Rick Perry, Bill Clinton and gay Republicans for Newt among the characters jiving at Disaster Ball

To say that the Glasstire/Fresh Arts Coalition bash at La Colombe d'Or on Friday night was a disaster would be giving organizers the highest compliment. It was, in fact, their intent that "Disaster Ball" conjure characters from some of the worst debacles in memory.

None interpreted the theme more effectively and more grotesquely (at least in this roach-aphobic writer's view) than Marita Fairbanks and Rainey Knudson, Fresh Arts and Glasstire founders respectively. Their dainty costumes were crawling with faux cockroaches, so believable as to make your skin crawl. EEEEEWWWW.

The buggers crawled up the ladies' boots, all over their tutus and even on their collar bones. Never mind the giant cockroach perched atop each of their heads.

Artist Kasi Kubiak created the roach-infested costumes, following Rainey's philosophy that only roaches will survive when the Big Disaster strikes.

 The buggers crawled up the ladies' boots, all over their tutus and even on their collar bones. Nevermind the giant cockroach perched atop each of their heads. 

This "legendary art party," as it is billed, was chaired by Kristen and David Buck, Cerón and Claudia and Roberto Contreras and honored artist Molly Gochman.

Others attending the largest Glasstire/Fresh Arts Coalition gala to date interpreted "disaster" in a variety of ways. Among the 400-plus guests rambling through miles of yellow caution tape and orange danger tape were Gov. Rick Perry and Anita (aka Eleanor Williams and Harry Long), his campaign a true political disaster. Bill Clinton (Daniel Ringold) accompanied by Monica Lewinsky (Melanie Ringold) in that scandalous blue dress represented a disaster of another sort.

Gay Republicans for Newt, Craig Boucher and John Bradshaw Jr. yukked it up with their personal political satire. Lester Marks and Dr. Penelope Marks straggled in in their best post-apocalypse costuming, carrying a fully-feathered dead chicken in their ice chest (dinner).

Beyond the colorful people-watching, there was fortune-telling, an apocalyptic art auction and dancing to the tunes of fab Michael Jackson impersonators — The Icons Band from Los Angeles. Le Grand Salon of the Montrose-area hotel and restaurant never rocked more.

Adding to the scene were J.B. Fairbanks, Michael Galbreth, Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Judy Nyquist, Jeff Shell, Todd Fiscus, Jeannie and Rob Chandler, Lauren Levicki, Liz Gorman, Karen and David Haug and Liz and Tom Glanville.

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