WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTERS

Alex Bettencourt

Alex Bettencourt is a kinky queer living in the wilds of central Massachusetts. He has been active in the local, national, and international leather and BDSM scenes all of his adult life, and is a previous international leather titleholder. Alex is a connoisseur of kinky activities that reflect thoughtful action and an artistic approach. and deeply appreciates all manner of body modification, intimate violence, and well-executed service. When not being actively kinky, Alex works in the substance abuse and recovery field.

With Grace: Giving and Receiving Service
Alex Bettencourt
Service is a central focus in lots of powered relationships. Whether we feel called to serve, or called to receive service, we don't always know where to begin. We'll talk about the realities of giving and receiving service, how to create an environment conducive to effective service, checks and balances, and more. Join Alex for a dynamic discussion of how we 'do' our service and how we allow ourselves to be served. Bring your questions and opinions with you!

Microbranding
Alex Bettencourt
Branding has a long history in consensual and non-consensual body modification. In this class, we will explore fine-point branding as a means to creating art and sensation on willing canvases. We'll discuss safety and preparation, design, supplies, process, and aftercare. A start-to-finish demonstration will be provided and hands-on experience may be possible. No late admission

Arts Politic: Expressions of Sexual Outsiders
Alex Bettencourt
Whether considered obscene or classic, art dealing with gender, sex, and 'abnormal' sexual desires has long been a controversial topic. From Tom of Finland to Anais Nin, we'll survey the works of artists who have broken out of the box of 'acceptable' and examine the historical and political ramifications of their work. Come view art in a variety of mediums and apply your own analysis.

Boot and Leather Lab
Alex Bettencourt
Have you started bootblacking but are a bit tentative on how to strike out on your own? Do you need to 'polish' your skills? Would you like hands-on, one-on-one supervision from a practiced bootblack? Got a repair that you don't know what to do with? Bring your boots and leathers to open practice and instruction time with Alex Bettencourt, International Ms Bootblack 2006. Alex will be available to guide, teach, and practice right along with you in a casual, non-judgmental environment. Please bring your projects and any supplies you have. Some supplies will be available for use.

 

Artemis Hunter

Artemis Hunter is an Atlanta based Adult Sexuality Educator, BDSM lifestyle practitioner/supporter, and Erotic Rope Artist & Instructor, as well as a Sexual Rights Activist, and supporter of both the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Artemis spends much of her time gathering knowledge with some of the world's finest rope artists so that she may help bring those ideas (and sometimes the artist themselves) back to the South to foster interest in shibari and rope bondage art. Once inspired by those offering themselves up as subtle canvasses, she jointly creates human works of art. She is as comfortable rolling around in rope as she is tossing its tendrils into the world of BDSM inspired imaginative adult play. Don’t miss this opportunity to see passions in a new light.

The Art of Dry Humping
Artemis Hunter
Got several dozen sex secrets in your bag of love tricks? Let's spend a little time knocking the rust off of the fine art of Dry Humping. Come rediscover the fun and excitement of bumping up against one another like horny virgins. Artemis Hunter is set to share with you the advantages of this fun recreational activity and is ready to lead the class through several body-on activities designed to bring people closer together. Come learn through touch and taste with your body the feel of potential lovers. Empty your pockets of non-fleshy pointy things, take off your belts and bobbles, pack a blindfold, and get ready to rub that thin layer of fabric up against forbidden flesh.

Let's Talk About Clits
Artemis Hunter
The Clit, it's more than a button. Come learn all about what seems so small, yet is the seat of much pleasure.

Tie Up & Fuck Your Man
Artemis Hunter
Here's a class devoted to honoring hard cocks (genetic and man made) tied in rope. This class is devoted to tying up the cock carrier with the intent of the top fucking, sucking, and devouring it's richness.

 

Big Bad Nasty

Big Bad Nasty (Bigbadnasty@gmail.com) is an over the top, sex positive, all inclusive fetish promotion that operates in and around the BWI/DC/VA area. We are known for welcoming everyone, regardless of age, sex, orientation, etc, and for throwing a quality (read: wild party) event. The organization was founded by Xs and Ms. Lemon who both hope very much to make your aquaintance this weekend.

Last Call: The Big Bad Nasty After Hours Party
Big Bad Nasty
The clock's ticking and Dark Odyssey will be over soon. But what are you going to do TONIGHT? Don't blow your evening running laps through the hotel looking for some excitement, we've done all the work for you! Over at the overflow hotel dungeon DO & BBN's Last Call Afterparty bring you people you know, and people you WANT to know. Pyro Sadist, The House of Wrong, Sir Ron C, Scott Church, Chuck G, and Dark Electric are all here to make your night! From electricity to tattoos, piercing, pounding, cupping, and cutting. You want it? We've got it. Finish out your weekend in style, don't miss the Last Call.

 

Bob F

Bob F. has been a member of the local DC BDSM community since 1998. His diverse interests in history, literature and the arts have always been ready to deviate towards representations of dominant and sadistic women. Ok, so he's a little obsessive.

An Examination of Female Domination from the Classical Roman Era to the Year 1900
Bob F
This lecture examines erotic female dominance and sadism in early historical references, diaries, literature, drama, and graphic art. It includes discussions on historical characters and activities - proving that BDSM practices have been around for a very long time. The presentation is lavishly illustrated with period art and early photographs, and audience discussion is encouraged.

An Examination of Female Domination in the 20th Century
Bob F
References to BDSM pracitces became very prevalent in the early 20th century. This lecture examines erotic female dominance and sadism from the turn of the century up to the 1980s through historical references, diaries, literature, drama, and graphic art. It includes discussions on some historical characters that will surprise you. The presentation includes many rare photos and graphic works, and audience discussion is encouraged.

 

Carol Queen

Dr. Carol Queen [www.carolqueen.com] is a writer and cultural sexologist and is the founder, with her partner Dr. Robert Morgan Lawrence, of the Center for Sex & Culture [www.sexandculture.org] in San Francisco. She is a noted erotic writer and essayist whose work has appeared in dozens of anthologies. She's written three books: the essay collection Real Live Nude Girl: Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture; erotic novel The Leather Daddy and the Femme; and Exhibitionism for the Shy, which explores issues of erotic self-esteem and enhancement. She’s also edited several volumes of erotica and essays and has appeared in several explicit educational videos, notably "Bend Over Boyfriend: An Adventurous Couple's Guide to Male Anal Pleasure." Queen works as staff sexologist and Chief Cultural Officer at Good Vibrations, the women-founded sex shop, where she has worked since 1990. Queen has been speaking publicly about non-mainstream sexualities, from lesbian to leather, for over 30 years. Her perspective in addressing sexual diversity incorporates personal experience, accurate sex information, and informed cultural commentary. She has addressed many conferences, including the International Condom Conference, the International Conference on Prostitution, and the International Conference on Pornography; she frequently addresses college as well as general and specialized audiences. In February 2009 she debated the question of promiscuity (“Virtue or vice?”) for the Oxford Union at Oxford University, England.

PoMosexuality: WAY beyond the binaries
Carol Queen
Our culture really wants things to be either/or: gay or straight, male or female, this or that. But for many of us, living between the binaries feels much more natural -- and some of us live lives that turn the binaries into beautiful celtic knots, or fractals, or WAY not either/or. Let's talk about that! Carol Queen will start us off with a riff based on the book she co-edited, PoMoSexuals, and then we'll get into the whys and whats of identity, our complicated and lovely lives, and anything else that these ideas bring up.

Bend Over Boyfriend: Male Anal Play
Carol Queen
He's got a prostate, but do you ever play with it? Strap-ons are not just for lesbians, you know! Carol Queen, co-star of the cult sex ed movie Bend Over Boyfriend, will walk you thorough the ins and outs! This is especially recommended for couples who like roleplay or role reversal AND for couples interested in more traditional anal sex, because there's no better way to become a great anal top than by learning what the bottom is experiencing first hand. This class is definitely relevant for anyone interested in anal insertion play, partnered or solo, and also for anyone who wants to get into strap-on sex.

Erotic Writing and Journaling
Carol Queen
Every single one of us has sexual experiences, fantasies and desires that could be transformed into erotic stories or autobiographical pieces, or just preserved in a private journal. Let's share our writing and get useful tips and loving, useful feedback from other aficionados of the erotic written word! Carol Queen, author of The Leather Daddy and the Femme, leads a circle based on the Erotic Reading Circle at the Center for Sex & Culture in SF. Bring some of your work to share. [It's also OK to just come and listen.]

Exhibitionism circle (dress hot --or be naked -- and talk about what that's like)
Carol Queen
Carol Queen, author of Exhibitionism for the Shy, leads a circle for sexy show-offs who want to delve deeper into the whys and hows of exhibitionism. Come display yourself in your favorite outfit and share your favorites venues and playstyles that involve exhibitionism and voyeurism -- inspire each other! We'll also cover consent and public play, how to get over sexual shyness, and more.

 

Chey and Stefanos

Stefanos and Chey are known for teaching classes that are entertaining (they've been called "better than a Vegas act") and packed with useful and applicable information. Together they host events and teach classes at least monthly in SF Bay Area and beyond.  Chey is an ER nurse by day, while Stefanos is all kink all the time in his professional life as the Steward of The Upper Floor on Kink.com and as DM/manager of Bondage-a-Go-Go. They are compulsive volunteers within the leather community, and identify as pansexual polyamorist playsluts (and probably a few other P's they haven't thought of yet). You can read more about them on their web site, www.StefanosandChey.com

Playful and Predicament BDSM
Chey and Stefanos
This isn't always serious work we do! Predicaments are all about putting your bottom between the proverbial ""rock and hard place"" (and laughing as they are flummoxed by their situation); playful BDSM is about giggling together in scene and making your bottom participate in their own torment. This class will show you how to bring a new level of engagement to your BDSM play and go beyond giving and receiving sensations- create story lines and connect mentally with your partner. Watch the gears turn as your bottom puzzles through difficult predicaments; engage and consume their mind as they struggle to please you; delight as you make them giggle through their pain.  In addition to demonstrating and leading you through many specific predicaments and “games”, we will discuss this type of play in a broad sense to guide you in developing your own unique scenes.

Remedial Ropes 1: Beginning bondage
Chey and Stefanos
This is the perfect class for you if your bondage skills begin and end with tying your shoes.  We will cover the basics of bondage safety, building a rope kit, teach five basic knots and two basic ties, and discuss how to apply these to create a rope bondage scene.  Great bondage doesn’t require knowing a lot of fancy knots, just that you know how to apply a few very basic and multi-purpose knots and ties- by the time you leave this class, you’ll have a solid foundation of knowledge that will serve you well in the bedroom or the dungeon.  This is an interactive class- everyone will get tied up and everyone will learn to do the ties. All Remedial Ropes Classes are stand alone and do not require any previous rope experience. We provide rope if needed and you do not need a partner to enjoy this class.

Seeing Red: Medical staples and cutting
Chey and Stefanos
People who like play piercing usually LOVE medical stapling, and there is nothing quite like the sensation of cutting- the fear, as you see and feel a blade against your skin, the sharp, immediate pain as the cut is made, the slow tingle and wet feeling of blood dripping down your skin... ahem where was I?  In this class, we will discuss and demonstrate surface cuttings using sterile scalpels, medical stapling (including advanced techniques for placement, such as crossing and lifting, as well as sadistic removal ideas), and structuring a scene around these activities. This is edge play (um, pun intended?) and not advised for newbies. There will be a focus on RACK and making these activities as safe and sexy as possible. Everyone will have a chance to practice placing and removing a staple in our stunt bottom! 

Venipunctures & Bloody D/s: an interactive event
Chey and Stefanos
Almost every culture has rituals and beliefs, both spiritual and social, specific to blood. The sight or smell of blood can elicit fear or arousal (or both), and is both transferable and integral to an individual. Blood, regardless of the specific symbolism, is powerful stuff. This session will focus on blood play in D/s relationships, and will conclude with an opportunity for participants to make a blood pendant.

First, Chey (an ER nurse) will give a brief medical presentation on safe techniques for obtaining blood using butterfly needles. Then Stefanos and Nerine will then lead a discussion on blood rituals for D/s, and give a demo of the blood rituals they do as part of their relationship. Finally, we will provide time to assist class participants in making blood pendants - we will help you to perform a venipuncture on yourself or your partner(s), or draw the blood for you, and involve you in the process of making this unique piece of jewelry. Participants without partners may be able to perform a supervised venipuncture on Stefanos.

 

Claire Adams

Claire Adams (ClaireBondage.com), is a Pro Bondage Rigger, Model, Director, and Body Mod Enthusiast. Active in both the international professional and private BDSM communities since her start in 2001, she has been a prominent kink positive face in the adult industry. Some of her past and previous exploits include Vanity Fair magazine, Insex, House of Gord resident, Kink.com's pornglomerate Guest Director/Rigger/Top, Adam & Eve’s Instructional Bondage Guides, head piercer of the LA Chapter of CoRE, rigger/director/graphic artist for Intersec Interactive (aka Insex.com) and her own site, ClaireBondage.com. As a dynamic player, her love of intense bondage encourages her to test both her physical and intellectual limits as much as possible and share the information she has garnered from her experiences with others.

Rope Top's Boot Camp
Claire Adams
This is a lecture and demonstration on how to develop and refine your rope Topping skills. Claire Adams take you from the top of your rig to the end of your rope. She discusses the technical and physical aspects of rope scenes, such as rope selection, equipment considerations, secure handling of your rope bottom, and aftercare for the both the Top and bottom. The challenges of having another human being in your rope is hot and complex. Clair helps by providing her experience and insight into creating a safe and dynamic scene for your rope bottom and yourself, including a demo with tips and tricks throughout a whole rope scene.

Needle Bondage
Claire Adams
If you like bondage and needle play, let's explore how to make these two fantastic worlds work together while still keeping it clean and safe. We demonstrate and discuss creative ideas and patterns for binding your human pin cushion, fun materials, cross contamination considerations, and sensation play ideas!

Guiding and Processing Ritualistic Pain
Claire Adams
Why would anyone seek out the experience of pain? Religious worshipers flog or crucify themselves, sleep on spikes, hang

suspended by their flesh, or walk on hot coals, in order to gain transcendence or enlightenment. The experience of ritual pain can bring about a profound transformation of the consciousness and identity of the spiritual seeker. In this class we discuss pain and transcendence, the psychology and communication of pain, the idea of self-sacrifice. We discuss the role of the facilitator from pre-ritual negotiation, construction of the ritual, facilitating the ritual, bringing the participant through the ritual, bringing them back to the present and the responsibility it brings. This is shown through a demonstration of ritual.

Straight to the Point: Play Piercing 101
Claire Adams
This class covers creative and inventive play piercing for beginners and needle enthusiasts. Instruction comes from a professional body piercer of 11+ years and a bottom that started out with a severe needle phobia. Topics discussed include a lot of blood borne pathogens, cross contamination, supplies, piercing techniques, fun with needles, safety, cleanup, basic first aid, and aftercare.

 

Clan Tashlin

Clan Tashlin (clantashlin.wordpress.com) is a magical and spiritual teaching order built around a systematic approach to magic, and intimidate relationship between people, the land, and the gods. They can be found teaching and running ritual over much of the northeast, with the majority of their ritual work focusing around experiences of personal transformation. Service and outreach to the broader community is a key focus for the Clan and its members; DO attendees should feel free to seek out members of Clan Tashlin for spiritual or energetic issues through the weekend. The members of the Clan who are at DOWF are Wintersong, Fire, and Del.

Beyond the Veil
Clan Tashlin
The Underworld is a mythical home for our deeper, darker selves. It strips us of our false identities, the masks we upkeep in order to fit in or get along. Different traditions tell different stories about what lies across the Bridge; Clan Tashlin would like to show you how to find depth and meaning in their cautionary tales. By leading you into your own personal Underworld, they will share with you their own stories of the powerful transformations that can take place in this sacred abyss. And like all meaningful journeys, this too has a price: you’ll be asked to leave something behind that you wish to be rid of - memories, an ended relationship, an addiction, or character flaw, perhaps. When we learn to create and share these experiences for others, we also get to share the lightness and joy that returning to the world around us can bring. We return victorious, full of confidence, and ready to enjoy all that life has to offer.

 

Del

Del (awesome.del@gmail.com), as it has been said, is more of an experience than a person. As a queer transgendered disabled gypsy sex educator, author, trickster, pastoral care counselor, and shaman, he leads people through life's more challenging twists and turns. He is a council member of Clan Tashlin, an earth based teaching and magical order. Del has also worked with the ritual group Sacred Mark Sanctuary doing energy pulls and hook suspension as ordeal. A pagan priest since 2000, and kinky since birth, Del especially enjoys exploring, teaching, and guiding people through experiences that combine their spirituality and sexuality. An avid gamer in all forms (video, board, and role-playing), Del lives in suburban Maryland with his own personal Ninja whom he calls Daddy, and a collared slave he adores.

Rocky Horror Taught Me Sex Rituals
Del
This class has three sections: In the beginning, there were Lips. And those Lips brought freaks and outcasts from around the globe into darkened theaters and taught them the Hedonist Motto: "Don't Dream It, Be It". We'll discuss how the RHPS experience mirrors many other religious rituals, and how we can apply those ideas to planning our own sacred sex explorations. In the middle, there were Brad and Janet, lost and alone as they try to find themselves as well as an exit back to "reality". There are echoes of the hero's journey hidden in these fishnets; let's find it and see what it teaches us. Finally, we'll meet in the hypothetical Denny's, where Del shares his experiences producing the RHPS experience for 15 years and how he uses what he learned to create meaningful rituals that have very little to do with The Time Warp. Whether you've seen it more times than Sal Piro or are still a virgin, you'll find this class entertaining and informative.

Adaptive Kink: How We Do What We Do With What We've Got Do To It With
Del
I've been to too many "disability and kink" classes that strive to educate the temporarily abled that disabled people can be kinky. Most of the people who show up to those classes are disabled perverts, looking for a place to talk about What It Is That We Do, and How We Do It. I'll promise to start the conversation by talking about being a person with a mostly-invisible disability and how I've learned to adapt my play - as long as you promise to come prepared to share tips, tricks, techniques and adapted toys so we can all learn how to gain access to more and diverse levels of kinky sex! People with all sorts of challenges - mental, physical, social, emotional - are encouraged to attend and participate.

BDSM For Bigger Bodies
Del
There is so much to celebrate about having more skin than your average person! It can be fun and stimulating to find the secret folds that nothing, not even clothing, ever touches, and bring it to life with a stroke, a kiss, or a cane. Part story-sharing, part discussion, part lecture, Del (at a lovely 315 lbs) leads the classroom revolution that fat people are fun to play with, bring more and interesting kinds of play to the table, and can be the perfect Top or Bottom for certain kinds of play. Chubby chasers, BBWs, BHMs, people of all sizes and genders are welcome to come admire, lust after, and talk about being fat in the bedroom and the dungeon

 

Dr Slashblight

DrSlashBlight has had an interest in Hypnosis and Mindcontrol since a very young age. It may have been all those cartoons in the 80s that had many hypnosis and mindcontrol based villains, or maybe it was the desire to be in total control over someone rather then just control over the body. However the fetish sprang to life in the mad Doctor’s subconscious, It grew. It grew so large that it almost burst out of him when he finally got to hypnotize someone in 2006. Since then he has been practicing his art form to be a master of mesmerism. In 2009 he jumped into the Boston Kink scene head first and soon after Co-Founded the NewEngland Hypnosis Group. He is very active in the Boston Community, trying to share is passion with everyone, teaching and hypnotizing the masses. He is also the host of “Whose Kink is it Anyways”, and co-produces it with BendyYogaGirl. DrSlashBlight is currently working on Hypnosis Fetish Videos, and plans for an army of mind controlled French Maids to take over the world. Please feel free to follow him on twitter or email with any questions.

Hypnosis 101
Dr Slashblight
Ever wish you could control someone with a single word? Then hypnosis may be for you! In this class you’ll learn what Hypnosis is and what it isn’t, what is real and what only happens in the movies. You’ll also learn what exciting things can be done with hypnosis in a BDSM context, How to Hypnotize someone, and most importantly how to by safe with this new tool. 

Hypnosis in the Dungeon
Dr Slashblight
Generally when people think Hypnosis they tend to imagine quiet couches or beds in serene places. What happens when you want to hypnotize someone in a dungeon with whips cracking and people screaming in pleasure and pain? DrSlashBlight will show you some techniques, inductions, and suggestions you can use to hypnotize people in your favorite Dungeon. 

 

Dr. Ruthie

Dr. Ruthie (www.ExploringIntimacy.com) began her career as a stodgy academic, but quickly realized that helping others to enjoy greater sexual well-being and pleasure was far more fun. Hailing from Washington, DC, she is the author of The Nice Girl’s Guide to Talking Dirty (Amorata Press, 2011) and the founder of the international Sex-Positive Professionals Group. She can also be found mentoring and building community for diverse sex-positive professionals, blogging at ExploringIntimacy.com, reviewing products for Babeland.com, podcasting with FearlessPress.com and writing for a number of sex sites and zines. Dr. Ruthie enjoys vegetarian dining, red wine and massages, spread the joy of sex toys, and marathon napping. She has presented at numerous events around the world, and is proud to be join DOWF12 for her third time presenting with DO!

Cocksucking
Dr. Ruthie
Ready to add some new techniques to your cocksucking style?  Wishing you could get more repeat blowjobs?  Dr. Ruthie and her bevy of dedicated oral sex experts are here to show you hot new ways to make your lover squirm, no matter which side of the cock you're on.  Watch and learn about both flesh and silicone cocks as demo experts show off for you.  Invite a friend to follow along when the mood strikes, or just watch and enjoy.  No matter what, you'll leave feeling inspired!

Verbal Seduction
Dr. Ruthie
Learn the secrets to developing your own style of verbal seduction from the author of The Nice Girl's Guide to Talking Dirty!  Don't worry though, this workshop is for practicing verbal seduction with all genders.  By the end of this interactive class even the most shy participants will leave with the skills to start talking dirty and flirting their way into a memorable predicament at this year's event.  Whether you're sweet and shy or bold and daring, you're sure to have fun learning these oral skills.

Dirty Talk Speed Dating
Dr. Ruthie
Meet new play dates, find a partner in crime, or practice your flirting at this year's Dirty Talk Speed Dating!  Dr. Ruthie is here to inspire you to get naughty as she guides you through a series of quick & dirty conversations with others that are as eager to mingle as you are.   All genders and tastes will be combined at this event as you are rotated through guided fast paced dirty talk conversations.  Write down your potential matches and find out who wants to get know you a little better after the event!

Sex Positive Professionals Networking Hour
Dr. Ruthie
Are you a current or aspiring sex-positive professional?  Educators, coaches, therapists, bloggers, authors, product reviewers and venders, sex workers and more are welcomed to attend this unique networking event.  Hosted by Dr. Ruthie, founder of the Sex-Positive Professionals Group, you'll have the chance to network, share resources, and exchange referral information with your fellow sex-positive professionals.  Be sure to bring your business cards and join us in live Tweeting with the tag #WFSPP!

 

Elkor

Elkor is a Sensual Top with a Dominant streak that comes out at random times. Possessed of a quirky sense of humor, he likes showing people they can enjoy the things he wants to do to them. Kinky his whole life, Elkor has been in the scene since 1999. As well as participating in a number of groups, he began presenting on BDSM topics 2005 and has been hooked since. With his partner & wife, Margo Eve, he enjoys presenting on a variety of subjects, from the physical to mental to interpersonal, and how to blend them.

Knife Play: Steel’s Sensual Dance
Elkor
Few things focus your attention like a sharp blade pressed to your throat. But what about the cold fire felt when its edge dances over the sensitive parts of the body? Knives are for more than just cutting; come explore their sensory side. From care and cleaning, to how to use a knife so that even the most fearful of partners will be sighing in contentment, it's a different perspective on what is traditionally viewed as playing on the edge.

 

Graydancer

Graydancer (greydancer.com) is best known for his ""Ropecast"" bondage podcast and the GRUE, the first kinky unconference which has become a worldwide phenomenon. His engaging and entertaining style has been a part of many Dark Odyssey events with a wide range of topics from rope bondage to making out to the neurochemistry of pleasure. Graydancer is also a presenter and editor for the Kink Academy, a published author and prolific blogger.

Apocalyptakink Workshop
Graydancer
Modeled after the EMT Certification Practical Test, this class will present several kinky scenarios with “problems.” Various class members will be given the opportunity to role-play within the scenarios and react authentically to the problems, in front of the rest of the class. Each scenario will be followed by constructive discussion of what went right, what went wrong, and what could have gone differently. The goal is to provide a more visceral experience for tops and bottoms to identify potential issues in their kink and creatively develop strategies for solving them. Entertaining and often surprising, this class provides attendees with new insights into their own kink abilities.

Beating in Tongues: D/s Play with other languages
Graydancer
Do you and/or your partner speak another language? From Latin to Klingon to Russian, using language – or the lack thereof – as part of your kinky play can be an amazing stimulation to the biggest sexual organ: the brain. Graydancer will discuss several different scenarios, including humiliation play, “verbal bondage,” literary D/s, role-playing and more. Interactive demonstrations will be part of the class, beginning to end. You don’t have to be bi, lingual or otherwise, to get some kinky inspiration for your next hot scene.

Knot So Fast: Rope as a means, not an end
Graydancer
This is a class for rope tops and bottoms to learn to use rope bondage not as an end unto itself, but rather a vehicle into transcendent scenes and intense connection. It’s a combination of practical rope handling techniques to get the rope out of the way and speed bondage to get from point A to point O faster. Learn how to be more present and graceful in your rope bondage on the top and the bottom and have that mind-blowing scene you’ve wanted.

 

Intimacy

Enjoyable as it is to support your partner from the audience, applauding their performance, watching them receive the adulation they richly deserve and have worked so very hard for... sometimes you just have to join them on stage, and share in the intimacy that comes from working incredibly closely, with someone you love. Together they perform partner-acro routines that showcase the bond between them, drawing the audience in, and sharing that connection with the world.

Partner Acro for Enhanced Communication
Intimacy
One of the precepts of the kink community is communication, and it is never so important as when another's safety and well-being is in your hands... or feet. Learn some basic partner-acro, develop a new sense of body-awareness, and get past the idea that your partner is telepathic. Find ways to communicate what you need from your partner in an honest and self-aware fashion. We'll go over some basic standing balances, L-base front and back balances, and time and energy permitting some standing flying positions. Everybody performs all roles whenever possible. That means YOU, Mr. Topy McTopsalot, will be playing the role of a human table at some point. The best way to understand what someone is going through is to have been there yourself.

 

Jefferson

Jefferson is a New York-based writer, performer and sex educator. His blog One Life, Take Two --now in its eight year--documents his ongoing life as a parent and pervert. He is curator and host of Bare! True Stories of Sex, Desire and Romance , a storytelling event that appears monthly at Brooklyn's Union Hall and Washington DC's The Black Cat. He has organized hundreds of sex events in New York over the course of nearly a decade.

G-Spot and P-Spot, Thrills and Spills
Jefferson
Some deny its existence. Others swear by it. In recent years, the female G Spot has ignited storms of controversy-even as it has been stimulated to countless orgasms. Stimulating the P Spot, or prostate, can bring many men to extreme arousal. This hands-on (or rather, hands-in) session cuts past the verbiage to get down to business. Learn how to locate your own spot and that of your partner, as well as techniques to make the most of this erogenous zone. Please note that this session will include nudity and sexual activity, as well as opportunities for audience participation.

Odd Man In: Male Bisexuality on the Scene
Jefferson
In the sexually open scenes that overlap within our communities, there remain conflicting and contradictory attitudes concerning male bisexuality, as a form of self-identification and in sexual practice. These attitudes particularly affect anyone who identifies as male, or is in a relationship with someone who identifies as male. This open and frank session addresses prevalent notions and offers strategies to bring male bisexuality into play, within scenes, within relationships, and within personal lives. The session draws on academic studies, personal experience and world travel. This workshop is open to all genders and identities.

Orgy Etiquette and Organization
Jefferson
You’re new to group sex and want to know the basics? Or have you been around enough to know you would like to host orgies, but you don’t know how to get started? Veteran orgy host Jefferson breaks it down for you, leading you through the process of establishing guidelines, recruiting guests, maintaining etiquette and creating a safe, comfortable space. Whether your dream party is mixed or single gender, couples or singles, boisterous or intimate, you’ll learn what you need to develop the event that keeps them coming.

Chewtoy: Erotic Biting
Jefferson
If a nibble on the neck sends shivers down your spine, you’re already aware of the sensuous appeal of being bitten. Likewise, if kissing leads you to nip and tug on your lover’s lips, you may be ready to unleash your inner gnasher. Erotic biting brings a primal urge into play that can be directed to a variety of controlled sensations, and even into decorative temporary body modifications through determined marks and bruises. Learn how to safely and effective bite and/or be bitten and discuss how erotic biting can be applied to your favorite activities.

 

Jim & Jerith

Jim is an emotionally sadistic, fun-loving dominant who brings his sense of adventure and creativity into his scenes. He is a career military man who enjoys using the protocol and structure that he learned in the service in perverse ways at home. He's been teaching classes in the alternative sex community for approximately 9 years. Jerith is a strong willed slave with a passion for scenes that challenge her and an even bigger penchant for mischief. She lives to find ways to make Jim's hair go prematurely gray. With her friend Wilson, she runs Galleria Domain 2 in Chicago where she has served as the Education Director for 8 years. In addition, Jerith sits on the Board of Directors for the Leather Leadership Conference.

As a couple, Jim and Jerith find it important to give back to a community that has had such a large, important impact on their lives. They are active in the Chicago scene and have presented classes in Canada, up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and across the Midwest. They teach on Breath Play, Fear Play, Mind Fucks, Emotional Masochism, and a host of various edge play topics. You can reach Jim & Jerith via email at breathplayer@gmail.com.

Mind Fucks: The Tricks to Tricking Your Submissive
Jim & Jerith
The bottom's mind is the most versatile and powerful tool we have in our toy bags - it's flexible, resilient, and easily manipulated! Mind Fucking is the act of fooling your submissive into believing you've done something you haven't. This takes an understanding of how perception creates reality, as well as a healthy dose of creativity and planning.

During this presentation, we will discuss the different types of senses and how the dominant can influence the submissive's overactive imagination by manipulating them. We will also give an in-depth look at the methods we use to pull the wool over someone's eyes, and then demonstration a mind-fucking scene to show all of these techniques in action. We will end the demonstration with a question and answer period to cover the possible emotional ramifications and go over any ideas or experiences our devious audience may have.

The Seat of Identity: Playing with the Face
Jim & Jerith
A person's relationship with their face is intimate and complicated – psychologist have long theorized that human's have made a strong connection between their facial appearance and their identity. In addition, the face plays an important role in our relationships with others – it allows us to discern emotions, judge truthfulness, and recall memories of our past interactions. Playing with your partner's face can be a powerful experience. During this discussion, Jim and Jerith will show you how to create an emotionally charged scene that revolves around the head and facial features. They will cover techniques to torture and pleasure the mouth, the nose, the eyes, the cheeks, the ears, and finally a person's hair. In addition, they will cover the basics of facial anatomy and talk about the psychological impact this type of play can have.

Are You Ready to Rumble!?!!!: Rough Body Play
Jim & Jerith
Have you ever found yourself ready to get physical, but you don't have your toy bag nearby? No problem! This class is a show and tell discussion on the different types of rough scenes that you can do with nothing but your body and a dash of creativity. We'll poll the audience to see what types of rough body play techniques they are interested in learning, and then we'll create a sampler and go through the intricacies of each method.

Possibilities include, but are not limited to: Face Slapping, Punching, Kicking, Pinching, Hair Pulling, Military Pain Compliance Techniques, Pressure Points, Small Joint Locks, and Grappling.

In addition, we'll cover the safety concerns that you need to be consider, identify what parts of the body you can impact with different levels of force, and debunk some common rough body play myths. All attendees are encouraged to participate in the hands-on portions of this class."

Interrogation Scenes
Jim & Jerith
It's a common fantasy- feet and hands tied to a stiff metal chair, a bright light aimed at the eyes, and mysterious, terrifying people in camouflage barking orders and demanding answers. Interrogation and torture scenes take a great deal of imagination and trust to pull off, but when executed well, they create an erotic feeling of complete loss of control. This discussion will cover the practicalities of interrogation - ways to arrange the environment in which the scene will take place as well as determining what information will be gathered and what methods are the most effective. In addition, Jim and Jerith will discuss the different emotions the interrogated bottom will feel, such as fear, resistance, and anger, and how to utilize these to your advantage.

 

Johnny Blazes

Johnny Blazes (www.johnnyblazes.com) is a vaudeville performer and educator who is notorious throughout the United States for combining glitter with sophistication, clowning with drag and burlesque. Johnny brings hir gender-blending irreverence to hir newest project, a soul/funk band called Johnny Blazes and the Pretty Boys, as well as to hir endeavors as Theatrical Director of The Boston Circus Guild. Johnny is on the Editorial Board of Salacious Magazine and hir collaborative work with artist Katie Diamond can be found in Gender Outlaws 2: The Next Generation.

Drag Performance
Johnny Blazes
The performance of gender requires an understanding of the innate ways that people read gender in our society. In this workshop we will explore the physical aspects of gender performance, particularly posture, walk, status, gaze, and line. Through the physical work we will start to build our own drag characters, culminating in optional performances for each other at the end of the session. We will go over the basics of binding, packing, stuffing, tucking, padding and makeup.

 

Karri

Karri (www.darkodyssey.com), Co-Producer of Dark Odyssey, has been involved with DO since its inception in 2002. She plays registrar and volunteer wrangler for each Dark Odyssey event. Karri entered her scene life by starting the CATS sig for Black Rose and working on several of their annual conventions. She was also very active in the TNG group. She's been "in the scene" for over a decade and is always learning new things. She now lives in California with her wonderful husband, Greg (the other Co-Producer). She was also registration director for International Ms. Leather in San Francisco for two years. Always on the look-out for distractions, activities include finding a lucky soul (or several) to take out her aggressions on, teasing a number of worthy attendees, and crafting shenanigans with her friends. Lately, you also see her playing on the bottom side of things. If you see her at the event, say hello and introduce yourself. She may be on the go but she loves meeting new people!

Queer Social
Karri
Ever been to a hot and heavy queer happy hour, found a little cutie and wished you had some place to sneak away to get it on? We have that space at Dark Odyssey! Come join us at the Bar in the Host Hotel Lobby. We will make it easy to meet new folks, enjoy a drink, socialize and laugh. Everyone is welcome.

Mix & Mingle w/Pervert Bingo
Karri
Who are all these freaky and fabulous kinksters descending on innocent Washington DC? Whether you're a Dark Odyssey virgin or a familiar face, come down the Mix, Mingle & Pervert Bingo. Shy? Pervert Bingo will give you just the cover you need to strike up conversations with hot and mysterious strangers. Been to every DO event? Come anyway and reconnect with familiar faces and make our new friends part of the family.

Meet The Presenters
Karri
Did you know that all of our fabulous presenters are also people? It's true! Didn't make it to a class? Have a question that you only thought of too late? Come to Meet the Presenters for an intimate chance to learn more about who they are and what else they're up to, buy their merchandise (get it signed even!), and generally get some quality time with the folk who make our class line-up so spectacular. Bring along your lunch make a time of it.

Lolita's Littlest Birthday Party
Karri
It’s the lovely Lolita’s Little birthday celebration! Remember how much fun it was to attend a birthday party as a kid? Parents bought the gifts and delivered you, all you had to do was show up! Come relive that simple pleasure and join Lolita as she turns an adorably sweet six years old (again)! There’ll be classic party games like Duck Duck Goose and Pin The Tail on the Donkey, delicious cake, fun to spare, and even a clown!  Grab your Bigs (we all know how they love your parties), don’t sweat the party dress, and swing by to wish our girl of honor many happy returns!

 

kd

kd (www.salaciousmagazine.com), International Ms Bootblack 2011, is equal parts bootblack to artist. The very nature of leathercare, leather worship, and leather community are all similar and connected to the core of being an artist. kd uses her art as a platform for conversation and education, and similarly uses her bootblacking as a means to support her community, open up dialogues about leather, and get her hands good and dirty. kd is also the creator of SALACIOUS, a queer feminist anti-racist sex magazine, looks to meld high art, stunning visuals, and written erotica.

Giving Good Chair
kd
You’ve attended a “Bootblacking 101” class, or two. You’ve sat down with your Daddy and learned the basics of a spit shine. You’ve interrogated your bootblack friends about what Huberd’s really is. Or maybe you haven’t done any of these things. Regardless of what you know about the process of bootblacking itself--the technicalities, if you will--this workshop won’t cover any of those things. This workshop will cover the nature of “giving good chair” in three parts: 1. The Basics, 2. Upping the Ante, 3. Fucking Without Sex. Start off by learning how to be  attentive and a great conversationalist; move on to engage in sensual physical contact; and leave them wanting more with boot worship.

 

Klawdya Rothschild

Klawdya Rothschild (www.KLAWDYA.com) is a latex designer and tailor, a curator, artist, advocate, and an occultist. Klawdya has degrees in fashion, fiber/textile arts and museum studies, and has been seen curating the Baltimore Erotic Arts Festival, judging Miss Rubber World, and serving on the board of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). Klawdya has participated in the Sex+ Community for over a decade as a model, performer, sex worker, sacred whore, and presenter. Klawdya currently offers custom latex and repair to New York’s rubber and vegetarian leather enthusiasts with her exclusive label KLAWTEX, available at Purple Passion (www.KLAWTEX.com).

Latex Clothing Making: Booty Short Boot Camp
Klawdya Rothschild
Latex is so nice, but often very expensive and so fragile! In this class we will focus on one basic latex staple: the booty short. Using a basic pattern, everyone will construct a small garment from scratch that will show you how to make your own fun latex clothing. With designs and modifications for all bodies we will each learn to measure ourselves, pattern, cut and create a pair of short shorts for our latex wardrobes. No experience required! Class includes materials, and class size is limited so everyone will leave with their very own pair of latex shorts cut and made to measure! ($20 per person for materials to create one pair of latex booty shorts)

Intermediate Latex Clothing Making: Miniskirts and Boxer Briefs
Klawdya Rothschild
Want to expand your latex clothing making skills? In this class we will each make either a sleek sexy miniskirt or a pair of shorts with room for a package! These items will be staples in your latex wardrobe, customized to fit you just right, with a zipper for easy dressing and strength. We begin by measuring, then you'll learn how to alter a pattern to your shape, cut and piece latex with these sexy but demanding curves, reinforce your edges, and then you'll learn how to prepare and add zippers to your latex pattern. Class size is limited  so everyone can get the hands-on instruction required and all materials are included-- keep what you make! ($30 per person for materials to create one item)

Latex Clothing: Repair and Care
Klawdya Rothschild
In this class we will repair your latex clothing and discuss methods for properly caring for your latex.  This is a hands on class which will cover simple and more complex rips, holes and re-gluing seams that will help save you hundreds of dollars and extend the life of your precious rubber goodies.  This class teaches you how to reinforce latex to prevent tearing, or to patch your damaged garment (including applique!), Cleaning, storage, polishing, as well as traveling and dressing in latex will all be covered in addition to tips on how to restore latex that has been mistreated or is nearing the end of its life. Bring your damaged latex clothing to class, or just watch and learn how to bring them back to life!  (there may be a $5 fee for patch materials)

Latex Vac Bed Adventure
Klawdya Rothschild
Latex vacuum beds are fun addition to any play party, dungeon or latex enthusiasts home! Vac beds are hours of fun but are very expensive and complicated to make.  In this class we will work together to make a fun and functional latex vac bed that everyone can use later in the weekend.  By making the vac bed together we will learn how to measure, cut, glue, clean and assemble one of the most coveted pieces of latex bondage equipment with skills that you can use to create your own latex creations at home!  No experience is required and all materials are included.

 

Lady Hilary

Lady Hilary (vanguardleather.com) is a visionary leader who has been exploring leather since 1989. Twice a titleholder (SF Dyke Mommy 1995 and Ms Sacramento Valley Leather 1998), Lady Hilary has shared her knowledge with The Exiles, Alameda Leather Corps, Santa Clara County Leather Association, smOdyssey, Inc., The Citadel, The Society of Janus, Rio Grande Leather, the Southwest Leather Conference, and many other organizations and conferences.

From her passion for translating business and personal growth metaphors into the leather worldview, Lady Hilary envisioned, created and produces Vanguard Leather events. Lady Hilary firmly believes in and lives a bliss-filled life of focused desire, devotion, and service. The members of her ‘Ohana include 2 marvelous butch boys, a leather brother, a family dawg, a leather uncle, my boy’s boy and his boyfriend, a service sewer grrl, a princess, and a sergeant at arms. Lady Hilary leads a full life with a huge heart that always has room for more.

On The Spot: Make Play Happen
Lady Hilary
Spontaneity creates heat; desire in the moment, with a stranger, a friend or long term play partner; seizing the instant to play/fuck/fuck someone up- right there and then.  There are ways to negotiate quickly from both bottom and Top side, we will discuss successful impromptu scenes and create opportunities in class to negotiate and connect.

In a Heartbeat: Altering your internal state
Lady Hilary
Have you ever experienced extreme joy? Do you know how to recreate that feeling anytime?  Working within BDSM and sexual relationships we are able to influence our self and those we interact with; enabling us to shift our emotional state.  This workshop will discuss the 4 points that influence how we feel and when directed create an empowering state.

Fostering and Establishing Leather/Chosen Families
Lady Hilary
A workshop focused on constructing leather families that are intentionally designed and supported for longevity. Developing the chosen family that reinforces each member individually and collectively. We will look at types of structures, hierarchical, familial, and other variations comparing and contrasting style and preference so that you may design or enhance the family you already have or have been dreaming of.

 

Lisa Vandever

When Lisa moved to New York to pursue a career in film, little did she expect that she’d also stumble onto an “underground” world of kinky sex where she would both meet her future husband, Alan Esq., and discover a new life focus. Today she is fortunate enough to merge two of her favorite things (movies and sex!) in CineKink, an organization that recognizes and encourages sex-positive and kink-friendly depictions in film and television, most notably through an annual festival and touring series designed to showcase such works. In addition to traveling with CineKink around the country, Lisa also speaks regularly on the subject of cinema and sexuality, and is a long-time volunteer on the media committee for NCSF.

CineKink - Kinky Film Festival
Lisa Vandever
In our very own "Glory Hole Theater" CineKink is bringing a specially-curated program of films and videos to Winter Fire that celebrate and explore a wide and exciting world of sexual diversity. Featuring a selection of films and videos drawn from both Hollywood and beyond, works presented by CineKink range from documentary to drama, camp comedy to artsy experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit — and everything in between. Titles include the "Best of Cinekink" collection of short films, "Indietro," the CineKink Audience Choice Award winner for Best Narrative Feature/2011, and the award winning documentary profile of the International Mr. Leather competition "Kink Crusaders."

 

Lolita Wolf

Lolita Wolf (http://leatheryenta.com/) discovered the BDSM scene back when “online” meant the phone sex lines. She's an activist who defends sexual freedom for all consenting adults, spreads the word about BDSM, sex and poly, and helps the community grow and flourish. Yet her goal remains "to have fun." She's authored two books: Spanking and CBT in a Nutshell. Lolita was featured in the New York Times One in 8 Million series: http://is.gd/RIbuhN

The Well Hung Hand
Lolita Wolf
Vaginal fisting is having all or most of a lover’s hand in one’s cunt. It is an intimate activity that requires patience, communication and lots of lube. And then some more lube. We’ll cover the techniques and safety you need to know to make this a tender and full-filling experience for you and your partner.

CBT In A Nutshell
Lolita Wolf
Grab him by the balls and he will follow you anywhere. We’ll cover the psychological and physical ins and outs of the family jewels. Learn to safely control your man through the torments of bondage, humiliation, pain and other sensations.

Little Miss Littles Contest
Lolita Wolf
Experience the thrill of competition! The Little Miss Littles Contest is fun and glamorous, allowing Littles to experience the bright lights, potential fame and fortune, and to be a starlet for a day! This contest encourages your Little to speak in an articulate fashion, model in a confident manner, enter a room with a bright disposition, and learn the importance of a big smile! Contests are life, the rest are just details!

The contest will consist of 3 parts:

Modeling – Each Little will walk and pose for 1 minute. Little outfits can include: glamour, traditional, genre or babywear.

Talent – Each Little will demonstrate a talent for up to 2 minutes. Only props that can be carried onstage by the Little and their hairdresser will be allowed.

Question – Each Little will be asked a question pertinent to the Littles lifestyle. The Judges will supply 5 questions each to be placed in a bowl and each Little will draw a question.

Open to any Little of any gender. Please sign up by Friday evening at Winter Fire Information Desk. Join the Little Miss Littles Contest group on Fetlife to share tricks of the trade and make Little friends. Remember to eat your vegetables!"

 

Luna Bella

Luna’s passions boil down to 'conscious, embodied perspectives and practices that fuel self-awareness & expansion; deep connection & intimacy; succulence and spiritual growth' leading visionary activist Caroline Casey to call her a "practical mystic". She is certified as a lifecoach, massage therapist, yoga instructor, and tantra educator. She is not certified -but certifiable- as a sacred priestess-whore, dancer, kinkster, ritualist, and energy worker. Her classes and events are pragmatic, fun, and interactive. For 30 years, bodymindspirit sexuality has been –and continues to be- her life's work.

Fun w/Breath & Pain
Luna Bella
Conscious-Breathing Techniques (another CBT ;-) From altered states of consciousness to enhancing sensation to processing pain to connecting with partner or spirit to moving energy to having breathgasms--- Breath is a potent force that affects everything! And when we bring awareness and intent to it, we can use breath as a powerful tool in our kinky sexy play. In this class we will learn and practice some breath patterns –drawn mostly from tantric, taoist, and kinky traditions- that create these unique states of connection, consciousness, and feeling. Bring a toy if you’d like. C’mon, and feel great, let’s oxygenate!

Energy Play for SM
Luna Bella
This as an Energy-Play class. First, a bit of context, theory and science, then we’ll go into techniques and experiential practice. Most of the - solo and partnered- techniques will be from tantric and taoist energy practices. Awareness, intention, movement and breath will be the main tools used for exchanging (absorbing, emitting, circulating) this vital life-force energy for sex and kink. Whether your mindset is neurobiological or magical & mystical, we all can tune up our energetic motors, igniting the supercharging effects of this force. So bring your curiosity, your skepticism, your enthusiasm.. and your kink toys if you’d like, and we’ll do some laps around the SM & Energy track.

Dancing in the Lap of Lustery
Luna Bella
Learn the moves and attitudes of erotic lap dance: hip rolls, snaky undulations, shimmies, suggestive poses, hand movements, etc. Luna Bella has done lap dancing as a bottom and as a top, and will show the attitudinal differences. If you’d like, you can bring a kink-toy to use as a prop. We’ll have opportunities (not mandatory) to be the dancer and dancee and to switch partners. Great music too!

Sacred Connections
Luna Bella
Tantric tools for sex and kink. Practices may include; breath, energy exchange, sacred intent, yab yum and other postures, eye gazing, sound/vibration/toning, heart activation and flow, acupressure points, yin/yang dynamics, and sex magic. The things we do will be emergent on group desire and dynamic. Bring your kinky toys to explore some of these practices with. All levels of experience are welcome.

 

Marc B

Marc B is an experienced top and the nicest sadist you will ever meet. He has been a long time member of the Black Rose, and has served on the board twice. Over the past 15 years he has presented to many BDSM groups across the country on the topics of mummification, rope bondage, single tail, flogging, fear play, edge play, fire cupping, nipple play, and many others. He strives to make his presentations fun, involving, and informative.

Fear Play
Marc B
Fear is an emotional response to the expectation or realization of danger. In controlled circumstances fear can be powerfully erotic. The mind can cause interesting effect on the body when one is in a state of few.  Come learn how to enliven your play by incorporating various means of inducing and manipulating fear in your partner.

Jeopardy
Marc B
We're putting the perv into Merv's quiz show classic! Think you know Shibari from sounding, burlesque from bukkake, vibrators from violet wands? Dark Odyssey's very own Alex Trebek, Marc B has the answers if you've just got the right questions. Go ahead and take “sexy gameshows” for a hundred, and prove that Ken Jennings has nothing on you in the quest to become Dark Odyssey's Jeopardy quiz champion.

 

Michelle Balenger

Michelle Belanger (MichelleBelanger.com), is best known as the author of the Psychic Vampire Codex (Weiser, 2004), Michelle Belanger is a skilled energy worker and the founder of House Kheperu. An arresting figure of six foot one, Michelle is a dynamic speaker as well as a gifted writer. Creative and driven, she does not limit herself to magick and psychic phenomenon alone but engages in a variety of creative outlets from fiction to music to the visual arts.

Beating the Hell Out of People: Sadoshamanism for Emotional Release
Michelle Balenger
In traditional shamanic work, mind and body are often pushed through extremes in sensation to break down boundaries and allow for a healing release of energy and emotion. Sadoshamanism takes these same techniques and adapts them to a BDSM setting to achieve catharsis through repetitive and/or extreme sensation. Learn core concepts for harnessing shamanic trance through BDSM, then break into small groups to put the theories into action.

[De]Constructing Ritual: Crafting Sacred Experiences
Michelle Balenger
Ritual is not just about religion. It is a potent psycho-social tool that can transform every day actions into something extraordinary. From making a simple cup of tea to the raw experience of a branding, learn how any set of actions can be ritualized to provide a deeper sense of meaning and significance. Discuss the cultural, temporal, and personal symbols that we have at our disposal for crafting living ritual and explore a variety of ritual experience, roles, and structures. This class is an open discussion on ritual-craft and theory and we will share ideas for applying ritualized actions to our own life expressions, whether they are sacred, mundane, or sexual. Although not required, attendees of this class are invited to join the "Living Ritual: Transformation Here and Now" where we will take these tools and concepts to craft a spontaneous and unique Winterfire ritual.

Vampires: Come Do Bad Things With Me
Michelle Balenger
Do vampires get your pulse pounding? Come meet author -- and vampire -- Michelle Belanger and learn how to get your vamp on. We'll discuss our favorite vampires from fiction and film and shamelessly steal their styles to bring life to the undead in hot, erotic roleplay. Learn how to set the stage for a vampire scene and explore safe techniques for erotic biting. The class will also touch upon real vampires and psychic energy and how this metaphysical aspect can also be used to turn up the heat in your scenes.

Living Ritual: Transformation Here and Now.
Michelle Balenger
Come together to create a spontaneous ritual experience. As a group, we will select a structure, style, symbol set, and ritual actions to express our collective Winterfire journey. If you attended the [De]Constructing Ritual class, this is your chance to apply your knowledge, but prior attendance is not necessary to shape, create, participate and enjoy.

 

Mistress Mei

Mistress Mei is a lifestyle and Professional Dominatrix in Washington DC and a well respected member of the BDSM community. She has been dominant all her life but since discovering this lifestyle, the ability to openly act on Her impulses keeps Her constantly excited.

Best Dressed: Femininity for Beginners
Mistress Mei
Don't let what's on the OUTSIDE hold you back, get in touch with your true inner femininity. Learn the secrets of feminine beauty through hands-on guidance by Mistress Mei, who will help you discover advanced techniques of make-up application, clothing selection, womanly gait, and lady-like mannerisms. This class will be tailored to the needs of the participants and their level of experience. Come have fun with like-minded people - and learn skills you can use in your future adventures. Bring your own make-up, or just watch the step-by-step make-up demonstration."

 

Murphy Blue

Murphy Blue is always prepared with a smile, a joke, and a length of rope, and has been sharing his kink knowledge and signature style since the turn of the century. Because the interplay of people and energy through intent and gestures is something that should be passed along, Murphy tries to focus not just on the *how’s* of kink, but the frequently forgotten *why’s*.

While most well known for his unique ropework, creative performances, bouncy demeanor, and intense love for Transformers, “The Blue” is also proficient in multiple kinky skills, a talented photographer, a budding writer, a practicing energy worker of multiple traditions, and a pretty darn good dancer. Murphy travels the country, teaching, learning, and saving the world, one knot at a time.

Sexual Shibari
Murphy Blue
Ever get your partner tied up, riled up, and ready to go only to find that awesome tie needs to be undone before “Getting down to business”? This class focuses on a few ties and positions that allow all the access you’re looking for.

Partial Suspension
Murphy Blue
A partial suspension is much more than just the point in between being on the ground and floating in the air. It can be the end result of a tie offering a unique set of experiences. This class looks at what a partial suspension is, shows a few different types of them, as well as play options for someone not quite on the ground.

 

Nayland

Nayland is an artist and educator, an investigator and instigator. He has presented on kink related topics at TESFest and Dark Odyssey Winter Fire/Leather Retreat/Fusion, The Floating World, IMsL and GMSMA, LSM, Instigate and Winter Wickedness, and has taught and lectured on art at numerous colleges around the United States, including Harvard, Yale, UC Berkeley and the Art institute of Chicago. In 2004 he was named International Pipebear at Briar Bash.

Caged Heat: the ins and outs of male chastity
Nayland
Many people use techniques such as orgasm control or tease and denial as part of their D/s dynamic. What if you're ready to take the next step and explore the always exciting and sometimes excruciating world of male chastity? This class examines the techniques, equipment and mindset that makes this play the ultimate in mental and physical control. Learn what to look out for when shopping for chastity devices, how to introduce the topic of chastity to your everyday scenes, and what are the techniques for dealing with emergencies.  Take it from someone who has been locked up and also done the locking, chastity play is powerful and fun for all the parties involved.

So you want to be a Kinky Presenter...
Nayland
You have this crazy skill that no one else has.  Or you've figured out what the true path of Dominance is and need to tell the world.  Or you've gone to tons of kinky presentations and thought "Hell, I could do that!"  Well you probably can.  But if you don't want to send your audience on a quick journey to slumber land, there are some things you should know.  This class will show you how to find and refine your topic, how to engage with an audience, and how to build enthusiasm for your presentations.  Some audience participation will be involved.

Notes of a Reluctant Daddy: Ageplay from the "Big" perspective
Nayland
Being confronted by a partner's desire for age play can be jarring and unsettling.  Most classes look at the situation from the point of view of the "little", but the situation can be just as triggering for the ""adult"", bringing up questions of socially taboo desires, and styles of play where one's partner may be extremely vulnerable.  This class presents some strategies for discussing the possibilities and a frame work for find one's way into the role of being "the Grownup" as well as presenting an opportunity to question some of the assumptions about that role.

Cram your strawberries! Food play from nibbles to the edge
Nayland
Food and sex touch us at the core.  How and when we are fed or feed others goes to the center of our social and animal natures.  This class looks at the ways to explore the intimacies inherent in playing with food.  Often presented as a gauzy sensual indulgence, food can also be a powerful part of a D/s relationship, incorporating control, interrogation, conditioning  as well as the entire range of physical pleasures of wet and messy play. The discussion will be wide ranging and will draw on the presenter's experiences in the gainer/encourager community.

 

Om Rupani

Om Rupani (OmRupani.org), is a professional photographer, sex educator and former director of the NY branch of OneTaste Urban Retreat Center, where he taught all their courses on sexuality, communication, and Orgasmic Meditation. Born and raised in the great city of Bombay/Mumbai India, he began his career in the direction of engineering and medicine, before the Muse beckoned him towards photography and film. He has been with the same fabulous woman for 21 years, and their desire to expand their sensual life led him to explore sexuality and relationships. He has studied modern Tantra with various wonderful teachers, such as Laurie Handlers, Barbara Carrellas, Sheri Winston, Charles Muir and others. His exploration with OneTaste eventually let to his leading their center and teaching their courses in Orgasmic Meditation, and he now teaches his own rendition of this powerful practice. Om integrates the richness he has gained through his BDSM play into sacred and conscious sex and his teaching style combines psychological insight with hands-on sensual practices. His goal for his students is to help them become Masterful at the Art of Giving & Receiving, and to confront their Shadow. His two biggest philosophical/spiritual influences are Osho and Eckhart Tolle. To see his photography visit: OmRupani.com

Spanking for Pleasure & Catharsis
Om Rupani
Come explore the nuances possible in this most common of kinks! Who doesn’t like giving or receive a little spanking in the right moment of passion? Some quality spanking can most certainly spice up your sex life. It can be a doorway into the psyche of both giver and receiver, showing them aspects of themselves that they have not thoroughly explored, not to mention an amazingly powerful channel for catharsis and release. Come explore! Share your experience. Improve your technique. And play!"

Bondage & Movement
Om Rupani
Come explore movement and dance while partially bound in rope---by yourself or to a partner. ‘Investigating Tension’ could be the theme of this exercise. Each of our bodies has its own gait, its own pace and memory. These inherent inclinations in our muscles and nerves can be brought forth into conscious light and new channels of energy can be opened when our limbs and their range of motion is partially constricted with rope. Come play and explore.

Self Pleasuring Through the 7 Chakras
Om Rupani
In this guided mediation of self pleasure you will spend time focusing on each of the 7 centers of the subtle body while raising your sexual energy. Whether you are an advanced tantric practitioner or a curious novice, come explore the subtle energies of sex. We will use Sound, Self-Touch and Focused Attention to guide sexual energy through the body, feel where there might be some stuck energy in the system and remove blocks. We will end with a grounding ritual. Feel free to bring cushions and pillows to make yourself a comfortable nest. Bring your favorite lube.

Manual Pleasure for Women's Bodies
Om Rupani
Hand-to-genital stimulation most of the time gets passed through quickly by most of us on our way to supposedly bigger and better things. In this class we are going to slow down and mosey a bit at this stage of erotic encounter and explore the possibilities. Our hands are the most dexterous organs we posses. The amount of sensation and pleasure that we can learn to create in our lover with our hands is virtually limitless. One crucial aspect required to go more deeply into this format is to separate the role of giver and receiver. In this particular class, the receivers will be women. The givers can be men or women. Please come to participate. Come with a partner or find one in class.

 

Princess Kali

Princess Kali is a dynamic kink educator who focuses on power exchange, sexual confidence & other pervy fun stuff! Now, with over a decade of experience in exploring sexually alternative lifestyles & professions, her time is focused on running three revolutionary websites she’s founded over the last two years; Kink Academy, Passionate U, and Fearless Press.com

How to train a service submissive
Princess Kali
Most Tops & Dom/me’s dream about having a well behaved service submissive to call their very own. But finding one pre-trained can be rough (and training out bad behaviors can be even tougher!) so it’s better to find and train your own, to your exact specifications. Once you’ve found someone who meets your standards, then the actual training of a service submissive can be fun for both sides! With a little creativity and a lot of discipline, a top-notch servant can be created out of almost anyone. (This class is for both Tops/Dommes & service oriented submissives.).

Becoming a Sexually Dominant Woman
Princess Kali
There are a lot of myths about powerful women and they can get in the way when you want to tap into your femme power. Fortunately, Princess Kali can make it much easier to be both strong and feminine. She’ll help you discover your dominant persona and style, offer tips on becoming comfortable in that role, show you a few basic kinky toys, get you started on using sexy verbal play, and more. She’ll even give you some ideas for bringing service submission into your play so your partner can pamper you the way you deserve! Let your powerful side out and see how much fun she can be! This workshop focuses on women with male partners.

Creative Humiliation
Princess Kali
Humiliation is such a complex and varied fetish that many lifestyle and professional players hesitate to delve very deeply into the many fun options for embarrassing, degrading or humiliating their submissive. After attending this workshop however, both light and heavy players will be equipped with exciting new ideas to use and expand upon. Everything from dehumanization, to chastity training, to verbal humiliation and water-sports will be discussed, as well as How to Humiliate Happily- the ways to make sure that everyone is getting what they need from the experience. This is class is appropriate for any Gender Power Dynamic, men and women are welcome!

Fashion Show & NCSF Auction
Princess Kali
Put a tingle in your trousers with the beguiling, brazen, and simply spectacular feast for your eyes that is the WinterFire 2012 fashion show. Hosted by the fabulous Princess Kali, a study in how to always look your best, the fashion show is a great chance to see friends and strangers alike strutting their stuff and owning the stage. Not just an opportunity to be a sexy perv, you'll have a chance to do some good for more than just your fantasies by bidding at the accompanying NCSF Auction. Do your part to help out the folk who fight for our right to be sexy swingers, kinky perverts, and playful polyamorists, all while getting a little something for yourself in the bargain.

 

Rachel Stewart

Rachel Stewart (www.eshaerialarts.com) is in love with the circus. She began as a gutter punk street performer and eventually pursued acrobatic training at the New England Center for Circus Arts in their Professional Track Program. In the year and a half since her graduation, she has performed around the world as owner of her own performance company and circus school, Esh Aerial Arts, and as a founding member of the Boston Circus Guild. She was awarded Best Aerial Hoop Act and Best Artistic Act at the 2011 Aerial Acrobatic Arts Festival in Denver, CO.

Intro to Aerial Arts
Rachel Stewart
This workshop will focus on the basics of aerial fabric and aerial hoop. Class will start with a guided warm-up and a demonstration of proper shoulder form and safety techniques. All tricks in the air will be over a mat and with heavy spotting by the instructor. Fabric skill such as the: basic climb, footlock on the ground, arch forward, splits back, and the lotus hang will be covered. As will the Lyra skills straddle up, knee hang, star, mermaid, and gazelle. A few other techniques may be covered time permitting. Since there will be only one apparatus, students will be given stretching or strengthening exercises to do while waiting for a turn. Class will end with partner stretching to cool down."

 

Rene

René de Parade (xklusiv.com) is an experienced switch. He early turned his passion into profession when he founded Xklusiv Events in 1998. His company produces classy ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ like BDSM events at historic castles as well as the annual German Fetish Ball Weekend. Among other projects is involved in the German BDSM community as an activist for sexual freedom at the BVSM.

German for Kinky Play
Rene
There may not be a kinkier sounding language on Earth than German. From commands for dogs or horses to use in pet play, to military commandos for any kind of boot camp scenarios, having some German words and phrases can add that extra depth and intensity to your scenes. Or take things in a slightly different direction and learn to speak like a bad German cop, great for an abduction scenario, which could lead where some nice phrases for an interrogation could come in handy (no matter if you are a captured German spy who just gives his name, rank and id number in German or you are the Stasi-Officer interrogating an US spy in Eastern Germany). The possibilities are endless, so we'll figure out together where to focus and you'll come away with a new sexy weapon in your BDSM arsenal.

 

Roma

Roma Mafia ( www.romamafia.com, www.facebook.com/The.Roma.Mafia) is the criminally carnal alter ego of an Italian firecracker with a penchant for pole dancing, performance art, gender fuckery, and loose morals. A sex geek, queer activist, blogger, grammar guru, and yogi by day, Roma spends her evenings entertaining audiences along the East Coast, both independently and with the fantastically freaky troupe, Sticky Buns Burlesque.

Strip Like You Mean It!
Roma
Have you ever been overcome by the desire to straddle an unsuspecting lamppost? Do support beams get you dizzy with excitement? If so, you just might be suffering from an acute case of “stripper envy,” and there’s good news: it’s totally incurable! In the “Strip Like You Mean It” series, you’ll finally harness both the confidence and the coordination you need to show that pole who’s boss. Learn basic struts, spins, twirls, inversions, and some fancy stuff, too! In addition to picking up some sexy moves, you’ll get an amazing upper body and abdominal workout. Let’s face it - professional strippers have some of the best bodies around, and it’s not simply coincidental. So grab some friends, and leave your inhibitions in your hotel room. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even “make it rain.”

Le Cabaret
Roma
Dark Odyssey Productions and Roma Mafia present, “Le Cabaret!,” a fanciful feast for the eyes. Imagine, for a moment, if all of your perverted pleasures came together in one glorious evening of wildly diverse entertainment. Brilliant burlesque! Awe-inspiring aerial acts! Breathtaking bellydance! Fantastic fire performances! Alluring acrobatics! Magnificent vocal and instrumental musicians! AND WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Enjoy the jaw-dropping, mouth-watering talents of the best the East Coast has to offer. Succumb to your sweet tooth with “The Chocolate that Melts your Heart,” GIGI HOLLIDAY! Get blown away by Baltimore’s Boylesque Bandit, PACO FISH! Prepare to be held spellbound by INTIMACY’s captivating chemistry! Revel in the rhythmic rope stylings of GRAYDANCER! Behold the sensual, gravity-defying antics of RACHEL STEWART! Wait with baited breath for Washington DC’s blue maven of the sword, MAVI! Be inspired by the rapturous bump-and-grind beauty that is CHEROKEE ROSE! Get hot and bothered with the devilishly-divine duo, SUNNY SIGHED AND BAL’D LIGHTENING! Featuring the criminally carnal kinkster herself, ROMA MAFIA! Hosted by your favorite gender-blending vaudevillian, JOHNNY BLAZES!

Don’t assume you’ve “seen it all” - see it for yourself! Bring your friend, bring your lover, bring your slave - definitely bring that hottie you were making eyes at in the dungeon last night! “Le Cabaret” promises an experience unparalleled to your dirtiest desires."

 

Scott Church

Scott Church is a world renowned, internationally published, award winning fine art erotic portrait photographer. His work has been featured in Playboy Magazine, Playboy.com, Maxim.com, Skin Too Magazine, Gothic Beauty Magazine, Secret Magazine and Fine Art PHOTO Magazine, along with many others. He has published six books of photography and given workshops in London, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle and Las Vegas. His day to day work is, by choice, with regular people, not professional models. He loves finding everyone's beauty, no matter the subject, and he shows his clients the utmost devotion and respect everyday. He still chooses to base his studio in the same small town he grew up in, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and keeps his prices low to allow everyone to enjoy what he does. Scott truly loves photographing people, and making them feel as perfect and beautiful as he possibly can. His work speaks for itself. Be sure to check out his daily journal, which chronicles the past five years of his day to day work.

How to Take Better Intimate Photographs at Home
Scott Church
Join 2011's featured photographer Scott Church for a beginners course in do it yourself erotic photography. This class will focus on how to capture amazing intimate photographs at home without spending a fortune on professional lighting and equipment. Fun will be had by all!

Exposure: A DO Family Portrait
Scott Church
Scott Church will be shooting a large scale NUDE group shoot on Sunday during lunch time. Anyone can participate in this shoot free of charge, and all participants will receive a full size digital file of the image if they provide an email address. If you are interested, gather just outside the Atrium Ballroom at 1:15 and we will find a great space for the shot.

 

Sejay

Sejay is a queer biracial genderqueer switch who has been teaching people about sex(uality) professionally for the past 7 years, inside & out of the scene, to folks aged 7 to 70. Ze loves hearing & telling stories about how hot safer sex can be, kinky or vanilla. When facilitating classes, you can usually find Sejay running around in a lab coat, fake nerdy glasses, a speculum, & a big, enthusiastic grin.

DO101
Sejay
In addition to an introduction to the culture of Dark Odyssey, which newcomers will find especially helpful, this is a space where we will discuss the mission, ethos, and etiquette of this unique event. When you bring together folks from so many different communities, it’s a challenge to create a safe, positive space for all of them. Let’s define terms, review guidelines, explain etiquette, discuss expectations, and make sure everyone is on the same page before we embark on this journey together. In addition to answering all your questions, Sejay is a Safer Sex expert who will review current information about sexually-transmitted infections, risk reduction, and safer sex practices. Dark Odyssey 101 sessions are given on Friday and Saturday.

Gender Blender Party & Show
Sejay
Got work off on Monday? DRAG your vacation into Sunday night with kings, queens, & genderfuckers from around the globe. Join us for a night of big hair, long gowns, mustaches, & kink on stage. Then get your dance on! Want help dressing up for the event? -- we will have transformation workshops (both FtM and MtF) earlier in the day!

 

Sharrin Spector

Sharrin is a body modification artist, teacher and vendor, who has been active in the BDSM community for the last 20 years. Her passions include blood, rattan canes and being on the receiving end of excellent service. Sharrin has taught for numerous organizations including Black Rose, Thunder in the Mountains, Dark Odyssey and IMsL. When not traveling, she lives in a non-traditional "poly-cule" in Oakland CA, does piercing, branding and scarification as she vends at leather events and runs the Cock Farm!

Playing the Edge: Past Safe Sane Consensual
Sharrin Spector
Seductive, illicit, taboo, forbidden... you know what I mean. You’ve already discerned the limits, but you want just a tad bit more. What now? How do you get it, how do you go that inch further, and how do you find your way back? This workshop is designed for advanced /experienced players.

Caning
Sharrin Spector
Tap, tap, tap just not doing it for you anymore? Well, why not? Maybe because no one has ever taught you the range of sensation and the depth of this marvelous instrument. Come and learn how to use a cane for pleasure as well as pain. From new strokes to new styles this class will cover an advanced approach to the cane.

 

Shibari Warrior

Shibari Warrior, aka Thomas, began his lifestyle journey back in 1994 a neophyte like everyone else. Through self study and attendance at events like Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire, he acquired the skills to do his own rigging. He began instructing at Dark Odyssey: Spring Fire 07 and continued with Winter Fire 08, 09 & 11, The Floating World 07, 08 & 09, TES and Paddles. This upcoming Winter Fire will be his fourth year presenting at this event. He has provided equipment for the The Floating World ’09 ,’10 as well the Head of the Dungeon Crew for ’11 & “12; he was also the Dungeon Master for Brimstone II. He has also produced three successful events of his own – Winter Solstice held over the New Year’s Eve weekend in Piscataway NJ and is a member of MAsT Philly. He is a former Board of Director for the Leather Heart Foundation, a tax-exempt organization created to provide assistance to individuals of all sexual orientations in the Leather, BDSM and fetish community (www.leatherheart.org). A former Marine, he resides in NJ working as a salesman and is assisted by his lovely Woman, Mistress Roxy. He regularly attends of the several munches in the Philly and NJ area, and is a dedicated participant of Dark Odyssey Winter Fire, having attended every DOWF since its inception.

Introduction to Basic Suspension
Shibari Warrior
If you wish to do hands on - Rope will not be provided, so please bring two 50' lengths of rope (soft braided white nylon [if purchased at Home Depot or Lowes, off of the reel only, not bagged, 15% longer], hemp or MFP only). For this class you will need one 50, two 40, and two 10 foot lengths of rope, either 1/4 or 3/8 inch, or 6mm. Nudity not a requirement, but the less you wear, the better. Catsuits or body stockings are HAWT.

Students will be taught how to do a suspension for the first time - proper anchoring, chest harness, waist harness and ankle supports. Also to be covered will be the responsibilities of the rope Top and bottom, how to create the ultimate rope kit and a brief overview for care and maintenance of your rope. If possible, bring a partner to tie up or we will try to match people up. If you have rope experience, an opportunity to learn a thing or two is always possible. A handout, will not directly pertaining to the class, will be provided.

Inverted Suspension (Advanced Class)
Shibari Warrior
This is an advanced class for those with experience in suspension rigging. Attendees will be evaluated based upon preparation for class by: coming prepared with the proper types and length of rope, storage of ropes used and display of your usual rigging technique. Once completed, we will move onto techniques for the Inverted Suspension. During this class, participants will be taught 1) Proper anchoring and rigging of the bottom, 2) Duration for scene and added features, such as 3) What to do when the bottom is up (inverted) 4) The safety aspect of suspension will be discussed.

Rope will not be provided, as this will be the indication of your rigging experience. The following lengths and diameters of rope in Solid Braid Nylon, MFP, or Hemp type only, will be necessary for the class (no other types of rope will be permitted. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Rope should be either 1/4 or 3/8 inch or 6mm in diameter; lengths for female bottoms is one 50, one 40, two 20, two 15 and one 10 footer; lengths for the male bottom is two 40, two 30 and one 15 footer(s) as well as a combat style laced boot(s).

 

SMS - Abraham Street

Abraham Street has been an educator and facilitator of everything from body modification to spirituality to kink, and sometimes merging all three together, for more than a decade. He is a performing artist, Reiki master, ritual drummer, and a past professional body mod artist. With interests including BDSM, Tantra, D/s and M/s relationships, rigging and sacred sexuality, Abraham offers his unique and sacred/profane view on subjects ranging from blood play to energy play and beyond. As a Director on the Board for Sacred Mark Sanctuary, he works to help people connect their bodies and spirits through ritual and ordeal. Abraham@sacredmarks.com

Cloud 9: Flesh In Flight
SMS - Abraham Street
Flesh hook suspensions are one of the oldest ordeal rituals known to humankind. Using modern day, 8g stainless steel hooks, you too can take flight with us, experiencing new heights of ecstasy and freedom while raising energy you have only dreamed possible. Sacred Mark Sanctuary will be leading you on a journey to “Cloud Nine” where each individual can soar above their wildest expectations and surrender to the bliss that comes with taking control of your fears and desires.

 

SMS - Aura Shimmering

Aurora Shimmering is an experienced teacher and organizer who has produced sacred sexuality and ordeal rituals, workshops, events, and scenes since 2002. Whether priestess, assistant, guardian, or witness, her strength lies in sharing knowledge and encouraging others to live up to their fullest potential. Her interests include deepening relationships, integrating Tantra and energy work with sexuality, M/s and D/s relationship dynamics, and spiritual growth through ordeal and BDSM, including bondage, fire play, piercing, and suspension. Aurora is currently an Ambassador for Sacred Mark Sanctuary. Kelly@sacredmarks.com

One Deep Breath
SMS - Aura Shimmering
One deep breath—can change the way you feel. Just one deep breath—can connect you to your partner. Just one deep breath—can open your unconscious mind. With a few basic tantric breath and energy techniques, Master Abraham and Aurora Kelly from Sacred Mark Sanctuary have enhanced their relationships, their orgasms, and their BDSM play. Join us to learn some basic breath exercises to raise personal and sexual energy, deepen your experience of top/sub space, and intensify connection with your partners. Just one deep breath—can be the best thing you add to your kinky toy bag!

 

SMS - Captain Gordon

Capt. Gordon Staub has more than a decade of experience tattooing, piercing, and branding. He owns Time Bomb Productions - a tattoo studio in Frederick, MD - and brings his award-winning art to tattoo conventions and pagan festivals every year. Gordon uses various shamanic tools in his energetic workings, customizing tribally-inspired body modification practices to accommodate the needs of the community, clients, friends, and family. His drumming, dance, Reiki, visionary artistic eyes, skillfully dexterous hands, and warrior spirit, all lend to his healing body transformation workings. Gordon serves as Ambassador for Sacred Mark Sanctuary. Gordon@sacredmarks.com

Kinky Wrestling 101
SMS - Captain Gordon
Sensual take-down is a primal play involving wrestling, martial arts, various pressure points—and even some “pack mentality” play. This workshop is intended to be gentle enough to accommodate those who can only tolerate low impact play. The idea here is to be able to express physical domination in a primal way while allowing the play to remain a sexy experience. It will teach safety, take-down techniques, pressure points, submissions and some sexy movement motivations. This workshop is geared towards all ages and skill levels; while anyone with experience in traditional take-down techniques and martial arts will find this an interesting experience, this will be an unconventional approach to sensual play that integrates these common methodologies. Perhaps more importantly, this workshop is meant for some seriously sexy fun—it will surely leave your heart beating and blood pumping!

Hooked Up
SMS - Captain Gordon
Explore an ancient tribal method of ordeal using modern technology: 8g stainless steel hooks pierced through flesh. Once your hook ropes are tied to the wall, a piece of furniture, or another person, you can push your body to the limit and take your spirit to a new place through pain and sacrifice. This introduction to hook piercing and tension sensation will push your body, mind and Spirit as Sacred Mark Sanctuary offers years of experience with this rite of old and helps to make it accessible to us today.

Body Mod Beauty
SMS - Captain Gordon
There is beauty and power in intentionally changing the way you are perceived or seen. Sacred Mark Sanctuary is known for creating and engaging in personal transformation through various forms of changing perceptions of the self, and can share professional experiences with various forms of temporary, long term, and permanent body modifications. A great workshop and discussion for people who are considering some form of modification, people who have modified their body in some way, or those who are interested in the practice.

 

SMS - Dangerous Beauty

Dangerous Beauty strives to personalize and strengthen individual experiences tailored to all involved through her work as a sacred ritual creator and facilitator. A practicing Pagan priestess since 1996, she has spent the intervening years learning, leading, and always growing through her personal investment in education, ritual production and community focused involvement. Her primary interests lie in spiritual connection through sacred sexuality, BDSM and kink-aware advocacy, ordeal path ritual, group dynamic facilitation, and furthering the general understanding of alternative lifestyle psychology. Dangerous Beauty is a Sex Educator and Goddess with Athena’s Home Novelties and currently serves as President of Sacred Mark Sanctuary. Nikki@sacredmarks.com

Exploring the Dark Goddess, Embracing your Sacred Whore
SMS - Dangerous Beauty
Traditions of the Dark Goddess are many and incredibly diverse, yet they all hold within them core truths representing some of the most frightening aspects of our individual paths: destruction and death; fears we have yet to face; and mysteries that we have yet to uncover. If we could learn to embrace Her, releasing fear of the dark shadows within our own sexuality, we would see that She holds within Her the wisdom and strength which we need to heal ourselves emotionally and to become more empowered and spiritually connected. In this discussion we will explore some of the traditions of the Dark Goddess and answer questions: What are Her connections to our sacred sexuality? How do we engage Her wisdom and respond? What might our lives look like when empowered by the Sacred Whore within us?

 

SMS - Jaki

Jaki is a genderqueer Black American Leather feminist with a passion for politics, history, civil rights and getting off. Jaki works as a Professional Storyteller, public speaker and a freelance writer in Baltimore, MD.  Jaki has begun a one-person campaign to promote "yo" as a gender neutral option because it is fun and original. Yo has always been interested in minority studies and this devotion ultimately led to a deeply spiritual commitment to the BDSM and Leather Community. In 2010, Jaki officially earned a Storyteller's staff. That began a personal journey of sharing stories, education and smut to the masses. Jaki is the co-editor of the Perverts of Color Anthology, works for the multi-gendered sex store Sugar, is a volunteer for the Carter/Johnson Leather Library and rarely Jaki has been known to sleep. Follow Jaki at www.jakigriot.com.

Humor in the Dungeon: Adding Laughter to Our Toy Bags
SMS - Jaki
One of the most common human experiences is sharing laughter. It is a building block used to create intimate relationships. Some cultures believe a child is not born until the moment that they laugh. So why do we smirk at the idea that this powerful connection is out of place in our play?  There are so many possibilities. Laughter can be used as a tool to dramatically alter the direction of our scene. Laughter can be a breathing technique, a vehicle to establish a power exchange, a test of wills or just plain funny! The darker side of laughter can include humiliation and edge play. Laughter can also induce altered states of mind to connect us to the divine. This workshop will explore physical and psychological aspects of laughter for all players. It will also talk about the ways we use laughter to help and hinder negotiation and honest communication.

Living Kinky After Religious Abuse: From Victims to Survivors
SMS - Jaki
Religious abuse can manifest in myriad ways which include teaching dogma in a manner that causes psychological trauma. For kinksters, these experiences often become challenges in our path towards self-acceptance. Often our trusted teachers, clergy or family have used religion to justify discrimination, harassment and/or humiliation. In some cases, we've bee the victims of violence and extremism in our own homes. We do not always consider the ways that this abuse can hinder our kink lives. Nor do we always have an outlet to search for other survivors and create resources that facilitate healing. This workshop will talk about different types of religious abuse and the symptoms. It will provide strategies to deal with religious abuse when confronted. It will also discuss ways to reconcile our experience into a greater understanding of the universe and/or divine. As survivors, we can still feel a connection to our past without holding onto the negative aspects of our abusive situation. This workshop is not a substitute for individual therapy and it will conclude with a list of resources for people interested in seeking professional help.

 

SMS - Moose B. Almighty

Moose B. Almighty (Moose@sacredmarks.com) is a former circus sideshow entertainer gone professional body modification artist who began teaching fire play, play piercing, and cross contamination control as well as performing as a fire dancer/breather and hand drummer within the fetish community back in 2008. After working along side them for many years in 2011 he became the newest ambassador to Sacred Marks Sanctuary and with them as tribe develops rituals which focus around body spirituality.

Butt Drumming
SMS - Moose B. Almighty
Using the ancient art of hand percussion to turn spanking into a whole new experience. Throughout time drumming has been used in ritual in order to influence/aid the attainment of trance like states. In this class you will learn how to use this same ancient art to create a deeper sense of top/sub space through spanking with rhythm. SMS’s very own Moose B. Almighty and his lovely instrument SnowBunni will go over proper playing position, hand positioning to create different tone, basic rhythms, how to advance your rhythm, incorporating toys, and musical genres to work with. Recommended for couples, but if you can’t find a “drum” and you still want learn the beats you can always come along and play on your knees.

 

SMS - YourNeighborRi

YourNeighborRi is a new presenter who began as a discussion leader at FetFest 2011 for college students in the kink community; she is also one of the co-founders of the “College Park Kinklings” in Maryland. The group, also known as “CPK,” focuses on college students and younger kinky individuals beginning to seek an increase in their sense of community and the safety therein by promoting education and safer choices. She has been known as one of the naked-est puppy players in the DC/MD scene, seeking theatrical edge play scenes with her Sir, Capt. Gordon, and trusted friends.

Rocky Horror
SMS - YourNeighborRi
Beginning in 1975 the Rocky Horror Picture Show has been entertaining the cult movie scene with it's crazy antics and encouragement of audience participation. College Park Kinklings proudly continue this tradition by performing a shadow casting, essentially performing the movie in front of a screen playing the movie, and invite you to come and let us chill you, thrill you, and fulfill you.

 

Strap-on Jo

Strap-on Jo (straponjo.com, facebook.com/StrapOnJoWhole) is a queer bi switch poly dyke slut, whose love affair with other people's anuses went from private kink to professional calling five years ago when she transitioned from being a statistician to being a non-domme professional ass fucker who occasionally teaches classes and makes porn.

How to Handle A Big Dick
Strap-on Jo
The bigger the better, right? That's what everyone says in public, but behind closed doors, receptive partners often express a preference for more manageable, non-porn sized cocks and those endowed with large cocks often complain that it is tough for them to find partners who can really handle it. Being turned on by big cocks doesn't mean you necessarily know how to wield or get fucked by them. In this class, I discuss anatomy and demonstrate positions and techniques to help you stroke, suck, and get fucked by big dicks without pain or discomfort. I also address strategies for the person wielding the big dick (strapped on or otherwise) to have penetrative sex without worrying about hurting their partner or having to hold back.

The Art and Science of Hand Jobs
Strap-on Jo
Even for people adept at handling cocks and balls with their mouths or other holes, the prospect of manually handling cocks and balls for pleasure or pain can be scary or intimidating. Sure, you can just use lots of lube and stroke the cock up and down to make it squirt, avoiding the balls and any maneuvers that might possibly look like it could hurt.... but an artful handjob can be so much more than that. Combining cock and ball "torture" techniques and toys with my experience and experimentation with at least a thousand cocks, cut and uncut, this workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence to give a deliciously tantalizing hand job, working your partner into a frenzy instead of on the fast track directly to orgasm. Whether you choose to call it "cock and ball torture," "tease and denial," or just "allowing your partner to lie back and savor your handiwork," we're going to do it in this hands on workshop.

Fisting Fiesta
Strap-on Jo
Let's get this fisting party started! Bring your hands, bring your holes, we've got the gloves and lube....let's celebrate this intense, awesome, fun, safe, and explosive form of sex.

The Safest Sex Party
Strap-on Jo
Hands encased in gloves and covered in lube pay attention to cocks and holes. Learn new tricks by watching your friends or practicing on that hottie you've had your eye on. Hand sex, finger fucking, handjobs, fisting, fingering, prostate massage, g-spot massage, cock massage, clit massage, internal massage, external massage...whatever you want to call it, we're doing it.

 

Wintersong Tashlin

Wintersong Tashlin (www.barkingshaman.com) is a shaman, magician, presenter, and blogger, who has been teaching and running rituals for over a decade. Employing pain and pleasure as tools for his spiritual work as well as kinky play, Wintersong teaches workshops on a variety of erotic, spiritual and sexual topics. He specializes needle play, cbt, polyamory, roleplaying and playing with unusual fetishes, as well as LGBT issues, disability, and both erotic and non-erotic spiritual and magical topics. He is a programing coordinator for Dark Odyssey and a regular contributor to LGBT blog The Bilerico Project. Winter has presented for Kink Academy, Dark Odyssey, The Floating World, QueerPlayCon, Black Rose, and many other events and organizations. He is a council member of Clan Tashlin, an earth based teaching and magical order built around a unique relationship between people and the energies of the world around us, and has been featured in TV documentaries on topics such as polyamory, spirituality and genital integrity in both the United States and Great Britain.

Sadistic Needleplay
Wintersong Tashlin
Leave the beads and feathers at home, this advanced needleplay class will focus specifically on techniques for using needles as a tool for erotic pain. We’ll cover various ways to hurt your bottom through needle placement, layout, impact play, manipulation and of course, removal. Specific safety precautions, aftercare needs, materials, and other considerations will also be discussed.

Communication for Dating and Scoring
Wintersong Tashlin
Hey you, wanna fuck?” Sure there are times and places where that might work just fine (hint: the web often isn't one of them), but it’s not for everywhere or everyone. Maybe you aren’t the type to walk up to someone and proposition them that way. Or maybe you are, but you can’t quite figure out how to approach your partner(s) about taking this whole kinky thing out for a spin. Perhaps you’re even someone in a long term relationship that’s gotten sexually stale who can’t find the right way to say “you know, I miss banging you on a regular basis, what can we do about it?” If any of these sound familiar, join us to talk about strategies and communication for dating and scoring in person and online.

Opening Ritual: Summoning Desire
Wintersong Tashlin
Hail and Merry meet! Every year we come together in this amazing time and space to create the wondrous happening we call Dark Odyssey. Join us as we gather together to shape our intentions, and bless this space that will form the canvas for our sensual, kinky, and intimate desires and dreams over the next several days. Everyone is welcome, no matter what faith, beliefs, or walks of life you come from. All that's needed is the desire for Dark Odyssey WinterFire to be everything we could imagine and so much more.

Closing Ritual: Preparing for Emergence
Wintersong Tashlin
As the whirlwind of intimacy, desire, spirit, and sex, that we call Dark Odyssey begins to wind down, we come together to reflect on our experience and share in the joys and challenges that our time here has brought us. We say thank you to the spaces where dreams dark and joyous played out, and hold this moment in our hearts as we prepare to return to the world outside.

 

Alan Esq

Alan is an attorney admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey, and has worked in the realm of sexual rights and civil liberties for over a decade. In addition to giving lectures on behalf of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF), he has also served on the National Board of Directors for the Leather Leadership Conference and is a former presiding officer of The Eulenspiegel Society (TES). His writings have been published in some of the nation’s top law journals, including the Yale Law Journal, New York Law Journal and New Jersey Law Journal. In his workshops, given throughout the country, he strives to provide practical information to help people understand how existing laws affect their lifestyle and their right to engage in all Safe, Sane and Consensual sexual practices.

The Legality of Sexuality
Alan Esq
With constantly changing electoral environments and recent developments in the law, sexual rights have long been at the forefront of this country’s political spectrum. This lecture will be devoted to an overview of the current legal landscape and how it affects the rights of the S/M, Leather, Transgendered, Poly, Swing communities, in addition to those of all alternative sexual lifestyles. It will be an interactive discussion of how communities are working together for the empowerment of all sexual freedoms. Find out how you can make a difference!