The guys never looked so pretty as they did at DiverseWorks "deb" party

You can always count on the DiverseWorks Art Space annual gala to offer the truly wicked in theme and costuming and this year's "Debutantes Run Wild!" Friday night was no exception. The Bell Tower on 34th has surely never seen a crowd like this in its history of hosting weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Indeed, the alternative art space fans ran gleefully amuck. Men dressed as oversized debs. Women dressed as creepy, devlish and decadent debs. And did we mention the tatoos and tiara combos? Chairs Tracey and Patrick Keegan, however, opted for a Gone With the Wind genteel approach — she in tiers of white lace, he in top hat and tails. A personal fave was DiverseWorks co-director Sixto Wagan, who made his own shimmery white gown featuring the raised shoulders reflective of the fashion of his Fillipino background. His make up was perfect, his diamond earrings and necklace from Wig Mart dazzled. We loved him as a her! For the record, co-director Diane Barber dressed in flowing skirt hiked up with a brooch to reveal her heavy-metal black boots.

As for those guys dressed like dolls, Susan Schmaeling noted in an e-mail after the party, "I have never heard so many whiny men complaining about their aching feet as the carried around their platform high heels. Seriously, we are the stronger sex." 

The dinner and DJ dance honored artists Molly Gochman, Dan Havel and Dean Ruck. Michelle Barnes, founder of the Community Artists' Collective, was honored with the Visionary Award and John Guess Jr. and Melanie Lawson, collectors and faithful supporters of the art world, received the Patrons Award. The praise was delivered by Maria Todd, who served as emcee.

In many ways the night celebrated local artists. Among those donating to the auction were Nicola Parente, Wendy Wagner, Magarita Cabrera, Tara Conley and Aaron Parazette. Other volunteers such as Danny Nguyen, Sudi Babcock, Ben DeSoto, Mari Omari and JoAnn Park provided off-beat table decorations.