For the 22nd consecutive year, the island city renowned for its all-embracing diversity is to welcome as many as 5,000 women during the Womenfest celebration.

 

Set for Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 2-7, the acclaimed event for lesbians and their friends features activities ranging from pool parties and women-only watersports excursions to an art and poetry evening and a group commitment ceremony.

 

The festival is coordinated by the Key West Business Guild, the United States' oldest LGBT-oriented chamber of commerce-type business organization, and includes a luncheon commemorating the guild's 30th anniversary.

 

Activities are designed to allow singles, couples and groups of women to experience the atmosphere of openness and acceptance that has made Key West an internationally acclaimed lesbian and gay vacation destination.

 

Womenfest's headlining performers include the high-energy all-female band Sister Funk and hip-hop and soul artists God-des & She, with special guest appearances by dance sensation Lori Michaels. Singer, songwriter, and funny woman Lisa Koch is the festival's featured comedienne.

 

Sister Funk and God-des & She are to share the stage at a rocking party, aptly titled Dancing on the Beach, set for Friday, Sept. 5. Gates open at 7 p.m., with music scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

 

Comedienne Lisa Koch, who performs regularly on board Olivia Cruises, is slated to present two performances of Laughing Out Loud at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. Show times are 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

 

Special guest Lori Michaels is scheduled for appearances throughout the week including a special "unplugged" performance Friday afternoon during happy hour at Aqua Nightclub, 711 Duval St.

 

The week is to begin with an opening night party, featuring a guest performance by Sister Funk, set for 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Chelsea House, 709 Truman Ave. A live DJ, along with musicians Lenore Troia and Laura Wood, promise to keep this party hopping. The party also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Key West Business Guild, and all are welcome to attend.

 

On-the-water excursions for festival participants include women-only sunset sails, jet ski tours, kayaking, parasailing, reef snorkeling and dolphin watching. Whether on a private charter or modern catamaran, each water adventure showcases the natural vistas and undersea wonders that characterize the waters surrounding Key West.

 

Womenfest also provides festival participants a chance to focus on creativity by participating in a juried art exhibit and poetry reading. Artists can send a photo and description of their work to info@womenfest.com to have it considered for exhibit. Poets can sign up for the open mic portion of the poetry reading, emceed by poet Sheri Lohr, hosted by the Key West Heritage House Robert Frost Poetry Festival. The Womenfest Art Exhibit & Poetry Reading will be held Wednesday, Sept 3, in the Crystal Room at La Te Da, 1125 Duval St.

 

Womenfest attendees also are invited to discover the history, contributions and landmarks associated with Key West's flourishing lesbian and gay community during entertaining LGBT trolley tours. Tours begin at 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5-7, with the check-in and departure point at 525 Angela St.

 

A sizzling nightclub scene invites women to explore the provocative side of Key West. Women-only dance parties include body painting at Club Zu, 422 Appelrouth Lane, go-go dancers at Aqua and outrageous late-night pool revelry at Bourbon St. Pub, 724 Duval St.

 

Women-only pool parties at Pearl's Rainbow, 525 United St., and the Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St., dominate the weekend days.

 

One of Saturday's anticipated highlights is the Womenfest Street Fair, with vendors' booths turning the 700 block of Key West's famed Duval Street into a lively open-air marketplace from noon to 7 p.m.

 

Other standout events include a "nurse your hangover" party hosted by GIRL Radio at Pearl's Rainbow; two country evenings featuring dancing and sexy competitive "bull riding" at Cowboy Bill's Honky Tonk, 610-1/2 Duval St.; a performance by Lenore Troia at the Bottlecap Lounge, 1128 Simonton St., and a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Party at Aqua.

 

For women who want to celebrate their partnerships during Womenfest, a group commitment ceremony and champagne brunch are scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Pearl's Rainbow, For more information and costs, call (305) 292-1450. Womenfest is to conclude with a "floating tea dance" aboard the catamaran Fury, with entertainment provided by DJ Harmony and festival headliners God-des & She.

 

For festival information including event prices, ticketing and lodging, visit www.womenfest.com or call the Key West Business Guild at (800) 535-7797 or (305) 294-4603. Lodging information also can be found on the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

 

Source: Press Release