Event review: Kinkfest UK 2014

Earlier this year, I was asked to take part and teach workshops at the UK’s largest and newest BDSM educational conference and event, Kinkfest UK. To say it was an honour to have been able to take part is an understatement and over the course of its 2 day debut, it quickly became my favorite event of 2014 and one of my favourite BDSM events of this past decade.

Concentrating more on the safety and knowledge aspects of BDSM during the day by hosting a large and very diverse assortment of workshops and classes, while during the evenings having a large environment to practice in and have fun with new-found skills, as well as having live performances of fire play and Japanese rope bondage, Kinkfest UK has it all. In fact, I think the only thing it lacked was a market.

Held in the same venue as they hold the Midland peer rope evenings at the Xtasia club in Birmingham, I ran several flogging workshops over the course of the event and I also managed to get in some very fun rope (photos below). They have expressed wishes to continue Kinkfest UK as a yearly event and I for one really hope they do. This event was simply awesome and given the chance, I would gleefully attend again.

The First flogging workshop on the 26th July:

My playtime while attending the peer rope workshop on the 26th July:

The last flogging workshop on the 27th July:

My rope model and workshop partner for the event: Jitsuka.
Photos courtesy of Kinkfest UK.
Photography by Red Fox Photography.
All images are copyright © KinkfestUK 2014.

Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13 Additional Photos

Continued from Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13

More photography of our London BOUND shibari rope bondage performance:

Photos courtesy of Clover Photography.
Photography by Clover Brook.
Images are Copyright © 2013 kinkyclover.com

Artwork: Isobel Williams@BOUND, London – 22/11/13

One of the artists which I seem to be encountering more frequently these days (though usually not directly as I frequently fail to spot her, and when I do manage to, I loath to interrupt her because she is often putting brush or ink to paper) is Isobel Williams.

She has drawn Benjamin and I in the past at Dr Phil’s London shibari workshop and now it seems that we have mused for her once more with our performance at BOUND last weekend.

I am always honored when used as inspirational material for any artistry and I think Isobel did a wonderful job at capturing a moment within our performance.

You can see more of her work at http://boulevardisme.blogspot.co.uk/

I would highly recommend a peek.

Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13

One month after our last BOUND shibari performance in London at The Flying Dutchman, Benjamin and I were asked to step up on stage once more. This time to be the last show at the last BOUND of the year which would be broadcast in its entirety on Shibari TV.

A backwards prayer and a single leg suspension where my free leg is used to manipulate momentum and gravity to spin myself rather fast. Not an easy bout of rope to take (especially not for me).

But we managed it and a few photos were taken in the process.

All photography is raw and unedited.
Photos courtesy of Prohibit-As.
Photography by Prohibit-As.
Images are Copyright © 2013

Performance: BOUND, London – 11/10/13 Additional Photos

Continued from Performance: BOUND, London – 11/10/13

More photography of our London Bound shibari rope bondage performance:

Photos courtesy of Bee Bzzz.
Photography by Bee Bzzz.
Images are Copyright © 2013 Bee Bzz

Performance: BOUND, London – 11/10/13

It was late by the time we managed to attend BOUND shibari night, held at The Flying Dutchman in London. It was Benjamin‘s birthday and we had already spent a large portion of the evening with close friends and a restaurant meal.

Most of our time spent at BOUND tends to be watching the performances and socialising (a large majority of our friends attend this same event), but this evening was different (despite being Benjamin‘s birthday) and it was not until the performance before the last that Nina Russ approached Benjamin and said “Oh, by the way, we have booked you in as the last performance of the evening. Happy Birthday!”

Nerves ran high (which is probably why nothing was said until about an hour before we were due to perform) and we almost bottled out of doing it. But in the end we swallowed hard and went on stage; as you can see from the simply amazing photos.

We have both been buzzing from the experience all weekend, after all, this was our first Shibari/Kinbaku performance.

I am just glad he had such an awesome birthday.

These images were taken from two different photographers (details are under each collection of photos). I have been told more people were taking photos, but these are what we have received to date.

Photos courtesy of Amplified Pulse.
Photography by Rebecca Seal-Davis.
Images are Copyright © 2013 www.amplifiedpulse.com

Photos courtesy of Sex is not Art.
Photography by Manolo Remiddi.
Images are Copyright © 2013 www.sexisnotart.com

More photos can be seen: Here.

Dr Phil’s London Shibari Workshop

Benjamin and I have been on many Shibari and Kinbaku training courses over the past 9 months. We have had private tuition, attended workshops, demonstrations, performances and events or have even simply met and managed to discuss rope one-on-one with Riggers and Rope Models who have dedicated their lives to it and are simply amazing at what they do. Names like Bruce Esinem, Nina Russ, Gorgone, Kasami Ranki, Vinciens, Kirigami and Peter Slemrian to name but a few. However, I always seem to avoid going into depth about our experiences with them as it is often simply training or technical discussion; which can sometimes come across as tedious for those not interested in that particular subject or too much of a single type of study (Which is not always the best thing to fill up a blog as diverse as mine with; I prefer to mix in as many different aspects of my BDSM practices that I can).

I hope to change things and add a little more to my blog in the way of personal and lifestyle experiences. It has been suggested that I should write more; Ergo, I shall!

Dr Phil’s London Shibari Workshop:

Dr Phil is a French Rigger who has had a passion for bondage since the age of 24. Benjamin seemed eager to attend the rare opportunity of a rope workshop in London hosted by him at Chez Esinem, and we jumped at the chance when a couple of our friends announced that they would want to go along with us.

The class was quite small, consisting of only 5 Riggers and 4 Models (not including Dr Phil and his Model), so it allowed for discussion and getting to know people, which is always a bonus, and primarily concentrated on styles that we were already relatively familiar with (it is great when you understand the basics to begin with, it helps in noticing each Riggers individual and often subtle variations) but also included a little of the aesthetic and non suspension ties. The only harness that we remembered to take a photo of was a very pretty (non-suspension) version of Hojōjutsu.

The latticework between the shoulders makes a great ‘handle’ for controlling your play partner.

Also joining us at the workshop was well known artist and frequent addition to BOUND: Isobel Williams, Who sat on the sidelines during the ‘throwing of string’ and sketched, inked or painted away. You can see some of her rendition of the day on her blog at: http://boulevardisme.blogspot.co.uk

It turned out to be both a fun and informative day. One I would gladly repeat.

Do unto others?

One of the things which I pride myself on is the fact that every BDSM activity that I partake in, everything that I inflict on others, is something that I have personally experienced the sensation of (with the exception of the obvious, e.g. penile sounding).

I have been canned, flogged, spanked, paddled, whipped, cut, electrocuted, tortured, skewered, burned, bloodied… The list is quite extensive.

My point is that, regardless of how sadistic I may be feeling at any given moment, I would never put anyone through something which I am not willing to go through myself (even briefly, just to see what it feels like).

In fact, it is through diverse experimentation like this that I have figured out that:

• I have a sliver of masochism. However, I am not truly masochistic (I do not derive physical pleasure or relief from pain, however I do understand it and I do consider it a bit fun on occasion if the mood and setting is complimentary, e.g. Touching nipple to nipple when using a violet wand body contact pad with the setting turned on full so you have the effect of sparks or lightning passing between the nipples).
• I am incredibly sadistic (I derive physical and intellectual pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering on others. I have also discovered that part of what makes me better at inflicting pain is the fact that I study human anatomy/biology and that I personally experience and research each activity).
• I am naturally and instinctively far more dominant than submissive (I am also in the firm belief, through years of sociological D/s experiences and encounters, that everyone has at least a little of both in them; despite some Dominants claiming that they are 100% “everyone on the planet should kneel before me” dominant).

Call it an ethical judgement or personal morality if you like, but my main question is: Why is it that I do not see or hear more peoples stories of experiencing things themselves before inflicting things on others? Has that Dominant in the corner of the club experienced what they are putting that submissive through? Or am I, yet again, part of the minority in that I practice what I preach and inflict?

Responses to this post would be greatly appreciated. I am incredibly curious to know of other peoples stories and opinions on this matter.

Event review: BOUND Rope jam

Many of the events that Benjamin and I go to are organised by friends of ours and many people have been asking as of late what these events are like and if they are fun to attend.

I try my hardest to avoid events which I think I may dislike or which I have attended in the past and found wanting, and many of the events we do go to are usually because we have been invited or because we have a Kabunza trade stand. But to make things easier and to help those who wish to know, I have decided to write up a few reviews of some of the events which we tend to frequent regularly simply because it is a damn good night out.

I am going to start with Benjamin’s favorite: BOUND Rope jam at The Flying Dutchman in London.

This is a fantastic night out created by Esinem, Nina Russ & Gorgone in collaboration with The Flying Dutchman in Camberwell, London.

A heady mix of Shibari demonstrations, tutorials, shows and socializing. If you enjoy rope bondage then it is simply a must to see.

Set in a small venue of a local historic London pub, whose mission is to promote difference, diversity, and the arts. Not only will you see live stage performances of full suspension rope bondage by some of the most world-wide recognized rope artists and models, but there is also ample space for those who attend to have a little bit of rope time themselves.

From the minute you walk through the door, you are surrounded by people who know what they are doing when it comes to rope bondage; from the traditional Japanese styles to our own western adapted forms.

Even if you are simply curious about rope bondage or attempting to learn yourself, it is a great place for inspiration and the people who attend are open and friendly.

The stage performances are of such a high caliber that I believe it is highly unlikely that you would get to see live rope art like this on a monthly basis anywhere else in the UK.

The event is held on the last Friday of every month, the night starts at 7pm and performances go on throughout the evening until 1am. Ticket prices range from: Early bird tickets: £5 (limited availability), Advance tickets: £15, On the door entrance: £20.

Some of the performers travel from as far as Tokyo to perform their talents, so as night-out’s go, BOUND is exceptional value for money.

This is not a large profit event and is run by local rope enthusiasts who put a lot of hard work and heart into making an evening which is entertaining and can be enjoyed by anyone of a like-minded interest, which is just one more thing that makes this event special.

Benjamin and I would highly recommend attending to anyone who has the inclination. It is simply a marvelous night out.

Photography used with the permission of http://bounduk.net/

Fire poi practice 24/02/13

After a night of Bound Rope Jam in London, Benjamin and I headed back to Chez Esinem for relaxation, good friends, more Japanese rope bondage, the best home cooked food anyone could hope for (supplied by the ever skillful Nina Russ) and even a little fire poi practice in the back garden (learning slowly, practice makes perfect. But having an audience of performers put on a little pressure).

An excellent couple of evenings.

This video is unedited.
Videography by Nina Russ.
All media is Copyright © 2013 AemiliaHawk. All Rights Reserved.