From the monthly archives:

July 2011

08/20/2011
8:00 PM

infheart whtoldfull 150x150 Explorations in Modern Love: Part I  The Art of Open Relationships (The Open Center)Today, when half of American marriages end in divorce,there is a growing interest in exploring innovative forms of relationship. Ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, or open relationships are increasingly popular. How do these work? Is there really enough love to go around? Join Urban Tantra® teacher Barbara Carrellas, Mark Michaels, Patricia Johnson,  Jon Webster  and others in a fun, inventive discussion of the diverse dimensions of love in the 21st century (including dealing with jealousy, conflict and time). Refreshments will be served.

Location: New York Open Center, 22 E. 30th St., (bet. 5th and Madison), NYC

Cost: $18 (No Member Discount)

More info: http://bit.ly/nLJUaQ

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08/22/2011
7:00 PMto8:00 PM
nyt cover Sex at Dawn: NYC Reading and discussion with co author Christopher Ryan, Ph.D SexAtDawn Ecard v2 Sex at Dawn: NYC Reading and discussion with co author Christopher Ryan, Ph.D

Since Darwin’s day, we’ve been told that sexual monogamy comes naturally to our species. Mainstream science—as well as religious and cultural institutions—has maintained that men and women evolved in families in which a man’s possessions and protection were exchanged for a woman’s fertility and fidelity. But this narrative is collapsing. Fewer and fewer couples are getting married, and divorce rates keep climbing as adultery and flagging libido drag down even seemingly solid marriages.

How can reality be reconciled with the accepted narrative? It can’t be, according to renegade thinkers Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethå. While debunking almost everything we “know” about sex, they offer a bold alternative explanation in this provocative and brilliant book.

Where: Hotel Griffou, 21 West 9th Street (at Fifth Avenue), NYC

Cost: Free

Books will be available for purchase

Facebook RSVP: http://on.fb.me/qdejIl

Publisher site http://bit.ly/pxM3C5

Author site: http://www.sexatdawn.com/

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Sapphica Erotica

by Viviane on 08/15/2011

in galleries

serotica Sapphica Erotica

Full gallery

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08/09/2011
7:00 PMto9:30 PM

Ananda e card 300x240 Ananda Nidra: Blissful Sleep Launch Party

Mark and Patricia, two of the co-founders of Pleasure Salon, have regularly done this beautiful, restful meditation at events. Join us to celebrate the release of their meditation CD set (with music by Steve Roach and Black Tape for a Blue Girl) on Projekt Records.

This is a party (not a class), and admission is free! For the first 50 attendees: free gift bags to delight the senses featuring a Steve Roach CD and a Tantric massage DVD.

Location: Happy Ending Lounge, 302 Broome Street, NYC (Pink awning says “Xie He Health”)
Cost: FREE

About Ananda Nidra

These two innovative, spoken-word meditations rely on pleasurable images and sensations to induce feelings of relaxation and refreshment coupled with a profound sense of satisfaction. Practicing Ananda Nidra involves following the speaker’s voice while lying in a comfortable position. If the mind wanders or the listener drifts off to sleep momentarily, the attention is brought back to the instructions. Ananda Nidra begins with a rotation of consciousness through the body. Moving the awareness in this way produces a deep meditative state. Repeating the instructions mentally will take one even deeper. After the rotation is complete, the listener is taken through a series of sense memories and is then guided to experience a direct connection with internal sources of bliss and the beauty of existence.

For more info and to hear some excerpts of the recording, go here:  http://tantrapm.com/AnandaNidraCD.html

Please RSVP to info@tantrapm.com

Facebook  RSVP: http://on.fb.me/nUEYwz
Fetlife RSVP: http://fetlife.com/events/63945

A fan review of the recording:

The first thing I would say about Ananda Nidra : Blissful Sleep is that our world is crying out for it. This is an aural and spiritual experience for a visually overstimulated (and consequently visually overtired) culture. Tired without knowing how tired it is. “Blissful Sleep” itself is such a meaningful phrase in a society that deeply needs simply to rest. I was able to sleep better after hearing it. It’s almost as if, especially in urban areas, we actually feel guilty about slowing down or relaxing. Ananda Nidra will lead you toward the true rest and beauty you so yearn for, even- and especially- unconsciously.

See you there!

 

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08/21/2011
1:00 PMto4:00 PM

bound2bamboo Ropeshare: Core Elements of Japanese Rope BondageDespite the explosion of interest in Japanese bondage in recent years, much of its rich cultural heritage remains unknown to Westerners. We’ll dig a little deeper into this subject, based on material from Master K’s fascinating book, The Beauty of Kinbaku.

Then we’ll present some classic ties representing Japanese styles of binding the human form, allowing plenty of time for participants to practice what they’ve learned.

The workshop will conclude with a dramatic demo that we hope will inspire you to go further.

Kinky people of all genders and orientations are welcome! Participants must be over 18.

Date/time: SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2011 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Location: Greenwich St. (btwn Rector and Carlisle; three blocks south of the WTC site)
The exact address will be emailed upon registration.
Cost: $25 per person
Supplies: Bring rope and safety scissors.

Instructors: Master Mike and tyutumi

TO REGISTER, send an email to RopeShare@gmail.com with “Rope Share Sign Up” as the subject line.
Include the following information in your email:

1. Your name (Scene name or legal)
2. Contact phone number and email address
3. Rope bondage experience and skill level (Please be brief)
4. What you are interested in learning
5. How you heard about this workshop

More about Ropeshare: http://ropeshare.livejournal.com/

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08/05/2011
8:00 PM

ravenousnights logo website 300x186 Ravenous Nights: Its all about the kink!

Join us as Indigo, Miss Topaz, Lisa Michelle Jones, and author/editor D.L. King, all creative spirits from the NYC BDSM community, join us. The Ravenous Nights reading series celebrates erotica and erotic romance the first Friday of every month. Sponsored by erotic romance e-book publisher, Ravenous Romance, and hosted by its editorial director, Lori Perkins, Ravenous Nights spotlights authors and their works with readings, door prizes, and endless enthusiasm for hot, steamy fiction.

Where: Happy Ending Lounge, 302 Broome Street, NYC (Pink awning says “Xie He Health”)

Cost: FREE

Indigo is a black poly kinky feminist queer dyke; writer, teacher, artist and aspiring sex education/blogger. She’s about liberating the woman, questioning the man and fantasizing about all folks in between. I read, question, wonder, write and hope the art leads the way. Her blog, Indigo’s Theory, explores being in a loving poly relationship, having sex in great spaces, learning to love herskin, belly, hair, etc. and coming into her kinky queer self.

Miss Topaz is Dean of Nightlife at Miss Vera’s Finishing School For Boys Who Want To Be Girls. She worked for many years as a Legal Assistant for the American Civil Liberties Union, where she was very active in promoting the rights of all minorities: women, people of color, gays and lesbians and the transgendered community. Today, she focuses her attention largely on working and playing with gender illusionists. She was recently in a serious relationship with a cross-dresser for two years, and believes that she, herself, is a drag queen trapped in woman’s body. She is also a cabaret singer and performance artist, and frequently appears as Marlene Dietrich in drag. She was recently interviewed by Annie Sprinkle about her wild and diversified forays into sex, for the magazine Over 50. Her short story, Life is Stanger Than Fiction, won third prize in a TES literary contest and was published its magazine, Prometheus. The story focused on a serendipitous blind date with a cross-dresser.

Lisa Michelle Jones was born in Dallas and raised in a conservative East Texas town from which she escaped as soon as possible. She earned a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where she discovered feminist literature, Anne Sexton, Lucille Clifton, and the short story genre. In addition to writing, she sang with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee choir at Carnegie Hall in a 1996 production of Brahm’s “Ein Deutsches Requiem.” Two months before her 30th birthday, she moved to NYC for the first time and never looked back. Lisa finds pleasure in writing erotica, short fiction, poetry, and essays. Her literary mentors are Sylvia Plath, Vita Sackville-West, Raymond Carver, Carole Maso, Jay McInerney, and Herman Melville. She currently lives in NYC where she enjoys dating, mating, satiating…and rhyming.

D. L. King is a smut writing — and editing –New Yorker who lives somewhere between the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island and the Chrysler Building. The editor of Carnal Machines: Steampunk Erotica,Spank!, The Sweetest Kiss: Ravishing Vampire Erotica and the Lambda Literary Award Finalist, Where the Girls Are: Urban Lesbian Erotica, D. L. King also publishes and edits Erotica Revealed, the erotica book review site. The author of dozens of short stories, her work can be found in various editions of The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica, Best Women’s Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica, as well as titles such as Fast Girls, Sex in the City: New York, Please Ma’am, Sweet Love, Girl Crazy, Broadly Bound and Frenzy, among others. She is the author of two novels of female domination and male submission, The Melinoe Project and The Art of Melinoe. Find out more at dlkingerotica.com and dlkingerotica.blogspot.com.

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07/28/2011to08/02/2011

MIDORI G 224x300 Midoris NYC Summer appearances

“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!

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