by Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor

The 6th annual Seattle Red Dress Party is right around the corner. Hundreds of people will don red dresses (otherwise you can't get in) on February 8 and head to the Fremont Studios (155 N. 35th St.) to party for a cause - with VIP entry at 8 p.m. and then from 9 p.m. onward to 2 a.m. for general entry.

This year's beneficiaries are BABES Network-YWCA, Gay City Health Project, Inspire Youth Project and The Pride Project.

National talent Betty Who, Thea Austin, DJ Grind, Hostess/Emcee Michelle Visage, Shokra and Mantryx will join local talent BenDeLaCreme, DJ Bret Law, DJ Breezy, Co-Hostess/Performer Gaysha Starr and Red Carpet Hostess Mama Tits for the evening.

This year's theme is 'Attitude Optional' and you can buy tickets at brownpapertickets ($40 general admission; $100 VIP) and at the door ($50 general admission; $120 VIP).

Here is some history on the party:

The color red is commonly accepted as the international symbol for AIDS awareness, the Seattle Red Dress Party builds on that idea that all guests, despite age, gender or sexual orientation, attend the event wearing a red dress. The visual of all attendees donning red dresses whether male, female, Gay, straight, old or young, serves as a powerful symbol of solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS and also reminds us that we are all here to make a difference and support a common cause.

The Seattle Red Dress Party is a Pacific Northwest community tradition, one that draws crowds as diverse as Seattle itself. Each year, on this one special evening, people of all backgrounds come together for a celebration full of dancing and music, spirits and laughter. This light-hearted fun provides the background for the real purpose of Red Dress, the opportunity for supporters from all walks of life to unify behind the common goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As an annual symbol of hope and solidarity, with every last attendee donning the signature-colored dress, the Seattle Red Dress Party is a true testament to the power of our community coming together to affect positive change.

The Seattle Red Dress Party is an event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the HIV/AIDS movement and to building a strong, unified LGBT and allied community. With the color red as an international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness, organizers require all attendees regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation to attend the event adorned in a red dress.

While the exact origins of The Red Dress Party are unknown, Seattle's event is fashioned after our sister city to the south, Portland. The Portland event, which started out as a small band of committed supporters, has grown to a grand scale that today welcomes more than 2,000 attendees each year. Now in its fifth year in Seattle, Red Dress continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The Red Dress network of parties now includes Chicago and Sacramento.

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