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March 2005 . contents
- It's our birthday!
- Patrick Califia
- Workshops
- Reviews: Bottoms Up: Writing about Sex, WET warming lube, LayaSpot
- Local Events
- Fetish Diva Midori
- Art at Venus Envy
It's our birthday!
Come help us celebrate SEVEN years of fun at Venus Envy on Saturday, April 30.
- 10% off EVERYTHING in stock!
- a chance to win a year of Venus Envy workshops!
- coffee and treats!
- free gift with any purchase over $50
Patrick Califia
After his visit was unfortunately cut short last year, we're VERY pleased to welcome back Patrick Califia to give a workshop and a talk at Venus Envy!
Having A Loving Impact: Flogging 101
April 26, 2005 @ 6:30pm
Whips and floggers are an extension of the top's loving, skillful, and demanding hands. There are many different types of floggers, each requiring a different sort of skill to wield (or endure) effectively. Flagellation fetishist and way too experienced sadist Patrick Califia will help you to classify the toys that are used in impact play, and give a demonstration of how each is used. We'll talk about why some people love spanking, but hate caning, or vice versa, and how to set up your play space to help the bottom relax and enjoy the sensory feast of a good, hard whipping. What do you need to know about each other before you embark upon this archetypal, sadomasochistic adventure? Safety considerations and aftercare will also be covered.
$25 ($15 students and seniors)Transgendered Identity And Sexuality
April 27, 2005 @ 6:30pm
At the age of 45, Pat Califia, a well-known leatherdyke author and sex radical, made a gender transition from female to male (FTM), and now lives in a male identity full-time as Patrick Califia. It seems as if more and more female-born people are identifying as FTM. Why do some people feel an intense discomfort with the sex they were assigned at birth? Does it really help to take hormones or have surgery to alter your body? What does it mean to be a gender resister, or genderqueer, as opposed to being an FTM or MTF (male-to-female) transsexual? How is the growing visibility of the trans community affecting other queer people, i.e., lesbians, gay men, and bisexual men and women? Patrick will address some of these issues, and also talk about the trials and bonuses of being a bisexual, sexually active FTM who wants pleasure and intimacy in his life even though his body is not perfect. We've all heard about gender dysphoria; but can there also be gender euphoria?
$10 per person
Both the workshop and talk will be held at Venus Envy. Please note the space is limited, so register early: call 422-0004 to register (payment is required for registration).
BIO
Patrick Califia is a 50-year-old sex educator, author, activist, and radical pervert. His first book, Sapphistry, electrified the lesbian community with its frank discussions of butch-femme role-playing and S/M. During the 45 years he identified as a woman and a leatherdyke, he contributed to the growth of sex-positive feminism. Patrick lives in San Francisco where he has a private practice as a therapist, and ministers to queer pagans and their allies. He's the divorced father of a five-year-old boy. And he continues to be a strong advocate of responsible sexual freedom, a foe of censorship, and a pervy proselytizer. His newest book is Mortal Companion, an erotic vampire romance, and Hard Men, a collection of kinky gay male smut. He's published two volumes of essays, Public Sex and Speaking Sex to Power. A sequel to the vampire book, Immortal Empress, and a new book of erotic short stories are forthcoming
Workshops
All workshops are held at Venus Envy, 1598 Barrington Street.
Workshops are $15 unless otherwise indicated(sliding scale available)
Pre-registration with payment is required.
Many workshops fill up fast, please call 422-0004 to register
| May 11, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone FULL — sorry! |
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 workshop is for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head. 1.5 hours |
| May 18, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
Going Down: A Guide to Cunnilingus |
| This workshop will cover anatomy, technique, communication skills and tricks to please your lady with your lips. And tongue, and teeth, and ... 1.5 hours |
| May 25, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
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 workshop is for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head. 1.5 hours |
| May 31, 2005 @ 6:15pm For everyone |
G marks the Spot |
| Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will cover history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. 1.5 hours |
| June 1, 2005 @ 7:15pm For women |
I'm Coming! A Guide to Women's Orgasm |
| Many women never experience orgasm, just as many can have orgasms once in awhile, or on their own, or never on their own, or ... you get the picture. The female orgasm can sometimes be rather elusive, and that can be ok, but it can also be very frustrating. This session will look at some of the reasonswomen have difficulty with orgasm, offer suggestions around play to enhance sexual feelings, as well as covering important anatomical information. Discussion includes g-spot, clitoris, and tips to use both alone and with a partner.
2 hours |
| June 15, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
Sex Toys 101: An Introduction 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. 1.5 hours |
| June 22, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
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 workshop is for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head. 1.5 hours |
| June 29, 2005 @ 6:15pm For women |
Alternative Menstrual Care |
| Find out why regular tampons and pads are bad for you and for the environment. Learn about the Keeper, washable pads, sponges and more. Includes information about natural antidotes to PMS-related discomfort and a pattern to make your own washable pads! 1.5 hours $5 |
| July 9, 2005 @ 6:15pm For everyone |
Sex Toys 201: Further Adventures |
| Sex toy tips and ideas beyond the basics, including fun things to do with household items. Anatomy and toys for anal play, clit and penis pumping, strap on sex, sensation play and g-spotting. 1.5 hours |
| July 20, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
Up Yours!: Anal Pleasure and Health |
| Make friends with your butt! Join us in breaking myths and cultural taboos surrounding anal play. Also learn practical tips about lube, toys, safety and health. 1.5 hours |
| August 6, 2005 @ 6:15pm For everyone |
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 workshop is for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head. 1.5 hours |
| August 10, 2005 @ 7:15pm For everyone |
Going Down: A Guide to Cunnilingus |
| This workshop will cover anatomy, technique, communication skills and tricks to please your lady with your lips. And tongue, and teeth, and ... 1.5 hours |
| August 23, 2005 @ 6:15pm For couples |
I'm Coming! A Guide to Women' s Orgasm |
| Many women never experience orgasm, just as many can have orgasms once in awhile, or on their own, or never on their own, or ... you get the picture. The female orgasm can sometimes be rather elusive, and that can be ok, but it can also be very frustrating. This session will look at some of the reasonswomen have difficulty with orgasm, offer suggestions around play to enhance sexual feelings, as well as covering important anatomical information. Discussion includes g-spot, clitoris, and tips to use both alone and with a partner.
2 hours |
Reviews
Bottoms Up: Writing about Sex. Edited by Diana Cage, $19.50
Review by Megan Butcher
This isn't a review of erotica, though in Bottoms Up: Writing About Sex you'll find lots of fucking, touching, gazing, wanting, getting and a whole other long list of gerunds to do with desire and bodies meeting. It's what local author Matthew Firth, in a lecture to the Ottawa Independent Writers' Assocation, called sex writing. Not porn, not erotica, direct: the text as exploration, titillation an aftershock. Diana Cage, the editor of this book, puts it this way: "[good sex writing] should get you hot because it evokes a greater understanding of sex, not because it makes you come at your desk."
I'm not sure this book would do either for its likely audience. For someone new to gender and power play, not to mention their lovely interstices, this would certainly enhance and expand conventional categories of gender and sex; however, the cover photo, names on the back and the jacket blurb are all likely to draw a pretty sex-savvy reader. Anyone who has spent any concentrated time thinking about those two subjects is unlikely to come away with new thoughts. There is no topic in Bottoms Up that hasn't been written about before.
That isn't a criticism. We don't ask every new novel about a family to be groundbreaking, and writing about sex shouldn't be treated differently. This isn't a bad or boring book, and I enjoyed reading it. For starters, I'm glad to see writers taking sex seriously, as a legitimate part of a narrative that may or may not be centred on any one kind of sex act or relationship. It's refreshing to read a book that takes such a loose definition of sex. It means you don't get a bunch of stories that all follow the same trajectory. Habit is as bad for a collection of fiction as it is for your sex life. By choosing stories that try to tell their tales in different ways and different voices, Cage has created a book much more likely to keep you moving on to the next piece.
As to the writing itself, I can only say that none of it is terrible and some of it is quite good. For example, there were phrases in the story by A. Emergency that both made me thankful to be reading them and intensely jealous that I had not thought of them myself; their author could be brilliant, but has to learn to hold back with the post-modern posturing. My favourite sentence from the book is in "Relationship": "This time a low shiver ran down me, as though a dark bird had swooped along the length of my body and would return with my sex in its mouth." And once you get into the meat of the story, you forget where you are, slipping through the page into the rhythm of the words.
There are also several good first person narratives written by people who make you want to know them: T.J. Bryan (a.k.a. Tenacious), Michelle Tea, Lori Selke, and Eileen Myles know how to write a good story with transparent prose. The writing is good and doesn't much get in the way.
One thing I will not miss is the loss of self-conscious writing about trans people and gender fuckers. May such writing give way to more natural rhythms soon. The one story that took genderqueering for granted, rather than trying to teach me something about it, was Jess Arndt's tremendously fun and well-paced run through goldrush San Francisco.
All in all, if you've done a lot of reading about sex (in any of its forms) and gender, you probably won't find anything new, but you'll probably enjoy the read. If you don't know much about such things, you'll find a damn good lot of experiences and a good time too.
Wet Warming Lube
3.7oz $7.95, 5.1oz $12.95, 10.7oz 19.95
Review by Maggie Haywood
The new warming lube from WET International is a welcome addition to the scads of warming products on the market. It's water-based and not too hot — there's fine line between "warming" and "burning," after all. I found it worked best in moderation: too much of it just gets sticky, and a little goes a long way. It does stay slicker longer than any other warming lube I've tried — which is good thing, since like any lube that contains sugar, it's best not to use gobs of the stuff. Used externally, Wet Warming lube acts a bit like many of the clit-stimulating products available by increasing clitoral sensitivity and blood flow. Internal use is another matter altogether! It makes everything feel just a little bit...MORE, although after a while, I did begin it think "well, maybe less IS more". After a few go 'rounds I think I'd file this under "Special Occasion Lube". Maybe not the greatest lube for long-haul lovin', but really fun for a quickie where every second counts.
Laya Spot Vibrator
Made in Germany, silicone and hard plastic
available in red/silver, teal/silver, pink/red: $49.95
Review by Patty Thille
Laya Spot, the newest addition to our Fun Factory selection, is a definite hit. This clitoral vibrator is shaped to fit very well with a woman's contours, though can be used almost anywhere on the body. Add the range of types of vibrations it produces (a choice of 7 different vibration settings), and it's obvious why the LayaSpot is the newest staff pick. Made of an odorless and hypoallergenic material, the toy is easy to clean. Other perks include the true-to-form Fun Factory playful colour options and one year warranty.
Local Events
Saturday, April 23 @ 10pm
Fetish Ball
Brought to you by MAC Leather. Anyone there last year will be sure to be here again this year. Anyone who missed it last year ... well, here's your chance to experience the Halifax fetish scene as you've never witnessed it before. There will be a 50/50 draw, monitored change room, and coat check.
at The New Club NRG (formerly Club Vortex)
$5 Cover
Tuesday, April 26 @ 6:30pm
Having a Loving Impact: Flogging 101 with Patrick Califia
at Venus Envy
(see workshops list above for description)
$25 ($15 students and seniors.)Please call 422-0004 to register!
Wednesday, April 27 @ 6:30pm
Transgendered Identity and Sexuality with Patrick Califia
at Venus Envy
$10 per person. Please call 422-0004 to register!
Saturday, April 30: 10am - 6pm
Venus Envy 7th Birthday Sale
10% off everything in store, treats, free gifts and chance to win a year of
workshops!
Saturday, April 30: 7:30-12:30
She-Bop Dance
The last one was stormed in, so here's your second chance! A fundraiser for The Women Next Door.
at The Church on North Street
Tickets $7 in advance (at Venus Envy) or $9 at the door
Monday, May 2: 8pm - 2am
"Babes in Boyland" Women's Bathhouse
After the huge success of the Valentine's Day bathhouse, we're pleased to offer a second chance for anyone who missed out on the fun. Come celebrate May Day the old fashioned way! For more information, please visit www.venusenvy.ca/Halifax/bathhouse.asp. This is a bi-friendly, trans-friendly event.
at Sea Dog's Sauna & Spa, 2199 Gottingen Street
Call 422-0004 to register: $12 advance, $15 at the door
Sunday, May 15
Veda Hille
BattleAxe Folk and Venus Envy present the Veda Hille "we want to be your only bird" CD Release tour
at The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road
Doors open 7pm, Showtime is 8pm (general admission)
Tickets $13 in advance (at Venus Envy or www.battleaxefolk.com/store_tix.html) / $15 at the door
Saturday, May 21: 8pm 'til close
Going Down at the Khyber
An evening of entertainment & music for queer girls and their friends. (a Girl-ish Production)
at The Khyber Club, 1588 Barrington Street
Sunday, May 22nd: 9pm - 2am
WomenZ Dance with DJ Kara
at Level III @ MenZ Bar
Saturday, June 5th
Amy Campbell
A fundraiser for the Bide-Awhile Animal Shelter.
at Ginger's Tavern, 1662 Barrington Street.
Details TBA.
Wednesday, July 20
Pride week women's bathhouse
Details TBA
Check www.venusenvy.ca/Halifax/bathhouse.asp for updates!
Saturday, July 23: 10am - 6pm
Venus Envy Pride Day Sale
Come visit us before or after the parade for our annual Pride sale! 20% off all toys and pride gear!
Fetish Diva Midori
Midori will be at Venus Envy on August 29th and 30th to give two workshops:
August 29, 2005
@ 7:00pm
For everyoneIntro to Japanese and other Creative Rope Bondage Essentials Rope bondage can be simple, elegant, effective and sensual. But if you don't know how to do it right, it can be dangerous. Midori will teach you how to use this most versatile bondage tool to maximize fun and minimize risks. Learn basic techniques such as two-column restraint, body harnesses and creative positions. She is an expert in safe and effective Japanese inspired rope bondage. There will be time for hands-on practice, so wear comfortable clothing.
$25 per person ($15 students and seniors)
2 hours
August 30, 2005
@ 7:00pm
For everyoneThe Art of Feminine Dominance Elegance, power and confidence... Do you want to know how to be a dominant without being a bitch? How do you find a sexy and effective style of dominance? Fetish Diva Midori will share with you her secrets of the feminine art of dominance. She will discuss the psychology, politics, practical exercises, techniques, fashion and more. This class is not limited to a gender, but for all who harbor the powerful woman within! Something for everyone from the novice to the experienced player.
$25 per person ($15 students and seniors)
2 hours
Artists
April
Melissa Kearney: "Competition"
New paintings and drawing; mixed media.
May
kim dawn: "everyone deserves their own bear"
An exploration of the traditional teddy bear in oil, pastel, and watercolours.
June
???????
We've had a cancellation for June. Our wallspace is yours for a month, if you want it! Please contact Maggie (422-0004 or .)
July
Pride Show
We're looking for submissions from local queer artists to hang on our walls during pride month. Please contact Maggie (422-0004 or .)
August
Jen Throop: "Public Cervix Announcement"
Acrylic paintings, portraits of cervical self-examination, imaginative impressions of cervixes in various settings.
