Town Square Las Vegas and 20th Century Fox
host "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride" Dress Drive
If you were around Town Square on the evening of Tuesday, January 8th, you may
have gotten the feeling that you were transported back to prom night; either
that, or a very eclectic wedding. Hosted by Town Square Las Vegas, and 20th
Century Fox, the “Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride dress drive took place
outside of Rave Motion Pictures and continued at Louis’s Fish Camp. Attendees
walked a red carpet which ran between the two venues.
Dress donations began from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of Rave Motion Pictures,
where gowns were collected to benefit the Las Vegas Prom Closet, a
not-for-profit organization that distributes gently used prom attire to
disadvantaged young women and provides financial assistance for tuxedo rentals,
hair and make-up design, and dinner/entertainment options. These items are
provided at no charge to the recipients.
Photo by Jacqueline Monahan
A donation station was set up with several dress racks, already filled with
gowns of every color, shape, size, and length. The dress drive continued its run
through January 14 with a drop off location at Michael Stars, a Town Square Las
Vegas retail shop. Dress donors received a free Michael Stars tee.
Mannequins displayed four of the dresses worn by Katherine Heigl in the new
motion picture 27 Dresses. Opening on January 18th, the film features Heigl as a
perpetual bridesmaid (guess how many times) who suffers a meltdown when younger
sister (Malin Akerman) pursues and romantically captures her boss – the man she
herself has always been secretly in love with. Guests attended an advance
screening of the film later in the evening.
Photo by Jacqueline Monahan
Photo by Jacqueline Monahan
At the www.SpyonVegas.com
sponsored champagne reception held at Cajun-themed Louis’s Fish Camp, the first
27 ladies to arrive wearing a bridesmaid dress took home exclusive "27 Dresses"
prize packs and were entered to win a $250 shopping spree at Town Square Las
Vegas. Gift bags for these brave ladies included hand cream, skin care products,
a pink 27 Dresses long sleeve zippered top, dress-shaped paper clips and memo
pads, and a separate pink yoga mat (inside its own special carrier).
Bridesmaid and prom gowns, in shades of red, black, pink and copper,
intermingled with Louis’s Fish Camp patrons in jeans and casual attire. Adorned
with crystals and appliqués, fabrics ranged from cotton to tulle to taffeta and
silk. There were tiny minis and floor-length formals. My own ghastly ensemble
was a deep copper taffeta with a black beaded bodice (I can hear the shriek
rising in your throat).
Aside from champagne, featured drinks included bottles of Peroni Beer and a
delightful yet diabolical creation called a Prom Dress (pineapple juice,
cranberry juice, vodka, Triple Sec and brandy). Tasting like juice, but
extremely potent, a Prom Dress can definitely sneak up on you. Your intrepid yet
humble correspondent went forth into that good night in 3 ½ inch heels after
drinking one pretty pink Prom Dress in addition to one flute of moderately sweet
champagne. Normally I’m a teetotaler, but remember what I was wearing. You’d
throw back a few, too.
Passed hors d'oeuvres included Lobster Hushpuppies with Lemon Tartar Sauce,
Fried Oyster/Bacon Bites with Horseradish Sauce, Smoked Andouille Sausage on
Toast Rounds, Pickled Shrimp Cocktail, and tiny Fingerling Potato Cups filled
with sour cream and caviar. I secretly coveted the house specialty, Flash Fried
Alligator (tastes like chicken) but settled for several jumbo green olives from
the bar; maybe next time, when I’m dressed more suitably for the bayou.
Tables and booths held complimentary boxes of (sponsor) Peroni bottle tags, used
to differentiate beer bottles at parties so you don’t share anyone else’s germs,
as well as tins of Peroni mints, in case you do.
The $250 Town Square shopping spree winner was announced at 7:15 p.m. You had to
be present to win, and raffle tickets were only held by women in formalwear.
Standing only a few feet away from me in a long red satin gown and cascading
dark hair, winner Meagan Sharrer claimed her gift card, good anywhere in Town
Square retail shops.
Meagan Sharrer
Photo by Jacqueline Monahan
After a final red carpet walk to the 8:00 p.m. advance screening of 27 Dresses
at Rave Motion Pictures, event attendees were seated in three VIP rows cordoned
off for the occasion. The mood was jovial to the point of a smuggled champagne
bottle being passed around, your humble correspondent declining a swig due to an
excess application of lip gloss. Hey, a bad hair day, a hideous ensemble, and a
previously acquired buzz convinced me that I needed to hang onto my shiny lips
and avoid looking any more questionable than I already did.
Look for a review of 27 Dresses on
www.theflickchicks.com soon.
What could be more worthwhile than dressing up for a good cause? The
satisfaction that comes from letting others have the chance. The Las Vegas Prom
Closet is doing just that. Some things just never go out of fashion.
For further information:
http://www.lvpromcloset.com
Town Square Las Vegas 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. S. at the intersection of I-15 and
the 215 Beltway.
