Other Events

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!

Here is a list of activities planned for the upcoming Esprit:

Koffee Klatsch and Orientation

The Koffee Klatsch orientation and chat is open only to New Girls at Esprit from 9AM to 10 AM in the Peninsula meeting room. It is an opportunity particularly for those "newly out" (and others) to gain confidence in their presentation, talk to one another about their fears, concerns and aspirations about being TG and to make friends with kindred spirits. Past Koffee Klatsches have been very successful and the girls who attended truly experienced significant personal growth while making new friends.

For those who simply need some coffee or are not first-time attendees, please drop in at the free-flowing general orientation in the Hollywood Beach room (formerly Room 148). Get some coffee, get your questions answered, and get on your way!

New Attendee Wine and Cheese Socials

All new girls are treated to a hosted Wine and Cheese party in the Hospitality Room. That's right! You are provided with free drinks from a selection of red and white wines along with an offering of various kinds of cheeses. Be sure to check the schedule for the First Timer Wine and Cheese event and plan on attending.

Local Winery and Wine Bar Tours

Washington state is famous for its award-winning wines. Many small vintners are located in the Port Angeles area.

The Esprit Winery Tour on May 15th 2012 begins at 1pm where we gather at the registration lobby and arrange transportation. We then move on to Olympic Cellars (7 miles west of Port Angeles on Highway 101) for our first stop. You can also buy stylish hats here for the Ascot event later in the evening. After Olympic Cellars we next stop at Harbinger Winery (5 miles east of Port Angeles on Highway 101). Here there is a $5 wine tasting fee, but they will give you the $5 off if you buy a bottle. Harbinger will also offer a home brew tasting of some fine beers, for those who want to expand possibilities. We finish off the tour at Wine on the Waterfront (across the street from the Red Lion hotel) where the tasting theme will be "The Bubblies". Here we round out the day testing various champagnes. The tasting fee is $10 but again it goes to a discount if you buy a bottle.

So join Joyce Colson for a great afternoon of tasting local wines and beers as well as exotic champagnes.

For those traveling north on Highway 101 to get to Esprit, you can also stop off in Hoodsport for a wine tasting at Hoodsport Winery (wine@hoodsport.com). They have an excellent choice of fruit wines available. You can visit their website before departure from your home and print out a discount coupon. There is no tasting fee at the Hoodsport winery, and they have a collection of beautiful wine glasses for sale.

Silk Scarf Painting

We regret that due to scheduling conflicts, Karen Sistek is unable to offer her silk scarf painting activity this year.

Dance Nights

In-hotel dancing and music is available during the week. This year we feature an on-site live band during the Saturday Gala. If you're more adventuresome, the TG Seattle band The Nasty Habits is booked at three clubs in town on Friday, and Saturday where you can mingle with record-breaking crowds of friendly locals and heart-pounding 80's dance music. Music may be available earlier in the week in one of the ballrooms or in the lounge.

Shopping Trips

If shopping is your weakness, shopping trips 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. Meet at the Registration Desk on Tuesday at 1:00PM.

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 sightsee, 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 or an ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE for Customs and Immigration. The Coho Ferry fare is about $15.50 each way. The Carriage ride, if you choose to ride with us, should be around $15.00. The High Tea is $44.00-$54.00. A carriage ride is about $21.00 per person. We will meet in the Registration Area around 7:30 AM. Note that a small US border entry fee may apply to non-US citizens (see Travel Information, Traveling Across the Border).

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.

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.

Girls Night Out

A new offering in 2008 dreamt up by the businesses of Port Angeles, the Thursday Girls Night Out consists of several stores who open their doors late for everyone and include special discounts and goodies just for Esprit attendees. This is already a popular tradition in other cities on the Peninsula.

Art Walk

Enjoy a guided walk featuring the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The PAFAC is a small local art gallery/museum featuring some of the area's established and emerging artists. Be sure to explore the groomed trails of "Webster's Woods" in the adjacent forest where unexpected art installations will greet you at every turn.

Clubbing in PA

Veteran Clubbing Queen Margo Donaldson will lead a dance contingent to explore Port Angeles nightlife. From Castaways Nightclub at the East end of Port Angeles to Front Street Alibi on the West end, she will take you to where the dancing action is. Dress to impress! Gather in the Registration Area to carpool by 9PM.

Port Angeles Farmers' Market

The Port Angeles Farmers' Market is held on Saturday from 10:00AM-2:00PM at the Gateway Terminal across the street from the Red Lion. Esprit 2011 attendees are invited to browse the fresh foods and crafts and enjoy a free pink creampuff with presentation of the purchase and your badge.

The Slumber Party

The Saturday night slumber is a longstanding 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 moderated conversation, backrubs and footrubs, and more. A few diehards haul blankets and pillows to the room and stay as late as they can. The slumber party sets aside some time to share your experiences in a warm and respectful setting.

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.

ESPRIT, ESPRIT GALA and ESPRIT 2012 relate only to the yearly transgender conference
held in Port Angeles, WA. The conference and organization is not associated or connected
with the global apparel company Esprit or its marks.

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