Lesbian Exclusive Exchange

Looking for a tropical island for a romantic get-away, or hoping to make new friends in a throbbing nightclub scene jammed with sexy women dancing the night away, or seeking an opportunity to snorkel a living reef, parasail, or watch the dolphins at sunset?  Look no further than Womenfest Key West, the southernmost party for lesbians and their friends. 

Key West, which typically ranks among the world’s top gay and lesbian resort destinations, has been hosting Womenfest for the last twenty four years.  “One Human Family,” the official motto of Key West, is proudly practiced as mainstream and LGBT businesses work together to create a great island party for women who travel from throughout the world to attend Womenfest.

Headlining Womenfest 2010 is one of the leading funny women in the business, Suzanne Westenhoefer who began her career on a dare, delivering gay-themed material to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs in New York City. She became the first openly lesbian comic ever to perform on television (in a stereotype breaking episode of Sally Jesse Raphael), and she was the first openly gay comic to host her own HBO Comedy Special which earned her a Cable Ace Award nomination.  Her current national tour is entitled Totally Inappropriate.  Find out why Womenfest calls her Hilarious & Totally Inappropriate. 

Womenfest 2010 also features a very special performance by a very special woman, Emily Saliers.  You know her as one half of the Indigo Girls, but this talented musician is an independent artistic force! She composes, sings, and plays a variety of instruments. She's co-written a book, composed a film score, and is a political and environmental activist.  She’s also an avid wine collector and a business entrepreneur!  Spend An Evening with Emily Saliers at Womenfest, then join us at our annual Womenfest Luncheon to hear her talk about her life when Womenfest honors Emily Saliers.

Of course the night life will sizzle with the return of the dancing sensation, Lori Michaels.  Lori first appeared at Womenfest in 2006 and since then she has carved out a niche for her music and her sexy style.  From her new show on HERE! TV to her BRAVO debut of the girl-on-girl duet, Real Close, with Danielle Staub, Lori Michaels is on the move and she’s taking us all along for the ride!  Lori Michaels ‘Me & the Girls’ will be featured at Aqua Nightclub as well as the Womenfest Street Fair’s Dancing on Duval!

Of course that’s only the beginning of the live music scene at Womenfest.  Jennifer Corday, an award-winning original artist who was named one of "L.A.'s Hottest 100 Artists" by Music Connection Magazine, returns to rock-out Pearl’s Rainbow throughout the Womenfest week.  Sister Funk, Christina Martucci, Julie Clark, Lenore Troia, Michelle Dravis, Sister Speak, and more promise to keep the week moving.

Want to swing an iron?  Join in the 1st Annual Leslie Leonelli Memorial Women’s Golf Classic to benefit WomanKind, Key West’s local healthcare provider.  Of course, no Womenfest would be complete without hitting the water!  Key West water excursions are unfurling the rainbow flag and offering women-only sails and snorkeling adventures, while women-only pool parties at Key West resorts, like the Southernmost Hotel Collection,  promise a different kind of wet and watery fun.

Make your travel plans for Womenfest Key West 2010, Sept 7-12.  Check out the details of the WF event schedule, purchase tickets online, and find out where to stay, at womenfest.com.  Most events are All Welcome.  All events are uniquely Key West. 

Lush Ladies
Although Denver is not necessarily known as a lesbian hotspot, Denver is home to “First Fridays”, a monthly lesbian nightclub event expertly produced by Babes Around Denver (BAD). Started about 15 years ago by Dede Frain, the event packs in up to 1,500 women ranging in age from 21-75 each & every month. The club caters to the diversity in the lesbian community by opening early at 6pm and utilizing 3 DJs in 3 rooms. Early birds listen to Country, Disco and 80’s music. Later in the evening the tunes morph into Top 40 & Urban beats with headliner DJ Trina. They also offer VIP and bottle service. First Friday received a 2009  “Best of Denver” award from Westword for ‘Best Club Night – Reader’s Choice and boasts they are now the largest monthly women's party in the nation. First Friday offers a “Stay and Play” Package with special rates to girls who wanna go out to Denver and play their way;)

Dede likes to encourage women to come out and mingle by keeping the cover charge low at only $5. She also donates a portion of the monthly proceeds to charity and DJ Trina donates all 100% of her DJ fees to various Humane Societies and shelters across the country. To find out more about these lush ladies go to babesaroundenver.com

I traveled from California on Saturday to set sail from New Orleans on Sunday.  My flight started off my adventures for the week as I immediately met several women seated next to me that were also going on the cruise. Sweet provided us with a great send off mixer party down on the Mississippi right next to a steam boat. I enjoyed the evening meeting and greeting women from all over the United States as well as from the rest of the world. After the mixer I, of course, hit Bourbon street with a few friends. Truly,  a must see for all who travel to the South. I then wisely decided to board the ship early on Sunday as we needed to set sail before hurricane Ida made land fall. I must say I was a little nervous going through a hurricane on a ship, but the staff of NCL put my mind at ease instantly and the rest of my vacation began. From the moment I boarded I met women from literally all over the globe. What a joy!  Costa Maya was our first port but unfortunately as I broke my leg five weeks before the trip, I was unable to enjoy going to shore. I did however venture ashore at the next port of  Belize, a tropical paradise. Roatan and Honduras were next along with Cozumel, Mexico to end our cruising. I could see the beautiful azure waters of Cozumel from the deck as we sailed towards our home port. I must say, it did call to me, tempting me to roll my wheel chair overboard and take a dip. I remained strong however and stayed onboard for fear of drowning.

Overall, Sweet provided so many activities that my mind was constantly filled with things I could do as opposed to thngs I could not. There were movies, comedy shows, speed dating and so much more. I have to give credit to the staff of NCL and the ladies of Sweet as they made my cruise one to remember even with my disability. I would definitely go on another Sweet adventure and I recommend them to all women.