The festival committee is already back at work planning the 2012 festival and we need your assistance.  If you attended the festival last month we want to hear from you! 

Did you enjoy the campground?   Which performer was your favorite and who do you want to see next year?  What brings you to the festival each year?  

Please take this short online survey and let us know your feelings? We will consider each womyn’s opinion as we strive to build a strong and vital community.   

Also you can enter into a raffle for a free ticket for next year’s festival if you complete the survey!  It’s a win-win situation.  So take a few minutes and talk to us.    

I grew up around photography and went to college for photography at both the Art Institute of Pittburgh and Ohio University. I have taught photography at a local college and in workshops off an on for about 12 years. My partner Devin Page and I own Roberts Family Photography, a portrait studio that specializes in children’s photography.

We also have two other divisions of our studio, Roberts Teens and Seniors specializing in high school senior portraits and Pink Panty Pin-Up Photography – specializing in authentic 1940′s pin-up portraits. (If you are interested in learning more about being a pin-up girl, dressing in the pin-up style or having pin-up portraits taken our business partner, Hot Tomato Pin-Up Academy is offering the Bombshell Beauties Workshop. )

I have been the festival photographer for three years now and have been managing the website and other marketing/graphic design tasks for two years now. Devin and I met at the Ohio Lesbian Festival. This will be the first year that I have offered a photography workshop.

This year I am offering two workshops – How to Take Better Photographs with the Camera You Own and How to Take Better Concert Photos.

If you are interested in taking either of these workshops here is some information you might find helpful.

The How to Take Better Photographs workshop is geared towards all skill levels. I will gear the workshop to participant interests and camera function aptitude. I honestly believe that people of all skill levels can take something away from this workshop.

I will offer an open question and answer format. If I have someone who is interested in advanced information I will go more in depth in the last 30 minutes of this 90 minute workshop.

What we may cover:

• How to get the most out of the camera you have
• Shooting in low light
• Buying a new camera
• Why it doesn’t matter what camera you own
• Improving your photographs
• When to leave it to the pros
• Finding the light
• What editing program to use
• Basic camera controls such as ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Histogram and shooting on manual
• Anything else you want to know

What I will not cover:

• How to run a photography business

What to bring:

• A chair
• Your Camera (point and shoot, film, or digital SLR)
• Your Camera Manual (I am super serious about this I don’t know the in’s and out’s of every camera and this is the best way to help me help you!)
• If you don’t have any of these things feel free to come any way! I would love to meet you!

The How to Take Better Concert Photos workshop is geared towards the more advanced photo hobbyist. Of course anyone is invited to participate and I will gear the information towards the crowd present but it is my intent to discuss using the camera on manual, reading the histogram and other advanced technniques.

What we may cover:

• Concert Etiquette
• Exposure
• Vantage Point
• Compostion
• Equiptment Choices
• Tricks I have learned

What to bring:

• A chair
• Your Camera (film or digital SLR)
• Your Camera Manual (I am super serious about this I don’t know the in’s and out’s of every camera and this is the best way to help me help you!)
• If you don’t have any of these things feel free to come any way! I would love to meet you!

If you have any questions before or after the workshop please feel free to email me at robertsfamilyphotography@gmail.com you can also check out our website at www.robertsfamilyphoto.com and our Pink Panty Pin-Up facebook page at www.facebook.com/PinkPinUpPhotography

Looking forward to seeing you!

Andi

We will have a full length featured film on Friday plus an exclusive sneak peek of  ”MY SHERO”

“MY SHERO” is a short film created by Laura Petrie and Bianca Ardigo of Paducah, KY for the 48 Hour Film Project (2011), an international short film competetion.  It is the story of a young woman left at home alone who finds company in a womannequin whom she thinks can be anyone or do anything.  This film was written, shot and edited in less than 48 hours.  It is a cute and funny piece of art that is just over 4 1/2 minutes long.

Please join us for the movie, some snacks and then dance party later! We can’t wait to see you!

What do all these things have in common? They are part of the 2011 Ohio Lesbian Womyn’s Festival experience! That’s right! Spend the day watching OSU take on the University of Toledo and enjoy a hot dog and beverage while surrounded by other proud women of Buckeye Nation or raise your voice for the Rockets of Toledo! Before and after the game you can enjoy music, shop at half-time in the Merchants Area, or stop by the Games Tent and sign up for our first ever Arm Wrestling Tournament.
For those who are confirmed carnivores there will be a dinner special on Saturday featuring local, free-range chicken on the grill. Finally, don’t miss the late night red light show put on by Viva! and the Velvet Hearts! Let these ladies tempt you with their artistry and beauty. A wonderful ending to a beautiful day that can only be had at this years Ohio Lesbian Womyn’s Festival.
___________________________

The Ohio Lesbian Festival / Ohio Womyn’s Festival is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven womyn only event designed to promote womyn’s community and art. The Festival was founded on the premise that lesbians and queer womyn need opportunities and spaces to recognize and support each other, to define our culture, to find our own strengths and to be empowered. The Festival is open to all womyn.

Buy your Ohio Lesbian Womyn’s Festival tickets at the advanced weekend ticket price and get a $10 Food Voucher to be used at the Festival Kitchen! This special offer is available now through September 7th. This year the festival food options are really exciting with lots of organic and local food choices. New additions include Luna Burgers, Hummus, Chicken from a Local, Organic and Womyn-Owned Farm, Grass-fed beef and lots of other options. Check out the website at http://www.ohiolba.org for more details!

Tory Trujillo singing her bliss!

The following is a partial schedule of events for the festival weekend:

Friday

• Set up your campsite for those early festi-goers
• Shop in the Merchant Area from 7pm – 9pm
• Film Festival – we will showing a full length film plus film shorts. Popcorn and snacks will be available. Bring your chairs!
• Cowgirl theme dance – bring cowgirl attire such as boots, hats, etc. 

Saturday

• Set up your campsite
• Festival Kitchen – open for breakfast and throughout the day offering many meal options (see website for menu details)
• Workshops all day (see the website for the list of fabulous workshops and presenters)
• Shop in the Merchant Area from 11am – 11pm
• Shop at the General Store, which will be open from 11am -11pm. Buy raffle tickets, festival souvenirs, snacks and other great items.
• Day Stage from 1pm until 4pm featuring RJ Cowdery, Early Girl and emma’s revolution
• OSU Buckeyes vs Toledo Rockets Football Game in the Shelterhouse with tailgating! Bring your chairs. 
• Sporting Events will be going on throughout the day including Flag Football, Volleyball and others
• Games Tent – Euchre Tournament, Arm Wrestling tournament and lots of other activities. Stop by the Games Tent to sign up.
• Participate in the Drum Circle
• Poetry and Spoken Word will take place between Day and Night Stage. Bring your poetry and writings with you and share!
• Night Stage from 7pm until 11pm featuring Tory Trujillo, Nervous But Excited, Reina Williams, Holly Near and Emma’s Revolution and Robin Stone.
• After Night Stage ends there will be a Burlesque Show featuring Viva! and the Velvet Hearts!
  

  One of Viva's Velvet Hearts

 Sunday

• Sunday Brunch at the General Store featuring Waffles with various toppings, French Press Coffee and other breakfast treats. 9am – 11am.
• Festival Kitchen – open for breakfast through Sunday Day Stage
• Workshops all day (see schedule on the website)
• Shop the Merchant Area from 11am – 3pm
• Participate in sports and games events at the Games Tent
• Day Stage from noon until 3pm featuring Anna Volgelzang, Tracy Walker and Stacyann Chin.
  

  Stacyann Chin

 Check the website often for additions to the Festival Schedule!Stop by the Ohio Lesbian Womyn’s Festival Booth at Toledo Pride on Saturday August 27. Pick up some festival info and buy your tickets now at the advance ticket price.

Limited Volunteer and Crew/Worker opportunities are still available, applications can be found on this website.

___________________________

The Ohio Lesbian Festival / Ohio Womyn’s Festival is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven womyn only event designed to promote womyn’s community and art. The Festival was founded on the premise that lesbians and queer womyn need opportunities and spaces to recognize and support each other, to define our culture, to find our own strengths and to be empowered. The Festival is open to all womyn.

Glamping Tips and Fashion in the Woods
by Bevin Branlandingham

As a stylish and fashionable Femme who doesn’t think twice about wearing my “Sunday hair” and big eyelashes on a casual afternoon it comes as a shock to many that I really enjoy camping. Though I do not maintain the rugged exterior of a stereotypical camper, like everything in life, I’ve found camping is exponentially better when I do it with the courage to be myself at all times.

I grew up in Girl Scouting. My single mom calls Girl Scouts her second parent. I went camping a lot with my troupes and to summer camp every year. Even though mom and I never went camping “as a family” I got a lot of experience doing it and I think it was invaluable to my personal development. Thanks to my outdoorsy past I am comfortable in the woods and have some bangin’ outdoor wilderness skills. That said, having experienced the gamut of “roughing it” from car camping to backpacking I know how I like to do it and I like to do it up with an insane amount of fabulosity.

I use the term “glamping” for what I do. And I totally prefer camping in the context of a festival for a lot of reasons, and mostly because it enables my glamping, though I am sure these tips will help with any camping adventure you go on that has some access to a car.

My festival camping venue of choice is the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, which happens the first week of August every summer in Western Michigan. There are lots of other big and small camping festivals, including the Ohio Lesbian Festival, Coachella in the California desert, sex camps for the gamut of the BDSM community and plenty of woodsy adventures for gay Bears.

Community is the number one reason I love festival camping. I go to Michfest and I’m in this sort of lesbian utopia Disneyland surrounded by babes and having incredibly enriching conversations every time I turn around. Anytime I wonder whether someone is a teenage boy or a hot dyke I know they are a hot dyke. That and 40 concerts, workshops, a film festival, a huge shopping area with tons of amazing indie craft people.

Festival camping is really great for fashion opportunities! People wear some amazing outfits, costumes and fashion because, much like a conference venue, the place where your closet is located is usually within a few minutes’ hike. Yes, sure, bad lesbian fashion is a tale as old as time but SO IS GOOD LESBIAN FASHION! I am a Lesbian with great fashion and it follows me and a whole lot of my pals into the woods!

Not having to cook for myself in the woods is another huge reason I love festival camping. My food is part of my ticket and so therefore I can focus on being more glamorous instead of the hours it takes to prepare food when you are camping and properly clean and store it away from critters. Plus, not having to schlep cooking equipment and food into the woods gives you more room to pack more clothes!

I have been going to Michfest for ten years and the best lesson I have learned about my comfort in the woods for two weeks (I now attend as a worker so I’m there before and after the one week Festival) is that I need to do what I need to do and I do not worry about others’ judgment. I’m sure there is no shortage of judgey womyn about how I choose to camp, however there are far more who love the flamboyance and whimsy I bring to my everyday appearance. I long ago learned how to live outside of the shadow of other people’s expectations within and without the woods. It’s much more glittery here.

Don’t get me wrong, you can absolutely do festival camping with one backpack and a tiny tent you borrowed from a friend but that would not be fun or comfortable for me. With that in mind, I share with you several aspects of my Glamping repertoire so that my fabulous and flamboyant friends may enjoy the out of doors in a way that is not reserved only for those who wear Tevas.

CAMP SET-UP
There are certain staples in my personal campsite set-up that I will no longer do without.

*A very large tent in which I can stand-up. This is essential. I cannot live in a space for more than a weekend where I must stoop. Currently I rock a 9 person tent I bought for $100 on Amazon. (I heartily recommend Amazon for camping supplies, especially when you are purchasing off season.)

My 9 person tent is very roomy and I call it my Barbie Dream Tent. I have a wing for my bed and a wing for my clothing with plenty of room in the middle for yoga and a lounge chair for doing my make-up. I am also able to set-up this tent by myself. It is recommended that if you are camping with your girlfriend you either do not set-up the tent by yourself or, if you do set it up together, any fights that ensue are resolved by truce and sex after the tent is successfully together with rain fly in the correct direction.

*A queen size air mattress, feather bed and down comforter. I make this up like a bed at home but with stuff that can get damp. The feather bed keeps the air mattress chill from reaching me during the night. I sleep alone in the woods and being in a queen size bed is a great luxury.

*A full-size rolling garment rack. I bought one at Target for $17 and it collapses to nothing and is great for hanging up my clothing. I bring a bag of hangers and as soon as I get set-up all of my clothes are hung on the rack. It keeps them from getting wrinkled and looks really pretty. I have used this rack for four festivals and it really makes all the difference.

*Full-length mirror. You read correctly, I put that right in the middle of my campsite with a can of hairspray next to it ready to apply finishing touches daily. A $5 mirror from a big box store endures two weeks outside and is usually ready to retire when I go home.

*Campsite decorations. This is not something I partake in as I like to visit others, but the fun part about sharing a campsite with a common living room is decorating the area. I’ve seen folks bring in paper lanterns with glow sticks inside them (looks gorgeous), battery powered “fairy lights” (which you may know as Christmas lights), inflatable furniture, inflatable unicorns, disco balls with flashlights, and battery-powered blenders.

It is a genuine hassle to get my stuff to my campsite every year. I now know it takes me a full 90 minutes each way using a wheelbarrow (about three trips). I sacrifice this time because it makes the rest of my adventure that much easier.

BEAUTY RITUALS
I was talking to my friend Joey Cupcake once about being Femme in the woods and she said “I just do what I need to do to be comfortable.” I do all the things. I have to make sure my products are biodegradable (since our shower water goes right back into the land) and LUSH helps me take care of that. When I was a Festival attendee I tried a bunch of different places to camp but I found I was happiest when I was camped in the Twilight Zone really close to the showers. They are the least crowded of all of the showers and I would take them twice a day. I like to feel clean–the essential bug spray at night and sunscreen during the day make me feel sticky.

I also applied a full face of make-up twice a day. It doesn’t take me very long to do this, maybe 5-10 minutes, but I feel more myself with make-up so I do it and don’t worry about judgment. Plus, when I went to Fest as a vacation I treated it as such and did exactly what I wanted when I wanted to. What’s fun about Festival is that it is also a really “anything goes” kind of place so it is really fun to play with outrageous face painting and body painting.

I never forget to pack the body glitter! The only benefit to wearing sunscreen all day is that it is a great base for glitter.

I leave all of my scented products at home, especially lotion and perfume, as they attract bugs.  I’ve also found that bug spray can smell great–there are some wonderful essential oil based bug sprays that work really well and smell fabulous. But as with all scented products make sure you ask folks sitting near you if they mind if you use it as a scent allergic person can have a very serious reaction even to bug spray!

BODY HAIR
After my first Festival experience I decided to try to grow out my leg hair. I was shell-shocked at the body hair diversity, and, in fact, the body diversity at Michfest really helped to move me along in my own journey toward body acceptance. I saw so many different types of women with all different types of body hair preferences I thought I might grow out my leg hair. This was also during a time in my life where I was vegetarian, and I make no secret that I was vegetarian for seven years because I thought I needed to be in order to be a “good” lesbian.

I was just climbing out of my stage of “I’ll dress like an androgynous boy because I’m fat and need to hide in my clothes and looking like this will get me laid” and starting to become more Femme accepting, but I needed to try this leg hair thing once.

Not for me. I lasted three weeks and couldn’t take it. I jumped into a luxurious bath and shaved it all off. Now I shave as regularly as I do at home while I’m camping. And lots of other women in the woods do it, both in the warm outdoor showers and at the spigots.

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
After years of being afraid I might ruin clothes if I brought them to Fest or hiking or whatever, I realize I don’t have much to worry about. If it can be laundered it can come with me. I have worn my prom dress (from my actual 1996 prom), corsets, crinolines, slips, vintage dresses, burlesque costumes, cocktail dresses, etc… I don’t bring really delicate things and I don’t bring things that have to be dry cleaned because that’s a hassle.

When I travel with crinolines, I discovered to pack them up small I can shove it into a grocery bag and squeeze out all of the air.

When you party in the woods usually it is really dark. I found this frustrating until I realized I could decorate myself with lights. There are lots of battery operated light accessories out there, like rings and necklaces and hair accessories. I often use battery operated string lights as a necklace, which offsets sequins in the woods quite well.

FOOTWEAR
This is my least favorite part about camping. Of course, being a Femme who requires solid and supportive shoes is hard enough, let alone in the woods. I hate having dirty feet and I hate having my feet covered up. The best shoes I’ve found so far for the woods are Croc flip flops

I also bring one pair each of walking sandals (I like Merrill sandals), sneakers, boots and some shower flip flops. I also was gifted a pair of light-up flip flops which are amazing when you’re out at a party late at night or are trying to amuse yourself on the long walk back to your tent after a rendezvous.

Some of my friends wear heels and fancy boots in the woods, and if you go queer festival camping it is super likely you’ll find just the person to shine those fancy shoe items back up again after a dusty walk through the woods, like the annual Femme parade at Michigan.

I hope these Glamping tips have helped to convince some of my camping-shy glittery compatriots out there to give the wilderness a try–with the correct successories, of course!

***Bevin Branlandingham is a writer, performer, event producer and workshop presenter based in Brooklyn, NY. She loves the Buckeyes but especially the fudge of the same name. You can follow the relentless pursuit of her joy at QueerFatFemme.com.

There is not a long distance to load in and load out so over packing is generally not the same concern it might be at some place like the Michigan Women’s Festival.  Last year women were allowed to unload at their camp sites then park their cars.

This list is for women that are planning on camping:

• Tent
• A tarp that just fits under your tent – too big and it can cause water  to pool
• Bedding – air mattress, blankets, pillows etc.
• Camp Stove or single burner (no individual fires at campsites)
• Cooking utensils, dishes, paper plates
• Cooler with drinks and any food you want to cook (you can buy ice at the festival)
• Drinking water
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Shower items/toiletries
• Towels/washcloths – there are indoor, enclosed showers
• Rain gear
• Something warm from head to toe
• A hat
• Fun clothes for the dance party of Friday night – some women enjoy dressing up in fun outfits, other women just want to wear comfy camp clothes
• Flashlight
• Lantern
• Camera – please be respectful and don’t include other women in photos without their permission and be careful about post images online
• Chairs for the stage area, low ones if you want to sit up front, please don’t set up full sized chairs in the lawn areas towards the front –  it blocks the view of other women
• A blanket to lay on
• A rug for outside your tent
• A small broom to sweep your tent
• Money to supplement the food you bring and shop from the vendors
• A notebook if you plan on going to any workshops or righting down contact info for new friends
• Other women!

This list should not be considered comprehensive and is just a start. Have I left off anything important? What are you bringing?

Womyn, music, camping, shopping, workshops, dance, food, vendors, community and fun!

The final plans are coming together for the 22nd Annual Ohio Lesbian Womyn’s Festival. As always, the Festival takes place at Frontier Ranch, about 25 miles east of Columbus. The dates are Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 11, 2011. 

Arriving on the land Friday Evening allows womyn to get an early start on the weekend activities. After choosing your tent site and setting up you can settle in for a film festival along with popcorn and drinks. Later there will be a Cowgirl Theme Dance hosted by a DJ.

Beginning Saturday afternoon there will be 3 stages packed with talented, amazing womyn. Performers this year include Holly Near with emma’s revolution, Stacyann Chin, Reina Williams, RJ Cowdery, Early Girl, Tracy Walker, Robin Stone, Anna Vogelzang, Nervous But Excited and Viva! and the Velvet Hearts!

Between performances you can shop in the wonderful merchants area which features a wide variety of crafts, information, womyn-oriented products and personal services. Pick up a couple of cd’s at Goldenrod, get a jar of strawberry jam, some “orgasmic” chocolate chip bread or a beautiful piece of jewelry for yourself or your special “festival someone”.

Saturday and Sunday are both filled with incredible workshops presented by womyn who want to share their knowledge with other womyn. Workshop offerings this year include such topics as African Dance, Buying a Fixer-Upper, How to Balance Moods with Food, Polyamory and Singing in Sacred Circle just to name a few. New this year are kid’s workshops such as   African Dance, Basic Belly Dance and Dog Training (these are also offered as adult workshops). If you you’re looking for other activities throughout the weekend you can Tailgate while watching the OSU Buckeyes vs University of Toledo football game, participate in a Drumming Circle with the beloved Wahru, test your endurance in an Arm-Wrestling Tournament, or just sit back and soak yourself in the safety and love of a womyn-only space.

The Festival Kitchen this year is highlighting locally raised and organic food. Some new additions to the menu will be grass-fed beef hamburgers, produced from local growers and chicken which was raised on a womyn-owned farm in southeastern Ohio. Never fear, old favorites like Pat’s Amazing Chili will still be bubbling away in the kitchen and there will be a special dinner option on Saturday evening.

The General Store will again be hosting a Sunday Brunch for the early risers featuring made-to-order waffles, French press coffee and other homemade-by-womyn delights. Also, at the General Store you can find festival t-shirts, souvenirs, raffle tickets for 3 drawings throughout the weekend, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, other tasty treats, iced coffee and cold drinks. In the Merchant’s area you can pick up fabulous finds such as books, clothing, jewelry, collectibles and even an inflatable raft!

The campground is divided into areas for different camping needs such as family camping, up all night, generator areas and RV section. Camping is available for $5/night/womyn. Included are private, hot showers and designated fire-rings within the campground.
Childcare is available Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am until the end of day stage. Childcare is for girl children of any age and boys up to age 9. 

Advance Tickets Prices are $70 for the full weekend, $45 for Saturday and $25 for Sunday only. Tickets are available on the festival website or at ticket outlets such as Alternative Auto Care (Columbus,OH), Roberts Family Photography (Belpre,OH), People Called Women Bookstore (Toledo, OH), Wild Iris Books (Gainesville, FL), Toronto Women’s Bookstore (Toronto, ON, Canada) and In Other Word’s Bookstore (Portland, OR). Volunteer and Crew/Worker opportunities are still available, applications can be found on the website.

For more information on performers, to order tickets, get directions or to find out how you can participate please visit the festival website at www.ohiolba.org or contact Christy Fulton at ohiofestchristy@aol.com.

Spinning poi