Margie Taft

The LGBT Center in Palm Springs sponsored a Red Dress Party at the Ace Hotel that was attended by more than 300 loyal and enthusiastic artistic and stylishly dressed patrons. The emcee was Michael Holmes, who stars in “The Judy Show.”

Red Dress parties began about 15 years ago in Portland and have spread to cities across the country.

These parties began as drag extravaganzas, organized to promote charities devoted to the LGBT community and causes. In Palm Springs, this lavish party event was LGBT Center’s third Red Dress Party, which they re-named “Red Dress/Dress Red.”

The first event in Palm Springs was held at Loretta Young’s home and attracted more than 100 people. The most unique dress was made of over 10,000 individual chain pieces in the shape of a red chain dress. Important presenting sponsors were the Nesteggg Group and Eisenhower Medical Center and David Hood and George Sellers, Vacation Palm Springs, Streetbar, Tru Value Hardware, Burke Rix Communications, Bernie’s, LuLu, Pacific Wine & Spirits, Live Magazine and Gray Public Relations.

Among those in attendance were: Ron Wright and John McDonald, Jeff Wolter, Mary Ann McLaughlin, Ginny Peacock, Mona Caywood, John Chaisson, Bella da Ball, Will Dean,Fleet Easton, Pennie Feehan, Jack Fulton, Dick Haskamp, Jeff Hocker, David Hood and George Sellers, Joe McCormack and Gary Hunter, Randy Lowe, Brenda Lyn Martin, Michelle McKee & Laura O’Kane, Jack Newby, Lisa Middleton and Cheryl O’Callaghan. Also Will Paige, John Perkinsand Lyle Sparks, Brian Rix, Charles Robbins and Damon Romine and Michael-Jon Smith and John Williams.

Next event: Annual Donor Party O’Donnell House May 15. Contact lmiddleton@thecenterps.org or lgbtcenters.org