My oh my, you rowdy readers, I’m sorry to report that I’ve done you a major disservice.



I’ve been planning on hitting up this one particular weekly event ever since I started throwing down in this fine rag, but time rapidly got away from me, and you may have missed out on some serious Scene of the Crime fun in between.



My head is hanging with shame.



But now, without further ado, let me redeem myself by taking you by the hand through a certain establishment that you must try on for size.



La Costa.



This large, comfortable space that sits on Pacific Avenue has so much Mexican authenticity that it’ll make you want to don a sombrero and yell “olé!” even when it’s not your birthday OR Cinco de Mayo.



The place is humming, buzzing and chirping during lunch and dinner where local business folks and regulars are chomping away on La Costa’s fajitas, mariscos, carnes, pollo and other Mexican favorites such as Taquitos Rancheros and Seafood Molcajete. Delicious.



But it’s only the coolest of hipsters among the lunch and dinner crowd who have an idea of the good time that takes place on the weekends.



The first time I ever went into La Costa for a quick lunch, I noticed something a little unique — my beautiful waiter had perfectly manicured fingernails. Hmmm.



That’s where my investigation started.



I quickly found out that those in the know get something extra special for dessert at La Costa — one of my favorite things ever — a drag queen show.



Since 1998, thousands upon thousands of people have flocked to La Costa for the drag show that takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. And on a recent visit, all of the testimony that I’d heard was verified.



Friday night is the English show that starts at 9:30 p.m. Ten to 20 queens including La Camala, Rosario, Maritza, Cassandra, Carlatina, and the Mistress of Ceremonies herself, Lupita, strut their stuff with exquisite makeup jobs, not a hair out of place, dresses that scream elegance and heels and boots that make me drool. During the English session, you can expect to see them turning out hits by Tina Turner and Cher, naturally. Saturday is the Spanish show at 11:15 p.m. where the divas serenade to artists such as Monica Naranjo and Olga Tanon.



But both nights include something else that I have a particular fancy for — diverse crowds and dancing like a rock star. After the final performance, the DJ continues to spin and the entire crowd jumps up to shake them booties.



So if you’re looking to sample something new, free your mind, grab $8 for the cover (or $5 if you’re there for dinner), and leap into La Costa and fiesta forever.



[La Costa, 928 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.272.0300]