Friday night hit a "Besame Muxe" party at a small club, on Bustamante, an intimate gathering of Muxes and friends responsible for a local radio show.
The Muxe radio community were super welcoming and could not shove mezcal at me fast enough. I had one and was instantly offered more. Had to demure, I prefer to be a light tipper with the booze.
Chatted with a young couple, two earnest young guys who tipped me off: The the big yearly Vela De Amor was the next evening a block up Bustamante at the Salon Abdiel. Hot damn, just what I wanted to hear!
Some young musicians came in and did some funky drumming. Folks got up and danced, I joined in for a dance or two but called it an early night as I wanted to hit the Vela De Amor the next evening.
So last night, I got to the corner of Bustamante and Zaragoza for the big Vela about 11:00 p.m. It was already packed and jammin! Even more so than last year--I swear there were more queens and they were amazing! These Oaxacan chicas got style to burn and they know how to put it together. Although short party dresses were the order of the night, most of the Muxes pulled it off with a lot of class. Nicely styled and detailed dresses in rich looking fabrics. Do they make their own clothes? I bet a lot of them do.
Sure there were a few trashy lookin' hooker outfits, but it would not be much of a Vela De Amor without that.
Again, the crowd was super friendly. It helps that my Spanish is much improved, no doubt. The Muxes drink beer and a host instantly shoved one in my face. I am no longer a beer drinker but made a rare exception and knocked it down. Of course they instantly bring more, so I slipped it under my chair and took in the scene.
As usual a tight salsa band was workin' it, and the dance floor was active from the get go.
My friend John came in and we kibitzed for a while then got up and cut the rug.
Over the next couple hours we blabbed with a ton of the girls, danced and took a pile of photos. Well, everyone but me--I didn't bring a camera this year!
I just focused on being a party girl and having a blast. I felt fabulous in my little black dress and strappy pumps.
Some drop dead gorgeous queens chatted us up, told me I was a babe and we took more pics.
Honey, at my age I did not expect these beautiful young things to come out with that!
I left happy and tired at the early hour of 2:00, wall flower that I am, probably the first girl to leave the party!
