EDGE Miami

As an awaited relief to recent cold fronts, local warming will peak in May during what promises to be the hottest weekend of the year: Aqua Girl 2007.

Aqua Girl is the annual celebration where women who love women get to spend all weekend enjoying four days of fun, sun and something for everyone. Currently in its seventh year, Aqua Girl is the only non-profit festival of its kind in the country. Annually attracting over 3,500 women from all over the globe - some come from as far as Australia - the attendance number and diversity steadily increases every year.

The festival first began in 2000 as a fundraising dance by the Aqua Foundation for Women (AFW). This group of community-minded professional women is still going strong and continues its work to benefit and "promote the equality, strength, health and visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women through education, awareness, a grants program and new scholarship program." With an expected attendance of over 5,000, for Aqua Girl 2007, the event is currently the nation’s largest, non-profit women’s weekend in the United States.

There are so many things lined up for this year’s event, it seems almost untrue that it only takes a year to plan and execute such a wonderful activity lineup. Led by activist and AFW President Alison Burgos, and this year’s co-chairs, Vivian La Madrid and Martha Sternberg, lucky number seven promises to be the best year so far, so all should be in attendance!

One would assume that a weekend packed with so many things would absolutely break the bank! Not True! Aqua Girl has designed a plethora of packages and price ranges so everyone can enjoy Aqua Girl their own way. The festival will run from May 10-13 and promises to be the hottest weekend yet. Lucky number seven, here we come!

Get ready, get lots of pre-Aqua Girl sleep and start partying!

One of the most anticipated Aqua Girl activities is a show by National Comedy headliner, Rene Hicks. Rene has established herself as an internationally-known comedienne and lecturer who has interwoven her comedy and her convictions to make a difference. Now a comedy veteran, René has performed her intelligent and universally appealing humor in countless clubs across the US and internationally. In addition, she was the first African-American woman ever nominated for an American Comedy Award for "Best Female Stand-Up." She has appeared on numerous television shows, including her own half hour special - "Comedy Central Presents...René Hicks."

The best way to start partying hard is to attend the already-infamous Traffic Jam party where girl seekers will be able to scope out the weekend’s offerings. This party works on a unique concept; this year all the girls will be given glow necklaces in one of three colors: red, yellow or green. The concept is like that of a traffic light: red means "Stop, I’m taken", yellow means "Proceed with caution" (this could be for a number of reasons), and Green means "Go! I’m single and ready to mingle." Taking note of who is wearing what color might be useful, although you never know what will change during the weekend.

One of the highlights of the festival has always been the Aqua Beach Ball; a party where thousands of women dance in bikinis on a sunlit pool deck. This year’s party will take place at the Surfcomber, tunes courtesy of DJ Pride, a local girl favorite who always manages to spin a great balance of tunes you love, tunes you want to dance to and tunes you never knew you wanted to hear.

If culture is your thing then you should check out the VIP Event AFW is presenting in conjunction with the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The night begins with a presentation of the movie "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" (say that three times quickly), which "stars Melonie Diaz as Anna, a high school girl who joins a feminist group known as Clits in Action or C(i)A. She later goes on to found the Itty Bitty Titty Committee to help girls who have D cup envy" at the Colony Theater. Then enjoy food, art and a silent auction while in the company of celebrity guests: actress Nicole Vicius, famed director Jamie Babbit ("L Word", "Ugly Betty", "But I’m A Cheerleader"), and producer Andrea Sperling.

Every year, AFW attempts to be more conscious in catering to a variety of women. This year, there will also be something for the sporty: a Kayaking excursion.

No Aqua Girl would be complete without the relaxing, hangover-curing annual Jazz Brunch, this year taking place at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. If you still have energy, head straight (no pun intended) to the South Seas and enjoy some of the über-talented DJ Alyson Calagna’s beats at the Sunday tea dance. Thank God for Redbull because you MUST finish the weekend off with Afterglow at Rain; the official closing fiesta.

OK, you can pass out now!

For more information on events, pricing, packages and dates, please visit AquaGirl.org