This was the first Esprit conference in three years-after Covid derailed the 2020 and 2021 events.  Sadly, we lost some folks from the past years, and we treasure their memories.  And due to lingering uncertainty and some travel issues for some folks, attendance this year was a tad on the lower side than in recent years. Yet still, as with every year, a certain excitement built as the calendar flipped to May.

 

There are two main definitions of magic: first is “the use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces;” secondly, “an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural force-something that seems to cast a spell: ENCHANTMENT.”  All of that applies to Esprit.

 

The road winds through the valleys and hills on the way to the Olympic Peninsula where the smell of the water and the sounds of the sea begin to cast their spell. As we pass Sequim, we know we are getting close… then the Red Lion appears, our home for the next eight glorious days and nights.  As we share drinks at the welcome cocktail reception, old friends and new attendees greet each other. (Some catching up after three years apart.)-but also meeting and welcoming new folks. This is one of the best aspects of Esprit-from the first night, newcomers are treated the same as folks who’ve attended for 10, 20, or more years. I wrote about that in my 2018 Esprit article that coming here is truly “coming home!”

 

I won’t go into detail about all the numerous events of the week that one can partake in. There is a partial list: the Pool tournament at the Elks, Ascot Races, Pickleball, Golf, Croquet, dancing (both at the Red Lion and in town), the fashion show, the talent show, graduation and the gala, and finally the Sunday farewell brunch. We enjoy the classes, the vendors, the clothing exchange, and- uniquely a genuine engagement with the town and people of Port Angeles. This small town with a huge heart has welcomed Esprit for over thirty years. While other conferences may be larger in attendance, and often less remote, none seem to have quite the magic and engagement with the community that Esprit and Port Angeles do. Here, the Townsfolk can and do attend several of the events, and in our interactions, we serve as ambassadors from our community to the world at large. We are as unique and extraordinary, or as ordinary as any other group of 100 or so folks. To me, that is the essence of what we have to show to the world. Whether full or part-time crossdressers, in midst of or having completed transitioning, we are first and foremost “people”… as worthy of respect and courtesy as anyone else.

 

I did want to go into a bit more detail on Friday night’s talent show.  So many of our attendees, newcomers, and veterans alike are extremely talented.  Margo drafted me into her Trans-Jeopardy skit.  Though terrified, I had a blast doing it.  We all made mistakes-flubbing lines, missing cues, and misplacing props, but it all seemed to add to the audience’s enjoyment.  There was singing, and dancing, some told jokes, and others played instruments. It was, however, newcomer, Lyria (pardon me if I misspelled her name), who stole the show. I have performed in choirs and ensembles before, but rarely do you see a performer capture the audience quite the way she did.  Singing a song she wrote herself, ACAPELLA, her voice carried a mournful tune reminiscent of an old Irish folk ballad.. the audience was so dead silent that you could have heard a pin drop, so intensive was the spell she wove. 

The most amazing thing to me was when the sound technician, who took ill mere minutes before dinner started, with the show to follow, there was no panic.  A bit of frantic shuffling until others stepped in to help the show go on.  Though not without a hitch here and there, there were few in the audience who knew.  Similarly, there were a few glitches as the dancing went on into the night, but a great time was had by all.  (If you haven’t heard the story of mine and Margo’s late night/early am adventure, ask one of us the next time you see us. LOL)

 

As always, one of the most awesome parts of the week was not an “official” part of the conference, but has become a vital part of the shared experience. I speak of course of “Club 130,” which originally started as an impromptu dance party but morphed into so much more. Even though in recent years it has moved into Room 148, it has retained the atmosphere it began with a dozen or so years ago. Hosted by the irrepressible, irascible, incredible Tiessa (with the help of magic elves), it epitomizes the reason the conferences exist, at least it does for me. Rather than just one large circle of folks talking one person at a time, it is a host of multiple intimate gatherings of 2-5 folks (totaling as few as 5-8 folks at times but as many as 25-35 people in the room at others), supporting each other, talking through serious and not-so-serious issues, and helping each person in finding their own unique path. It isn’t the final destination; it’s the journey itself that is the most important! Becoming whomever we are each truly meant to be. 

 

As all enchanted stories must do, the conference came to its end. Ginger, as always, encapsulated the week in her inimitable way during Sunday’s farewell brunch. But the Magic… oh, no, it doesn’t end! It lives on within each of us.  It sustains us through the weeks and months to come until we all gather together again in 2023.  Though we may be dozens, hundreds, even thousands of miles apart in the physical world, we are together in spirit. I cherish each and every one of the friends I have made at the four Esprits I have attended. I’m sure many others feel the same. The slightly lower attendance this year allowed me the opportunity to get to know more folks and to better deepen those friendships. I’ll end this article as I do many, with a poem.

 

The sights, the sounds, the smells-they each called out to me by name

Reminding me once more of all the reasons that I came.

The staff of the Red Lion were as friendly as can be

With smiles they bid us welcome and were clearly glad to see

 

The ladies who’ve been coming here for over thirty years

And showed the new attendees that there was no need to fear.

Acquaintances both new and old are welcome in this place

And each of us are treated well with courtesy and grace.

Though there are many things to do, some new and some quite old,

The most important things would take the whole week to unfold.

Activities are great, but they are just the very start-

But all the conversations…THAT’S the most important part.

 

 

 

We learn about each other and about ourselves as well-

And often someone here might be the first one that you tell

The secrets you have ne’er revealed to any other soul-

And in that telling something may begin to fill that hole

That we have felt inside without admitting to our self.

The fears that once controlled us can be put upon a shelf,

And we can start to live our lives the way they’re meant to be.

The prison doors fly open and the world begins to see

 

The great and wondrous creature that we long had learned to hide

For fear of what the world would think of what we’d held inside.

But now our wings are spreading-we no longer have to crawl.

The single solitary voice is now a clarion call.

We stand as one-but still retain our own identity

Time to throw our shackles off and say “Hey world-I’m free!”

The joy we feel as we embark on new and wondrous trips

Is clear as each excited word escapes our very lips.

 

So share the news-invite more folks to come in ‘23

To truly feel the magic that’s embodied as Esprit.

 

My hope is that my words, simple as they are, might help someone else reach for their dreams. And that I can do for others as much as my sisters at Esprit, Keystone, Diva Las Vegas, Southern Comfort, and Crossdresser Heaven have done for me.

 

Humbly yours,

Cyn

EnFemme

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skippy1965 Cynthia

The Original Cyn, or OC for short. Cynthia is from Richmond Virginia, she crossdresses every day (lucky gal!) and has a knack for tracking down niggling technical issues so we can fix them. She is also on a journey of self-examination to figure out where her feminine journey will lead her, and is always willing to talk with others about their feelings and questions or her own. Update January 2023- the above was written by Vanessa on my behalf back when I joined in 2015. So much has happened on my journey since then. From a shy CD who had hardly been outside as herself to being pretty much full time Cyn 24/7 now. I told work about me and started HRT last year. Everyone knows about me in my life now too. I've socially transitioned for the most part but not sure if I will do anything regarding legal name or any surgeries at all. It's taken mea long time to accept myself for who I am but the site has helped me reach that level of self-awareness. I say dating below but that's just the best status I can say. I have a friend who is very special to me that I HOPE will be more a life companion as time goes forward.

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Annie Oakly
Duchess
Member
1 year ago

Cyc I loved your article I wish I could have made it to P A I hope next year you do inspire me thank you

Kristen Smithly
Lady
Active Member
1 year ago

Is it possible to get the names of any of the local vendors? I am in PA about every other day it seems like.

Kristen Smithly
Lady
Active Member
1 year ago

Thank you Cyn! I was going to go to Amazing Changes hair salon and see Kylie, but first she was on vaca, then Esprit, and by then I had to have my hair done, and it was a very bad cut. My daughter saved it, but it will be a while before I am due for another cut.

Fiona Black
Baroness
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Thanks for the wonderful review of the conference. Too bad it’s on the opposite side of the country from me!

Sherry Kirk
Lady
Member
1 year ago

I’m sorry I missed the return of Esprit. My daughter’s wedding was that week and family takes presidents . I truly missed everyone. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year. Esprit is more than just people getting together, it’s a cool place to enjoy friendships with friends and family.

Julie (Jules) Anderson
Duchess
Active Member

Thank you, Cyn for the wonderfully written article in which you share your perspective on the “magic” of Esprit! I attended a few years ago, and your every word is purrrrfect.
Hugs
Jules

Kristen Smithly
Lady
Active Member
1 year ago

I live about 17 miles away from Port Angeles (PA), yet I have never been to Esprit. Why? Mainly fear, financials, lack of enough of a feminine wardrobe, my incredibly disliked deep voice (I used to sing at the lowest octaves). I really would have liked to overcome my fears (and my wife’s objections, she’s non supportive) and attended, if for nothing else just to get to know the local vendors as I like to support those that accept us. I am sorry the weather wasn’t better. We’ve had a very wet spring. Covid risk also played a part of… Read more »

Susan Talbot
Lady
Active Member
1 year ago

Thank you for such a wonderful review of this conference I plant to attend Keystone 2023 and I hope to attend this one next year too, I honestly don’t know anyone else like me so it would be nerve racking but what a fun way to get out and live my life as Susan and to also be in a such beautiful area.

April (Pacific Princess)
Ambassador
Active Member

You made me really bummed I missed Esprit this year Cyn.

Wanda Ovahear
Lady
Member
7 months ago

Good read, great info.

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