If you’re surprised to hear about a very popular lesbian event happening at Calgary’s infamous Roadhouse, you’re not alone. It just goes to show how far the gay community has come in this city, says Les Girls co-creator Amanda Priolo, who is excited for this year’s Fused 3 Pride Wrap-Up Party.

Since Priolo and Julie Mercier launched Les Girls, in December 2010, the event has grown in popularity, size and awareness. And while Les Girls has now reached must-see proportions, when the creators started out, they only aimed to make a dent in the gay community.

"We didn’t really have any expectations; I think we just started it to try to give the women in our community something that they could look forward to that wasn’t so male driven," Priolo says. "At the time, there wasn’t anything for the ladies, so we wanted to create something that could be for the ladies and showcase women of all talents while giving girls a place to perform and have fun."

At that they have succeeded, and this year Les Girls is reaching even further into the Calgary community and talent pool, bringing their show to The Roadhouse, a place traditionally known for its rather hetero clientele.

"We have seen a lot of growth, which is why we wanted to move the event to The Roadhouse – because of the larger capacity," Priolo explains. "The owners of the club have been super accommodating and very easy to work with. They are very excited to have our event at their club, and they hope it’s going to be there for many years to come."

"The city is changing, and when we approached The Roadhouse they will thrilled to be our host. The owners, managers and all of the staff are so excited for the event, and will even be joining us in the parade and at the street festival."

But that’s not all. On Saturday, August 30th, a day before the FUSED party, Les Girls are bringing The Ladies of Pride poolside at the contemporary Aloft hotel.

"Bring your suits, flip flops and towel and join us for some fun to celebrate PRIDE and raise money for the Calgary Dyke March," Priolo says, adding the event begins at 3pm, following the march, and ends at 10pm.

Then, of course, Les Girls and YYC Bad Boys are teaming up for the mainstage show at the Pride Calgary Street Festival, alongside loads of entertainment including dances, DJs, performers and amazing sound.

"It’s a huge undertaking, but last year people enjoyed the afternoon at Millennium Park so much we just had to do it again," she says.

The next night the FUSED party will transform The Roadhouse into a gay haven for Pride revellers with DJs, burlesque, drag queens, a performance by the Calgary Men’s Chorus, go-go dancers and Calgary’s Pole Junkies, just to name a spattering.

FUSED 3 will also feature the Night Spell Fashion Show under the direction of Calgary fashionista and creative maven Marie Ferraro. The fashion show is designed not only to be a spectacular artistic event within an event, but is also a fundraiser for Camp fYrefly.

The evening starts with a BBQ on the patio of The Roadhouse at 6pm, with the club portion of the night beginning at 8pm and running to close. Advanced tickets can be purchased at http://www.zoobis.com/ or at Dick and Janes.

Priolo advises buying your tickets for all of the events in advance, because they will definitely sell out.

"I can’t say enough about the support we get from the community," she says. "They have supported us in everything we have done and, in turn, we do our very best to try to give back to different groups every time we do any event."