CD Events?

[Krisi]

I was reading a post in the forum where a member asked about meeting people at "CD events". That has me wondering; What are "CD events"? Where are they held, what goes on there, what do people do, etc.? How does one find out about them and where they are held?

[2B Natasha]

Kristi.

You have over 2,630 posts and you have never heard of. South comfort conference in Atlanta. Esprit in port angles or diva Las Vegas or any of the others I didn't mention? Alright. I would suggest you try the Google to find them then.

[paulinescotlandcd]

Where do you live?

[Linda E. Woodworth]

HI Krisi,

Don't forget the local support groups out there who many times also do things together. I've had many fine dinners with the "girls" at various places while out and about.

[Dana44]

Krisi. You can go to meetup.com and find a local LBGT groups and get on their list. They meet for dinners and such.

[Shelly Preston]

Krisi

I suggest you take a closer look at the upcoming events section of the forum.

[Katey888]

Google is great for this sort of thing... you just need to get a little adept to focus in the location... :)

What goes on? Pretty much anything, I believe - I have experienced some pleasant socialising, chatting, drinking, dancing (and, of course, a fair bit of posing... :battingeyelashes:) - but I know of other events (and girls... ;)) which go much further than our UK ones...

For some reason I am reminded of the very end of the "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" sketch... :daydreaming:

You should find one and go. :)

Katey x

[sara.rafaela]

Hi Krisi, I have only been to one event, Divas Las Vegas. I found it enjoyable. They had a few big events, like the opening dinner. But, the rest of it were smaller gatherings such as dinner, cocktails, etc... with smaller subgroups. These gatherings were held in everyday locations in Vegas among all the other convention goers and gamblers. Divas is in February or March, I believer. A related group hosts a similar event in Chicago in October. I had wanted to go, but my travel schedule this fall has been too busy for a personal trip.

[S. Lisa Smith]

Keystone in Pennsylvania in March, Fantasia Fair in Massachusetts right now and many others. You should try them, they are fun!!!!

[Eryn]

There are weekly events here in SoCal. Look up "T-girl Nights" for an example.

That said, a lot of events aren't really me cup of tea. I'm not into the LGBT club scene and prefer mainstream venues. Sometimes you just have to set something up yourself!

[reb.femme]

My group TransPALS meets monthly in a local pub and it's just a get together and social so far (read 'alcohol fueled chat session' for me). We did have one makeup demo and naturally, sale of wares afterward. A couple of months back, I met a new girl at a meet and we ended up at a local club until 02.00 or so in the morning. Had my best LBD on that night too.

This Saturday, is a visit to the Wayout Club in London, which should be good, I hope.

Rebecca

[Kate Simmons]

My local LGBT resort (Rainbow Mountain) holds different themed weekends all year long. Three of these are designated TG/CD weekends even though everyone is welcome. They have clothing swaps, outings, golf, horseback riding and sometimes special karaoke events at the dance club. I go to dance myself for the most part. A lot of fun for sure. They send out a newsletter with the schedule by E-Mail.:battingeyelashes::)

[Vintage4sarah]

Hi Kate, I am going to my first Rainbow Mountain this weekend. Looking forward to meeting a lot of new friends!

[AllieSF]

Krisi, just check out your local music stores. They normally have lists and posters for upcoming events. Plus, sometimes they have free music magazines for local advertising about music and upcoming events. The CD part of it has been diminishing, replaced by the MP3 players and direct on line downloads. Since vinyl is now making a comeback, I bet that CD's will be too!

2,600 posts and you haven't yet read a thread about this topic. Try a search on CD events, meet ups, etc. Don't do one for DVD's because that is usually for movies, I think.

[Heidi Stevens]

Hey Krisi, next week I'll be headed to the Erie Gala, put on by the Erie Sisters. Four days of fun and my first large group gathering! Next spring I'm headed to Keystone in Harrisburg and most likely head to Denver in the fall of 16 for Gold Rush.
There are outings all over, find you one and go!

[jaye_cd]

I found a really great local group through meetup.com. If you Google up crossdresser event {wherever you're from} I'm sure you'll start to find things.

[pamela7]

the thing with events though, is like any club, the common interest is just the subject. One of the many reasons i like this forum so much is that there are so many people here one can find sufficiently similar kindred spirits from the spectrum, whereas certainly where i've been so far to groups in small uk towns, I just don't get what I need from the group, whereas here I do.

I can liken it to the days when I played cricket; every club is different and there is one where you can feel part of a team, where you fit in, and that's the right club. In England every village has a cricket team, towns can have a few, and its quite easy to join on. However, there are only a handful of CD clubs, scattered hours of driving apart, which is odd really, because a bigger % of people CD than play cricket. Work that one out!?

[Cheryl_Layton]

...because a bigger % of people CD than play cricket. Work that one out!?

If you group CDers together, from fetishistic lingerie wearers through to those stepping out en-femme then the statistic would be valid. However, even from this forum, I gather that the number of CDers 'stepping out' is quite a small percentage. Hence the relative small number of CD group events.

[Krisi]

We thanks, mostly. Yes. I have read posts mentioning "events" but I was hoping for a response specific to the question. I am in the southeast USA, not a hotbed of crossdressing. I have been ordered by my doctors to never drink alcohol again so that takes the fun out of the bar/club scene.

I'll try searching the Internet and the "events" section to see if there's anything in my area that Looks like something I would enjoy.

[Adriana Moretti]

if your in the south east, you just missed SCC in florida.....I too am out the door today to hit a 2 day cd event in PA !!!! Going with my gal pal a day early to squeze in some extra girl time!!!!!!!

[paulinescotlandcd]

I am in the southeast USA, not a hotbed of cross dressing.



Ahhh, well not anywhere near sunny old Scotland I gather or I might have been able to point you in the right direction to a number of events

[Sometimes Steffi]

I go to Keystone every year

http://www.keystone-conference.org/

There's a list of other events at that site

On a smaller, more local note, the Meetup group I'm in has Girl's nights out every couple of months with 40 to 50 girls.

[Suzie Petersen]

Krisi,

I have attended SCC in Atlanta several times. It has been some years now, but I always had a great time there.
So to specifically answer your questions, or some of them at least:

CD events, to me, are events put together specifically to cater to the types of people who also visit this forum. CD, TG, TS, T*, are typically all welcome. Typically so are spouses and basically anyone else who would like to attend.
Some events are big with hundreds of participants, some are small local get-togethers. Some are put on by a small local group, some are big organisations.

What goes on: Well I only personally know of SCC when it comes to the big events. It has a mix of activities such as convention style presentations, side panel style special topics such as makeup classes, style and fashion, how to talk about it to family and friends etc. There are often also sessions specific for those who are, or who are wondering about, transitioning.
Then there are formal dinners and lunches, sometimes outings to museums or other tourist things outside of the event itself, sometimes prearranged visits to nightclubs or music venues etc.
And then a lot of it is mingling and visiting with old and new friends. A chance to socialize in a place where you dont have to worry about presenting as the opposite gender.

Some of the small local events might be just getting together to chat with others for a few hours an evening. Sometimes there might be a presentation of some sort, sometimes there might be a makeup lesson or a photography setup etc. Sometimes it is just a place to come and hang out with others, again without having to worry about the gender thing.

I have also participated in private groups getting together. Just friends from an online group, similar to this forum, getting together now and then to chat, cook and dine together, and just have a good time. Sometimes just an evening, sometimes a long weekend.

How do you find these events?: As others have said, look at some of the big event websites, such as SCC and there will sometimes be notes of other events. Ask here and people will share for sure. Look for postings from local meet-up groups or ask at a gender support center in the area. Sometimes it is easiest to find in the capitol of the state you live in but they might know about local groups.

Many of these events and group meetings are very targeted towards people who do not have the freedom, or the courage, to leave home dressed and will therefor provide a room where you can change to girl-mode.

If you would like to go to an event, I know for sure there are many here who will help with advise or hints and I'm sure many who would meet with you to go together. It is always easier if you go with someone else, even if it is someone you have only talked to online before.

Hugs
Suzie

[docrobbysherry]

Krisi, and all. If u have not been out to meet other dressers? I believe you're missed out! In fact, that is the ONLY reason I go out dressed.:heehee:

I'm not exactly every dresser's cup of tea. And, I mean dressers of ALL types. Most will not remember me. As, Sherry is normally a verboten topic. :sad:
However, I enjoy meeting them. Most r very interesting, remarkable individuals. And, their stories r often spell binding!:daydreaming:

Some events r for partying. Some r social. And, some for education, support, and advice for closet dressers just coming out or CD's that wish to transition. Here's my synopsis of the ones I've attended:

SCC- Biggest CD/TS gathering in the world. About 700+ every year in Sep. Now held in Florida after 30 years in Atlanta. Very educational, helpful, and supportive wherever u r on the spectrum. My first time out and meeting others was there 7 years ago. I made friends from around the world. It's very relaxed, low key, and social. Probably too conservative for party girls. :D

DLV- Usually about 150 attendees in Vegas. Held in March next year. It's social, helpful, and u must party in Vegas even if u don't drink. (I don't drink much when I go out dressed. I get high just being out among CD friends and the less I have to pee and rearrange my foundation gear the better!) It's NOT educational unless u count learning about makeup. It's billed as, "A vacation, not a conference". Beginners r quite welcome!:)

Wildside- Also in Vegas. In May next year. Nearly 200 attendees this year, my first. But, it's growing by leaps and bounds! These girls can't be bothered with beginners. Mostly, they take over every venue they visit, party like crazy, and know how to have fun! I can't remember ever blowing it all out like I did our last nite at WS this year! Since my young, crazy party days anyway. U mite WANT to drink around this crowd. Sherry didn't seem to phase this group much at all!:devil:
Many r returnees or friends of returnees. Very welcoming crowd. Some were emotional and affectionate. Nothing I saw was "out of bounds" according to my "straight" point of view, tho.:battingeyelashes:

[Krisi]

Thanks again, especially Suzie and Sherry. I'm beginning to get the picture now.

[Brandy Mathews]

Krisi,
CD events are so much fun. Used to go to the "Be all" event in Chicago but I have not been there for a few years. There were over 400 girls there the last year that I went. They have people there that will do your makeup, your nails, take photos of you if you like. There are informal an formal dinners too. Love them, love the long, beautiful dresses. We went shopping in Chicago, hung out, went out dancing at nite at the clubs. So much fun. This girl needs another weekend like that.
Hugs,
Bree :)

[Launa]

I haven't read the replies from the other folks on line here only briefly scrolled over a couple of them. CD events nation wide seem to happen between April and Nov. Those ones are in Vegas, South Carolina, Port Angeles, I think Chicago is now cancelled. Those are the big ones.... The others are all just local get togethers in big cities now in saying that the local CD groups in cities are starting to shrink as the younger generations are more accepting and don't need to hide the way the older gang does.
You can find them in the stores that post things in the underground stores. Check out your local Pride Centers for groups. Check out the local P-Flag meetings or web sites for meetings.
Once you meet a few other like minded folks then you will go to mainstream venues but in order to go to those its nice to go with a friend... For me I like the LGBT places and have a bunch of friends in that community but that's me. If your ever up in my neck of the country I will give you a tour and you'll see how easy it is to have fun and enjoy the Trans way.
FYI I'm always finding places to go via Facebook which is a far better place to figure things out than here. So if you can do a Facebook page then do it!

Cheers

[Evette Lee]

Does anyone know of any CD Events in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area

[flatlander_48]

K:

There are also more generalized sorts of events. Our yearly signature event put on by our LGBT employee affinity group is open to everyone: local folks, LGBT community, allies, etc. It is an additional way to bring these groups together. I was the Mistress of Ceremonies and I was dressed. There were a few others also. It has always been a very welcoming environment.

Anyway, above all else: CIRCULATE!!

DeeAnn

[Acastina]

Krisi, just check out your local music stores. They normally have lists and posters for upcoming events. Plus, sometimes they have free music magazines for local advertising about music and upcoming events. The CD part of it has been diminishing, replaced by the MP3 players and direct on line downloads. Since vinyl is now making a comeback, I bet that CD's will be too!

2,600 posts and you haven't yet read a thread about this topic. Try a search on CD events, meet ups, etc. Don't do one for DVD's because that is usually for movies, I think.

Allie, don't let your tongue get stuck there in your cheek...

More on point, my experience is that CD gatherings are sometimes disappointing. Depending on the group, it can come across as the Lions Club in ill-fitting dresses and bad Halloween wigs. They can, however, be liberating safe places for the inexperienced.

[AngelaYVR]

I laughed at the Lions Club remark because it is true. There are groups out there of girls exactly like that, I have seen them and it isn't pretty.

[flatlander_48]

Allie, don't let your tongue get stuck there in your cheek...

More on point, my experience is that CD gatherings are sometimes disappointing. Depending on the group, it can come across as the Lions Club in ill-fitting dresses and bad Halloween wigs. They can, however, be liberating safe places for the inexperienced.

To me, that just reinforces the idea that our male and female personas are not 2 different entities. It's just different facets of the same stone. When we dress, we don't become different people. We bring the same baggage along with us, for better or for worse.

DeeAnn