Cruising with Dani Campbell

Story by Aefa Mulholland

Propelled to fame by her part in MTV’s “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” Fort Lauderdale-based firefighter Dani Campbell talks to GPS about scampering on board Sweet’s women’s Caribbean cruise, her new clothing line, and the search for a First Mate.

AM: You’ll be on Sweet’s inaugural women’s Cruise to the Caribbean along with 1900 other lucky passengers, what are you most looking forward to about the cruise?

DC: Can you believe I have never been on a cruise!! I am looking forward to EVERYTHING! I guess if I had to pick one thing, it would be the joy of not having to worry about working. My second pick would be the awesome places we will be visiting. I just plan on relaxing and not having an agenda.

AM: Are you particularly looking forward to any specific port of call (Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel)?

DC: I'm looking forward to all of the set destinations Sweet has planned. Cozumel will be cool though since it is an island. I hope to charter a boat and go fishing off of their beautiful reefs. Belize will also be of certain interest since it's where my mom went for her honeymoon about 15 years ago. 

AM: It’s your turn to look for love when you’re on the cruise (One lucky lady will win a date with Dani during the cruise). What qualities will you be looking for in your First Mate?

DC: My plan is to just meet people who are genuine and real. My expectations are not set for love, but you never know!

AM: Where was your best ever vacation?

DC: My best vacation was probably when I was filming A Shot at Love in Mexico. We did a lot of cool things and I didn't have to pay for anything! We went zip-lining, ate at awesome restaurants, stayed in a beautiful hotel called Me, and also got to swim with dolphins.

AM: You’ve starting up your own clothing line, pinkboybluegirl. Will you be modeling any prototypes on board?

DC: We currently offer our clothing at pinkboybluegirl. I decided not to set up a booth on this particular venture for the simple fact that I just want to disconnect from all work related issues. I don't want any stress or obligations on this trip. It’s all about fun in the sun this time. I'm sure you will find me sporting some of my clothing throughout the trip.

AM:  Where are your favorite places to hang out in Fort Lauderdale?

DC: My typical night out usually consists of a delicious meal at one of the many amazing restaurants we have and then an upscale bar or lounge. Some of my favorite restaurants are Bova, Sushi Za, the Cheesecake Factory, Houston's and Yolo just to name a few. My hangouts in Ft Laud are Blue Martini, the W Hotel, the Living Room, Automatic Slims and New Moon. As you can see I don't just confine myself to gay only establishments. I luckily live in an area, and era, that is very gay friendly when compared to our past. I can enjoy myself just about anywhere. 

Dani will be on Sweet's Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans, calling at Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Belize City, November 8-15, 2009 (DiscoverSweet.com).

Ruins, reefs and a reality star

Story by Aefa Mulholland. 

The 7 things I’m most looking forward to on November's inaugural women's Sweet Cruise

1. With parties, restaurants, bars, pools, and 1900 women on board, the inaugural Sweet Caribbean Cruise is irresistible. Choose from Club Skirts’ T-dance, bingo, casino fun, cooking demos, spa visits, the inspiring Sweet Sparks talk series. And that’s all just on day one! There are seven such fun- and sun-filled days on the horizon (November 8-15, 2009; DiscoverSweet.com; payment plans start at $36/month). Check out carbon neutral Sweet’s impressive voluntourism options, too.

2. Exploring Mayan ruins and wildlife sanctuaries outside Belize City.

3. Getting my order in at the swim up bar at Costa Maya.

4. Snorkeling the reef at Roatan, Honduras.

5. Causing a ruckus on a catamaran during a party cruise.

6. And of course dolphin-spotting. It just wouldn’t be a lesbian cruise without a bit of dolphin-spotting.

7. Reality TV star Dani Campbell of “A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila” fame. Dani will be on board looking for love herself this time. One lucky lady will win a date with the hottie Florida firefighter and a chance to become Dani’s next first mate.

We like it Sweet

 

Story by Aefa Mulholland

My friend Maggie and I are getting increasingly excited about the prospect of joining 1900 other women on the first ever Sweet cruise (November 8-15). We’ll be galloping up the gangplank in New Orleans on our way to Roatan, Honduras; Belize City; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

As well as sashaying all around the most scintillating spots in the Caribbean, Maggie, our 1900 new friends, and I also have the option of joining a pre-cruise voluntourism package. Those who opt to hit the Crescent City early can spend three days working with a wetlands restoration project designed to prevent future flooding of this resilient city. It’s not all hard work, though – French Quarter accommodations are luxurious, there’s a LGBT history tour, a party, and a tasty cooking demonstration.

Neither of us has been to any of the ports of call, so we’ve been doing a bit of research in order to make the rest of our friends even more envious of our itinerary. Today we’re getting enthusiastic about Belize City.

The perfect gateway to the country’s archeological and eco sites, Belize City is home to around 70,000 people and basks on the country’s central coast. Originally a Mayan city called Holzuz, it now sits amidst a scatter of Creole villages with names such as Double Head Cabbage and Crooked Tree.

It turns out that half of Belize is jungle – jungle teeming with jaguars, pumas, ocelots, armadillos, tapirs, toucans, hummingbirds, parrots, macaws and thousands of species of tropical flowers. The nation is also confettied with over 600 Mayan ruin sites. If we can tear ourselves away from the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere we’re planning on visiting Altun Ha, once a ceremonial center for most of Belize’s Mayans.

Pridewatch: Manchester

Photos Courtesy of Manchester Pride
Story by Joseph Alexiou

Across the Atlantic sea, as they say, is Manchester, the second city of England. Well known for its culture and vibrant nightlife, if you missed London Pride but still want to party with the rude boys, then you would do well to make it over there the weekend of August 28 for Manchester Pride.

And if that isn't enough to get your tweed vests out of the cedar closet, we have one word for you: Bananarama. That's right, the legendary 80's sensation will perform in the beginning of Pride Weekend.

But you have a whole week to travel, the festivities actually begin on Monday August 24 and continue on leading up to "The Big Weekend," as the Mancunians refer to the weekend of the parade. Additionally, our own Editor-in-Chief, Ed Salvato will be one of the specially invited attendees, a great opportunity to meet our resident travel expert first-hand! Tickets to the festival are £12.50 ($21) and can be purchased at www.manchesterpride.com/tickets (VIP tickets, which include three free drinks a day, exclusive views of the Main Stage and a luxury goody bag, are available on the website or by calling +44-1-612-367-474).

Some interesting pre-weekend happenings: the Lesbian and Gay Film Season at Cornerhouse; a Pride Gallery Tour; "Burlesque and drag king workshops and honest disucssions about sex" at Secrets of the Lady Garden; a pre-weekend canal bank run followed by eat and drinks; and short films dealing with trans issues by MORF and Transforum Manchester.

Once the Big Weekend rolls around, say goodbye to your Cruel Summer by dancing to Bananarama's Opening Ceremony show on Friday August 28. Other top festival acts include The Whip, The Blow Wave, and the newest electro-pop diva to hit the charts, Little Boots (performing Saturday—no need to upstage Bananarama!).

The parade itself is on Saturday, August 29 from 1-3 p.m. at the city centre (that's how they spell it in England!). You can bet your tuppence on some excellent color, sexy folks of all genders and orientiations, and all of the general parade insanity, including the undoubtably sexy Greater Manchester Fire Brigade—with any luck they'll require hosing down from the late-August heat.

After the parade, the Lifestyle Expo and Market Area will continue on through Monday, with lots of cute guys and gals hawking their products while heavily socializing. There's also the Sackville Gardens stage, which will be chock full of local bands and good old Manchester entertainment—local bands will play during the Sparkle space event on Saturday.

Partygoers will be happy with the list of great gay nightspots in the festival brochure—Manchester has a vibrant gay bar and club scene that will not disappoint those interested in late night revelry.

The celebrations culminate on Monday evening with the heavily attended candlelit George House Trust Vigil at 9 p.m. An AIDS memorial, quiet reflection in the idyllic Sackville Gardens is the "spiritual heart of the Macnchester Pride festival." Organizers describe the atmosphere as "magical and moving."

Looking for lodging? The Macdonal Manchester Hotel and Spa is a great 4-star property and is the official Manchester Pride partner, but there are a variety of great suggestions on the event website.

Women flock to the Central Coast

This September, the lush and lovely Cambria Pines Lodge will be the exclusive playground of three hundred lesbians for the second year in a row for Cambria Women's Weekend. From September 10th through the 13th, the gorgeous resort, nestled on 25 wooded acres between San Francisco and Los Angeles, will be at the center of an annual three-day weekend event designed especially for lesbians.

Produced by Women On A Roll (WOAR), Southern California’s lesbian social club, this year’s event features three days packed with live entertainment, outdoor parties, world-class nightlife, gourmet dining, and more. Cambria is a quaint artists’ town on California’s Central Coast.

When they arrive at the resort, the lucky ladies are greeted with a Welcome Garden Party with wine-tasting and live entertainment in the afternoon, and a gourmet Welcome Dinner to kick off the weekend.  Each morning, fitness guru Terri West hosts “The Terri West Fitness Bootcamp” to kick off the day’s activities. In the evenings, guests can enjoy nightly live show in the Fireside Lounge with stand-out entertainers like Lori Michaels and Connie Rouse, along with some very special surprises. Other events include the Lawn & Pool Party, the Garden Party, guided hikes, and a comedy show featuring Suzanne Westenhoefer and Gloria Bigelow. 

For more information, visit Cambria Women's Weekend.