Leather guys and girls have a big reason to celebrate this year. It’s the first time in Ottawa, and organizers suspect one of the rare instances in North America, that the leather community will be honoured as flag bearers for the parade! And there are many more events to whip the leather community into shape during Capital Pride Week.
Breathless (318 Lisgar, above Venus Envy) has two workshops for people curious about BDSM and how to get started. On Tue, Aug 21 the women-only workshop runs from 7pm-9pm and costs $5. The next day, men get their workshop, also from 7pm-9pm for $5.
Of course, Leather Fest has a full line-up of events from Aug 24 – 26. This year’s theme is Forbidden Games, so get ready to sin.
The meet and greet for Leather Fest starts Fri, Aug 24 at Breathless. Registration for the two-day event, which starts at 7pm, is $70. At 8pm, Alexander Henryk (Alex) Wisniowski premiers his new documentary, Together In Leather, for Leather Fest participants only. It focusses on the relationships between people involved in the leather and BDSM lifestyle.
After the film, Leather Fest participants and Breathless members can “play as they like” during a pansexual play party at Breathless starting at 10pm.
The leather and BDSM seminar series kicks off on Sat, Aug 25 at noon. Alex Wisniowski hosts a seminar about clothespin play and how to make BDSM more sensual and playful. Don’t miss Terrell Brown’s (Mr Olympus Leather 2006) workshop on hair bondage at 1pm — it’s the first presentation on this topic ever in Ottawa. The seminar will also cover deep tissue bruising. At 2pm, Lady Caro discusses terror play and the eroticism of fear. The last workshop is at 4pm. Mr Chicago Leather 2007, Jorge “JC” Cestou gives a seminar about caning and paddling. Workshops are open to everyone — $10 for each workshop or $30 for the entire afternoon.
A small Leather Fair runs at at Breathless the same time as the workshops; it’s open to the public for free. Several local vendors will flaunt whips, floggers, and chain mail.
Evening activities will kick off with the Mr and Ms Ontario Olympus Leather contest at 8pm. Last year’s winner, Angela Albert, went on to win the top Olympus title, so be sure to check out the competition.
The night ends with a new concept for the play party — this year, the pansexual event invites people to play if they choose, or simply watch the experts do what they do best, including suspension, waxing and clothespin play. For Leather Fest package holders and Breathless members only, from 10:30pm-2am at Breathless.
And don’t forget, the weekend ends with an eye-catching troupe of leather men and women leading the Capital Pride parade on Sun, Aug 26 starting at 1pm.
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