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(613) 789-4646
VenusNews » Ottawa
issue 5 . Winter 2002
Instore Events
Poetry Reading, December 4th
Join us for an evening of poetry with Trish Salah and Anurima Bannerji.
Trish will read from her new collection Wanting In Arabic and Anurima will read
from her work titled Night Artillery. Here’s what one critic has had to
say about Wanting In Arabic: “This is a beautiful and disturbing
collection of poems, writing from the uncharted langscape of the third sex.
Images of the rose, of the beloved, can they be made new? Yes indeed, Wanting in
Arabic does just that” (Mary di Michele). Gathering starts at 7 pm,
readings start at approximately 7:20. Refreshments will be served.
Boxing Day
After two days off, we’ll be open on December 27th from 11 to 8. Skimp
on the present to your third-cousin-twice-removed and buy yourself a vibrator,
dildo or butt plug (or all three!) at 20% off.
Our 2nd Birthday
On January 11th, in honour of our second anniversary, we’d like to give you a
gift. Drop by to celebrate with us - we’ll have food, drink and merriment
from 11 to 6. And for every $50 you spend, you get to put your hand in the
box and pick your own present.
Workshops
All workshops are held at the store, located at 110 Parent Ave. in Ottawa. Please register by calling 613-789-4646. The workshop fee is $10 (+tax) per person, and receive 10% off any purchases made after the workshop.
Toys for Boys
Join us for an introduction to sex toys for men. We
will be covering basic male anatomy as well as discussing the joys of
masturbators, cock rings, anal play, lube and more!
*For everyone
*Mon
Jan 13, 6:30 pm
The Ethical Slut: A Facilitated Discussion
Non-monogamy,
polyamory, and polyfidelity are a few of the words used to describe a way of
life that eschews the norm of monogamy. This evening is open to anyone who
is interest-
ed in, or actively living as a slut, and wants to talk about it
with others.
*For everyone
*Wed Jan 15, 7:30 pm
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.
*For everyone
*Tues Jan 28, 6:30 pm
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.
*For everyone
*Sat Feb
8, 6:30 pm
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.
*For everyone
*Mon Feb 10, 6:30 pm
Eroticizing Safer Sex for Women
What's sexy and safe? Almost
everything! Join us in a discussion about communication skills, play and other
ways of broadening your sexual
horizons. Discussion will include information
about sexually transmitted infections and how to protect yourself and your
partners.
*For women
*Tues Feb 25, 6:30 pm
Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage
Learn to tie knots and, more
importantly, how to untie knots. We will also discuss safety, buying tips, and
teach you how to tie enough knots to keep your friends tied up tight. This
is an interactive workshop, and a length of rope will be provided for
practice. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.
*For
everyone
*Sat Mar 15, 6:30 pm
Alternative Menstrual Care
Find out why regular tampons and pads
are bad for you and for the environment. Learn about the Keeper, washable pads,
sea sponges and organic cotton pads and tampons. Discussion will also include
information about natural antidotes to PMS related discomfort and get a
pattern to make your own washable pads!
*For women
*Mon Mar 17, 6:30
pm
Jouets érotiques 101: Une introduction au monde merveilleux des jouets
<<Qu’est-ce que c’est? Comment l’utiliser? Où le mettre?>>
Anatomie, vibrateurs, dildos, lubrification et autres sujets intéressants: cet
atelier offre aux débutant(e)s la chance d’apprivoiser tout en douceur ces
domaines de la sexualité.
*Pour tous
*Le mardi 25 mars, 18h30
Women Writing Eros
It’s back! Our popular workshop for women who either already write
erotica or would like to try their hand at the craft. Writers with any, or
no, kind of experience are welcome, as well as any kind of writing: poetry,
fiction, plays, ramblings, rants. Although we will be discussing some
resources for getting published and networking with other writers, the focus
will be on the writing itself. There will be four sessions (January 21,
February 18, March 18, April 22) at a cost of $20; participants will be expected
to attend all the meetings. Registration will not be complete until
payment is received. If interested, call, email or drop by and visit.
Toy Review
Buzz 2
silicone vibrator, 6½" x 1 ½”, $79.95, midnight purple, black, iridescent blue
The Buzz 2 is an ingeniously designed toy. It’s a dildo with a hollow spot in the base for a tiny but powerful vibrator called the Micro Mini. Though not huge, the Buzz 2 is definitely on the larger size of the spectrum, and because the mechanical part doesn’t get in the way, the shaft is a solid dense silicone. It’s a smooth ride, as there are no bumps to distract from the great feelings of pressure and fullness. The only variation in the shape is the slightly chubby head, which doesn’t look like much, but because of the girth of the toy, feels like a whole lot more. My absolute favourite part of Buzz 2 is that the vibe comes out– if you’re not so fussy on internal vibration, you can use the dil internally and the micro mini on your clit. Then, if you’re with a partner, while you’re buzzing merrily away, they can simply insert their finger into the spot for the vibe and not worry about losing their grip while you move around. The Buzz 2 is many toys in one; clear your schedule and take time to try them all out.
New Winter Hours
To go with the shorter days, we’ll be starting our winter hours as of January 2, 2003.
Monday 11-6
Tuesday 11-6
Wednesday 11-7
Thursday 11-7
Friday
11-7
Saturday 11-6
Sunday 12-5
Holiday Ideas
Old Favourites
Body Bars - cocoa butter and organic flax seed oil, scented with essential oils, these bars are perfect for both massage and moisturizing. $9.95
Rabbit Pearl - the most sought after sex toy we can think of. The rabbit pearl has a rotating shaft, separate clit stimulator and, to top it all off, there are pearls that shimmy around in the base of the shaft. $109.95
Slim G - hard plastic and a very pronounced head make this a fabulous g-spot vibe. A staff favourite for years. $29.95
Water Dancer - an updated version of the ever-popular ‘pocket rocket’, this version is water-proof for your bathing pleasure. $32.95
Deal With It - written by and for teenage girls, Deal With It covers a vast range of topics important to teens including peer pressure, sexual orientation and clears up the ‘mystery in your panties’. An absolute must for any girl (or boy for that matter). $24.95
Cunt - Cunt is a terrific, terrifying book. It's a call to empowerment -- another title for it might be "Our Cunts, Our Selves" -- that's filled with facts, anecdotes, and rants. Reclaiming our cunts, Muscio writes, means reclaiming and building economies, languages, and societies that aren't inherently misogynist. If the word "cunt" is a curse word, it's a curse of all women, a curse upon our sexual, reproductive, and creative powers. Women are divided from their cunts, Muscio argues; that is, made to fear them. This book looks that fear in the face (or rather, in the cunt) it deals with power, anger, rape, menstruation, the fringes of society, the unknown, and all our mothers. It's harrowing and horrifying, to be sure, and Muscio doesn't step lightly. But her writing! It's as if a book could be a gospel chorus, the kind of song that makes you into a new person even as you sing along. $24.95
Ethical Slut - By Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt. This is a well-written guide to all aspects of polyamory, helpfully illustrated with examples drawn from the authors’ extensive experience. Highly recommended. Our best-seller on the topic of nonmonogamy. $27.50
New and Shiny
Honey Bunny/Platypus Sleeve - Possibly the cutest sex toys you can buy. Tiny sleeves to fit either the Fukuoku or the Micro Mini; if Hello Kitty toy a cereal box prize had a love child, it would look like these sleeves. Fortunately, they feel as nice as they look. 100% silicone. $24.95 ($59.95 with vibe)
Diva Soft Bondage Kit - This kit has what you need. Two ankle restraints, two wrist restraints and a blindfold make it easy to tie your loved one up and keep them in the dark. The cuffs and blindfold are made of super soft fun fur (your choice of black panther, leopard or ocelot); the restraints close with velcro and tie off with nylon webbing, so they’re easy to use and vegan friendly too. $99.95
Best Fetish Erotica - Edited by Cara Bruce. A collection of heady, smart and edgy stories that will open the door to the world of erotic fetishes. $24.95
Feeldoe - A great double dildo that can be used with or without a harness. The shorter end is built more like a plug than a dildo, and indeed you can use it either anally or vaginally while you penetrate your partner. As a bonus, it’s nicely ridged for the wearer’s clitoral stimulation. 100% silicone. $119.00
Superbe - A plastic vibrator shaped to cup the vulva. When place
just so, the vibrations stimulate the entire clitoris (including the clitoral
legs that run under the outer lips). Three speeds, it comes in a cheery
lemon yellow. $39.95
Art and the Artists
December - Shastan. Humble explores the humility, exposure and vulnerability of the physical, emotional and psychological human condition through the beauty and physical expression of the solitary human form.
January and February - Raffaella Navarretta. Nude Awakenings. Combining the emotional, spiritual and physical realms, Raff’s work brings a response of inner thought. Each painting represents a voyage of personal and artistic growth inspiring both individual analysis and a need for greater comprehension of society.
Local Events
This is a new section for our newsletter, so help us make it bigger. If you are putting on (or just know of) an event, email us () with the details, and we’ll add it to the next installment of the quarterly newsletter.
Tribe-Spit-This
Two evenings of queer multimedia performance
featuring San Francisco’s most talented: Lynn Breedlove, frontman of punk dyke
band Tribe 8, author of Godspeed; and Sini Anderson, cofounder of the touring
all girl/tranny spoken word troupe Sister Spit. With Montreal’s Robin
Akimbo, hostessing and presenting her own work. Tuesday December 3rd, 9
pm, Mercury Lounge (56 Byward Market, 19+) and Wednesday December 4th, 7 pm,
Octopus Books (116 Third Ave, all ages). Suggested donation $5, each
night.
New Year’s Eve Benefit for YWAR
A benefit for the Young Women at
Risk Program: young women in group homes, in custody and single teen mothers.
The Polytones, Paperjack, 1978, Andrew Vincent and the Pirates, The Golden
Seals, Rolf the Recoiler, Kepler, The Hi Lo Trons, The Soft Disaster, Glen
Nevous & more! Plus lots of dancing, auctioning, prizes, bantering and
good New Years cheer.
At Babylon Nightclub (317 Bank St) $10 in advance, $12
at the door (children's clothing, toys, non-perishable food items and donations
accepted at the door).
Rendezvous 2003
New Year’s Eve Dance for women. Tons of
food, prizes and gifts, there will be contests and party favours as well.
Cocktails retro-priced. Rideau Curling Club (715 Cooper St @ Percy), 8 pm
to 2 am, $25. Advance tickets (last year sold out!) available at Venus
Envy (110 Parent Ave) and mother tongue books (1067 Bank St.).
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