Orange you glad it's Saturday?

So, normally here at Houstonist, we try to promote events--arts and otherwise--that are open and (ahem) FREE to the public. Every now and again, though, something costing cash-o-la is so cool, so fun, SO important, that we simply MUST promote it. In this case, well, there's a lot of cash-o-la involved. But it's for such a good cause!!! We are not necessarily flush with cash today...or, well, any other day. But YOU, dear Houstonist loyalist, YOU might just have some serious bank! Maybe you've got a kick-ass, high-powered, major money job! Or maybe you just hit the lotto! Or maybe you have a trust fund (lucky bastard)! Or maybe you just save, and scrimp (sp?), cut coupons, sell cans, and make extra bread on e-bay, JUST so you can attend the best art functions in Houston. If, for any of the aforementioned reasons, you have some extra money layin' around, earmarked for good times, then today is your day. For today (well, tonight, really), friends, Houston has the best gala of the year. The Orange Show Gala.

In case you live in a vacuum, The Orange Show and all of its off-shoots--art car museum/parade/experience, the beer can house, eyeopener tours, etc.--are an irrepressibly, invigoratingly, imaginatively, insanely well-suited group of public art projects through-out our fair city, known as, collectively, the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.

Every year, much like most other nonprofit organizations, this center has a gala. But WHAT a gala! If you're like us, perhaps you've been to a gala or two. And most of them are an exercise in necessary, diplomatic, quasi-entertaining b.s. You go, you eat the food, you have some free drinks, you boogie down - as if on cue- when the band plays Mustang Sally. It's kind of like a wedding, only there's no obligatory bride and groom, only an obligatory cause. You duck out at the earliest moment possible, to go meet your friends to have an actual good time, not a pretend good time in the name of charity.

The Orange Show Gala is different. It is ACTUALLY FUN.

First, they have a sense of humor. The theme is always very sassy and EVERYONE dresses up. The wilder the costume, the better. If you don't dress up, you're kind of a douche. This year's theme is "burlesque." Who knew you'd let that get-up only your honey has seen end up being your outfit for the evening? Or, who knew you, too, would shop at Erotic Cabaret? It's not just for transvestite hookers anymore!

Second, the silent auction is awesome. It's full of actually interesting items, trips, art pieces, clothing, and more.

Third, the people watching is insane! Remember, this gala includes folks from Orange Show, the Art Car aficionados, etc. It's great. These are truly some of Houston's most intriguing citizens.

Orange Show Gala
Adickes Sculptorworx
2500 Summer Street
Houston, TX 77007
Individual Tickets: $500

For tickets, please call 713-926-6368