
At this year’s party, DJing activist and drag queen Nina Flowers will blow the roof off the high-wattage dance party. The nationally known figure should be right at home at the ”Caught Red Handed” themed event. And while the big night is getting closer every day, full event details, like the venue and ticket sales, have not yet been announced. But wherever the party takes place, there is already a round-trip shuttle scheduled from The Jupiter Hotel, which is also offering special rates for attendees.
So, start eying the racks for that those slinky red frocks. Because when the night’s over, sure, you’ll have plenty of memories, but as Parker’s poem “The Red Dress” concludes, you’ll only have a “silly gown” to show for it.
Tags: red dress, red dress party, red dress pdx
