July 2011

Midori. Photo © Steve Diet Goedde

“Playing With Cultural Trauma” @ Purple Passion

Thursday, July 28, 7:00 PM. $30 (and enjoy a 15% discount on shopping before or after the class)

Even as bondage and kinky games become accepted in mainstream society, even as BDSM explorers play with greater technical savvy, there are still realms of SM that’s considered so taboo, they’re spoken of in hushed or nervous tones. Playing with cultural trauma is one of those controversial activities. What’s “cultural trauma play”? This includes role play or fetishes around images or narrative of historical exploitation of peoples, ethnic conflicts, nationalist tensions, institutionalized racism, religious persecution, genocides and oppressions of groups.

Putting aside her usual goofy humor and irreverent levity, Midori discusses frankly and openly about her experience, insights, struggles and knowledgegained from playing with cultural trauma. She’ll discuss the distinction between ‘race play’ vs racism, constructive vs damaging play, the turn-on, the discomforts, the potential harm and growth. Constructive dialogue and Q&A welcomed.

She rarely presents this very personal and insightful talk, so we’re very proud and excited to have this exclusive opportunity. Don’t missit!

Class size is limited so prepaying is advised. Midori”s classes usually sell out. Don’t be turned away. Reserve your spot at the store or on our website.

“Hands-on Rope Bondage” @ at Babeland SoHo

Sunday, July 31, 07:30PM, $35 (contact store for student/low-income discount)
In this hands-on class, Midori will introduce you to the versatility, elegance and pleasures of rope bondage. Learn basic techniques, including two-column restraints and body harnesses, as well as creative positions to try them in. Midori is the author of The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, and is an expert in safe and effective Japanese-inspired rope bondage. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a minimum of two lengths of 15-foot rope and two lengths of 25-foot rope (also available for purchase at Babeland).

EDISON, NJ

Series of classes at The Floating World (Registration is closed)
7/29 – 7/31

“Better Bottoming for Kink Beginners” @ The Pleasure Chest
Monday, August 1st 8-10 PM FREE!

Do you yearn to submit to a lover or partner, but don’t know how to ask or where to start? In this class, Midori, our favorite camp counselor of kink, will discuss how to be a great bottom, and how to get what you want while thrilling your partner. She’ll also share common pitfalls to avoid and how not to be a ‘bad bottom.’ Get BS-free, reality-based information at this practical workshop for aspiring kinksters.Attendance is on a first come, first served basis. Early arrival is recommended to secure your space.

“Hands-on Rope Body Harness” at the Iron Bell Academy, Astoria, NY

Tuesday, August 2nd 8:00-10:30 PM (Doors open at 7:30 PM)

$35/Member, $40/Non Member, $25 TNG
Pre Registration and Ticket Purchase at http://www.IronBellAcademy.com/specials.php

Body harnesses are fantastic for creating beautiful, effective, and sexy bondage for all types of bodies and many different sorts of scenes. You can use a harness for very secure rigging. Or you can make a pretty rope outfit. Create intense harnesses for pain sluts. How about sensual breast bondage? We’ll go through at least four different harnesses with plenty of time to practice. If time permits she’ll show you more!

Dress & Supplies: Wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. Bring a large towel or yoga mat if you¹d like to use the floor. And, of course, bring rope – the more, the merrier! (Suggested minimum: 3 or 4 pieces of 30′ to 45′, plus One rope of 75’+ . If the rope is for a smaller person, bring the shorter lengths. For a larger person, bring the longer lengths.)

ABOUT MIDORI

An educator and columnist on adventurous sexuality, Midori is also the author of “The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage”, “Master Han’s Daughter” and “Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink”. Midori travels the world presenting to universities, education events, organizations and media. She’s known for her humanistic, humorous and warm classes that help people to spice up their sex lives and encourage self discovery and personal growth. Information on her classes and special performance schedule: http://www.fhp-inc.com/ Her weekend intensives called “Femme Forte” and “Rope Bondage Dojo®” have been sell-out hits for years. Information on her Rope Bondage Dojo® Weekend Intensive is at www.RopeDojo.com Her art: Photography, Installation and Performance is at www.Ranshin.com Join Midori in the fight against AIDS. Sponsor her AIDS LifeCycle journey!

Sharrin Spector has 21 years of experience in piercing, scarification, branding body modifications. As owner of  Pierce Ink, she has traveled all over the country and world as an artist and creating custom design body modifications. She is also an educator who is invited to events throughout the leather/kink BDSM community on many topics. If you have been thinking about getting a piercing, have a problem with an existing piercing or just want to learn more, Sharrin will be traveling to the east coast this summer to teach and set up appointments.

During Floating World in New Jersey from July 29-August 1, Sharrin will be teaching three classes – Kiss of Fire: Branding; Needle Bound – Merging Temporary and Permanent Piercing; and with her boy pat “I Love You Daddy”…When Service Comes in More Flavors!

If you are in the New York area and don’t make it to the weekend, Sharrin will be teaching Cutting and Suturing at Purple Passion on Monday, August 1 from 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Sharrin will also be scheduling piercing appointments on Tuesday, August 2 from 12:00 -8:00pm at Purple Passion. These appointments fill up fast so please drop Sharrin an email to set up your appointment to discuss piercing and jewelry.

Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp
Northern Maryland
September 14-19, 2011
http://www.darkodyssey.com

Imagine a vacation that brings together sexuality, spirituality, education, and play in a fun, diverse environment where fantasy becomes reality.

Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp 2011, a journey of sexual exploration for the spiritual and creative sex-positive communities returns for its eighth year. It will be held at a secluded, two hundred acre retreat in Northern Maryland. Our mission is to cross-pollinate ideas and concepts between groups of individuals who desire to explore different areas of alternative sexuality.

The event, from September 14-19, 2011 will feature dynamic workshops taught by top-notch sex educators, relationship experts, SM masters, and spiritual teachers from around the world, including:

Arli * Annie Earl * Artemis Hunter *Bear * Dylan Ryan * Ignacio Rivera * Lee Harrington
Lolita Wolf  * The Marine * MojoDaddy * Mollena Williams *Princess Kali * Sam Martin
* Sinclair Sexsmith * * Sir C * TTT * Wintersong Tashlin

In addition to workshops, Dark Odyssey features creative social activities, nightly special events, erotic rituals, lakeside bonfires, the Sex-O-Rama playspace, and a 10,000 square foot fully equipped dungeon open for play around the clock.

All this happens in a fun camp environment at a retreat with great accommodations: forty cabins with real beds, full bathrooms, hot water showers, electricity and great centrally located swimming pool; plus, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack included.

Unlike a typical conference event, where you have to pay for registration fees, hotel room costs, plus meals, Dark Odyssey is an all-inclusive event. Weekend rates range from $350 to $425 depending on when you register, and if you are a member of a participating group. Early registration rates are good through August 1st. Remember that Summer Camp SOLD OUT last year in record time, so sign up today!

Dozens of community organizations have signed on as participating groups in Dark Odyssey, and we add new groups every day. Check the website to see if your group is one of them, and you’ll be entitled to a registration discount. If your group would like to be added to this list, please contact greg@darkodyssey.com

Visit our website, http://www.darkodyssey.com for more details. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

Best Regards,

Greg and Karri
On behalf of everyone at Dark Odyssey

For more information: http://www.darkodyssey.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/darkodyssey
Fetlife: http://fetlife.com/groups/756

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Dan Savage
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Dan Savage thinks monogamy shouldn’t be the ultimate defining characteristic of a successful marriage and fooling around can save a marriage.

“Is it adultery if I’m committing it at one end of the guy and he’s committing it at the other end of the same guy?” Hilarious.

The_Normal_Heart. Photo by Joan Marcus

Photo by Joan Marcus

Six years before Tony Kushner grabbed the nation’s attention with his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Angels in America, Larry Kramer staged The Normal Heart, about the AIDS epidemic and its devastating impact on the gay community. The Normal Heart premiered at New York City’s Public Theater, Off Broadway, in 1985, and finally received its Broadway premiere this year, winning three Tony Awards. Of the two plays, it is more immediate and raw, and maybe angrier. Kramer’s career as a playwright took a back seat to his life as an activist; he cofounded Gay Men’s Health Crisis and the more radical group ACT UP.

The action centers on the character of a newspaper writer named Ned Weeks, a stand-in for Kramer, and his struggle to respond to the nascent epidemic. But for younger audiences, the AIDS crisis is a generation past, and the disease itself feels remote. Paul VanDeCarr spoke with young people for whom The Normal Heart is not just a tragedy, but a history lesson. Joel Grey, who co-directs the show, says audiences now are shocked by the indifference toward the epidemic in the early 1980s: “The young people are flabbergasted with the information that they hear in that show. … It’s just horrendous, and true.”

Link to audio and pics from the play