By Carol Tanis
Formerly known as "Women's Weekend" at the Dunes, Go Girl Saugatuck! has been rebranded with a new name by producer Mimi Gonzalez and it's loaded with many more events. Everything from dancing to comedy to music to partying will be happening at the Dunes Resort June 3-5.
Gonzalez, who is a nationally-touring comedian, hosts this unforgettable weekend packed with activities including dancing, karaoke, a pool party, live music and a comedy show, workshops and a tea dance, as well as a fire pit and Sunday brunch hosted by Campit Resort.
Two DJs, one from Detroit and one from Chicago, will be spinning to get things going on the dance floor.
The weekend promises to be among the season's best opportunities to hang out with friends and make new ones.
"I'm going to try to have something for everybody," Gonzalez says. "It's something brand new. I encourage everyone to come and help me launch it. We're going to have a great party at the Dunes that's for everybody: lesbian, straight and queer! I want all of the bar hardies and clubbers to come to this event."
Gonzalez is serving as the weekend's host and will have attendees laughing non-stop with her high-octane humor during her comedy portion of Saturday night's show. A native of Michigan and proud of her roots, she has played Pride events from New York City to San Francisco to Atlanta, to name just a few. Gonzalez is a regular at Provincetown and with Olivia women's travel. She's wowed women with her humor at the Michigan Womyn's Festival and has also entertained the U.S. military in Japan, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Her years in the field have built a lot of relationships along the way. Not only will she perform and produce, but Gonzalez has lined up a roster of events and musical artists not to be missed. Go Girl Saugatuck! is a return to her producing beginnings in Los Angeles where she ran an event called "Women with Balls." The weekly women's comedy room was consistently chosen by LA Weekly as the "pick of the week."
Friday night kicks off at 7 p.m. with one of the Dune's regular fabulous attractions — a karaoke party. Then at 9 p.m. Detroit's DJ Lena launches the dance floor. DJ Lena has been spinning since 2006 at clubs throughout the Metro Detroit area. Her appearances include Detroit's Movement Festival, Ferndale Pride, Beyond The Bar, Motor City Pride, Michigan Womyn's Festival, and Lavender Ladies Valentine's and NYE Dances. She won "best female DJ" in Flame magazine's Best Of Detroit Contest in 2012.
Saturday the party starts with workshops available to all who have Go Girl Saugatuck! weekend passes. The schedule is still being finalized, but the topics likely to be covered include instruction by Detroit's "Ball Room Chicks," making the online program LinkedIN work for you, a writing class, and a movement class.
The pool party begins at noon and will be hosted by a Dunes DJ in the resort's party-size pool.
The comedy and music show, which will also feature surprise guests, includes Mimi Gonzalez and features acoustic rock and soul performer Reina Williams. Williams' bio states, "If Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz, Pink and Justin Timberland could miraculously make a love child, it would be Reina Williams. Daughter of an opera singer and a sculptor, Williams began writing music at age 12. In 2011, she made an appearance on FOX Network's 'The X-Factor' where Simon Cowell said of her, 'She made my year!'"
After the comedy and music show, Chicago DJ "All the Way Kay," the reigning queer female DJ of more than 10 years, will get everyone on the dance floor. She matches beats with seamless transition, producing sets that are as sonically varied as Chicago's streets. "All the Way Kay" has held residency at numerous Chicago bars and nightclubs.
On Sunday, the Dunes' afternoon tea dance features a DJ from the Dunes. There's also a brunch being offered at Campit Resort, which is just six miles from the Dunes Resort.
While the rooms at the Dunes are sold out, the Dunes' staff can refer attendees to nearby hotels that are within walking distance. Just a short drive away from the Dunes is Campit Outdoor Resort, which caters to the LGBT crowd. Tent, trailer and RV sites are available, along with small "sleeper" cabins, vintage trailers and a bed and breakfast lodge. Campit has more than 150 campsites spread over 33 acres and also features a swimming pool. All attendees are encouraged to use the GOGIRL16 code to receive a discount on their lodging.
"I want new people who've never been to the area to come and see how beautiful Saugatuck and Douglas are," Gonzalez says. "Go enjoy a day trip to gay-friendly Oval Beach and don't miss the beautiful Saugatuck Dunes. Lake Michigan on the west side of the state has the most gorgeous fresh water, ocean-looking sunset."
Gonzalez is passionate about making everyone feel welcome at Go Girl Saugatuck! "I am determined to create an event that is truly inclusive," she says. "I'm all about radical inclusion. I invite everybody to Go Girl Saugatuck!, including gay, straight, young, old, festies and clubbies. Come socialize, laugh, relax and party at West Michigan's premier gay resort!"
To buy tickets, go to http://dunesresort.com. A weekend pass is $20, Friday is $10 and Saturday is $15. Buy the weekend pass for $20 and save $5. Passes cover all events at the Dunes Resort including the pool party, the shows in the cabaret, the fire pit and the disco.
The Dunes Resort is located at 333 Blue Star Highway, Douglas. Contact the resort at 269-857-1401 or by going to gogirlsaugatuck.com.
Campit Outdoor Resort is at 6635 118th Ave., Fennville. Contact Campit at 269-543-4335 or by visiting campitresort.com.
The event's premier sponsor is Annette Fischer-Realtor of Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt, located at 2987 Blue Star Highway in Douglas. She can be reached at 269-857-1705.
