MVK Newsletter

March 2009

 

Message from the Board

 

Offhand mention in the Georgia Straight

There's a level of public awareness that only comes after a lot of promotional work. It's when people say, "Gimme a coke" instead of "Gimme a soft drink." It's when enough people know who you are that your name becomes part of the landscape.

 

In the middle of the February 26, 2009 edition of Vancouver's weekly Georgia Straight, a capsule review of a production of Richard Strauss' opera Salome says the target audience is, "Members of Metro Vancouver Kink."

 

That unsolicited mention means a lot in how well known in this city we have become in less than two years.

 

Seeking Volunteer Participation

MVK wants you! We're looking for talented, motivated people to be a part of MVK (a non-profit community organization). 

We can offer free admission to MVK educational and play events and a chance to contribute to your community. 

If any of these positions interest you, please email volunteer@metrovancouverkink.com

 

Event Production & Coordination Assistants

We've built the foundation for our regular monthly workshops and play parties. To take our event to the next level, and allow our core contributors to work at a comfortable pace, we seek assistants to help plan and execute events. You will learn much about coordinating a multidisciplinary group, dynamic planning and decision making, and help to create safe spaces for our great community.

 

Greeters at Events

Play parties can be a little intimidating the first time out. We want somebody who is friendly and approachable to work as our greeter and host, who would wear a distinctive badge or armband at MVK events and answer questions from new people.  This rewarding position allows you to interact with many people, learn to assess their comfort level at the event, and help introduce them to the space and the values our community holds dear. 

 

Graphic artist

MVK puts out a lot of posters and flyers and we need a person skilled in graphics software to make them. Having graphics software is a plus, but not necessary. This would entail doing a poster and a flyer design each month, plus other events literature and signage. We would provide the basic template, the artwork and the copy. 

 

Electronics Communications Coordinator

You might as well not exist if you're not on the web. We're switching to a Joomla-based web site, with news, RSS feeds features and other items. We need a person with experienced with content management systems to help maintain our site.  Also related are coordinating others and/or actively working to help spread the word on a variety of web sites and social networking tools like Facebook.

 

Education Coordinator

Community-accessible, informative and entertaining workshops and seminars are a big part of our mandate. We're looking for a person to help plan and coordinate educational presenters for our monthly events. The ideal candidate would be a self-starter who have much experience and good standing in the local and regional BDSM communities, 

 

 

Events

March 7th MVK workshop and play party

 

Morning Session

Pony Play Gathering

Ever seen the erotic and primal fun of pony roleplay in SM?  Curious about Pony Play and the head space involved?  Need some space to let your pony self run free before spring?  Join us on Saturday morning where we will have a brief play session in the hall!  Some local players will bring their gear, get into head space, and play for just a bit.  Come watch and interact, and alsocheck out a what books, magazines and DVDs are available on the subject.

If there is lots of interest we'll try to get a workshop or longer session on the topic!

10am-1pm

Admission $5-10 sliding scale

 

Afternoon Workshop

Kinbaku Kollege: 

Bondage 101 and 102 with Professor Oni and Tristan

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Admission: $10-20 sliding scale

If you’ve finished the books and videos but still feel a bit unprepared to start practicing rope bondage on a real person, this MVK afternoon workshop is for you.  Professor Oni and Tristan, two of Vancouver ’s own “Royalty of Rope” will guide you through Bondage 101 and 102.  These hands-on mini-seminars will cover:

Bondage 101

• How to select and where to buy the right rope for your style of play
• How to safely use rope to decorate and restrain your partner
• How to recognize when your bottom has reached their limits
• How to keep yourself from exceeding yours

Bondage 102

• Body assessment for advanced bondage including suspension
• Harnesses for load bearing
• Load balancing
• Transitioning position mid-scene for comfort or creativity
• Understanding and managing accelerated head space alterations

The instructors will divide attendees into small work groups and rotate throughout the afternoon.  Couples as well as single tops and bottoms are welcome.  Tops should bring their own rope, but additional rope will be available for sale with proceeds to benefit MVK.

 

Evening Workshop

Suspension Bondage with Professor Oni

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Admission: $10-20 sliding scale

"When I am suspended, I become lighter... I float.  The rope is like a hug from my master over my whole body at the same time." - Peter Puffer

The ritual, connection and fun of being off the ground has caused many reactions from rope suspension bottoms.  Some giggle, some moan, many find a place of infinite serenity.

Rope suspension is not inherently difficult, but it does require great care and experience. This workshop will review the mechanics and safety of several basic suspensions as well as ways to modify them for different body types and levels of fitness for both bottoms and tops.

Vancouver Dungeon play party

9:00-1:00pm 

Admission: $20, or $35-$45 with afternoon or evening bondage workshop 

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

google map

Featuring Vendors and Red Light Room. 

Parking:

Ample parking is available on the surrounding streets.  Please respect parking regulations, dress discreetly in publiand 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. 

Please check Translink schedules for details

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

8 and N8 runs through 3am

25 last buses at roughly 12:30

 

March 8th: MVK Membership committee meeting

This is an open meeting to discuss and prepare a proposal for MVK's membership policy, which will be delivered to the board of directors for approval. Whoever shows up is on the committee and will have a voice.

 

Location: Blenz Coffee, 2506 Granville Street (south east corner of W.Broadway and Granville), Vancouver

 

Time: Sunday, March 8th, 1pm-3pm

 

March 11th: MVK board meeting

Open meeting of the MVK board of directors. Wheelchair accessible. 

 

Location: Firehall library, 1455 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 

Time: Wednesday, March 11th, 6:30pm-8:30

 

March 18th: Vancouver Eastside Munch, presented by MVK

Casual, no-stress social gathering for kinky and kink-interested people

 

Location: The End Cafe, 2360 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC (One block north from Broadway-Commercial Skytrain station)

 

Time: Wednesday, March 18th, 6:30pm-8:30

 

News

Canadian prodomme includes daughter in photographs

A Halifax area ProDomme dressed her young daughter up in kinky clothes and took photographs, and also had her working as a makeup artist for adult photo and video shoots, leading to a custody battle between her and her husband.

Link

Winter Wickedness withstands anti-gay campaign

Despite an email campaign from Americans for Truth About Homosexuality urging readers to pressure the hotel chain, Winter Wickedness in Columbus OH still had their event

Link

 

 

Masthead

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

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