Who knew that I would have so many pictures from just one day? But Saturday was, indeed, a rather amazing day.

First, it started with a little charity called "Clothes the Deal." And when I say little charity, I mean little publicity - they may be huge for all I know, but they have absolutely nobody marketing their events. Long story short, the charity held a fundraiser at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center - a Drag Queen Fashion Show to raise money and awareness for the charity that helps homeless and transitional individuals get clothing to wear for job interviews and for new jobs. A good cause. However, the LA Gay Center didn't mention the event on their website, nor on their calendar, neither on their Facebook page. It was nearly impossible for me to find information about the event to tell my friends. I finally found the Facebook page for Clothes the Deal, and started passing that information around.

But as I said, Don and I went thinking it would be a fun morning. We were right. It was a drag queen's dream - tons of fabulous feathery beaded thingies, including a hat once owned by a real, authentic Las Vegas showgirl! I picture Nomi Malone, naturally.

So back to the lack of marketing... other than Don and I, there were maybe 10 other people there. All of them volunteers. By noon, when the fashion show started, maybe another ten people had come. I just couldn't believe that the Center hadn't hyped an event like this with more... well... hype. I felt bad for the people who put on the show - although they've been doing this since 1995, so someone within the organization should also have known to put the word out a bit better than they did. Still, we got to see some fun fashions walk (or run, at times) down the catwalk. And hell, Don and I each bought ourselves a little something nice.

Mine, the showgirl hat, was meant for my grand entrance at the Gustavo family BBQ. It started at 4, and I decided to be late - I hate being the first one anywhere. So at 4, Don and I left my house, went to the grocery store for some hot dogs and bacon for the BBQ, and arrived around 4:45. We were the first ones there. Well, of our crowd. Gustavo's mom, Elena, was obviously there with her husband Mike. And they had 2 or 3 couples of their friends over. Nice people, but a bit... awkward what with me walking in wearing a pink and red feathered showgirl hat when I don't really know any of them...

Gustavo showed up about half an hour later, which was fine, because I entertained myself talking photography with Ruben, a friend of the family, while drinking a few Palomas: Cazadores & Squirt.

David and Elaina arrived, Diane arrived, Barbara and Maria arrived, Julissa arrived... people I know and enjoy. Now I was having fun. And I made it my goal to photograph everyone wearing the showgirl hat. I failed. After a few Palomas, I just forgot I had a camera.

Food was delicious, and the dancing was, as ever, incredible. I'm telling ya, if you haven't been to Gustavo's Disco Palace, you really need to get an invitation.