HOW LILIA BREKKE GETS INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF HER LIFE AT THE DINAH!

Continuing our exclusive Club Skirts "meet the faces who get you through the weekend" blog series, today our Lead Wrangler, LILIA BREKKE, shares her own special Dinah Shore Weekend story.

Get the scoop about Driving Miss ____ (fill in the blank with the name of a celebrity) at The Dinah!
And learn from wheel woman Lilia how to get into the driver's seat of your life at the biggest lesbian bash in the world in Palm Springs:

Lilia Brekke with Dinah 2012 performer CeCe Peniston & Club Skirts production manager Chris Lacasse

"How I got involved with Dinah is proof of how small the world is that we live in. 

A co-worker of mine who knew I had wrangled talent for other events, asked me if I would be interested in helping out her close friend who was one of the GM’s for Dinah/Club Skirts. 

Come to find out this GM she spoke of was a past softball mentor of mine years ago. 

I met up with her and after some long over due catching up we got down to business. I was offered one of the talent wrangler positions and before I could answer, The BIG question was asked, “Now are you prepared for what’s to come?”   

Excited for the opportunity I immediately said, “YES”. Keep in mind I was a Dinah virgin, I had never experienced Dinah prior to this; I was simply going on stories I had heard.

My first year, Dinah 2011 OMG was I nervous. Not only did I want to do a good job but I would have to do it with beautiful women all around me.  Keep in mind I was freshly out of a 7-year relationship and had just started a new one. Oh what did I get myself into is the first thing that popped into my mind that first night, as I roomed with 3 other ladies who lets say were very comfortable with their bodies lol. 

After getting into the groove of things and having great management to lead the way I quickly became comfortable and enjoyed every moment. It’s amazing to see so many strong beautiful women come together in one place.

Dinah 2012, my second year I was asked back as Lead Wrangler and even though I had worked Dinah the year before I was just as nervous, but this time I new I had my Dinah family to back me up. 

I have two favorite moments of my Second year at Dinah. The first; hearing Chaka Khan ask her manager to place the flowers I had picked out for her dressing room (Easter Lilies), and to place them on stage with her because she thought they where so beautiful. I was so proud. 

Second, meeting my soon to be wife. I have Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend to thank for that. 

Now that’s what’s up!

Newly engaged Lilia Brekke & Chris Lacasse

You will often hear many of us refer to each other as family because that’s what we are. 

There’s an instant bond and understanding of one another. We all truly suffer from “Dinah withdrawals/Dinah Blues”.   

A few days after the event not only are we having dreams of making sure talent is on time to sound check, but we miss each other so much as if months have already passed.

As Dinah 2013 approaches, my advice is don’t just go to Dinah, Experience it, embrace it, allow it to become a part of you. You will never regret it." 

Lilia Brekke escorting CeCe Peniston on stage!

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HOW CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND UNITES US ALL TOGETHER ... IN PALM SPRINGS!

Over the next few weeks, as we get to know YOU (our fans) through your generous "blog" contributions of your own special "Dinah Moment", we also want you to get to know us!

Our staff will be sharing their own stories about what The Dinah represents for them and how it has impacted their lives, so by the time you get to Palm Springs in April for The Dinah 2013 (April 3-7), you'll already know us a bit more personally.

Today we let you get up-close and personal with our very own "Sponsor/Vendor Coordinator", MONICA SALAMY:

 


I recently moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego. Amidst packing up the last 25 years of my life I had a specific box-my "Dinah Box," which contained mementos with a level of nostalgia of my last 3 adventures into my personal "Lesbian Spring Break" and I couldn't help but smile. I sifted through old gift bags containing magazines, discount cards, and the ever-present "L Word" hat as well as old wrist bands and badges. There was a scribbled number on the back of a program from the 2012 year and for the life of me, I didn't know who's it was-something that I'm sure is all too common among Dinah guests. All in all, this box was among those of my most prized possessions; representing a time when I could simply be myself and be surrounded by women I would have otherwise never met.

This leads me to the phenomenon that I experienced as I ventured out in my new home of sunny San Diego. I left behind friends and acquaintances that knew The Dinah well, either because they've been themselves or the ever-small Lesbian community of San Francisco had passed the word around. Yet, in moving I had friends waiting for me-friends I knew strictly through The Dinah. They along with the random women at the grocery store or a neighborhood bar that I befriend become my lifeblood since their networks become my newly discovered networks and EVERYONE has a story.

"Yeah, I've been to the Dinah once. The Dinah ended my relationship because my ex-girlfriend couldn't resist the temptation," replied one new friend as we were talking over dinner.

"So was that trip ruined for you," I ask.

"Oh no! I had one hell of a time and if my ex couldn't be faithful well then...well...I guess The Dinah saved me by opening up my eyes about her."

Or there's this story, one of my favorites-a couple I had met happened to be wearing the same "Club Skirts" jackets I was wearing. Upon my excitement of having that sense of connection they told me this:

"We had been hearing about The Dinah for a few years and really wanted to go but always came up with an excuse. Then, for our 5th anniversary, we decided to stop with the bs and just do it. We're originally from the South so experiencing the parties and concerts; it felt like lezzi Mardi Gras! We're pissed we waited so long to go because now we know what we were missing out on. I mean, Chaka Khan AND getting to party with "The Real L Word," girls, how do you get any better than that?!"

There were a few other stories concerning walking into the wrong room but making friends with the women inside or the excitement of getting a group of friends together and road tripping with the absolute worst intentions of having a great time but there was an overwhelming message that came across to me.

The Dinah isn't just a party, a brand or a name, it is an experience that unites us together. Outside of that weekend we all live our separate lives, working hard to make something of ourselves but also working hard to get the chance to sneak away from responsibility into a world that is almost mythical. I have found more people than not who have ventured to Palm Springs to attend The Dinah at least once in their lifetime and all have a story to tell. I take pride in being a part of that and can't wait for the stories yet to be written in that hot Palm Springs sun.

Cheers to The Dinah 2013!!!!!!

 

We also want to hear about your special Dinah memory! 
Send us your story at: info@TheDinah.com

Tell us as well what you want to know about us and Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

MY DINAH MOMENT: HOW I BROKE THE HEART OF ONE OF "THE L WORD" CHARACTERS!

Today Dinah veteran SHERYL, aka MICKEY MIATA, talks about how Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs changed her life, how she broke the heart of one of "The L Word" actresses, and why she keeps coming back year after year!

"Even though 2013 will be my 5^th Dinah, it’s sooooo hard to write about it.  After my first Dinah, I couldn’t begin to put into words what I experienced in Palm Springs.  At the beginning of the first night of my 2^nd Dinah, the friend who went with me turned to me and said, “There’s really no way to explain this to people at home is there?”  That’s exactly how I felt!   

The only thing I could tell my friends at home was that every lesbian should experience The Dinah at least once before they die.  I’m from a little corner of hell, better known as East Tennessee, where nothing much ever happens, so being dropped in the middle of a bazillion beautiful lesbians was a new experience to say the least!! 

I’ve been sitting here staring at the computer screen trying to figure out what my favorite thing about The Dinah is.  That’s a hard one to come up with!  I have to say that I like the fact that a lot of the celesbians are just hanging out with everybody.   

When I arrived at my 2^nd Dinah, I decided that this one would be all about the experiences I created.  So, I set out to do just that!  I asked Elizabeth Keener if she would be my girlfriend for about 10 seconds so I could go home and talk about my ex.  Lmao, I know it broke her heart for me to dump her like I did, but I had to move on!  

ELIZABETH KEENER (Showtime "The L Word"), MICKEY MIATA and JAMIE LAUREN (Bravo "Top Chef" Season 6)

 During that same year, I was sharing a cabana with some new friends that I made.  I did a lot of girl watching that year from the cabana.  Seems every time I was left alone in the cabana, women would drop in and snuggle up behind me.  That was some big fun!   

Either that year or the following year, my friend and I caught a glimpse of ourselves at the White Party on The Real LWord.   

Well, I was on a roll reliving my Dinah experiences and the phone rang.  Now I have writer’s block!!  It’s part of being old.  And yes, old lesbians can have fun at The Dinah, too!

If you’ve never done The Dinah, do yourself a favor and jump in!   
Oh and you want to be sure to stay at the host hotel.  Makes all the difference in the world!! 
  I’ve done it both ways and believe me, the host hotel is definitely the way to go!!!!!   

The entertainment is always world class…some of the people I’ve seen there – Pat Benatar, Colby Caillat, Kesha, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Natasha Bedingfield, Indigo Girls, Chely Wright, Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Uh Huh Her, and lmao, my ex, Elizabeth Keener.  

Another thing that I really love about The Dinah is meeting new people from different parts of the world.  It’s always fun to see them back at The Dinah the following year.   

So go, have a big time, meet new people, enjoy the entertainment, break a few hearts, drink a few beers, and make some new memories!  Believe me when I tell you this…you only go around once!  Don’t waste a minute!!  

 I wish I had found The Dinah 20 years ago!!  Oh the trouble I’d get into if I was still 25!   

Maybe I’ll see you there!"


-  Sheryl aka Mickey Miata  -

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 We'd love to hear from you, so send us your own Dinah story and share with our entire community your special Dinah moment: info@TheDinah.com


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