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May 2003 . contents
store events
workshops
bursary news
summer hours
toy review: electric vibes
new toys
upcoming art
Store Events
| May 10 |
It’s Our 5th Birthday!!
We would like to thank you all for your continued support and invite you to our birthday party on Saturday May 10th between 10 and 6. Be one of the first 50 people to shop on Saturday and get 50% off any dildo or vibrator!! Everyone else will get 20% off toys, cake, and free gifts with any $50 purchase. Win tickets to "Havana Nights - Planned Parenthood’s Safer Sex in the City" Party at the Velvet Olive. |
| May 27 |
Reading with Lynn Coady
On Tuesday May 27th at 7pm, Lynn Coady will be reading from both her newest novel Saints of Big Harbour and from the new collection she has edited, Victory Meat. Lynn is also the author of Strange Heaven and Play the Monster Blind. Free. |
| July 15 |
Reading With Darren Greer
On Tuesday July 15th at 7pm, Darren Greer will be reading from his latest novel Still Life With June. Darren is from Nova Scotia but now resides in Ottawa. He is the author of Tyler’s Cape and Still Life With June, and is a playwright as well. This will be Darren’s second reading at Venus Envy, and we’re thrilled to have him back. Free. |
| July 17 |
Reading Out Loud
This was a great event last year, so we’re doing it again. The evening will be hosted by Jane Kansas and will feature local community members reading passages from their favorite GLBT literature. Readers this year will include artist Rita McKeough, pride publisher Chris Aucoin, performer Casey Publicover, and guest author Darren Greer. Thursday July 17th, 7pm at the Spring Garden Library. Free. |
| July 19 |
Sale!
Our annual Pride Sale will happen again this July! Come in on Saturday the 19th anytime from 10 am to 6 pm and get 20% off all toys (excluding leather gear and harnesses). |
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Workshops
All workshops are held at the store, located at 1598 Barrington Street in Halifax. Please register by calling 422 0004. Payment must be received to hold your spot: you can either pay by credit card over the phone, or come by the store and pay in person. The workshop fee is $10 (+tax) per person, and receive 10% off any purchases made after the workshop.
| June 2 |
G marks the Spot
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will talk about history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. 6:15 pm . For everyone. |
| June 10 |
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
If you’re interested in licking boys’ bits, but aren’t sure where to start or what to do once you get going, this is the workshop for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head. 6:15 pm . For everyone. |
| July 12 |
Sex Toys 101: An Intro to the Wonderful World of Toys
"What is it? What do I do with it? Where do I put it?" Anatomy, vibrators, dildos, lube and other slippery stuff: this workshop will give toy novices a chance to learn about different toys in a relaxed atmosphere. 6:15 pm . For everyone. |
| August 5 |
The Art of Cunnilingus
This workshop will cover anatomy, technique, communication skills and tricks to please your lady with your lips. And tongue, and teeth, and.... One hour, plus time for questions. 6:15 pm . For everyone. |
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Venus Envy Bursary News
The Venus Envy Bursary Society has had a great start to the year. Our comedy event, "She’s Funny That Way" was a big success raising $2000 this year. Thanks once again to the talented performers, our main sponsor, KHG Management, and to all the other volunteers who made this event so much fun. More recently, the Halifax Burlesque Society donated $800 from a show that was held at the Vimy Legion. Thank you to Melissa and all the other performers and volunteers for putting on a fabulous show and for your generosity!
The applications for the 2003 bursaries are available at Venus Envy, online, or at student centers and social services agencies around the province. Check out our website or call 902 422 0004 if you would like more information.
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Summer Hours
To celebrate the longer days, we’re extending our hours.
| Monday | 10 - 6 |
| Tuesday | 10 - 6 |
| Wednesday | 10 - 6 |
| Thursday | 10 - 8 |
| Friday | 10 - 8 |
| Saturday | 10 - 6 |
| Sunday | 12 - 5 |
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Toy Review
Electric Vibes
For a while, it seemed like electric vibrators had gone out of vogue. In our stores, they sat in their basket on the wall, and occasionally someone would pick one up, flip the switch, do a double take and put it back down again. Which always struck me as a shame, since I am a die-hard, loyal, electric vibrator enthusiast. Sure, battery operated models are smaller and more wieldy, easier to fit between two people, and don’t put your clit on a tether to the nearest outlet. But batteries, dammit, wear out. Or wear down, so if you want your toy running at top speed all the time (yes, please!) you have to change them before they’re actually real garbage, which irks my penny-pinching heart. Very importantly, for those of us who are power hungry, I’ve never met a battery vibe that matched an electric for strength. And as for longevity– my electric vibe has outlasted every single battery model I’ve ever owned. That toy and my cat are the two things I would save from a burning building.
Lately, though, there seems to have been a resurgence in the popularity of electric vibrators lately. More specifically, some days it feels like every other person is walking in the door and asking about the Hitachi Magic Wand. Upon first laying eyes on the wand, most people have one of two responses: "Oh my god, I’m supposed to put that where?" or "Wow, where’s your nearest plug?" For those of you who aren’t familiar with what’s been called "the cadillac of vibrators", it’s just a little over a foot long, the business end looks remarkably like a white plastic tennis ball (see our online catalogue for a photo), and it’s pretty weighty as vibes go. The big split in reaction comes not only from the size and heft, but from its power as well. The Hitachi has two speeds, and when I’m feeling clever, I like to describe them as "higher" and "holy cow". This strength inspires fear in some and awe in others.
If you want to come through your clothes, definitely go for the Hitachi. On its own, plastic to lube to skin, the thing is so damn powerful its easy to short circuit your nerve endings. At least, that’s the only way I can describe what seems to happen occasionally when I use it. After a few frustrating visits with my Wand, I finally found that the higher speed with a washcloth folded in four provided enough, but not too much stimulation. Betty Dodson, one of the Wand’s biggest champions, recommends affixing the washcloth with an elastic used to hold bunches of broccoli together. But once you do get it working for you, man, does it ever work. "Holy cow" falls somewhat short of the mark.
But the Hitachi isn’t the only electric vibe out there. There are rechargeable types that look about the same, but don’t plug in while you’re using them. They’re more powerful than battery operated models, but you still have the wearing down factor. The best of the best, as far as I’m concerned, is the coil vibrator. We carry one called the Ben Wa 3001; Wahl makes a similar one. It’s a little less powerful than the Hitachi, but much more quiet. The vibration is definitely on the high-pitched buzzy side, for both the low and the high speeds. It’s quite different from most of the battery operated models, which tend towards the throbby end of the spectrum. It also comes with several attachments that can diffuse or focus the vibration, or provide different kinds of texture; also, one of them is a 3 inch probe with a nub at a 45 degree angle that can be used for either vaginal or anal stimulation.
There are separate attachments for all of these vibes, so if you’re looking more for penetration, but don’t want to sacrifice the power and reliability of electric, you can get either straight or hooked probes for the Hitachi types, as well as one in silicone. There’s also a clit/g-spot stimulator that is designed to fit the coil type vibe.
So the Hitachi is a huge back massager and the coil vibrator looks a little like a drill. Maybe not quite as funky as an animal print or as sensuous as silicone, and yes, there is the issue of the cord. But frankly, I am willing to plan my bedroom decor around the location of outlets. It seems a small sacrifice for that much pleasure.
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New Toys
Mermaid
Finally, a dual toy made in silicone! It has twirling beads in the shaft, and
separate controls for the rotating shaft and clit stimulator. The shaft has
beads and three speeds; the vibe has two speeds and three pulsating functions.
The shaft is all soft curves, while the vibrator is pointed for very focussed
sensation.
Daisy the Dragon
Another dual toy made in silicone! It also has twirling beads in the shaft,
and separate controls for the rotating shaft and clit stimulator. The shaft has
beads and three speeds; the vibe has two speeds and three pulsating functions.
And she’s just about the cutest toy we’ve ever seen, with the perfect nose for
g-spotting.
Bend Over Beginner Kit
This kit is designed for those who are interested in getting into anal play.
The small Silk is a good introductory size (7/8" x 4 1/4"), smooth and
completely unitimidating, and the medium Silk is a nice step up from there (1" x
5"). The super soft harness is adjustable up to 50", and uses web-slides for
easy adjustment and good stability. The crowning glory: the harness has a
special pouch for the Micro Mini, so the wearer gets as much stimulation as the
person bent over!
Flame Kit
If you want a medium sized dildo with a great harness for a good price, then
you want this kit. The Flame dildo is 1 1/4" x 5 3/4", and the tip is decorated
with a Flame motif for extra stimulation as it goes in and out. The harness is
adjustable to 50", soft and stable, and has the magic pouch for the Micro Mini
Vibe.
Fleshlight
Our newest toy specifically for boys. It’s a cyberskin insert in a canister
designed to look like a flashlight, and the insert feels incredibly real. The
top screws off, and the bottom can be adjusted tighter or looser for differing
amounts of suction. It’s been getting rave reviews all over the ‘net, and flying
off our shelves.
Limpies
These dils are meant for packing. Very soft cyberskin, they’re incredibly
realistic and have been known to pass the "squeeze test." No harness necessary-
just slip them in a pair of tighty whities (no boxers or boxer-briefs, unless
you want your package halfway down your thigh), and you’ll be the envy of the
room.
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Upcoming Art
| May |
WTO Collective
Laura Mackay, Andrea Puszkar, and Andrea Ritchie. "Images of Solidarity: Images of Life on the Axis of Evil and Beyond." Photographs of everyday life in countries that have been bombed by America since 1945. |
| June |
Melissa Ryan
"Diva Series" Oils on Canvas of various sizes. Abstract images of the private parts of men and women. |
| July |
Leslie Walters
New works. |
| August |
Kim Dawn
"deergirl and ghostgirls." Her work is an internal [public displayed, guts opened for the world to peruse] investigation [detective work] of purposefully forgotten memory, submerged into her body, under her skin. Drawings on paper. |
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