Inferno Hot Flash Dances

Dana Goldberg In Seattle!

2011-11-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

Friday, November 11 & Saturday, November 12, show @ 8:00 p.m.

Theatre Off Jackson
409 7th Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98104

$15 in advance - general admission seating
$20 at the door
$30 VIP (limited tickets available) - must be 21
Reserved seating and one signed copy of Dana Goldberg's DVD "Hot and Bothered"

Dana's Bio:

Raised by a wild pack of Jews, otherwise known as her mother and siblings, Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. Recently starring in her comedy special "One Night Stand Up; Episode 4" on the LOGO Network, Dana is taking the national scene by storm. In addition to her hilarious comedy and side-spliting performances Goldberg has also shared the national stage with President Barack Obama, Jane Lynch and the cast of GLEE, Lady Gaga, Kathy Griffin, Portia De Rossi and the hysterical Kathy Najimy. From Last Comic Standing at the Tempe Improv to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, Goldberg is spreading her quick wit and playful stage presence across the world. CURVE Magazine raves, “She’s smart, cute, and seriously funny.” Girl4Girl in Seattle calls Dana our “triple threat.”  

Goldberg has performed at numerous festivals including “We’re Funny That Way Comedy Festival” in Toronto, Canada, “The Lesbian and Gay Comedy Festival” in Dearborn, Michigan, “The Comedy Festival” in Las Vegas, Nevada (produced by HBO and sponsored by TBS), and “The Fringe Festival” in Edinburgh, Scotland. Goldberg also performs for mainstream crowds across the country in comedy clubs such as The Tempe Improv, Caroline’s on Broadway, Bonkerz Comedy Club, The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and Catch a Rising Star. In addition to the comedy clubs and festivals, Dana is also sharing the stage with powerhouse performers like David Brenner, Judy Gold, Suzanne Whang and Kate Clinton.

Goldberg continues to combine her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts helping to raise over $200,000 during performances and live actions for the Human Rights Campaign in Seattle, San Francisco, Washing DC, Cincinnati, Austin, and Palm Springs. As the host and producer of the Southwest FunnyFest in Albuquerque, NM, Goldberg is enjoying a successful run producing one of the best comedy events to ever hit the Southwest, which has raised over $10,000 for New Mexico AIDS Services. She works with several national organizations including the Ms. Foundation in NYC, We’re Funny That Way Foundation in Toronto, Canada, Bas Bleu in Phoenix, AZ, and HRC organizations across the country.

Voted one of the top five "Funniest Lesbians in the Country" by CURVE Magazine readers, and recently releasing her debut DVD "Hot & Bothered-Dana Goldberg Live", Goldberg is a crowd favorite wherever she steps onto a stage. From Olivia Cruises and Resorts and Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs, to WomenFest in Key West, fans are lining up across the country to catch her routine. As the youngest child in a single parent household run by a Jewish mother in which two out of three kids are gay, Dana helps keep most of the comedy venues and half of the psychotherapists in the country in business.

Check out more about Dana here: http://www.danagoldberg.com/

A Post From Pauline

2011-10-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

After running Hot Flash Inferno parties for the past eight years, there are certain things I’ve learned to expect at the parties. A room full of women intent on socializing brings about a joyousness rarely encountered at other events. I expect to see laughter, flirtatiousness, high energy and, of course, lots of dancing. Parties infuse our community with light.

Every once in a while, however, someone engages me in conversation and reminds me of one of the greater reasons that our parties exist: to provide a safe place for women looking for an affirming social network. This happened at the October 15 Seattle HF Inferno.

As I was tearing down the front desk and getting ready to leave the dance, a willowy blonde woman and her partner approached me asking if I was the founder of Inferno. When I answered affirmatively, the blonde thanked me for ‘changing her life’ and told me her story:

“I came out when I was 48. I didn’t know anyone who was lesbian. I didn’t know where to go or how to meet women. If I did meet women, I had no idea what to say or how to act. I was frozen with uncertainty but I knew I had to move forward with a new life. I searched the web and found Hot Flash Dances.

I think what convinced me to attend my first party was looking at the pictures of women at the parties. Everyone looked happy!

After a month or two of procrastination, the whole time following the website just to feel a sense of connection to my new community, I finally attended a Hot Flash Inferno.

Even though I had just about memorized every face in every picture online and even though I was expecting a friendly environment, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional rush I got at my first lesbian event. The women at the front door were welcoming and made me feel like I already belonged. With a little nudge from them, I stood in line at the bar waiting to be served. The women in front of me started a conversation and I was on my way. They took me over to their friends and introduced me to everyone and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor dancing with a new found freedom! . . .

. . . and then, from across the room, I saw HER. She came over, asked me to dance and the rest is history. Hot Flash changed my life and sent me joyously dancing into my next incarnation. My next 48 years will be lived as a happy, proud lesbian.”

HOT FLASH FLASHBACK MEMORY by Liz

2011-09-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

HOT FLASH FLASHBACK MEMORY by Liz

My fondest memory of a Hot Flash dance was just over two years ago. I'd recently relocated to Portland from the east coast; was newly single after the sad end to an eight-year relationship; was working at a new job & living in a new city where I knew only my landlor and boss.

Though I'd been enjoying my new city, at 40 I felt older than I ever had back home. The bars and events I'd been to were clearly geared towards a younger crowd, and though I'd found Portlanders to be generally kind, friendly and tolerant, I began to think I was too old for Portland.

Then one Friday afternoon a coworker who had thankfully "read" me, took the chance and went out of her own comfort zone to invite me to join her and her partner at a Hot Flash dance. "A hot flash dance?", I asked. I envisioned a support-group type event for women going through "the change" and wondered once again why I hadn't realized that 40 was the new 60 out here, and thought I should probably start thinking about getting more cats in order to move forward with my lonely crazy cat lady future.

"It's a super fun event for women over 30 who love women", says my coworker. Again I thought about a circle of chairs in someone's basement or a community center meeting space, complete with drip coffee and stale cookies.

"It goes from 1800-2200". Ugh, this wasn't sounding any better; a dance event from 1800-2200??? Though I certainly appreciated the invite, I was having a hard time weighing attendance at this event as opposed to another evening of watching Law & Order reruns.

"There's a great DJ and a large dance floor". Whoa, a DJ? A large dance floor?
"Is it in, like, a real club?", I cautiously ask.
"Yes, of course it is!", says she. "Lots of women attend. The music is great and its always a good time".
Well, this was certainly starting to sound better. I gladly accepted and confirmed I would meet them at Baracuda the next afternoon.

When I chatted with friends from back home that night and mentioned to them I was going to a "Hot Flash Dance" that began at six in the afternoon, they laughed and had the same initial impression I'd had.

Wow, was I excited to report back to them the following Sunday! We don't have anything like this back home and they would be justifiably envious when I told them about how awesome this event is.

When I arrived at the bar that first Saturday, I was giddy at realizing I was standing in line with a group of beautiful, vibrant women who appeared to be in my age group. When I made it into the club I was thrilled at the size and comfort of the venue, super stoked about the music which was playing and absolutely thrilled to look out onto a dance floor crowded with shimmying female bodies in all shapes and sizes, and at all ages.

Where were all these women when they weren't at Hot Flash?! My suspicions of being the only 40 yr old lesbo in town were thwarted!

I met up with my coworker and met her wonderful partner and some of their friends. The next few hours were the best I'd had since moving here, and still some of the best I've had to date.

That evening I laughed, danced for hours and was blissfully lost in the zen-like comfort of being surrounded by the positive energy of a group of women enjoying "the moment" together. There is something so very special about the ebb and flow of pure female energy; it creates an almost tangible force of nature and love and beauty and honesty and nurturing which drowns out everything except the pure joy of community. I found the Hot Flash dance floor to be over-flowing with this essence, and I felt so very much at home. To see women not only in my age group, but older, much older, dancing and laughing and sharing was the most beautiful sight I'd seen in a long time. I was warmed to the core with pleasure and delight over the reality that this event made it possible for all of us to go out and enjoy an evening of music and dancing in a safe and comfortable, and fun environment where all of our wrinkles and sags are celebrated for the beautiful history they are. Though I'd initially had reservations about an event for women "over" any age, I now completely understood the premise and was immensely thankful for its existence. I do not discount the love and energy of my younger sisters, we are all goddesses in our own right, but nor can I deny the enchanting alchemy of older women. We truly are like good wine...getting better with time.

When I left there that night I'd not only laid the foundation for a lasting bond with my coworker and her family, I decided I could live and thrive here in Portland; I knew that I would love again and I knew I would come back to enjoy many more Hot Flash dances!

And, alas, I have :)

Olivia Travel Vacations On Land

2011-08-23T11:30:00.001-07:00

If you prefer to stay on land, then Olivia's All-Inclusive, All-Indulgent Cancun Resort vacation, May 5 - 14, 2012 is for you!

Join the women of Olivia for fun-in-the sun and great Olivia entertainment at this All-Inclusive resort (Yes! that means all your food and drinks are included). This resort is nestled between a perfect waterskiing lagoon and clear blue sea. Dangle your feet in the pool and sip an included cocktail or soda, snorkel off the protected reef, play some tennis, learn to kayak and windsurf, try out the trapeze, relax in a cabana with that special someone or visit nearby Mayan Ruins.

Olivia does it right and will feature the best in lesbian entertainment including comedians Karen Williams, Michele Balan, Mimi Gonzalez, Gloria Bigelow; spoken word artist CC Carter and musician Blair Hansen.

What are you waiting for? Grab your bathing suit and join us for this amazing All Olivia, All-Inclusive, All-Fun vacation!

As always, Olivia has bought out the entire resort so you'll have the complete freedom to celebrate your life in one of the most stunning beach locations in Cancun.

For more information about this amazing Cancun Resort Vacation with Olivia visit http://www.olivia.com/Travel/Trips_Cancun_MexicoResort-about.aspx.

Be sure to mention Hot Flash at time of booking to receive $100 off per person.

Olivia Travel by Sea

2011-08-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

For 21 years, Olivia has been the only travel company to successfully charter entire cruise ships and resorts and fill them with lesbians. Olivia has taken over 100,000 women on over 160 vacations, that's a lot of happy women. Isn't it time you tried the best in lesbian travel?

MENTION HOT FLASH FOR $100 DISCOUNT when booking your dream vacation to cruise the Caribbean, or to Cancun!

Join 1,300 lesbians on this fantastic all-woman cruise with Olivia to the Caribbean, January 29 - February 5, 2012 (round-trip out of Tampa, FL). Olivia's signature comedy and music will keep you dancing and laughing as you cruise through the Western Caribbean, enjoying great ports of call like Cozumel, Mexico; Mahogany Bay, Roatan; Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico. Olivia's cruise will feature the best in lesbian entertainment including Olivia favorites: Kate Clinton, Vickie Shaw, Sweet Baby J'ai, Julie Goldman, Gina Yashere and Lori Michaels.

Olivia ALWAYS charters the entire ship so that you can be out and free! Grab that special someone or join the fabulous solos program. For more information about this amazing Caribbean Cruise with Olivia visit http://www.olivia.com/Travel/Trips_WesternCaribbeanCruise.aspx.

Space is selling fast! Be sure to mention Hot Flash at time of booking to receive $100 off per person.

Hot Flash - Portland, July 23rd 2011

2011-08-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

Portland loves to heat it up! DJ Wildfire set two hundred hot Ladies aflame to get down and flirty on the dance floor at July Hot Flash. Lighting up the night was a host of regulars and newcomers shakin', sizzlin', and settin' the house afire! Groovin' go-goes and the friendly faces of Hot Flash greeted the hawt and happy crowd gathered for the monthly meltdown of dolls, dames, dandies, dudettes and divas. The merciless mercury, hovering around 85 degrees, just fed fuel to the fiery Inferno of gyrating grrls and bodacious bois.

Following the dance, a host of Hot Flashers strolled down the street to take part in the Oregon State Gay Pride Organization's "We Are Not Afraid" March. The public protest had been quickly organized to draw attention to recent Hate Crimes taking the blush off the City of Roses quicker than a sudden hailstorm in June. Hot Flash Owner, Pauline Miriam, told news crews that the Event was a reminder of her own heyday of social activism with grassroots groups; then encouraged us all to join together to bring about the necessary changes that must be made to create public safety and equal rights for all. The Hot Flash party joined demonstrators marching the downtown core, shouting out, "We're Here. We're Queer! We won't live in fear!" Just a few hours later, and so underlining the deep need for timely Activism, yet another Hate Crime was committed against a couple walking arm-in-arm through Lovejoy Park in Downtown Portland.

Anyone attending a Hot Flash dance anywhere in America knows no fear... we love you here! See you all in August, Bebes... where we chance to dance, and prance... and show we love romance!

Blog entry by: Sunny Clark

Hot Flash - Seattle Oil Wrestling

2011-08-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Once again, I had the good fortune to go to North for Hot Flash and I’m so very glad I did! The Seattle crowd is not only friendly and welcoming, but pretty darn sexy as well! Lady Jane DJ kept the girls moving on the floor at Neighbours and Pauline raised the fun meter a notch by bringing oil wrestling to Neighbours Underground for some slippery when wet (oiled?) fun! I have to tip my hat to the wrestlers who were not only great sports, but totally threw down!

Hot Flash - Seattle Pride 2011

2011-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to start my Pride in PDX, celebrate my birthday mid-week, and join the party for Seattle Pride. What can one say about a job where my duty is to navigate a crowd of 1400 women at three simultaneous (that’s right, I said THREE! Get out!) Hot Flash Dances? Ummmm… THANKS! If you were there, you know this was an epic party! I was on the door for the opening shift and the line of women was ridiculous! Pride was on full force with wall-to-wall women!

When I reflect on what a whirlwind of activity I had going on just for myself, I’m not certain how Pauline and Joyce did it; I think there is some sort of magic or teleportation device involved. You see, after a party of grand proportion for PDX Pride they kicked it into high gear for INFERNO @ Eden in San Francisco, turned around next day and were present for a juggernaut of a production of Hot Flash Seattle Pride, which resulted in a sea of women who heated up Capitol Hill that night. Having experienced it, I can say it is worth the trip to hit this party! I’m definitely going to be at the next one, and personally give thanks to the two who bust their butts so the rest of us dance our night away and get our party on.

Hot Flash - Portland Pride 2011

2011-08-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

PRIDE HOT FLASH in Portland! : OFF THE CHAIN! Open to the entire LGBT community, 1100 women showed up and got their PRIDE the eff ON! DJs D-ZEL and WILDFIRE kept the party going so everyone was able to heat up the floor with their moves! Got a Hot Flash story or memory from Pride 2011 that you want to share? Send it in!

Hot Flash - Memorial Day Weekend 2011

2011-08-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

HOT FLASH! The dance itself was stupid outrageous from the numbers alone, nearly 400 women rocked Barracuda, and the Lezberados were on hand to amp it up a notch. DJ WILDFIRE had the dance floor packed and groovin' all night and the women were steamy hot!

THE LEZBERADOS packed Aura in and didn’t hold back! It takes a special sort to take reality and twist it into something that will result in laughter and that is exactly what Sandra Valls and Mimi Gonzalez did. I will not bore with a total deconstruction of their work, but I will say that they both create and convey culturally literate unadulterated comedy! These two turbo charged lesbian Latinas are not-so-subtle societal critics who stretch familiar cultural norms via expeditious audacity to elicit merriment. Everyday vernacular: comedians who made us laugh and think about the important stuff afterward. I seriously hope both come back to PDX and that Pauline brings more comedy in!