Part two of INIQUITY
NEWS #8
Wed, 28 October 1998
_________________________________
_____________
REVIEW: The Stormy Leather 15th Anniversary Party
(thanks to Lunatic and Tiarawiz for their comments)
For starters, as the 2nd event of Fetish Season to be thrown at the intriguing
Club Townsend, the Stormy Party was about a million times better than the
disastrous "Fetish & Fantasy Ball." Of course the fact that
the sparsely attended F&F Ball changed it's date from a Friday to a
Thursday less than 10 days before the event was most likely the very understandable
reason for it's demise. Nonetheless, when juxtaposed with the Stormy Party
one can only say that the Stormy party was a 3-ring circus!
Intended in fact to resemble a circus, Stormy Leather
placed fun house mirrors by the entrance, had a ring-toss-onto-a-strap-on
game, and designed a whole fashion show around the circus theme (now unfortunately
a theme getting a bit over-used in fashion shows since effectively pioneered
by Dark Garden and SKIN TWO back in '96). Other adornments were scattered
about the one-big-room venue to add to this carnival atmosphere.
The fashion show certainly portrayed a wide selection
of Stormy's designs in both leather and rubber. My personal favorite from
start to finish was the 1940's style rubber woman's pin-stripe jacket and
matching skirt which the MC wore. Once I saw that truly original piece,
nothing seemed to live up to it's potential for style in a variety of situations,
despite Stormy's well known selection of outstanding Fetish wear for women.
In this fashion show in particular, Stormy made a strong statement that
their selection of attire was truly for women of all shapes and sizes. Instead
of going for the typical "model" look, they took a more down-to-earth
turn and used all manner of women to wear the pieces, some done up heavily
in the circus theme, some simply modeling the piece. Definitely a unique
show.
There were also fire breathers, and Jade-Blue did a
similar rendition of the dance and speech she did at the TRANCEPTOR party,
but unfortunately without the bath in blood. *sigh* -- and I got my hopes
up.....
The crowd was very mixed amongst Fetish Dress and mundane although overall
the Fetishists outnumbered the mundanes. Deviant Liquid Latex provided a
hands-on display where a few people took the opportunity to try a little
liquid latex on their body.
Probably the biggest complaint came from the S&M
crowd who had no where to play. There was no S&M dungeon space, which
struck a number of Fetish folk odd since soooo many S&M people came
to the event. Certainly their was room to improvise, but even a mere paddling
soon had a crowd around since there was so little action. The dance floor
was packed all night, and the music mix was varied, covering a large number
of tastes.
It was a fun night, and even though I missed the snacks
laid out in a tiny side-room, I think it was definitely worth the ticket.
If they could only arrange a playspace next time, it would probably come
close to perfect for an event with no dress code that still seems to mostly
draw the well-dressed.
__________________
OPINION: Not Everyone Thinks "Preaching" is the Pudding
(thanks to Seb from England for this 'rebuttal')
"Preaching To The Perverted" is one of the first films ever made dealing specifically with the Fetish and BDSM community. In a past issue of INIQUITY NEWS, I reported that everyone I spoke to loved the film. Apparently I must have been talking with Americans alone who have had the chance to see it, because according to this gent, many of our British compatriots did not have the same sentiment:
"Interesting that you should comment that you
have yet to meet anyone who had a bad word to say about "Preaching
to the Perverted". Well I have many. Maybe things look different to
you over there. But then we both frequently underestimate the 'foreign-ness'
of each others' country - for instance, Hip Brits could never understand
how hip Yanks could find Benny Hill funny.
I would be silent on the subject of this film if it
were not for the fact that many people in the Fetish Scene over here felt
exploited by and badly treated in the production (those of us who showed
up as extras for the filming, etc). Cinematography and sound were fine.
Performers and designers on the other hand were paid a pittance and poorly
treated. It is significant how many of the more intelligent of our key Scene
people, involved in the early days of the film, dropped out very rapidly
when they found out what was involved.
The kindest assessment from here is that the film is
controversial. Those that are the most 'pro' say something like, "it's
just a laff, init. Don't take it too seriously". The alternative critical
view is that it is dumb, opportunist, exploitative shite.
As it is, in my opinion the film conforms to every ignorant
'tabloid' prejudice about sex, sexuality and SM. Every character is an offense.
The dialogue is banal and stupid (Dom to Naive Prat at club: "Are you
a Sub or a Dom? You've got to be one or the other." Oh, yeah?) It is
even ignorant about female biology - a lesbian wet nurse... how come she
is lactating, then? I found it a depressingly misanthropic, dystopian piece
of nonsense. Pretentious, empty, and pointless. A comedy? Did I miss the
joke somewhere?"
(Ed. - Have you seen the movie yet? Feel free to write in agreeing or disagreeing with this. As it stands, most of us have not yet had the chance to see the film. It was/is/has been scheduled for a "10 city tour" of which I was hoping San Francisco wold be one. As of yet it has not shown up. It is true however, that for some reason Americans I have spoken to who have seen the film have almost universally enjoyed it; many have even returned to see it more than once. Why do you suppose this is? Certainly being exploited for a producer's wallet can leave a bad taste in one's mouth, but is that it? I suppose many more of us will have to see the film before we can make a 'final call' on this one.)
_____________
REVIEW: Vampire Tech & "O" Throw a Unique Bash
Take several of the best Fetish visual artists of our time, thrown in an
almost-apocalyptic industrial fun-scape, a hearse, giant bugs made from
car parts, S&M furniture from the pits of an Mystery Science Theatre
3K hell, several S&M performances, and a gathering of the "Feteratti"
of several cities and you have a quick run down of the "O" Magazine/Vampire
Technology party.
When you first approach the Vamp Tech space in downtown
Los Angeles (read: industrial area, less zoning codes), you see a bright
red building with the words "Vamp. Tech." (herein abbreviated)
spelled out in broken mirror. A friendly front lounge greets you after you
pass through the maximum security gate. When I arrived, the store had already
been cleared out to make room for the party. Several of the best of Vampire
Tech's pieces were arranged about the place as display items, with their
normal stock removed to another location. As I walked through I was treated
to the single best display of John Abrahamson's art that I have ever seen
in one venue. Right next to this were the photos of the Gary & Pierre
Silva, and Steven Diet Goedde.
Ask yourself what kind of crowd would come to this event,
this "arty-farty-Fetish-party?" I'll tell you: a small but absolutely
brilliant crowd, that's who. About 200 people showed up for <
Shows included a piercing display with Buto overtones
by Mistress Ilsa Strix, an excellent fashion show by Vampire Technology,
an outstanding lone female vocalist, and the culmination of the evening:
an S&M display heavy on the candle wax accompanied by the excellent
music and vocals of Mr. "O" himself.
It wasn't a huge party seeing as how the venue seems
like it could have held easily 3 times the number of people, and a few people
in 5" + heels complained there weren't enough places to sit down, but
I would call it a successful party nonetheless. Passion Play products and
the Aesthetic Meat Foundation had vending tables and with the exception
of a few people in street clothes, everyone seemed dress to kill. It is
not often that you get such an art-oriented party with such an interesting
mix of attendees. Therefore I classify this as a truly UNIQUE event, something
that we can certainly hope to see more of.
Of course the single most hysterical part of the night
was when the cops DID come to investigate thinking it was perhaps a rave
and they would get to make lots of drug busts. On the contrary they were
significantly thrown off by the Limousines and Porches, and the complete
lack of contraband found inside. They were clumped together in a back corner
when a bold female friend decided she was going to go have fun with them.
She walked up and asked, "you guys are all a bunch of Gay Leather Daddies,
aren't you?" They looked at her like she was from Jupiter, "huh??"
She continued, "I know you guys are all into the cop-uniform thing.
You guys are all into, like, anal fisting and stuff, right? Are you going
to do a show?" The cops didn't know what to make of her -- 'she's gorgeous
but she's a freak; she's insulting us, but...I mean....do we really look
like we do that???' Heh. A few of them did their best to roll with it and
tried to be cool. Later on we about laughed our asses off and they finally
got the message and left.
_____________
EVENT: October 31st -- Major Halloween Fetish Bash in Los Angeles
For those of you lucky enough to be in Los Angeles this weekend, you really
shouldn't miss the Coven 13 & Fetish Ball's "Halloween Masquerade
Ball" at the Variety Arts Center in downtown Los Angeles. The VA Center
is located at 940 Sth. Figueroa @ Olympic. These are the same people who
threw a party at the same venue back in April, and if this event is going
to be ANYTHING like that event.........drop what you're doing and get down
there!
Word has it that there will be FIVE FLOORS of activity
including a House/Techno floor, a Goth floor, a full Dungeon hosted by Aryn
of Sin-a-matic fame, live performances on the main floor including London
After Midnight and a Vamp Tech fashion show, AND an industrial darkwave
chamber in the basement!!!!!
9pm -2am, 18 and over.
Info: 323-644-1811
http://www.fetishball.com
Tickets: $25 advance, $35 at the door
Advance tickets available at Retail Slut, 665, & Ipso Facto
__________________
Wrap Up
Got to get this out before my ISP starts charging me for daylight hours
(yes I did an all-nighter again). Suffice it to say thank you all for your
contributions and your support these many months. In only a few short weeks
our collective effort is hopefully going to realize one of the best Fetish
Clubs San Francisco has seen in ages (maybe ever). You all know where to
tune-in for details on the INIQUITY GRAND OPENING on Sunday, Nov. 2nd:
the INIQUITY Club Page I love getting stuff
from you all, and INIQUITY NEWS depends on your contributions from anywhere
in the world no matter where you are. For all correspondence please use
our: Contact Form May the 22nd be the beginning
of the realization of our collective dreams.......
-- Arcane
_____________________
Back to Part 1 of Iniquity Newsletter #8
____________________________________________
