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MARCH '08
EVENTS
Wednesday, 3/12, 7 pm -- S. Bear Bergman's A RE-INTRODUCTION TO THE ONLY-MOSTLY-DEAD ART OF CHIVALRY (Now! With 200% More Feminism!) Everyone's heard the stories: men who get kneed in the balls for holding open a door, youngsters who sprawl on bus seats while elders stand, the myth of the handkerchief-carrying gentleman, and all the rest. What, exactly, do girls women people want in the world of chivalry? How can a modern gentleperson be courteous without being sexist or a suckup? And while we're at it - who goes through the door first, again? Talk a little about the principles, and then learn a lot about the mechanics of walking in public (vs. walking in private, natch), and a whole lot more. S. Bear Bergman is a writer, a theater artist, an instigator, a gender-jammer, and a good example of what happens when you overeducate a contrarian. Ze is also the author of Butch Is a Noun (Suspect Thoughts Press, 2006) and three award-winning solo performances, as well as a frequent contributor to anthologies on all manner of topics. No need to reserve; come on down! At CSC, 1519 Mission btw. 11th and South Van Ness Friday and Saturday, 3/14-15 -- Carol Queen visits TORONTO
...to keynote the Fetish: Working Out the Kinks Conference presented by the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Human Sexuality Studies at the University of Toronto. For info see utoronto.ca ...and for tickets: http://www.uofttix.ca AND! a Saturday night workshop at Come As You Are: How to Write (Erotic, Thoughtful, Realistic) Sex And if you know anyone in Kutztown, PA -- CQ will be there on 3/18! Email us for details.
Friday, March 14, 10 pm -- The Lusty Lady presents The BARELY LEGAL PARTY! Coming up from the Lusty Lady Theater, their first time ever Barely Legal party! Come out and meet all the sweeties who couldn't come entertain you at the XXX-mas Party because it was held at a bar. Awww! Tickets are $15 at the door. There will be lube wrestling, pillow fighting, strip teases, kissing booth, and dancing, dancing, dancing! 18+, just like the performers. At CSC, 1519 Mission btw. 11th and South Van Ness Saturday afternoon, March 15, 2-5 pm -- VERONICA MONET: SACRED PROSTITUTION & THE MODERN COURTESAN
Is there really such a thing as Sacred Prostitution? What about Courtesans? What is the difference between a Courtesan and a Prostitute anyway? Veronica Monet will answer these and many more questions about the World's Oldest Profession. Discover the Spiritual roots of Sex and the Evolutionary Path of Prostitution which involves everything from the Pope to Penguins! This presentation includes a documentary slide show of Modern Sacred Prostitution so you can see for yourself what it looks like. Come with your questions! Veronica Monet is the author of Sex Secrets of Escorts -- Tips From a Pro. She's a founding Member of the Association of Sexual Energy Professionals (ASEP) and is a Certified Sexologist (ACS) and Sex Educator who maintains blogs at http://veronicamonet.wordpress.com/ and http://tapdiver1.web.aplus.net/pblog/index.php, as well as a presence on MySpace and YouTube. A longtime media professional, she's a terrific presenter -- don't miss her! $25-45 sliding scale; CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover. Wednesday, March 19, 7:30 pm -- All the way from Oregon -- TOBI HILL-MEYER! Reading and talk with author Tobi Hill-Meyer. Reading from her latest erotic fiction, "Escaping the Gender Police," and "Transcending Virginity," Tobi will discuss the inclusion of trans, genderqueer, and gender variant characters as well as the exploration of difficult trans issues within her work. She will also talk about the utilization of erotica as a medium for education and empowerment. Tobi Hill-Meyer is a genderqueer transdyke trying to squeak out a living while making time to write about sexuality, gender identity, and all things queer. $5-20, NO ONE turned away for lack of funds. CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover.
Thursday, 3/20, 6 pm -- SPRING FEVER WITH CAROL QUEEN Thursday, March 20th: Spring Fever! Dr. Carol Queen explains the sexual and historic significance of the Spring Solstice and leads a sex-positive ritual! When: Thursday, March 20th
Friday, 3/21, 7 pm -- LYNN COMELLA on “What’s a feminist like you doing in a business like this?” The Growth of Women’s Sex Toy Entrepreneurship in the United States In recent years the mainstream adult industry has attempted to capitalize on what is arguably the fastest growing segment of the adult industry: female consumers of pornography and sex toys. The formation of the women’s market, however, is not a recent phenomenon. Since the early 1970s female entrepreneurs—many of whom identify as feminists—have been selling vibrators and other sexually-oriented products to women. Drawing on in-depth interviews and the analysis of archival materials, including customer letters, this talk examines the historical roots of women’s sex toy entrepreneurship in United States and the strategies used by pioneering retailers such as Dell Williams and Joani Blank to appeal to women as both sexual agents and consumers. Dr. Lynn Comella is an Assistant Professor in the Women’s Studies Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is in the process of completing a book on the history and retail culture of women-owned and -oriented sex toy businesses in the United States. No charge -- but we will ask for donations if you're able to contribute. At The Center for Sex & Culture: 1519 Mission near 11th St. CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover. AND! Friday, 3/21, 9:30 pm (right after Lynn's talk) -- AMAZING TRUE SEX STORIES! Another new Center for Sex & Culture series, featuring REAL! LIVE! TRUE! HOT! AMAZING! sex stories -- with featured story-tellers plus an open mic. Come prepared to be thrilled, shocked, astounded, enlightened, turned on... and maybe even to tell a tale of your own. If you want to know who our featured story-tellers are, please visit CSC's website next week (also known as "I'm still booking them as this calendar goes to press"). This month's erotic story topic: "It Changed My Life!" $5-20, NO ONE turned away for lack of funds. CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover. At The Center for Sex & Culture: 1519 Mission near 11th St. Saturday, 3/22, & pm -- THE HISTORY OF GAY PORN SF VIBES, the Triangle Project, the Center for Sex and Culture, and Naked Sword present: THE HISTORY OF GAY PORN @ Polk 7-8:30 pm Join Dr. Carol Queen, nominee for the 2008 SF Pride Parade Grand Marshal, for an evening exploring the HISTORY OF GAY MALE PORN in a lively multi-media presentation curated with the one and only John F. Karr! Also featuring sizzling talent from Naked Sword, SF’s hot online purveyor of gay porn. 15% off all DVDs and SF Vibes Products When: Friday, March 28th Sunday morning, 3/23, 11-12:30 -- NUDE YOGASHARE FOR MEN Celebrate your naked body in yoga poses, breath, and joy! Men are invited to join us for a spirited session of aerobic and strength conditioning, vinyasa and ashtanga poses. Sessions last approximately 70 minutes, and the cost is $15 per session (NOTAFLOF). Mats are available for rental, if needed. RSVPs are WELCOME for entry into class: thom@tgpraxis.net, or at 415.505.8980. Bring a yoga mat, a towel, and your enthusiasm! Sunday evening, 3/23, 7-10 pm (door at 6:30) -- RECLAIMING EROS: Sacred Whores and Healers
Spend your Easter Sunday evening at this special book launch extravaganza. With author Margaret Wade and very special guests Annie Sprinkle, Cleo Dubois, and Joseph Kramer. Join us for an elegant champagne and dessert reception with performances, book signing, a silent auction (to benefit the Center for Sex and Culture), and a Reclaiming Eros ritual. Suzanne and Margaret hope Reclaiming Eros will inspire courage in others to explore their sexuality by reading the stories of of the book's subjects, all pioneers in sexual healing: Here's what reviewers have said about Reclaiming Eros: Spirituality has been separated from sexual pleasure for too long in our culture. Reclaiming Eros puts it back where it belongs – in the healing energy of our most intimate relationships. Sacred prostitutes and sexual healing may look like impossible fantasies in our sex-negative culture, but in Reclaiming Eros, Blackburn and Wade introduce us to a wondrously diverse group of women and men dedicated to the practice of sacred sex as an underground journey to the light. This lucid unfolding of emotional, spiritual and sexual mysteries adds up to one of stupendous affirmation: Eros can make you whole. Tickets $20, books will be available at a special discounted price, autographed by the author and as many of the interviewees as possible. The silent auction and sponsorships will have a minimum bid of $20. CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover.
At The Center for Sex & Culture: 1519 Mission near 11th St. Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2-4 pm -- DIVAS OF SAN FRANCISCO: PORTRAITS OF TRANSSEXUAL WOMEN For over five years, David Steinberg has been photographing transsexual women who frequent Divas Nightclub and Bar in San Francisco, the premier transgender club in the U.S. This February, he published Divas of San Francisco: Portraits of Transsexual Women, a collection of 59 intimate, revealing photographs portraying the individuality, diversity, and fierce integrity of a group of people who are alternately ignored and fetishized, but rarely acknowledged and appreciated for who they really are. In this presentation, David will show images from his book, talk about the subculture that revolves around Divas, and discuss the dynamics of photographing the transsexual women he has met there. He will also offer details and backstories that give a realistic and appreciative sense of the lives of an exceptional and much misunderstood group of individuals. Signed copies of Divas of San Francisco will be available for purchase at special discount. David Steinberg is a photographer, author, editor, and publisher. His previous books include Photo Sex: Fine Art Sexual Photography Comes of Age; Erotic by Nature: A Celebration of Life, of Love, and of Our Wonderful Bodies; and The Erotic Impulse: Honoring the Sensual Self. He is currently working on two books of couples photography, This Thing We Call Sex, and Sex and Disability. He lives in San Francisco. What people are saying about Divas of San Francisco: "David Steinberg's Divas portraits provide an inside track to a world that only he could have penetrated at this level. They are haunting, beautiful, and leave you wanting more, as all brilliant portraits do." "Steinberg's photos are a provocative conversation about sensuality, sexuality, sadness, bravado and, most of all, courage. Kudos to the women of Divas and the man brave enough to portray their stories." "Steinberg documents his subjects compassionately, showing their inner depth and loveliness. Beautiful work from a world that most people know nothing about." "David Steinberg's images bring the viewer inside the true humanity of his subjects, capturing the vulnerabilities, fears, and insecurities of a community that often hides behind brash bravado. The level of trust he established to get these images is remarkable." "Steinberg's photos reveal an intense vulnerability and beauty that repeatedly take your breath away." "You know you're supposed to be looking at their bodies, but you find yourself looking at their faces instead." Monday, 3/24, 7:30-8:30 door -- the SF JACKS For more about this fellowship of men who like to j/o in the company of other like-minded men, visit http://www.sfjacks.com/ Held every second and fourth Monday. Wednesday, 3/26, 7:30-9:30 -- EROTIC READING CIRCLE Come read with us! Bring your newest story, one you're hoping to revise (respectful listening and helpful comments guaranteed), or your Happy Hour coicktail napkin with a new erotic haiku scribbled on it. $5 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. At CSC, 1519 Mission. Thursday, 3/27 -- BEST SEX WRITING BOOKPARTY & READING The Center for Sex and Culture presents the best in sex journalism! Join the local contributors of Best Sex Writing 2008 for a reading on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00pm. From dangerous dildos to professional submissives, the erotic appeal of twins, sex work, pornography and much more, these authors delve into the far reaches of eroticism. Probing stereotypes, truths, and the tricky areas in between, Best Sex Writing 2008 opens the bedroom door and explores the complexity of modern sexuality with thought-provoking, cutting-edge essays and articles. Authors Violet Blue, Paul Festa, Amy André, Greta Christina, Jen Cross and Melissa Gira will read and sign books afterwards. Violet Blue ("Kink.com and Porn Hysteria: The Lie of Unbiased Reporting") is author and editor of nearly two dozen sexual health books and erotica collections. She is a professional sex educator, lecturer, podcaster, blogger, vlogger, porn/erotica reviewer and machine artist. She has written for outlets ranging from Forbes.com to O, The Oprah Magazine. Violet's website is tinynibbles.com. Sex essays by Paul Festa ("How Insensitive") appear in Nerve, Salon, Best Sex Writing 2005 and Best Sex Writing 2006. His award-winning movie, Apparition of the Eternal Church, about the music of Olivier Messiaen, has its San Francisco premiere at Grace Cathedral on April 18. His related book, OH MY GOD: Messiaen in the Ear of the Unbeliever, was recently published. He can be found online at paulfesta.com and apparitionfilm.com. Amy André ("The Study of Sex') has a master's degree in human sexuality studies from San Francisco State University. She works as a sex educator and writer. http://www.amyandre.com/ Melissa Gira ("The Pink Ghetto [A Four-Part Series]) is the editor of Sexerati, the award-winning blog about smart sex, the co-founder of the sex worker group blog Bound, Not Gagged, and a reporter for Valleywag. Visit her at melissagira.com. Greta Christina ("Buying Obedience: My Visit to a Pro Submissive") has been writing professionally since 1989. She is the editor of Best Erotic Comics 2008 and Paying for It: A Guide by Sex Workers for Their Clients. Her writing has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, including Ms., Penthouse, the Skeptical Inquirer, and two volumes of the Best American Erotica series. She blogs at http://gretachristina.typepad.com. No charge -- but we will ask for donations if you're able to contribute. At The Center for Sex & Culture: 1519 Mission near 11th St. CSC can take checks, Visa, M/C and Discover. Saturday, 3/29 -- ASK THE DOCTORS: CUNNILINGUS Saturday, March 29th: Ask the Doctors: Cunnilingus (repeats at the Valencia Street GV on 4/5) Join Dr. Carol Queen and Dr. Robert Lawrence as they explore the wonders and mysteries of cunnilingus! Learn everything you ever wanted to know, and enjoy 15% off Me Bath & Body products! When: Saturday, March 29th |
