Stepping into Allen Center on Friday night for the "legendary" Art Car Ball was akin to Alice stepping through her looking glass into Wonderland. The indoor/outdoor party scene blitzed right through reality into the wacky world of lighted art cars and costumed partygoers reveling in an other-worldly atmosphere.
Close to 2,000 Art Car fans poured into Allen Center for the party blast that featured everything from a tattooed belly dancer to lighted hula-hoop girls in tutus. Arts Brookfield — the creative side of Brookfield Properties which owns Allen Center — and the Orange Show, Art Car Parade originator, lined up a non-stop sea of talent to keep the mermaids, drag queens, Star Wars characters and other bizarre creatures entertained.
Close to three dozen of the cars that would be in Saturday's Art Car Parade were on display in the courtyard that links the three Allen Center skyscrapers and along the drive in front. (Note for 2016: It's the best party bargain of the year with tickets around $30 for a totally madcap night.)
Keeping the crowd moving were Free Rads 2nd Line, DJ Kangaroo Sexy, T Bird & the Breaks, Moji, Freerange Revelers, Y.E. Torres & Kiki Maroon. Food stations from downtown eateries fueled the party energy.
The party crowd included Terri and Andy DiRaddo, Xan White, Diana Longo, Dominique Masera, Justin Manalansan, Adrienne DiRaddo, Catherine Murphy, Warren Couper, Allan Rodewald and Christine Mill.
Check out CultureMap's video of the party here.
David Robertson and Kimi Bainter.
