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Esprit has a rich tradition of smaller events. Some are official events that vary from year to year, others are inspired by local attractions and by the attendees themselves. Check the schedule for details on exactly which events are available. The whole week is filled with fun activities!
Come enjoy some wake-up coffee, pair up with your Big or Little Sister, enjoy some great company, get your questions answered, and get the scoop on the day's events at the daily morning Koffee Klatch.
New Attendee Wine and Cheese Socials
Esprit hosts wine and cheese socials to welcome first-timers. This is a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to meet and socialize in a safe setting with others who are new to Esprit.
Karen
Sistek, a local Port Angeles artist, first opened her studio's doors
to attendees in 2007 to create their own hand painted silk scarves. She'll
give you lessons on how to paint your scarf, you choose the style of scarf
you want, and have fun. Her studio gives you everything you need...tools,
vibrant dyes, salt crystals and liquids to create special effects. It
only takes about an hour and the experience is fun and so easy you can't
help but create something beautiful. Her friends from town will be there
to coach and help you out and a shuttle will be available to give you
a ride to her studio if needed (just a quick 2 miles from the hotel).
Watch for her beautiful 3' x 6' butterfly banner painted exclusively for last year's Esprit. It will be on auction this year to raise money for the regional Hospice.
Please contact her at info@karensistekstudio.com or call at 360-457-3559 to make reservations. Please call in advance. Reservations are required.
Workshops are at 10-11:30AM, 1:30-3PM, 3:30-5PM, and 7-10PM.
Bring a friend and have even more fun! The cost is $25 and covers all time and materials. Painting times will be at the same times as daily classes and evening hours are available on request. The important thing is to arrive on time at the beginning of a class slot so that you benefit from the how-to discussion. A car can pick you up to take you to her nearby studio if you don't have your own car (please call Karen ahead of time to make arrangements). After a day or two of steaming and setting, your scarf will be ready!
Hurricane Ridge, probably named for some ferocious winds, seems to be anything but! Only a few short miles from Port Angeles, you start your drive into the beautiful Olympic National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as you enter a forest full of deer that graze along the roads and an amazing panorama of steep mountains that offers views of cliffs, valleys, and amazing vistas of the Straits of Juan de Fuca. You'll see ships traveling to distant continents, P-3 Orions practicing for duty in foreign lands and guarding against submarine attacks, and our beautiful San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands.
Bring your sunglasses and a warm wrap as the weather can range from snow flurries to bright sunshine. For the more adventurous souls there is skiing and a famous lodge at the end of the road. Bring along hiking shoes if you would like to venture off on one of the many trails. Your camera is a must for you will want to bring home all your memories of this beautiful place.
The adventure begins on Monday at 8:30AM (an ideal time to catch the wildlife during their morning feedings). We will have one van and anyone else who wishes to drive their own vehicle can join the caravan.
And like Smokey says, "only you can prevent a dull Esprit!"
At Esprit, attendees can indulge their finer tastes in the world of art at Esprit's Port Angeles Art Tour. Port Angeles has many talented artists more than willing to show off their creations to Esprit attendees. The walking tour takes in the city's fine outdoor art as well as a couple of studios that offer wonderful sights for the discerning eye. One of your guides will be Richard Stephens who works for the Peninsula Daily News and is an actor, director and costume designer for local stage productions.
Princess Valiant Coffee is a local Port Angeles coffee roaster specializing in organic and socially responsible coffees. They will host a coffee tasting in the Hospitality Suite/Registration Area. Everyone is invited and you can bring home some of the coffees, chocolate, and other delectables they will have on sale as a gift or souvenir.
Dance Nights
In-hotel dancing and music is available during the week. This year we feature on-site live pop bands during the Friday Talent Show (The Walrus) and Saturday British Invasion Gala (Free Rain). If you're more adventuresome, the all-TG Seattle band The Nasty Habits is booked at three clubs in town on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday where you can mingle with record-breaking crowds of friendly locals and heart-pounding 80's dance music.
Washington state is famous for its award-winning wines. Many small vintners are located in the Port Angeles area. If you are a wine connoisseur, winery tours will take you to local wineries where you can sample some of these fine wines. All attendees are welcome (Big/Little sisters, SO's, general attendees) and we will break into separate groups if the attendance is large. Contact Joyce Colson for additional details.
If shopping is your weakness, the shopping tour will take you to stores in Port Angeles and/or Port Townsend where you can indulge in a wide range of clothing, jewelry, and accessory stores with a local, vintage, and artistic flair. The Port Townsend trip is a short drive away and usually includes time to have lunch in town (check the Registration Area for scheduling details and carpool/sign up sheets).
Victoria BC Trip/High Tea at the Empress Hotel
This year we will again travel to beautiful British Columbia for High Tea and a full day of sightseeing. You will want to wear your finest frock (The Empress has a dress code) and of course a beautiful hat. An extra bag is suggested to carry walking shoes. After tea you can sight see, go to the Royal museum, or go shopping. When we debark from the Coho ferry we will find Victoria's finest horsedrawn carriages and tour the area and if we ask just right we will be delivered to the front door of the Empress Hotel.
The Jewel of the Pacific, The Empress is one of Victoria's highlights. Cresting the city's Inner Harbour, this 460-room hotel was built in the Edwardian style and recently restored to its original grandeur, with antique furniture and luxurious decor. Considered to be the most photographed attraction on Vancouver Island, The Empress was originally designed by Francis Rattenbury, and opened in 1908.
Rising regally on the banks of Victoria's Inner Harbour, the Empress is the symbolic centrepiece of Victoria and conveniently located adjacent to the Convention Centre, Parliament Buildings, Royal British Columbia Museum, shops and local sites. The hotel has long been accustomed to entertaining Hollywood celebrities; Rita Hayworth, Jack Benny, Pat O'Brien, Douglas Fairbanks, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Tallulah Bankhead, Roger Moore, John Travolta, Barbara Streisand, Harrison Ford and a host of others have passed through its lobby. Shirley Temple arrived accompanied by her parents amid rumors that she had fled from California because of kidnapping threats, a story borne from the presence of two huge bodyguards who took the room opposite hers and always left their door open.
In true British tradition, the hotel is famous for its elegant Afternoon Tea - served to over 75,000 visitors annually! Savour tea in the finest tradition, accompanied by berries and Chantilly cream, scones, crumpets, preserves, sandwiches, pastries and tarts, all served with silver service in the main lobby!
Due to increased border security requirements, you WILL REQUIRE at least a PASSPORT along with your DRIVERS LICENSE as you will need to have 2 pieces of ID for Customs and Immigration. The Coho Ferry fare is $11.50 each way. The Carriage ride, if you choose to ride with us, should be around $15.00. The High Tea is around $47.00. We will meet at 7:45 AM for the trip on the COHO.
In 2004 when the Esprit ladies returned to The Empress after a one year absence, the group was approached at the front door by a sturdy man in a blue blazer and an earphone hanging out of his ear. He inquired "Are you from Emerald City?" and uncertain of his intent, the trip organizer Debra Darling simply answered "yes". He then proceeded to explain how The Empress lamented the ladies' absence the previous year and he escorted the ladies in for a fine afternoon of tea.
Afternoon Tea in the Red Lion Dining Room
Didn't get to go to the High Tea in Victoria BC or didn't get enough if you did go? Well, don't despair because here's another chance for fine food, conversation and of course, tea. Slip into your most ladylike dress and join us for The Red Lion's version of the English tradition of High Tea. If you have them, you can also show off your frilliest hat and those nice dainty gloves. It's in the newly remodeled Red Lion Hotel lounge so we need not worry about the weather or transportation. The restaurant staff is looking forward to serving a room full of elegant ladies and everyone is welcome to attend.
The cost per person including tax and gratuity is $21 payable to the servers at the tea. Sign up in the Esprit registration area and do it early because we are limited to 40 guests. The deadline for sign up will be 10:00 AM on Thursday. The Afternoon Tea begins at 1:00PM and ends at 3:00PM.
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Menu 5 assorted types of tea sandwiches |
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Dick and Karen Wolff, owners of KD Antiques Etc. at 130 Pt Angeles Plaza St (360-452-6962) graciously hand wash and donate their antique china for this event. Be sure to drop in and pay them a visit.
Peninsula Community College Outreach Panel
This influential and successful discussion panel has been requested by the community college every year that Esprit returns to Port Angeles. Volunteers have already been assembled by the panel coordinator and chosen to represent the diversity of the TG community. The panel will participate in a number of Q&A discussion sessions with groups that may range from beginning psychology classes to the highly regarded Stadium Generale lecture and performance series open to the public. Esprit's involvement now extends to the students and we have crossover activities where some of the students and Esprit attendees will participate in each other's activities during the week of Esprit.
DJ Nights
Depending on how full the evenings are, DJ music is sometimes available for your listening and dancing pleasure at the Red Lion Hotel. Enjoy the music, dance, and chat with friends...and feel free to bounce between the ballroom and all the social activity in the lounge. Check the schedule for details.
We will have a special pre-release screening of “Another Woman” on Thursday.
Esprit has collaborated with the U.S. distributor for a special pre-release screening of an extremely well made French movie entitled “Another Woman” (Un Autre Femme). It is a true story about an MTF transgender woman who chooses to be herself yet must somehow reconcile her transition with her family. It is superlatively written, shot and acted. In the opinion of critics it is the best transgender film ever made. Christine Daniel has written a thoughtful review of the film.
This film provides a very intelligent presentation of many issues that transgender people and those who love them must face. It is very moving, can be watched many times with new discoveries each viewing, and would be a great asset to anyone’s DVD library to loan to family and friends. The distributor has authorized Esprit to sell copies of the DVD--which to date have just become available for distribution--for the discount rate of $20 each. Whether you see this movie at Esprit or not, it would be wise to obtain a copy for your library at the discounted price; it is a worthwhile investment for anyone with transgender issues in their lives.
A new offering in 2008 dreamt up by the businesses of Port Angeles, the Thursday Ladies Night Out consists of several stores which will do "trunk shows" and special events just for Esprit attendees. This is already a popular tradition in other cities on the Peninsula and typically involves chocolate fondue, manicures, prize drawings, late shopping hours, and more. Some of the specials available just for us:
- Gottschalk's: 6PM-8PM with 15% off. Reservations required for makeovers at the Clinique, Estee Lauder, or Lancome counters. 200 W 1st St, Port Angeles. 360-452-4571.
- Fashion Bug: 8PM-10PM with 10% off you first $25 (refreshments and other goodies too!). 2743 E Hwy 101, Port Angeles. 360-452-3189.
- Black Diamond Bridal: A private trunk show upstairs from Olympic Stationers at 122 E Front St. Thu 9:30AM-8:00PM, Fri 9:30AM-5:00PM, Sat 10:00AM-3:00PM.
The Saturday night slumber is a raucous Esprit tradition. The Hospitality Suite begins to fill with ladies in nighties as the Saturday night graduation dinner and party draws to a close. Some snacks and pizza are usually available (as are a lot of leftover beverages that come crawling out of people's rooms). The room is usually filled to capacity and the evening is filled with lively conversation, backrubs and footrubs, eye-opening truth-or-dare games, and more. A few diehards haul blankets, pillows, and teddy bears to the room and stay there until dawn.
And who knows who else might show up? In 1999, a barbershop quartet was passing through the hotel late at night and stumbled onto the Saturday night slumber party. Doing what any gentlemen would do, they politely greeted the ladies in the hall and then proceeded to serenade the ladies with an impromptu performance.
You're welcome to wear anything in good taste and reason to the party. Some ladies simply pop in after the Saturday night party in their party outfits, chat for a few minutes, and disappear. Some choose to attend the slumber party in makeup; others choose to be comfortable and get cleaned up and dispense with the bra, wig, and other accessories they normally use when dressed. You may wish to lean somewhat to the more practical side if you plan on staying a while. Most of the seating consists of simple upright chairs, the floor, a counter, pillows/blankets, and perhaps a few seats on a sofa. You may be standing up and sitting down and shifting position frequently depending on how crowded the room gets and the activities that are going on. In addition, you may want to wear or bring something (such as a robe) that allows you to comfortably walk the length of the hotel to get back to your room for supplies or blankets.