Womenfest, which returns to Key West, Florida, September 7-12, will bring women from all over the world to the southernmost city.
For more than 20 years lesbians and their friends have flocked to the tropical island for the end of the summer party to enjoy the sun, entertainment, parties and events designed appeal to a wide range of interests. This year the Womenfest is returning to its roots and Rebecca Tomlinson, Womenfest Coordinator and Executive Director of the Key West Business Guild, thinks it will be bigger and better than ever.
“The Guild is one of the oldest gay and lesbian chambers of commerce in the nation… promoting LGBT travel to Key West,” Tomlinson says.
“Womenfest began with an intention that is was going to be arts- as well as party-driven and through the years it became more and more party driven ... in the last five years we worked hard to go back to the roots ... Key West’s motto is ‘One Human Family.’ A lot our events support that concept … it truly tries to reflect the consciousness of Key West.”
Unlike other events that feature a host hotel, Womenfest spreads the love around the small island community. “We say that some events give you a hotel and we give you an island… It’s an all welcome island and we really want people to see how we live,” Tomlinson adds.
Performers during the event will include Indigo Girl Emily Saliers (Sept. 8), comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer (Sept. 10), musician Jennifer Corday and the G-Strings (at Pearl’s throughout the week) and musician Lori Michaels (several appearances during the week). And there will be lots more music from Julie Clark, Christine Martucci, Sister Funk, Sister Speak and a variety of DJs.
The week also will feature an art exhibit, the Leslie Leonelli memorial golf classic and a flag football exhibition game. “We are really trying to celebrate all aspects of what it means to be women,” Tomlinson adds.
Westenhoefer and Michaels are both looking forward to return visits.
“I love doing women's festivals, but the truth is, I LOVE doing a festival with AIR CONDITIONING!!!" Westenhoefer says.
“People are going to be on Lori Michaels mania overload for Key West,” Michaels adds laughing. “We are doing an event on Friday night and we are tying that in with a meet and greet and letting people know about ‘I Want the Right Marriage Campaign’ ... On Saturday we are headlining Dancing on Duval ... Later Saturday night we are doing the hot and steamy ‘Me and the Girls’ sexy, for mature audiences only, club show…
“Womenfest is a favorite for us not only because of the location but because of the wonderful people down there and the wonderful venues but mostly just from the women coming from everywhere to make this a huge, huge weekend…” Michaels adds.
Visit theWomenfest website for more information and to see the schedule for the event.
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