https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/qmmunity/2016-09-09/are-you-ready-for-plezzure-island/

Are You Ready for Plezzure (Island)?

By Faye Fearless, September 9, 2016, 8:00am, Qmmunity

“Suns out, buns out” has become Plezzure Island’s official motto. The weekendlong event is the first and only all-women resort takeover in Texas, and it’s happening on the Gulf. With 1,000 women expected to be in attendance, the ladies behind Plezzure Island have big plans to make this the sexiest, wettest, and greatest weekend of the year.

Power couple Kelly West and Michelle Daly have been producing lesbian-centric parties under Lesbutante & the Boss for nearly three years. Together, with their friends Ashley Marshall and Gabby Ayala, they formed Wolfpack Productions, the company behind Plezzure Island that’s dedicated to high quality, community-focused events for women.

“Kelly, Michelle, Ashley, and I love to attend lesbian parties together,” says Ayala. “We all went to Dinah and Aqua Girl and started wondering why there was nothing similar to this experience in Texas. And, instead of waiting for someone else to build it, we did.”

The pack has been planning this month’s event since early 2015, and they’ve spent the better part of spring and summer tabling at pride festivals throughout the state (and in New Orleans). In that time they’ve managed to spread the word and generate some serious excitement throughout Texas about the Gulf takeover.

In the midst of planning and promoting, the Wolfpack added a shameless, unfiltered inanimate fifth member to their group, That Bitch Judy. Maybe you’ve seen her at Pride or the Plezzure Island Sunday Fundays at Cheer Up Charlies. She may have even made a surprise appearance on your Instagram under #ThatBitchJudy. Though she started as a social media marketing gag for Lesbutante & the Boss sponsored events, she quickly became the unofficial mascot for Plezzure Island.

According to Marshall, #ThatBitchJudy has been out and about a lot lately. "She drunk-texted me the other night and asked me to fake an emergency to get her out of a bad date … but then forgot and told them I was a stalker when I showed up to get her. She's the worst.”

We all have that friend, and she’s sure to be in full force at Plezzure Island, so gather your own wolfpack for an unforgettable weekend of poolside treats, beautiful views, dancing, swimming, music, and confessions.

Depending on your Plezzure, the takeover will last three to four days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort. Open to only VIP tickets, the first event of the weekend kicks off Thursday night with speed dating or speed friending, depending on your social goals.

But things really heat up come Friday night. If you like story time with a sexy twist, you’re in luck. Austin’s BedPost Confessions will entertain the merfolk with a live spoken word performance of stories not fit for the faint of heart. It’s all part of a growing trend towards openness and sex positivity. West says, “We wanted BedPost at Plezzure Island to set the tone for Friday night as a sexy night of fun.” With that in mind, you can confess your sins anonymously and listen to others dish their best and worst stories from inside the bedroom.

“We worked to spotlight as much of our local Texas talent as possible,” says West. “BedPost is a perfect fit for us. They’re doing an all-female lineup with special pieces created just for Plezzure Island.”

Saturday’s intimate performance by Hunter Valentine (you know, that pop punk lez band from The Real L Word) will attempt to answer the age-old question: Just how many women can you fit on a pier? The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is where state fair meets paradise cove. The spinning lights and slow Ferris wheel rides will likely romance anyone into slow dancing to some poppy lesbionic punk. “Hunter Valentine is sexy,” says West. “They’re a band that really knows how to work the crowd – especially the ladies!”

Additionally, the band’s performance Saturday night may be their last. “They are closing the books on performing together, and we wanted one more chance to see them,” says West. Lead singer Kiyomi McCloskey is moving on to a solo career which Plezzure Island ticket holders will also have the pleasure of hearing. McCloskey will play an intimate acoustic set beachside on Sunday Funday.

Pool parties hosted by celebrity guests and battling DJs, drinks, and girl-on-girl pool wrestling will fill the daytime hours of Friday and Saturday. Come Sunday, Plezzure Island will close out the weekend with a private beach party featuring just about everything a beach party should have: music, volleyball, dancing, sandy toes, and mai tai’s with cliché umbrellas.

To make sure you’re set for the weekend, the Wolfpack offered Gay Place a few pro tips. “Our events only work when our guests participate,” West explains. “If you put yourself in a position to meet new people you win. It takes all of us to move our community ahead.”

To make new connections and have the most fun during the weekend, Ayala recommends putting yourself out there and meeting people you didn't already know. “There is a whole world of incredible people out there.” But make sure you don’t overdo it, you’re not going to want to miss any of the epicness that is Plezzure Island. “It's a marathon, not a sprint,” says Marshall. “With so many amazing events throughout the weekend, pacing is key! Party it up, rest, resume.”

While Plezzure Island is a queer-focused, self-identified women’s event, it remains completely inclusive, albeit 21 and up. The only request is that you’re down with the women-loving energy and inclusive island vibe. Tickets are still available.