For those who’re looking for some sunshine before winter rolls in, head on down to Aqua Girl 2019, the iconic annual LGBTQ women’s charity event in Miami Beach this October 3-6.
Aqua Girl, which is supported by the International LGBTQ Travel Association (ILGTA) as its annual event partner, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Aqua Girl: Celebrating women’s power
The five day celebration is the largest gay women’s charity event in the country with thousands of women from all over the world traveling to Miami Beach to celebrate.
“We’re always looking for ways to better engage our global tourism network with LGBTQ+ travelers and be more inclusive as an association,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella.
“Aqua Girl combines philanthropy, support specifically for the LBTQ+ community, and a welcoming destination in one great package,” Tanzella said.
Alison Burgos, the founder of Aqua Girl, together with Yesi Leon and Amy Alonso of Pandora Events, were part of the event’s creation and will be leading the celebration.
“We are so excited to partner with IGLTA to elevate our dedicated efforts in promoting Aqua Girl as one of the largest women’s festivals in the world,” Leon said.
“We want to welcome even more women from around the globe into this empowering event. There are so many LBTQ+ women who don’t have the opportunity to connect or find support in their own communities,” Leon added.
Events-packed Aqua Girl at Miami Beach
With pool parties and VIP soirees, the event’s proceeds will go to the Aqua Foundation for Women, a not-for-profit organization focused on lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women.
For those who will be attending the event, there’s a line-up of hosts, DJs, and performers who will keep the party going.
These include: Jackie Cruz, from Orange is the New Black; Real L Word alumni Rose Garcia; and local latinimpresanario Chicky Lu.
Also present will be: DJ/Producer SammiiBlendzz from New York, Abstrakt from Atlanta, Citizen Jane from Miami; DJ Zehno from Miami; DJ GIgi from Miami; and DJ Pat Pat from Naples, Florida.
Other performers at the event are Ivy Les Vixens and Scarlett Snow from the queer-oriented Les Vixens burlesque group.
The all-women’s weekend will also have an exclusive oceanfront resort at the Marseilles Hotel. As host hotel, special rates start at US$189 per night with a two-night minimum required.
What to expect at Aqua Girl’s parties
Since Aqua means water and it’s Miami beach, three of the event’s signature events involve pool parties.
Aqua Girl starts off on Thursday, October 3, with the “What’s your sign” welcome party. Bookending the celebration will be the “Recovery” party on Sunday, October 6.
This year’s event will be “celebrating our community locally and showcasing its unique character, far and wide,” said Burgos.
There will also be a party at the Pearl Lounge at Nikki Beach while “Dulce” will be on Friday, October 6 to put a spotlight on sensuous salsa dance moves.
On Saturday, October 5, there’s “Girltopia,” which will have a more more hipster vibe with house, dance, remixed hip hop, and Latin rhythms.
For more information and tickets about their event, check out their website here.