Here's a party that Peanut's character Pigpen and "Dirrty" girl Christina Aguilera could attend together: Attack Theatre's second annual Dirty Ball fundraiser. Attack Theatre is known for its edgy, modern-dance performances, often featuring things like steel-beam installations. "We can't just do a ball or a gala like everyone else," said Michele de la Reza, Attack Theatre's co-founder and artistic director. "So we said, 'We're not going to just do a ball, we're going to do a dirty ball.'" When the theme was conceived last year, no one really knew what it meant, de la Reza said, but the ideas just started rolling. They came up with dirty martinis, a Dirty Little Secret Booth and their own take on the Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey "Dirty Dancing" finale. All of those are back this year -- with a slightly different interpretation of the "Dirty Dancing" finale. But there's more. A Dirty Word Wall will let people write one or two dirty words to create a "dirty diatribe" from everyone's input, de la Reza said. And for premium Attack sponsors -- those who donate $500 or more -- there's a special pre-party in the penthouse at 121 Ninth St., where the ball is being held. But this is no sit-down-dinner kind of ball. The dance floor is open all night, and Attack dancers will perform three times, as attendees sample food throughout the party from local restaurants, such as Bravo Cucina Italiana and Harris Grill. And there's no need to dress up -- or even shower. Wardrobes last year ranged from traditional suits and gowns to dirty, ripped jeans to provocative wear and even a few men wearing kilts. "One guy actually wore a Mr. Clean shirt, which was hilarious," de la Reza said. Outfits also could highlight secret fetishes, with some people coming in cowboy costumes, said this year's honoree, Richard Parsakian, an avid Attack Theatre supporter and owner of Eons vintage-clothing store on Ellsworth Avenue. "Last year, I wore leather chaps and a tank top and little black boxers underneath the chaps. I'm not sure what I'm wearing this year," he said. "That's my dirty little secret." Last year's ball brought in a diverse crowd of 20-somethings, retirees, starving artists and bankers, Parsakian said. "It was like a dream kind of mix of people." This year's pre-party will be starting things off nice and clean, with Attack dancers putting on a show structured around the marble tub and shower in the penthouse. "We'll be moving our bodies into impossible angles while we are supporting ourselves on the tub or wrangling around the shower head," de la Reza said. Once attendees have sloshed back a few dirty martinis, they might be more inspired to try the Dirty Little Secret Booth, complete with microphone and cards of questions like, "Tell me something you've always wanted to do in a public space." A voice modulator changes the voice patterns as people's answers are broadcast through speakers. "It would be pumped into the bathrooms, so people in the bathrooms would be hearing these naughty secrets but you wouldn't know who the people were," Parsakian said, remembering last year's event. "After I left last year, I thought this was the best party ever. Period," Parsakian said. The Dirty Ball When: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday Where: 121 Ninth St., ninth floor Admission: "Dirt cheap" cost of $40 advance or $45 at the door Entertainment: Music provided by DJ Justin Hopper; three performances by Attack Theatre, at 8:45, 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. Details: 412-441-8444

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---