MVK Newsletter

February 2009

 

In this issue:

• Messages from the Board
• Events
• Essays: Rhythmic Eroticism of Rope
• News

 

Messages from the Board

 

Membership

It's been a long time coming, but now that MVK is an incorporated non-profit under the BC Socieites Act, we can finally have an official membership. How exactly this will work is up in the air, and there are many different models to emulate.

 

This is a significant issue for the future of MVK, and we don't want to institute the membership system without full deliberation and public consultation. On February 7th, we will have an open meeting where the MVK board of directors can meet the community. This will also be a bring-your-own-meal sit-down dinner. It's at the Capri Hall, 3925 Fraser and E.23rd, Vancouver, on Saturday, February 7th, 5:00pm-6:30pm.

 

If you have any views on this issue, please email your ideas and opinions to contact+membership@metrovancouverkink.com

 

Phone number

We now have an information phone line!  For event info or to contact MVK, please call 778-783-0334 to listen or leave a message. 

 

Taboo Wrap-up

Sin City was kind enough to give us a spot in the dungeon at the Taboo Sex show adult product trade show in January. We took the opportunity to show the MVK flag and spread the word to people taking their first steps into BDSM. We collected over 100 email addresses for our mailing list and gave away hundreds of MVK flyers and brochures.

 

If you're reading this because you signed up for our newsletter, welcome to MVK.

 

 

Events

February 2: MVK board meeting, open to public

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm, Monday February 2nd

Location: 1788 W.5th and Burrard, buzz 415

 

February 7: Vancouver Dungeon workshop and play party

MVK presents a full day of workshops and other events

Location: Capri Hall, at the Vancouver Subud Centre (wheelchair accessible)
3925 Fraser Street @ E.23rd, Vancouver

Morning Whip Practice Event

10am -1pm

Sliding scale: Tops $5-$15, bottoms free

Need a large, indoor space to practice with that new singletail? Well come and swing it in the big hall! Bring a scarf or handkerchief as a practice target.

Up Close Rope Bondage Practice Session

3pm - 5pm

Sliding scale: Rope tops $5-$15, bottoms please email

Ever wanted to get up close and watch the best riggers do suspension work, practice and get an occasional pointer?  This is your chance! Bring your rope, your book knowledge of suspension or more intricate rope bondage, and your studious side. A couple of experienced riggers will be there, and will give little pointers here and there.  This session is designed for those with some experience, and looking to make the next step up in their ropework.  The focus is on learning and communication, not playing, that’s for later!

Bring a play partner you are comfortable with, or email us and we’ll try our best for you. Bottoms, please email contact@metrovancouverkink.com with your experience with rope, and comfort level with being a practice body with a newer or unfamiliar rigger. Safewords will be respected!

Bring-Your-Own-Dinner MVK Gathering/Discussion

5:00pm - 6:30pm Free

Bring your own meals for an informal, sit-down dinner with the MVK board, where we will discuss two important changes in MVK policy: the first is the organization’s membership policy, the second is the policy on full sexual contact (i.e. penetration with a bio-penis) in dungeon space. These are key issues in our organization’s development, and we want to get a clear message from our community about how you would like us to move forward on them.

No decisions will be made at this gathering as we would like to get input from as many in our community as possible.

You can also provide feedback on these issues by leaving us a voice message at 778-783-0334 or emailing contact@metrovancouverkink.com.

Workshop: Bondage for Decoration, Restraint and Sex

7:30pm - 9:00pm, $10-20 sliding scale

Presented by Professor Oni

How do you dress up your submissive for a night on the town and be absolutely sure no one else will wear the same dress? How do you keep that hyper-active pain slut from slipping off the spanking bench? How do you spice up a sex life that left vanilla in the dust years ago?

The answer to all three of these questions is rope.

This workshop will discuss the history and safety of using rope for decoration, restraint and sex. Hands-on practice will be mixed with lecture and demonstration. Thos who wish only to watch are of course welcome.

Those wishing to participate in the hands-on portion will need rope of the following dimensions:

Decoration: 1×50′ of 1/4″ rope, diamond braided nylon is preferred.

Restraint and/or sex: 4×25′ of 1/4″ or 5/16″ rope. Diamond braided nylon or hemp/jute. NO SISAL.

Pre-cut rope kits will be available for purchase at $20. Proceeds to MVK.

Admission: sliding scale $10-$20, or $25-35 with following play party

Vancouver Dungeon play party

9:00-1:00pm  Featuring Vendors and Red Light Room.  $20, or $35-$45 with bondage workshop

Location: Capri Hall, at the Vancouver Subud Centre (wheelchair accessible)
3925 Fraser Street @ E.23rd, Vancouver

Party Rules

Food Bank food drive

After the winter holidays, the need is greater than ever, because the giving spirit is easily forgotten once the gifts are unwrapped.  Please bring non-perishable food for the food bank, and enter to win a prize!!  Get one ticket per person donating!

Items most needed:

• Pasta and rice (bulk, preferably whole wheat)
• Canned fish
• Feminine hygene products
• Baby formula and baby food

What is sliding scale?

Sliding scale means you have the option to contribute the amount you are comfortable with.  MVK believes in keeping our educational events accessible to all members of our community.  MVK is a community-based non-profit organization.   We need your support to keep holding quality events for everyone!

Parking:

Ample parking is available on the surrounding streets.  Please respect parking regulations, dress discreetly and keep noise levels down in respect to local residents.

Carpooling:

For Facebook users, install the Facebook Carpooling application from http://www.zimride.com/. You will be able to arrange rides with other attendees, once you have the event in your list.

Transit:

#8 and #25 buses will bring you there.  After the regular buses stop running, the N8 still runs every 30minutes.

Please check Translink schedules for details

The last scheduled buses, at the nearest timing points are scheduled for:

8 Northbound: 1.07am;  8 Southbound: 2.00am

25 Westbound: 12.36am; 25 Eastbound: 12:35am

 

February 18: MVK Eastside BDSM Munch

A casual, low stress dinner gathering for people interested in BDSM, on the third Wednesday of each month. Come out and meet the community. Newcomers welcome.

Location: The End Cafe, 2360 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, February 18th, and the third Wednesday of every month.

 

Kinkfest 2009; March 27-29th, Portland, Oregon

 

Mayhem! The Weekend Event for Leatherwomen

May 8 – 10, 2009

Vancouver, Canada

http://canadianmayhem.com/

Queer women’s BDSM and sexuality. All weekend long.

We’re completely pleased to be bringing you a conference-style weekend, with play parties, education, entertainment, and a line-up of brilliant presenters. We would like to invite all past, present and future women who enjoy woman-to-woman BDSM to our unique weekend of kink, play, and fun.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore kink, or consider yourself a seasoned veteran, Mayhem! is the place to play hard, play soft, learn, or just hang out and socialize with some very damn cool women.

Mayhem! will be the first women’s kink conference in Western Canada since 1993 — and the first one ever in East Vancouver, the area many local lesbians call home.

The Mayhem! weekend is organized by Bride of Pride. Our goal has always been to put on the exact kind of party that we all dream of attending, and of course that includes inviting everyone along.

 

Essays

RHYTHMIC EROTICISM OF ROPE

By sher boudreau (ariespet)

Rope bondage is one of the most erotic and sensual of bondage methods.

The sensuous feeling of intertwined rope on the body creates not only a visually pleasing bondage scene for others but it also provides the bottom/sub with a completely different ‘subspace’. The euphoria that comes from even the slightest rope bondage is incomparable, at least in my eyes.

Although different types of rope give different sensations on the body, the end result, a descent into ‘subspace’ is primarily the same. A simple breast bondage done in a brilliant colored rope allows the bottom/sub to display her/himself for their perspective ‘top/Dom’ with pride which in turn reflects back to the artwork created on their body.

For me, there is nothing that makes me happier than to see my breasts in beautiful rope-work for others to see and perhaps learn new techniques from.

The more intricate the rope bondage, the deeper into ‘subspace’ and the more heightened are the sensations of touch, whether it is from impact play or sensation play. Picture it, a Wartenberg wheel rolling gently or aggressively over the body along the rope bondage. Add some electrical play and the body will dance in a rhythmic response to both the bondage and the sensation of electricity hitting the flesh.

Suspension rope work is probably the most difficult and the most incredible to both witness and participate in. the skill behind properly suspending someone in rope makes the scene both intriguing and exhilarating to watch.

While the suspension itself deepens the ‘subspace’ the element of a carefully designed and placed rope bondage allows the ‘bottom/sub’ to enter ‘subspace’ at a different pace and different levels as t he time passes by.

Once suspended it is quite easy to see the ‘subspace’ on a ‘bottom/sub’s’ face as they are relaxed, calm and seem to be floating in air. It is quite an experience to be suspended, drifting from reality to an inner calm. Time has no meaning; voices are barely noticeable in the mind. The ecstasy level rises from the addition of touch, which can lead to some of the most incredible orgasms from play.

Rope bondage and suspension scenes are a great introduction into the lifestyle. They are impact free, virtually painless (depending on the severity of the rope work) and are beautiful to both regard and participate in.

I find that rope bondage brings out a different part of my persona as well as allowing my Master the joys of witnessing his own personal style and artwork on my body. After 28 yrs of being in the lifestyle, rope work and suspension still put me in a state of awe.

There are several books on the market to assist in learning techniques (shibari, madori), how to treat the rope, aftercare of the ‘bottom/sub’ etc.

In our community, we are fortunate enough to have ‘professor oni’. He is a thrill to watch perform his rope work scenes as well as the enjoyment of his bottom/sub being suspended. He is definitely a fountain of information which I have had the privilege and honor of picking his brain from time to time.

Learning how to do rope bondage and suspension is a lengthy process but it yields rewards in its time and extends the repertoire of the top/Dom for future scenes.

 

News

UK creates vague law against extreme porn

The UK put the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 into effect on January 26, which will "ban possession of extreme graphic images". However, police chiefs admitted that offices will not actively prosecute members of the public under it.

Link

 

Washington-area Hotel cancels S&M party

The Doubletree hotel near Washington DC cancelled the January Mid Atlanic Leather conferences play party, bowing to pressure from conservative religious groups

Link

 

 

Masthead

Publised monthly by Metro Vancouver Kink Society. Edited by Peter Tupper, vice-president and communications coordinator.

--30--