Workshops
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EDUCATION TRACKS
The education curriculum focus of NWLC is building healthy BDSM Relationships and Communities, plus a few SM Technique classes for spice.
The TRACKS are as follows:
R = Relationship Building
C = Community Building
T = SM Technique
(One or two workshop topics may not fall into any of those three categories. Some topics may overlap categories.)
NWLC 2012 CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
"The Things We Do for Love"
with Ms Kendra and slave garrett
Longterm BDSM relationships can be extremely fulfilling, but they require effort and maintenance. The longer the path, the more twists and turns that path has likely taken. (And the more stones have been turned and potholes found along the way.) Love complicates the journey even more (or does it?). Join Ms Kendra and her slave garrett for a candid presentation about their eight-year journey together as Master and slave. They will share their adventures, details of their travels and various projects, including the unusual tasks that have been assigned to slave garrett over the years. (How many slaves do you know who have built a garage and dungeon furniture for their Owner?) How does love factor into the equation for such a longterm relationship and what has this particular slave been charged with doing on a daily basis to keep his Owner happy?
About the Presenters:
Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Ms Kendra lives in Indianapolis, Indiana and produces the Great Lakes Leather Alliance weekend, now in its 11th year. Ms Kendra loves to teach and share her experiences! Having been in the community since 1982 (her entire adult life!) has given her many experiences to share.
Her workshops include how to find a Master or a slave, how to be the best Master or slave you can be, building communities to work together, how to find good contestants and keep them, anal fisting, flogging, fire play, caning, bondage, wax play, water sports, anal toys, how to shop for the best toys, how to work with people from different communities and what is it like to be a titleholder.
Awards and titles received include Pantheon’s Leather Woman of the Year, Ms Leather Pride Indiana 1996, Indiana Ms Olympus Leather 2000 and the Master Steve Sampson Golden Paintbrush Award 2010.
slave garrett has been part of the BDSM fetish community for over 25 years. he has traveled extensively throughout the world and has been an owned slave for over 25 years. slave garrett was owned for over 20 years by MsChelle until her passing. slave garrett is now proudly owned by Ms Kendra. Over the past years, slave garrett has served his community by holding seminars, presentations, and being a panel member at such events as Northwest Leather Celebration, Beyond Leather, Beyond Vanilla, Kentucky Derby City Fetish Ball, SM Odyssey, Great Lakes Leather Alliance, South Plains Leatherfest, and at Sloshes and Munches. slave garrett has judged contests at International Master/slave and Northwest Leather Celebration.
"Transition from BDSM to Master/slave"
with Master Taino
Most kinky folks begin their journeys by practicing BDSM . Everything was about S & M play at first. But one day they realized that there was something missing -- that perhaps there may be a lot more out there than just dungeon play on a Saturday night. They discovered that many of their friends were getting into the Master/slave dynamic and they yearned to explore and grow in that direction, too...
In this workshop Master Taíno will address the issues related to the transition from BDSM to Mastery and slavery and how to figure out where exactly we belong.
"Misconceptions about Master/slave Relationships"
with Master Taino
Master/slave relationships are now more common than ever. Still outsiders wonder about this dynamic and usually have problems understanding it. The list of misconceptions of M/s is a long one!
This happens even among those who are part of the Leather, BDSM, Kink and Fetish communities who still cannot understand the special relationship that many of their peers are embracing.
Master Taino will address all these issues with the purpose of creating a better understanding of M/s among our kinky peers and to help those interested in the Master/slave dynamic but are afraid of stepping to the plate. This class offers helpful insight to kinky folks who may be new to M/s and have a budding interest in M/s relationships but are finding it difficult to understand the complexities of the dynamic.
About the Presenter:
Master Taino has been active in the Leather community since the early nineties. He has a Leather Family and household. He is the owner of slave david and slave paul. Other members of the Family are Master J (Senior Master) from Arlington, VA, Sir Rossfrom New York City, Sir Silas from Virginia Beach, VA, and Sir Greg from Indianapolis (Junior Masters).
He founded MTTA, Inc., a non-profit organization that runs MTTA Academy, a Mentors Service, the Master/slave History Project (www.mtta-programs.org), as well as the annualMaster/slave Conference (www.masterslaveconference.org) . He is a member of Defenders Leather Levi Club since 1993 and served as President for three years (2002-2005). He also founded MAsT Washington in 1999, one of the oldest chapters.
In 2011, Master Taíno received the Pantheon of Leather’s “Man of the Year 2011 Award” and the “Master Steve Golden Paintbrush Award 2011” at the Southwest Leather Conference. He also has been honored with the "Jack Stice Memorial Award 2010" at South Plains Leather Fest, the “Black Rose Vaughn Keith National Educator Award” in October 2009, the DC Leather Pride "Community Service Award 2009”, the Pantheon of Leather’s “Mid-Atlantic Regional Award 2007” and the “Lifestyle Achievement Award 2004” at Together in Leather.
Master Taíno has a very comprehensive website: www.mastertaino.com. He can be reached at Master@mastertaino.com
Therapy versus "Therapeutic"
by slave caroline
Being in control, self-determined, independent, having strong ego structures, pursuing pleasure through avoidance of pain, are paradigms and concepts promoted by our vanilla social that shape the definition of good mental emotional health. What we do in our community, is counter the beliefs built into western psychological practices and paradigms. To this effect, sometimes people in our community seeking therapy who identify as sadists/masochists or Masters/slaves end up feeling at best, ambivalence and at worst, tremendous shame and isolation about our deepest longings.
In our community, we do what we do: take control/surrender control, choose not to be self determined, intentionally surrender egos, and deliberately inflict or seek pain, sometimes for pleasure. Increasingly more of us do so with an intuitive understanding that at times doing this is "therapeutic." Some in our community further the belief of this therapeutic factor as a beneficial structure for Master slave dynamics. Is it? If so, when do we know when therapeutic is not therapy?
Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, slave caroline seeks to examine the intrinsic value and danger of this "therapeutic" function in our Master slave relationships.
About the Presenter:
slave caroline has been kinky since her earliest memory. Along with a lifetime interest in spirituality, theology and philosophy (including 20 years of practice in meditation), her journey in slavery has been her central path to the sacred. She integrates spiritual practices with her slavery and her business through a synthesis of love, devotion, surrender, service and authority exchange. She has presented workshops and keynote addresses on various aspects of Master / slave and spirituality issues at events across the USA and Australia. She serves as the MAsT regional representative for Oceania and Europe, is on the board of Transcending Leather Corps and is an Associate Producer for South Plains Leatherfest. Outside the Kink community she is active in academic and psychotherapeutic communities by writing, speaking and educating on Mastery and slavery. She serves our collective by dispelling prejudices and stereotypes of Mastery and slavery held by the therapeutic, medical and legal professions.
"Ask the Master, Ask the slave"
with Master Rick and slave Tina, plus Patrick (aka "MrEasy") and his slave patrick
Have you ever wanted to ask people on "the other side" of the M/s dynamic those really tough questions? You know, the "Why do you do it, how do you?... what do you say/do if... how did you know?..," difficult topics and/or "hard ball" questions to people living your side of the dynamic or get a perspective from both sides? The facilitators will endeavor to bring between two to four additional M/s identified attendees to join them as "open books," willing to bare all and take an honest unedited shot at questions, topics, or issues the audience want to throw at them.
Our goal is to facilitate an interactive panel/workshop with audience participation...
"Kinky and Curvy: body image & bdsm tips for full-bodied kinksters"
by Heather Powers
Kinksters come in a variety of glorious sizes and beautiful shapes! One size doesn't always "fit all." Join us for inspiring discussion and practical tips for bdsm and bigger bodies. Whether you are Dominant or submissive, you can learn to love your body at any size and support your partner towards creating a better relationship with their body and enhancing their body image. Remember - a better body image leads to better sex!
About the Instructor:
Heather Powers, M.S. is a kink friendly psychotherapist & body image educator who provides therapy & sex education for individuals, couples and groups. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley & a Masters in Counseling from California State University. Heather currently provides therapy under the direct supervision of famed writer and therapist Dossie Easton, author of The Ethical Slut. She is a staunch believer that loving your body at any size leads to a happier, healthier sex life.
"Service and Submission, from the bottom Up"
by Justin John Costello
"This workshop takes a candid look at service and submission from the bottom perspective. A look at various roles and ranks of submission and identity, the workshop offers frank information on not only how to find a Top, but also the dangers of submission and service. It offers hints and advice on being a better bottom, both in and out of a D/s or M/s relationship structure, from dealing with potential abusive relations, to ensuring that your Top will smile and be proud. Remember, a bottom is an extension of the Top. How we explore this complicated relationship can be either most fulfilling, or deadly."
"The Discipline of M/s"
with Patrick and patrick
Probably the most consistent question newcomers to the Master/slave dynamic ask is: "But what about when I don't feel like it?"
You know the syndrome. M/s is hot to think about, intriguing to watch in the interactions of others; you can find it blazingly fulfilling for a few hours or even a few days; but inevitably you find yourself thinking: I could never be that submissive [that dominant] all the time.
Yes, M/s takes time, thought, practice, maturity, takes getting used to. But what is rarely acknowledged is that M/s is also a discipline -- like getting up and going to work every day, like exercising, brushing your teeth, dozens of things you do that are now second nature to you, whether you "feel like it" or not.
Join us for a discussion of how the discipline of M/s works in our dynamic and how it might work in yours, including those little motivational tricks that goose you when you need it (or goose your partner on the other side of the slash).
About the Presenters:
Patrick Mulcahey has been playing with rope, men, pain, trust and power for over 35 years. He currently serves as program director of the S.F. Leathermen's Discussion Group and has presented on Master/slave, leather and SM topics for the Society of Janus, the Sacramento Valley Leathercorps, Leather Alley at SF Pride, Behind Closed Doors in Tucson, Leather Traditions in San Francisco, and the Master-slave Conference. His slave of five years, patrick ("little p") is serving as a judge for the Southwest Master-slave Contest 2012. He co-presented with his Master at the Northwest Leather Celebration 2011 and is past Membership Director of MAsT International. Patrick and patrick live together in San Francisco and are proud members of Janus, MAsT, and the 15 Association.
"I can get paid for this?" How to start and run a kinky business -
with Sir Reggie Alexander, Eeza Alexander and kasi Alexander
Have you ever been walking through the vendor hall and thought,
"I could do that!"...?
Well, wonder no more! Join us for an exciting look at how to start, run and own a kinky business. We will provide you with an understanding of the things you must consider, plan and do in order to get your business from fanciful idea to cold, hard cash in hand. We will provide you with resources to help with licensing, taxes, paperwork, display goods and a whole slew of ideas and other bits of hard-won knowledge to cut your learning curve down to size.
About the Presenters:
Sir Reggie, Eeza and kasi Alexander are a polyfidelitous triad who have jointly owned and operated Poly's Pleasures Chainmail since 2006. They have recently thrown their hats into the writing arena as well with "Becoming Sage," the debut novel in their Keyhole Series from Omnific Publishing. They are active members in the Denver area leather, poly and M/s communities, but can often be seen at kinky events around the country.
"When Master Hurts…"
by Daddy Sage and boy Laine
The Dominant is strong, determined, tough, in control - but not invincible. What happens when the Dominant in a D/s-M/s relationship is afflicted with pain, be it physical or emotional? It’s not a subject we like to think about, but is more common than we'd like to admit and we often must find ways to handle it. What responsibilities does the Dominant have to her/himself and to her/his submissive or slave? How can s/he help that bottom feel safe and guide that boy or girl on how to use his/her talents to help the Dominant through the pain? This class will various types of physical and emotional pain that a Dominant may have to manage and will also discuss ways a person in service can help, ease, and support her or his Master, Daddy, Mistress, Mommy, or Top. At some point, every Dominant has to deal with one kind of pain or another. Join Sage, along with her boy Laine, as they share ideas and personal anecdotes to explore ways to use the D/s – M/s dynamic to overcome the difficulties and bring healing and satisfaction to both people in the relationship.
About the Presenters:
Daddy Sage:
Sage is a switch who lives in Sacramento with her partner/boy, Laine and is Daddy/partner to her New Zealand boy, Joe. She is Daddy to a few others who have all worn her collar for many years. Sage is a teacher, writes leatherdyke novels, and conducts a women’s singing ensemble.
Sage has dealt with many of the issues in this class, including living with fibromyalgia, mild depression, and ADHD. Sage contends with these issues on her boy side as well, having spent most of 2011 collared to someone with significant health issues.
Sage has taught various workshops for International Ms Leather in 2007, the Exiles, and many other Northern California groups. She has organized and/or led various clubs and events. Sage is a proud member of the Exiles and MAsT, Sacramento Valley.
boy Laine:
boy Laine has been in the leather community for almost five years and finally feels that she has found her true self. She is a service boy, submissive, and slave and she is proud to belong to Daddy Sage. She is also a member of the Exiles and MAsT, Sacramento Valley. Laine has co-taught with Sage, as well as being Sage's demo bottom for several workshops.
Laine is majordomo of Sage's leather family and, along with Daddy Sage, is Mama to their girl, April. Laine is also a switch and a wicked Top in her own right. There have been several wonderful friends, lovers, and mentors who have guided Laine's journey into leather and to whom she is eternally grateful.
"M/s, D/s Across the Miles"
with tomo
You've met someone whom you find to be the perfect Master or slave except for one thing...he/she is located on the other side of the country (or world)!
A long-distance relationship can be difficult enough in the vanilla world; to live fully in a relationship that exchanges authority long distance brings with it many more challenges.
tomo has lived both sides of long distance power exchange relationships for many years. While sharing her experiences she will discuss the complexity of this type of relationship, along with practical ideas to help build solid ground, consistency and closeness, plus tips on maintaining the power dynamic even from a distance.
About the Presenter:
tomo is a slave with a deep passion for devotion and surrender; she is honored to be in service to Ms Rhonda. She identifies as a butch leatherdyke and has been in the leather community for over fifteen years.
tomo is a martial arts instructor with over twenty-five years of teaching experience. She has been greatly influenced as a slave and instructor for the leather community not only by her extensive physical training in martial arts techniques, but also by the deep D/s roots of her traditional Japanese martial arts background. As a professional educator she values conveying knowledge and has presented at numerous national events and for many local groups, too. tomo often shares her experience by mentoring as related to the M/s and D/s lifestyles and she served as a judge for the 2010 International Master/slave contest. As a founding member of the Dyke Uniform Corps (D.U.C.), she often speaks publicly on wearing uniforms as a fetish. She is currently a producer of International Ms Leather and International Ms Bootblack and is a member of MAsT Metro NY, MAsT Sacramento, the Lesbian Sex Mafia and TES.
"Scenes Without Pain"
with Angela and Iain
Many people are attracted to "whips and chains", but don't like the notion of pain. We describe a wide range of BDSM techniques that do not require pain, and are suitable to add excitement to your current erotic repertoire. This playshop first looks at the physiology of pain, and ways to avoid or minimize it. We then look at dozens of specific techniques. There will be chances for hands-on exercises for several techniques. Widen your erotic repertoire and discover just how far you can take it without its hurting.
About the Presenters:
Angela and Iain are officers in the Society of Janus, Dungeon Monitors for SF Citadel and elsewhere, and teach BDSM classes at all levels, at many venues. Their teaching style combines humor and approachability with clarity and thorough research.
"What Everyone Should Know"
CPR/First Aid
with Lynn Sockermom
CPR and First Aid skills are something that every dungeon safety monitor (DM) should know! Actually everyone and anyone who plays privately (or at all) should probably possess these valuable skills.
For the first time ever, attendees of Northwest Leather Celebration will have the opportunity to sign up for this essential 4 and 1/2 hour hands-on workshop and earn certification in CPR/First Aid. This is an added-cost item; you must sign up for it and pay when you register for NWLC. (Thanks to the instructor's generosity, attendees of NWLC 2012 may sign up for CPR/First Aid at the reduced price of $35.)
The instructor says: "The course I teach is an OSHA-approved program, certs are good for two years, and, if I do say so myself, we all have a lot of fun in my classes ... I freakin' love teaching for kink-folk!"
"How to Host a Gang Bang: Pulling a Train in Style"
by Lady Hilary
Have you or one of your play partners always wanted to be "taken" by a gang, a group, a mob? This is the workshop for you, we will discuss head space, safety, preparation, negotiation and after care for both the Tops and bottom(s).
Presenter Bio:
Lady Hilary has been traversing the leather kink world for over 20 years. By example and through teaching, she shares her passion and love for all expressions of joyful alternative or non-traditional relationships. The creation of Vanguard Weekends for queer kinky folks to gather in an intimate environment for the purpose of growth and exploration has been her passion since 2005; you can find out more on VanguardLeather.com. She can also be found teaching locally in the SF Bay Area as well as nationally for various leather and kink organizations on relationship topics of all kinds.
"Creative Mindfuckery"
with Danarama
How to use communication, props and prestidigitation to hit much deeper than any whip can reach.
The physical aspects of S/m can only go so far in taking people into subspace. Headspace is where it's at. But you don't have to be a hypnotist, psychologist or shaman to get there. Danarama shares a wide range of techniques, from communication flytraps to home-built props and sleights of hand that you can use to dive into your partner's mind and play upon their fears in ways that are terrifyingly realistic and effective, yet physically safe and easily wiped away like a bad dream. Featuring live demonstrations, craft instructions, basic practical magicianship and discussions into the darker side of WIITWD (such as interrogation and brainwashing), Dan will arm you with the tools to take your scenes to a new dimension.
1. Brain-stalking, f.k.a. "listening"
2. Seeding and faking expectations
3. Cadence and tone of voice
4. Creating settings, props and plot lines
5. Basic hand sleights
6. Interrogation tips and tricks
7. The "Psych!" and return to reality
About the Presenter:
With two decades as an active Dom, including the last dozen years as one of the world-renowned Two Knotty Boys rope bondage instruction duo, Dan brings his private play style to bear, backed by his degree in Communication and extensive studies into communist interrogation techniques of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
"Garde Manger: Decorative Food for Elegant Teas and Fancy Buffets"
by Tracy Wolf
Into formal teas? Maybe you’re putting together an impressive meal for someone special? Is cooking part of your service? This class will give tips and recipes that will get beginners going, and inspire more advanced cooks. We will cover artistic elements of the “cold kitchen”, including fruit and vegetable carving, tea sandwiches, open-faced Danish sandwiches, attractive ways to display food, as well as a minor trek into molecular gastronomy, which all fall into this traditional realm of cookery.
Bonus! Attendees will have the opportunity to snack on projects at the end of this class!
About the Instructor:
Tracy Wolf is the 2011 Women’s International Leather Legacy titleholder. She is the first person to hold this new international title which carries with it responsibility for gathering historical information and artifacts for the women’s community and the Leather Archives & Museum.
Tracy is a proud bisexual polyamorous switch, who has been part of the leather community since 1999. She was Ms. San Francisco Leather 2009 and currently serves as Secretary for the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance. She is an active member of the Exiles and the Alameda County Leather Corps. She has volunteered with and taught for organizations across the country.
Cooking has been a lifetime passion of Tracy’s because like play, it allows the top to directly affect the bottom on an emotional level without the intervention of language. She holds a degree in culinary arts and is currently collecting recipes for a new leather community cookbook.
"In the Mood: Playing Smart with Mental Illness and Mood Disorders"
by Cynthia
Mental disorders are common in the United States. In a given year,
approximately one quarter of adults (26.2%) are diagnosable for one or more disorders, and one in ten adults are diagnosable for a mood disorder (9.5%). Mood disorders are those that affect the mood or emotional state (e.g. bipolar and depressive disorders).
Think of your favorite play partners. It could be one of them that is experiencing a mood disorder, or it could be you. With these statistics, playing smart is advantageous to all of us.
This is a useful class no matter what your experience and exposure is with mental illness. In this class, you’ll answer some of these questions: Is it symptom, stigma or snark? How do I discuss mental illness in negotiation and aftercare? What tools does the psychiatric community have to offer kinky players? How can I use my mental illness to an advantage with my play? How can I be a compassionate play partner and offer great aftercare to my partners with mood disorders?
This class will be part lecture, part discussion and part tips and tricks.
About the Presenter:
Cynthia is best known as co-host of SF Citadel’s Tryst party and as the Social Activities Director for Society of Janus, bringing the vanilla to the kinky and vice-versa. In her non-kinky life, she has personal and professional experience with mental illness. Though not a clinician, she has worked in a best practices psychiatric mood disorders clinic and has learned to adapt tools to enhance her personal BDSM play experiences, such as perverting the National Institute for Mental Health mood charts for predicting patterns and creating best play outcomes.
"Getting the Word Out": How to use PR and Marketing for the Leather Community
by Leland Carina
For many of us the Leather community becomes an additional career, which can include anything from volunteering within organizations, presenting on topics of interests, and marketing events. So, how do we get the word out to the greater community about the things we are so passionate about? In this class we learn how social networking and other tools can be used to raise awareness. Topics will include general best practices, aspects of social networking, how to publicize events, and resource lists. This class is geared towards those who are currently or looking to become organizers, presenters, volunteers, and leaders within the BDSM community.
About the Presenter:
Leland Carina is President of the San Francisco girls of Leather and a full-time graphic designer at Kink.com. She is an Organizational Director on the Board of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance and also Chairs the Alliance PR Committee. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Leatherpage.com and is a San Francisco Correspondent for Leatherati.com. Her past Leather community leadership roles have included co-Director of PR and Head of Graphics for IMsL 2010, co-Coordinator of Graphics for Leather Alliance Weekend 2011, and Head of PR for Leather Alley 2011. She holds two Masters Degrees in Intermedia Art from the University of Iowa.
"Practical Nonmonogamy Skills"
with Jen and Pepper
People from the BDSM and Leather communities often find themselves in nonmonogamous relationships, such as polyamory, open relationships, or play arrangements. Drama-free nonmonogamy requires certain skills: handling jealousy, negotiating good boundaries, and dealing with partners of partners. This workshop by Jen and Pepper will cover these skills from a kink-centric perspective, laying out a straightforward path to a comfortable less-than-monogamous existence.
About the Presenters:
Jen and Pepper are San Francisco polyamory and BDSM educators, organizers, and activists. They help put on events such as Poly Speed Dating (www.polyspeeddating.com), the Love Triangle dance club for the nonmonogamous (www.lovetrianglesf.com), and the upcoming OpenSF nonmonogamy conference (www.open-sf.com). You can find Pepper's nonmonogamy how-to guides and social theory writing at www.freaksexual.com.
“Outdoor Bondage and Bondage Using Found Objects”
with TomFoolery
Outdoor bondage and bondage that incorporates “found objects” (such as natural landscapes, existing architectural features, etc.) adds a fresh dimension as well as the opportunity for creativity, unusual effects and one-of-a-kind beauty.
There are, however, considerations to keep in mind when selecting your setting and items to incorporate. Found objects can be unpredictable. Outdoor bondage adds more potential danger in the form of natural risks, hazards and unwanted intrusions. It is vital to ensure that neither your bottom nor you are endangered in any way.
We'll also cover important tips for getting good photographs of your efforts.
Join us for a lively presentation and frank discussion about outdoor bondage and bondage using found objects. Learn how to minimize the risks while maximizing your creative potential!
About the Presenter:
TomFoolery began doing rope bondage 9 years ago. Since then it has become an integral part of who he is. For Tom rope bondage is a sexual, yet spiritual practice as well as a creative outlet for artistic expression. His style is a fusion of traditional shibari with Western and Celtic influences.
Tom is also a photographer who has documented his extensive suspension work in many varied settings. His favorite settings include indoor quiet suspensions, noisy night clubs, communal events such as Burning Man and simple outdoor scenarios in the woods and industrial public structures such as bridges.
He is a member of Suspended Animation and has performed at the Supperclub in SF, Cannibal Flower in LA and many other events and venues. He may be found on Fetlife as TomFoolery, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tomfooleryrope or at his personal website: www.tomfooleryrope.com
"First Impressions: Meeting new play partners and making first scenes amazing"
with Stefanos and Chey
We’ve all heard people talk about "chemistry" in scene, or the "magic" they feel with a certain partner. In many cases, this isn’t some strange alchemy beyond any control- it’s based on factors you can harness, and in this class we will show you how! From how to find a compatible play partner to making a first scene memorable (and safe!) to following up and keeping the energy going, we’ll cover the relationship spectrum with a focus on communication, connection, and RACK. Relatively few classes are geared so submissives/bottoms will take away as much as tops/Doms, but it takes two (or more!) to make "chemistry" happen and we will spend time on both perspectives. This is a great class for those who are new to the San Francisco scene, exploring a different role (topping/bottoming), just getting started in BDSM in general or the public scene specifically, or who are just looking for new people to play with and want to be sure those first scenes are stellar.
About the Presenters:
Stefanos and Chey are primarily tops now, but both have switched during their combined 15+ years in the BDSM scene. Stefanos is the DM at Bondage-a-Go-Go, where he gives intros to and plays with multiple "newbies" every Wednesday. Chey has been House Domme at Mystique for over a year, where she plays with about 10 new play partners per night. As Purveyors of Perversion, they are well known for teaching classes that are entertaining (they’ve been called “better than a Vegas act”) and also packed with useful and applicable information. Their classes always include a detailed handout. They have performed, presented, and hosted events at many venues including the SF Citadel, Mission Control, NorthWest Leather Celebration, Kink.com, Bondage-a-Go-Go, KinkAcademy.com, San Francisco's Supper Club, the Exotic Erotic Ball, and in a number of documentaries across the world.
Stefanos & Chey
www.stefanosandchey.com http://twitter.com/stefanoschey
"Ergonomic Roughhousing"
with Lamalani
International Ms Leather 2009 Lamalani draws from 7 years of self defense training and 22 years as a percussionist to teach how to hit ergonomically, ways to strike and how to balance out size differences.
About the Presenter:
Lamalani is a life-long Seattle resident and held the title of Washington State Ms Leather 2008 and International Ms Leather 2009. She has been active in the leather community since 1999 when she started teaching workshops through the women-owned sex toy store Babeland. At Babeland, she met many leaders in the Northwest leather community including Max from Bondagelessons.com. Max nourished her love of rope and was most influential in her current rope style. Professionally, Lamalani makes hemp bondage rope with Twisted Monk.
Lamalani has presented classes on various sex-positive and BDSM topics at Desire Leatherwomen’s conference, the Conservatory, Michigan Womyn’s Festival, Mistress Shae's Academy in Los Angeles, Portland Bad Girls, Tribal Fire and offers private classes around the Puget Sound area. Lamalani has had the honor of judging Northwest Leather Sir/boy & Community Bootblack, Mr. & Ms. Oregon State Leather, Oklahoma Mr. Leather, Mr. Boston Leather, San Francisco Leather Daddy, Mr Texas Leather, Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather, Washington State Mr/Ms Leather, Ms. San Francisco Leather and American Brotherhood Weekend contests.
She is an enthusiastic practitioner of rope bondage, fire play and roughhousing. Lamalani relaxes by playing percussion, observing marine ecology or riding her motorcycles. She is also a Marine Mammal Ecologist and is currently pursuing a PhD post title year.
"Aging in the Leather Scene"
with Master Scott (aka DomButch "Scotty")
Remember when after a couple of hours of kneeling you literally bounced back to your feet? How about those 3 hour scenes that didn't even phase your flogging arm?
Fast Forward...
What happens when packing to go to an event, one of the questions asked by you or your Master/Mistress is "Is the BenGay packed?" (Sometimes before the question about the lube being packed...)
Aging in America is currently on the minds of the baby boomers and those who love them. What about aging in the Leather Scene? We bring a certain "twist" to all the issues of aging. To our relationships, our play and our place in our community.
This class will consist of some lecture and time for sharing our experiences and maybe some tips. Join us!
About the Presenter:
Master Scott is an old school leatherdyke. She is both a Master and Daddy and enjoys the energy that belongs to each of these roles. Her leather focus revolves around practicing and honoring the traditions and protocols she learned from her mentor over 35 years ago.
Her other passions in life are collecting and smoking good cigars, teaching others about cigars, blues music, and of course, having her boots shined. She has a weakness for service oriented butch submissives and slaves who love traditions and old school protocol.
Master Scott is happily married to her wife of over 24 years and is the head of her leather family, the Dragon Tear Tribe, most of whom have been sharing life's highs and lows together for over fourteen years.
www.Dombutch.com
"Hospitality on the Fly - No One Has to Die" (or How to handle someone at an event without losing your mind!)
with slave le
Being at an event is always exciting; a gathering of like-minded people, many of which you only see at the events; a plethora of workshops and knowledge sharing and, of course, play! Having fun while juggling the responsibilities of handling someone is difficult when away from home and it poses particular challenges when at a weekend event. While the specific responsibilities and expectations of handling a contestant, titleholder, presenter, etc. or serving your Dominant may vary greatly; the manner of how do we manage the service and the social aspects of the weekend does not. By utilizing the principals of hospitality, we explore some basic skills needed in handling the complexities of the weekend. Come and explore some practical ideas and creative solutions for some of the challenges.
About the Presenter:
slave le aka LE, the Lesbian Extraordinaire is a queer femme slave-identified leather girl who found the leather community the summer of 1995 and has been exploring and loving it ever since. She has been on event planning committees as hospitality coordinator and volunteer coordinator. She co-founded girls of Leather Albuquerque Metro (gLAM) in October of 2006 and is a member of various Leather and queer groups. slave le is passionate about her community and is an avid supporter of various causes. She has done workshops on safety, behavior modification, developing a mind set, and hospitality. slave le has lived in MA, NM and NY and recently moved to the Bay area. She frequently travels throughout the country for business and Leather conferences. She is very interested in M/s, self-growth, awareness, and actualization (oh, and of course, the play!!). Whether she is volunteering, performing, or teaching, she always enjoys the opportunity to serve her community.
“Legends of Fetish" a multi-media presentation of documented history of heterosexual fetish icons from the 1950s to 1990s (with emphasis on the 1960s, 70s and 80s)
by Master Robin
Many of us are familiar with the Leather Archives & Museum. But did you know that there is a rich heritage of heterosexual fetish history that is seldom presented at bdsm/Leather events?
Most of us have heard of Bettie Page and perhaps even Irving and Paula Klaw, whose ground-breaking photography work defied the taboos of the time and helped make Bettie so famous. However, there are scores of other fetish artists and icons of that time period whose work also helped lay the groundwork of the kinky freedoms we enjoy today.
Join us for a presentation featuring vintage photographs and interesting anecdotes from the “classic” era of documentable fetish history. Hear about the struggles and legal persecution which the fetish artists of that time faced in order to fight for the freedom to express themselves and their art – the fruits of which we enjoy and often take for granted today.
About the Presenter:
coming soon
"Should the Collar Come Off? Successfully Exiting an M/s Relationship"
with Daddy Ken and Tim
No one wants to talk about it, but most relationships do not last forever and ever. Many of us have exes we despise or no longer are able to speak to, but most of us would rather not feel that way about someone we have owned or who has owned us. This course will model how to transition from Master/slave to some other relationship without screaming "I hate you I hate you I hate you."
In 2011 we decided to dissolve our M/s contract but we most definitely did not want to break up. Despite wild rumors in the community to the contrary, we are most definitely still together. Our commitment to each other is just as strong as it was when Daddy Ken owned Tim. At NWLC 2011 we honored our M/s dynamic in front of a small group of friends by stepping out of it: publicly removing the collar; and into something new - together. It was every bit as scary as the first time we did heavy s&m together. Although no longer an M/s couple, we both remain part of the M/s community (Daddy Ken is accepting slave applications and Tim has a growing collection of boys he is 'educating').
What made us reach this decision? How'd we do it? What was it like to be so public about it? Come and find out.
About the Presenters:
coming soon
Also join us for the annual open MAsT meeting for the Northwest region and get your shine on at our Bootblack Salon (more info below).
Regional Open MAsT Meeting (C) ("Masters And slaves Together")
(from http://www.mast.net):
"MAsT exists as an education, support and resource group for individuals involved in or interested in the Master/slave lifestyle. MAsT provides an opportunity and forum for like-minded individuals to come together for discussion of issues that concern Masters and slaves, to share ideas and gain and/or share knowledge of the Master/slave lifestyle."
Northwest Leather Celebration is pleased to offer space for an open meeting of Masters and slaves from all over the Northwest region and across the country. You don't have to belong to a MAsT chapter to attend. All are welcome!
Bootblack Salon and Bootblack Skillset Sharing
Get your shine on in the Bootblack Salon at NWLC!
Join us for some hands-on fun, guidance and gleam!
Skilled bootblacks will be available to answer your leather care questions as well as help you look your best.
All NWLC attendees are welcome in the Bootblack Lounge. Drop by whenever it's open.
Additional 2012 PRESENTERS include:
Master Obsidian & slave namaste
Master George & slave bren
Liza & her slave, Jody
Master DJ & slave september dragon
Master Bob & slave jan
Bus Driver & slave pink
... plus others!
Check back for more class descriptions and presenter bios as updated info is added!
* Standard Disclaimer: presenters and presentation topics remain subject to change due to unforeseeable circumstances and unfortunate twists of fate.
