Kinky and curious? Head to Sexapalooza

Newcomers bound to learn something, say veteran kinksters


Wicked Wanda’s is taking the reins on kink education this weekend at Ottawa’s fifth annual Sexapalooza trade show.

The Ottawa fetish shop will rule as Dungeon Mistress and teach its patrons a thing or two about getting down and dirty.

The Sexapalooza dungeon can be intimidating for newcomers to the kink community, but this year it’s all about inclusiveness, says Samantha Dumas, of Wicked Wanda’s.

Curious folks of all experience levels are invited to take part in a range of how-to kink workshops.

“I want all visitors — from ‘vanilla’ to experienced kinkster — to discover a bit about their own kinky side and how to unleash it in the bedroom,” says Wanda Cotie, owner of Wicked Wanda’s.

Aiming to top previous dungeon masters and mistresses, Cotie puts a strong emphasis on education in kink and BDSM workshops.

“Far too many of us keep parts of our sexuality hidden for fear of shame or rejection. I find that once people are informed, they are freer to express their true desires and fantasies,” Cotie says.

With more than 20 queer-inclusive workshops offered at no additional cost, there’s bound to be something for the “curious kinkster” in everyone.

The workshops are nonstop, but one to watch for this year is Gender Bending, with Ottawa’s Miss Zelda Marshall and Mr Capital Pride on Saturday night, says Dumas.

Other workshops range from sensual food play, to sex toys, to polyamory, BDSM and more with sexpert Gaia Morrisette, to name only a few.

In between workshops, patrons can wander through the sex museum, take in burlesque performances on the main stage or shop at the dozens of goody booths – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

This year, Sexapalooza will be housed downtown at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The show is open Friday, Feb 10 from 5pm to midnight; Saturday, Feb 11, from noon to midnight; and Sunday, Feb 12, from noon to 5pm.

Regular admission is $20 for the day or $30 for the weekend.

Can’t make it to the show? The Wicked Wanda’s Bank St store is open seven days a week and hosts frequent workshops. wickedwandas.ca

Andi Schwartz is femme, a freelancer and a graduate student at York University. Her writing has appeared in Xtra, GUTS, Herizons, Broken Pencil and Shameless. She lives in Toronto with her fur babies, Franny and Zooey.

Read More About:
Love & Sex, Fetish & Kink, Arts, Pride, Ottawa

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