Leatherati

Hard Edge - Beyond the Realm

by Daddy Dan

Introduction

The Hard Edge is an annual weekend series of BDSM workshops for advanced players held in San Diego. Now in its second year, the event is growing in popularity due to its tendency to push (and transcend) limits. This subject matter is not for the novice or timid. No, Hard Edge explores provocative types of things leading to catharsis and personal growth. Fun, edgy, but life affirming stuff! If you're looking for an event to add to your calendar next year, the Hard Edge 2013 returns Jan 31th through Feb 3rd.  Confirmed presenters include Queen Cougar, Mark Fraiser, Ms. Cynthia, and Utah Rox. Of course, presenters of this quality means were in for a doozy of a time. Although the dates and some of the presenters are known, there is a strong possibility the Hard Edge will move to a more intimate venue to spike things up another level next year.  Get it on your calendar now!

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Shit or Get off the Pot - Tommy Starchild

 This workshop examined spiritual growth, and techniques leading towards finding one’s authentic self through liberation. One key point of note is that “personal enlightenment can be life shattering and can lead one to sever depression or worse.” My transition from boy dan to Daddy Dan was a bit rough, and vouches for the truth of this observation. The top acts as a spiritual guide who leads their bottom to a doorway, who may (or may not) decide to enter. And although play leading towards spiritual development demands rigorous aftercare, it consists of being present in the moment rather than closing down the experience.

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Do you have Desire?

Desire is a weekend retreat June for leather and kinky women. Desire creates an environment where women can learn new things, be around other fun women, and fulfill your wildest desires. DESIRE 2012 is bigger and better and invites you to join us in creating a place where to be free and play! 

Desire 2012 will take place in a beautiful resort in Palm Springs, California. The private setting allows freedom for unrestricted play outdoors anytime, and of course clothing is optional at all times. Most dungeon equipment is outside beneath the trees and on grassy shaded lawns. Imagine floating in the pool and watching the play around you. There will be 3 evening parties for play under the stars and in air-conditioned rooms.

Desire has gathered a wonderful group of presenters from around the U.S. and Canada who are eager to share their expertise and provide exciting workshops. They also come to DESIRE to play and help create this weekend community.

Desire is the opportunity to have a one-on-one session with one of the presenters. These individualized sessions provide participants with an opportunity to learn new and/or advanced skills from a presenter of their choice. There are limited sessions so register early to ensure that you get one!

Come to Palm Springs and experience the event everyone is talking about. Whether you’re a curious beginner, a confirmed “pervert”, or simply a woman who loves sex and wants to be around other sexy women in an open environment – come to DESIRE!!!!!!

Protocols: Getting What You Want, When You Want It, How You Want It

Just as any business has its standard operating procedures; D/s has its own set of “Policies & Procedures” in the form of Protocols.

Whether you use (or intend to use) protocol for your service needs, as part of your slave’s training, his or her behavior modification, or simply because it’s hot, this presentation will cover different types of protocols and different uses of protocol. 

Learn more about achieving the results you wish to see in your slave or submissive through the use of protocol in your dynamic. The presentation will address the development and maintenance of protocols in both live-in, live separately, or long distance dynamics.

This seminar is presented by Master Jeff who has practiced SM for 30+ years – first privately, as a youngster tying up and whipping the willing girl next door, throughout his adult life and now, publicly for the last 16 years. He is a member of The Monarchs, a Brotherhood Dominant men in pursuit of Mastery in the Art of BDSM-D/s, and he belongs to Los Angeles’ Lair De Sade, Club X San Diego, and is a founding member of Chains, Melbourne, Australia. He is also a jacketed member of Cirque de Sade, a Los Angeles based group that practices the dark arts of SM and D/s, gives performances, and educates in proper SM skills. Jeff is the former Director and co-founder of MAsT-GLA (Greater Los Angeles Pansexual Chapter of Masters And slaves Together).

The event takes place at The Deja Vu Love Boutique, 2130 Industrial Court, Vista, CA 92081.  The Workshops will take place upstairs on the Balcony on the first (1st) Tuesday of every month from 7 PM to 9 PM.  There will be a small $3.00 donation to help cover snacks, soda, water and some presenter costs. You must be 18 years old to attend the workshops.  Subscribe to the Yahoo group for ongoing information.

Mr. Edge 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's Mr Edge is Will Swagger.  He is also the current Mr October on the Bare Chest Calendar. 

I got in contact with Terry Penn, the manager of the Edge, to ask why there was no Mr. Edge contest this year. Terry said, "We didn't get to have our contest because of the entertainment licensing process we are going through at the moment.  With the guidance from members of the leather community and Mr Edge 2011, Drew Cutler, I appointed Will."

If you would like to meet the new Mr Edge, you may attend a meet and greet at the Edge bar in the Castro, Wednesday February 15th from 7pm to 9pm.

Will Swagger will go on to compete for Mr. SF Leather during Leather Alliance Weekend from March 2nd to 4th.

Leland Carina
LelandCarina.com

News to Abuse: Cocks in Jocks - Flog It! - Scruff Lonely Hearts

Cocks in Jocks: 2012 Kick-Off Play Party!

Get your pads on and get ready for GearUp Weekend 2012 with a pre-Super Bowl men’s play party and registration kick-off!

All gear welcome.  There will be slings, a bondage bed, crosses, a spanking/fuck bench, clothes check, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks and small chillout space. 

This is a safer-sex and drug/alcohol-free event.  Condoms and lube packets will be on hand.

Cock in Jocks takes place on Saturday, February 4th, doors open at 22:00 and the party goes until 02:00, doors close at 00:00.  The party is at the Mr. S Play Space, 385-A 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Price: $20, $15 for students and millitary with valid I.D.

More info on the website 

Flog-It!!!

An event for flogging enthusiasts.

Tops, Bottoms, Switches, and Voyeurs Too! Come enjoy a few of those “specialized implements” in a social environment.  Bring your favorite flogger(s) to use on a special someone, or to be used on you- whatever makes you happy! Show off a special technique or pick up a couple tricks for later…

Bootblacking by Shell Bishop ,  Ms. Oregon State Leather 2010, NW Community Bootblack 2008.

No Cover. Donations accepted for flogging and bootblacking. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Neighborhood House, a leading Portland non-profit social service provider. They deliver innovative and life-changing programs for low-income people of all ages. Their programs prepare children for success in school and life, help families move beyond poverty, and support seniors to continue living independently.

Flog it happens on Saturday, February 11th at the Eagle Portland, 835 N. Lombard, Portland, OR from 9 PM – Midnight ajnd is open to all genders and orientations

Sponsored by BLACKOUT LEATHER PRODUCTIONS, which is a 501 (c) (3) corporation to promote the welfare, health and education of the gay and lesbian Leather/SM/Fetish community and to eliminate prejudice against that community.

Scruff Lonely Hearts Weekend

It's February and the Sawmill Camping Resort is ready to celebrate love…or love right now.. Join them for their first ever Valentines Weekend presented by SCRUFF. The popular APP will lead you to a new “match” for those “lonely hearts”.

The party weekend includes a Chocolate event you won’t want to miss!

Sometimes You Just Gotta Share

Making the Connection

by Leland Carina

Tonight in the space above Mr. S Leather in San Francisco, Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011 launched his new series of workshops called Making the Connection. The inaugural event was a class by "Knotty" Brent that showcased his skill as a rope top.

News to Abuse: A Room of Her Own - Larry Townsend Collection - Vern Stewart

A Room of Her Own

In May 2011, the LA&M WLHP opened "A Room of Her Own" to a packed gallery.  Curator Dr. Alex Warner assembled the previous year's WLHP collection along with the existing Women's collection at the LA&M to create the exhibit. WLHP co-founder Sarah Humble said "A Room of Her Own is a milestone for the LA&M Women's Leather History Project.  The exhibit displays the importance of women's history, stories and contributions to the leather community."  The exhibit is on display through 2013 at the museum in Chicago and several resources from the exhibition have been made available through the museum's website. 

Art and Ephemera from the Collection of Larry Townsend

The collection opens on February 3, 2012 and runs untill March 30 at the Center for Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street in San Francisco, CA.  And be sure to mark your calendar for the opening reception on Friday, February 3 from 6 - 9 PM at the Center.

Larry Townsend was a pivotal figure in the development of leather culture as we know it. What many do not know is that he was also a collector of art. The Center for Sex and Culture is extremely proud to present a selection of work from his collection. The exhibit includes illustrations by Macbeth, Olaf, Sean, Orsen, Russ, Dennis, Zane, DP, and others. This work spans a wide range of what's thought of as the classical period of gay SM illustration work; the period in which almost no artists used their real full names when doing this sort of work. There are cops and cowboys and Romans and leathermen playing in almost every way imaginable. The clear theme that runs through Townsend's collection is that of unrestrained perverted joy. The Center will also be showing a selection of Townsend's personal ephemera including toys, leathers, and original manuscripts. 

Fireside Chat with Vern Stewart

Inside Leather History, A Fireside Chat will showcase in a live-on-stage interview Mr Vern Stewart on Saturday April 28th, 2012 during CLAW.  Vern will discuss his 50 years in the community and his volume of work.  Following the formal interview the floor will open for audience questions.  See CLAW's run book for place and time.  Come one, come all!  

More info on the CLAW website

 

Southwest Leather Conference Wrap Up - What a Weekend!

The Leatherati team blogged live from the Southwest Leather Conference in Phoenix, AZ over the weekend of January 20 - 22, 2012.

This was our first time attending the annual SWLC weekend but I can tell you for sure it won't be our last.  What a great event!  Friendly people, great energy, top-notch presenters, excellent food and multiple play parties throughout the weekend make this a must-do conference and it's a fantastic value as well.

You can check out Leatherati Live for all of the blow by blow action including some great posts and pics from Sir Dart's predicament bondage class!  (I'm just saying...).

There are also daily recaps and tons of videos:  Day 1 Recap - Day 2 Recap - Day 3 Recap - Videos

Enjoy!  And be sure to mark your calendar for SWLC in January 2013.

Mr Powerhouse 2012

by Leland Carina

This year's annual Mr. Powerhouse contest took place last night. The bar was truly hopping with hot Leatherfolk.

The judges for the contest were Troy Anicete Mr SF Leather 2003, Lance Holman Mr SF Leather 2010, Brandon Clarke Mr SF Leather 2009, and Darren Bondy Mr SF Leather 2011. All of these men hold Mr. SF Leather titles and have the double distiction of being past Mr. Powerhouse Leather title holders.