Fêting our fetishes

>> The brand spanking new Censored Festival explores alternative sexuality in all
its juicy permutations

LEAVE INHIBITIONS AT HOME: Mistress V (front) with friend

by CHRIS BARRY

If you?ve been itching to expand your boring old sexual repertoire for something a little more, uh, kinky, then this is the week for you, friend. The city of the endless festival is about to add one more gathering to its long list of annual summer events, the Censored Festival, and rest assured it promises to be a good one. Billed as ?Montreal?s Most Uninhibited Week,? from August 4?12, the uninitiated and sexually curious are being invited to come check out the magical world of alternative sexuality in all its splendid guises.

?The main goal of the festival is to unify and celebrate alternative sexuality,? says Censored spokesperson Mistress V. ?We want to bring everybody from the fetish, BDSM, swinger, bi, lesbian, gay and transgendered communities together rather than having everybody in their own separate little communities, which is the usual situation. Censored is a collaborative effort, and together we?re going to put Montreal on the map, just like Amsterdam. We want to be huge.?

But Mistress V stresses that Censored isn?t only for registered sexual adventurers, it?s as much about introducing the curious to the ?lifestyle? as it is an opportunity for the city?s pervert class to get together and celebrate.

?We?re not just looking for people who are ?into? the fetish community or whatever, but people who are curious about all these things and are intimidated by going to, say, an échangiste gathering, or a fully blown out fetish party where perhaps there?s a big dress code when they might not have the clothing or know if they?re going to fit in. Well, Censored is their chance to experience all these different communities without worrying about being pre-judged, without fear of expressing themselves completely freely.

?At the same time,? she continues, ?we want to show people that there?s nothing wrong with us. Fetish is a part of everyone?s lives?some way, somehow, everybody has one of these aspects in them. They can be totally straight but have a tendency to like to be spanked or tied up during sex. They wouldn?t dare use the word fetish to describe it, because they?re scared of that word, but in reality that?s what it is. Someone who likes to wear shoes when they?re getting fucked, that?s a fetish, you know?

?The Censored festival will really be a combination of everything. I mean, we?ve even got an art exhibition taking place over the course of it.?

See censoredfestival.com for more info.

Bondage and balls

What to look for at the Censored Festival

In addition to the numerous activities going down in the clubs over the course of the festival, an exhaustive series of workshops are being offered all week as well, ranging from ?A Good Girl?s Guide to Talking Dirty? to ?An Introduction to Anal Sex? to ?How to Enjoy Your Partner?s Fetish for Feet.? Here are some highlights to give you a better sense of what to expect from the Censored Festival.

Workshops

Adventurous Play 101: Intro to BDSM & Fetish

Presented by Viktoria, here?s your chance to get a sense of just what all this bondage business is about anyway, and decide whether it?s something you?d like to explore a little further. An interactive demonstration will also be taking place.

At the Just for Laughs Museum?s Ciné-Club (2111 St-Laurent) on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2 p.m., $20

Water Bondage Workshop

One of five workshops presented by world-renowned San Francisco bondage master Lew Rubens, apparently water bondage can be kind of dangerous if not well thought out. Here?s your opportunity to learn how to have fun in the tub without accidentally killing anyone.

Monday, Aug. 6, $30, time and location TBA

How to Introduce your Partner to Threesomes and More

Presented by Monde Osé co-founder Frank S., this workshop will no doubt prove invaluable to those whose partners might need just a little extra encouragement before diving into bed with you and your best friend.

At the Just for Laughs Museum (le Salon Rouge) on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m., $15

Events

Le Bal Érotique

Mistress V recommends this event for newbies because ?it?s very light and there?ll be many different aspects of ?swinging? there. It?s a new generation of ?swingers? now. Young, beautiful people who are interested in dressing up and meeting other people who share their interests, a place where like-minded couples can meet without any expectations.?

At Club Opera (32 Ste-Catherine W.) on Friday, Aug. 10, 9 p.m., $25?$40

Robots and Dolls Ball

The culminating event of the festival, Mistress V describes it as ?a dance party, but with a little bit of fetish and a little bit of échangiste. I like to think of it as an electro-glam-kinky party. It?s for open-minded people who are kinky, but not necessarily just into fetish or swinging.?