2008
Educational Opportunities
Subject to change
Our Firestarter
classes are suitable for the novice
Bio opens in a new window
"A" IS FOR ALPHA - Whipmaster
Bob and BootPig
Mmmm,
but a poly family can cover every element of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Alpha positions mean many things to many people. For some, it means
primary partner or longest in service. For some it is a job description
and the most qualified candidate holds this position in addition to
other roles. An Alpha may or may not possess authority. It could be
a "working" title, or an honorary word. Alpha roles
in service can be challenging as you are charged with teaching and/or
managing according to the Owner's vision, and not your own. Like any
other job, there are tricks and challenges to successfully serving
as an Alpha in heart and spirit, and not just with longevity. How
to manage envy in others, or yourself? How to handle a higher level
of accountability without Anger, Pride or Envy? How to ward off, or
recover from, burnout?
What are skills that an Alpha might need to possess or improve upon
in order to serve in the position.
Since we talk about what we have experience with, this class will
primarily focus on "family" structures in committed service
relationships (Which is an all purpose way of including M/s, D/s,
Daddy/boy, Dom/sub, Top/bottom, and other myriad arrangements).
ADVANCED
ELECTRICAL PLAY - Uncle
Abdul
Unc' continues beyond the basics presented in Beginning Electrical
Play some of the toys and techniques including: How to Introduce a
Newbie to Electrical Play. 1 to 1-1/2 hour presentation - Suggested
that it be presented together with Beginning Electrical Play as a
priorly scheduled segment at your event.
ADVANCED
WHIPS - Mason Alexander
Advanced Whips-This is NOT your basic whip class.
Mason will be discussing what happens when you actually break skin
with your whip….and LIKE IT! He will go over safety topics, negotiations
for play, and a few pointers about playing with blood with your whips.
BALLOON
BONDAGE -
Buster
Slick and shiny, tight and clingy, lets face it, latex feels great
against the skin. This class will demonstrate a variety of methods
using balloons for tight, clingy erotic bondage. This class will also
demonstrate how to safely get inside giant balloons and use them for
encapsulation scene or shrink wrapping the bottom for immobilization.
BALLOON FETISH 101 - Buster
This
class will present an overview of balloons as a fetish. We will be
discussing the origins of many balloon fetishists, the different types
of balloon fetish play, and popping versus non-popping. The different
types of balloons used and sources of balloon fetish resources will
be covered.
BALLOON
S&M - Buster
How
can a shiny fun toy be used in an S&M context? This class will
focus on the mind play aspect of a balloon fetish. Afraid of balloons
popping? Come ride the edge of fascination and fear. Ever thought
of torturing a person through torturing an object? This class is for
you.
BASIC WHIPS - Whipmaster
Bob & Bootpig
BEGINNING ELECTRICAL PLAY - Uncle
Abdul
Unc' presents--in his own humorous yet educationally effective way--the
basic principles of the 3-P's (Physics, Physiology, and Psychology)
of the Safety of Electrical Play.
CARE
& FEEDING OF THE SUBMISSIVE - Karen
Ultra & Michael
Crecelius
Care
and Feeding is a Holistic "Whole Person" approach to What It Is We
Do; that stems from a perspective of responsibility rather than one
of entitlement. Topics we touch on are pragmatism in conjunction with
a 24/7 D/s life (as opposed to a life STYLE); integration of Leather
into the "real world"; the importance of negotiation and communication,
and the occasional bursts of heresy. This class started out as a 100
level class, and has evolved into a "graduate seminar" on relationship
dynamics and communication. Come with questions. We'll find the answers
together. If you've attended this class previously, IT'S NOT THE SAME
CLASS. It keeps evolving, growing as we do in our relationships.
CBT - MORE FAMILY JEWELS - Hardy
Haberman
Building
on material presented in my first book, "The Family Jewels: this
workshop expands on techniques and explores new ground in CBT. Primarily
a demonstration workshop, attendees will be invited to participate
in some aspects of the play. There will be information for the newcomer,
such as safety and anatomy, but the demonstrations will also include
advanced activities and temporary genital piercing.
CONSENSUAL
NON-CONSENT - Scott
Smith
The mindset and personal responsibility of playing near the edge.
CUPPING
- Lady
Caro
Common to both Eastern and Western ancient cultures, cupping goes
back thousands of years. In combination with fire, it has transcended
from an ancient medical treatment to a new age/alternative medicine
therapy that has various applications to SM play. This will be a hands-on
workshop on how a little cup and a little flame can produce a lot
of sensations.
DEALING WITH REAL-TIME, REAL-WORLD ANGER IN BDSM - Uncle
Abdul
Unc' will examine what happens and what to do when real, non-scene
related anger is introduced into a BDSM scene or lifestyle. With the
help of an easy-to-understand model of the anger emotion, Unc' will
look at the strategies of dealing with it.
EROTIC
ASPHYXIATION - The very edge of edgeplay- - Nick
& Miss Sophia
Of all the things we do in BDSM, nothing else is designed to literally
"play" with someone's life as are asphyxiation games. Flogging,
paddling, caning, cropping, torture, needles, knives, fire... none
of these things are specifically practiced with the express knowledge
that someone's life is literally on the line. However, breathplay,
suffocation, strangulation, choking, throttling, hanging - call it
what you will - nothing else we do is as scary, life-threatening,
or as downright erotic as full-on, hardcore asphyxiation.
Breathplay
is about as sexy, thrilling, and dangerous as BDSM can get! It's the
height of vulnerability and the very pinnacle of power. In this presentation,
Nick and Sally will discuss the psychology of breathplay, the hands-on
techniques and physiology of asphyxiation, and the inherent risks
we face if we choose to participate in this most dangerous of games.
Participants will learn a myriad of specific techniques including:
choking; suffocating; strangling; hanging; gagging; bagging; kinging;
queening; air sucking; sheeting; taping; re-breathing and much more.
This educational discussion will then be followed by a dramatic breathplay
scenario in which these techniques will be put into context and incorporated
into a structured asphyxiation "scene".
FANTASY
VS. REALITY - Karen Ultra
& Michael
Crecelius
How do I go safely and sanely from typing about what it is we do to
really ACTUALLY doing it. Everybody takes the first "left" into the
community; and it's almost never the right turn. Find out how to tell
if it really IS too good to be true. Everyone has encountered an idealized
version of what it is we do......... here s a good way to begin to
tell the difference. We'll swap war stories; how to do your homework
to ensure you know what you are looking for, so you do not get bogged
down in what you do not.
Fear THIS! - Lady
Caro
You know the feeling, that tightening in your gut, the dry mouth,
feeling your heart pound in your chest as your breath comes quicker???
It’s fear. You can feel it, you can see it, and you can smell it.
This workshop will teach you to understand fear, not just as an endpoint
but also as a means to an end. This workshop will explore various
techniques as to how the creation of fear can be used as a basis or
as an enhancement of play.
FLOGGING
101 -
Nick
For those of you new to the scene and wondering where to begin, the
ability to give or receive a good flogging is one of the foundations
of SM play, and an excellent place to start one's journey into SM
playtime. However, many newcomers often assume that flogging requires
little or no knowledge or technique, but nothing could be further
from the truth! Not only does the type of flogger you choose make
a huge difference to the quality of your scene, but so does the specific
flogger technique or "throw" you use, the body part you
choose to hit, and the physical and emotional intensity with which
you engage your partner. In short, flogging can be a very fulfilling
form of play if you take the time to learn a few basic facts about
floggers and flogging technique.
In this class you will learn about the different materials used for
making floggers, and how flogger construction affects the way a flogger
feels in the hands and on the body. This class will also demonstrate
at least 10 different strokes, including: drop flogging; paintbrush
stroke; forehand and backhand stroke; figure 8; propeller stroke;
vertical stroke; bow and arrow stroke; the baseball bat stroke; spanking
stroke, and much more. In addition, we will discuss the importance
of proper warm-ups, and how they can be used to increase the intensity
of a scene while minimizing the chance of a scene "busting".
After attending this class, the participant will walk away with some
solid basic skills which they can put into practice right away.
FOOT FETISHISM - It Ain't
Just For Bottoms Anymore - Boymeat
OK, so we all know about playing with backs, pecs,
and thighs... now how about feet? Is it possible to have a foot fetish,
and be a sadist at the same time? This class will go over some of
the basics as to what foot fetishism is, along with how to torture
those things at the ends of our legs. We will be covering abrasion,
temperature sensation, flogging, paddling, and the crowd favorite,
Bastinado. There will also be a few secret surprise techniques thrown
in at the end.
INTERROGATION
AND
ABDUCTION - Hardy
Haberman
Ever fantasized about being abducted, or
held for interrogation by brutal guards? This workshop will explore
the various fantasies as well as techniques for creating a successful
interrogation and abduction scene. Stress positions, interrogation
techniques, mild to wild torture that would never pass the Geneva
Convention will all be included in this workshop well as the logistics
and special considerations for an abduction.
This workshop will include group participation and hands on skill
demonstrations
INTRODUCTION TO SUSPENSION - Dart
Suspension bondage is some of the most beautiful and
erotic of rope-play . . .but also the most dangerous if not done properly.
In this workshop Dart will lightly touch on the basics of what is
involved when suspending someone and all the elements that must be
present to execute a beautiful and SAFE suspension scene. A live demonstration
will follow.
THE
JOY OF CANES - Caning 101 - Boymeat
No, we're not talking about your walking stick... We're
talking about long, slender implements of pain and pleasure. This
class is designed to give the ABCs on caning, from an exploration
of the different kinds of materials used, to basic, sensual techniques.
We will also throw in some of the harsher ways of playing... just
for fun. ;-)
Leatherboy/boi Gathering - Vince
& T J
This gathering is unique and different from previous years at Tribal
Fire. This year the leatherboy/boi gathering will be a round table
discussion. The round table will consist of different types of leatherboys/bois
both traditional and non-traditional. These leatherboys/bois will
give their thoughts, experiences and feelings on topics and questions
submitted by the audience. Submissions will be given as the audience
enters the door on paper, to insure even the most sensitive subjects
will be addressed in a comfortable environment. Questions can range
from relationships, leadership, loneliness and protocols. The purpose
of this gathering is to provide leatherboys/bois with information
from different perspectives and types of leatherboys/bois that exist
in the lifestyle to help them form their own opinions and take away
a stronger understanding of what to do when confronted with issues
in their journey.
LONG
TERM SERVICE RELATIONSHIPS - Whipmaster
Bob and Bootpig
What are the joys of being in service? The little things
that come forward each day and remind us that we're in the right place
at the right time? What are the signs and markers that we've made
a monumental decision in the path that we're living, and how do we
receive the joys that service can bring to us? For many of us, there
is a great deal of discussion about how to find a way into service
and partner selection, but sometimes there isn't the discussion about
life in service once those decisions have been made. What are the
stages of faith and trust we go through? How about our methods for
coping?
In long term service you might run across Envy, Pride, Anger, Gluttony,
Lots and Lots of Lust, and even some Sloth on occasion…
The concepts of being in service are often limited to just partnered
service, but there are those among us finding their joy through service
to organizations, groups, the community as a whole. How does the single
service-motivated person develop their service during their time without
a partner? What about the grieving person that is not yet ready to
partner but needs a place for expression of their being? Expressing
service can be a singular focus on an individual, or a spiritual oneness
with the universe. Finding the joy in every moment in service, including
those tough, painful moments is an adventure unto itself, filled with
opportunities for accountability, transparency and development. Reaching
your potential while also experiencing the perfect joy of the moment.
Medical Information for the Scene and the 411 on 911
- Lady
Caro
What is a medical emergency? When do you call 911? What do you say?
What do you do until they arrive? How (or do you) amend your play
in order to play safely with those who have chronic medical conditions?
What personal medical information should be shared and when and how
and why and with whom? With the proper information, participants in
this workshop will have a better understanding of how chronic and
emergent medical conditions can influence play.
MUMMIFICATION
- Dart
Think sensory deprivation is too scary? Not at all.
. . it's fun! This workshop will illustrate the basics of immobilizing
a person head to toe in saran wrap and duct tape. Proper preparation
and safety measures will be shown, as well as the actual wrapping
technique and aftercare. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions,
both with Dart and with the sub during and after the scene.
NCSF- LIFE AND DEATH PLANNING FOR ALTERNATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
- Robyn
Friedman
The purpose of this presentation is to acquaint members of the alternative
lifestyle communities with issues that may arise from the nature of
their relationships both during life as well as in the event of death
or disability. Many people are involved in dedicated relationships
outside of the traditional man-woman 2.3 kids marriage. They acquire
property together and incur liabilities together. They often fail
to realize and acknowledge that sooner or later, be it by going their
separate ways, or as a result of death or disability, each and every
one of these relationships will end. The purpose of this presentation
is to address some of the issues and problems that might be encountered,
and give some guidance on how to prepare for them.
This presentation will also include a discussion on BDSM and children,
and what parents involved in BDSM should know based on my experiences
as an attorney who has handled several child custody battles when
BDSM was an issue.
PIERCING
101
- Robyn
Friedman
Have you always been interested in play piercing, but a fear of needles
has kept you saying no, even though you have wistfully watched another
experience the incredible highs of this art? Have you ever wanted
to pierce your partner, but were concerned about how to place the
needles safely?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, please join Robyn
as she goes over the basics of play piercing, including safety issues,
handling techniques, and various methods of needle placement. This
is a hands on workshop, so if you have ever wanted to experience either
getting pierced, or piercing another, here is an opportunity for you
to do just that!
PIERCING
201-DECORATIVE PIERCING
- Robyn
Friedman
Does the thought of turning your partner into a beautiful
work of art give you warm happy thoughts? So, you have learned how
to do basic temporary piercing, but you want to kick it up a notch,
what to do? Join Robyn as she shows you various techniques for adding
a little kick to your temporary piercing scenes. She will show you
how to turn regular needles into paintbrushes that turn your bottom
a walking piece of art.
PUP 101 - Cosmo
Jetson
Pup101 is a beginners class covering the basics for
the human pup. It delves the behaviors of a pup and a pup's ability
to communicate with others through these behaviors. This class will
cover the health and safety precautions for a pup, including the importance
of gear. If time is left, we will have a fantasy vs. reality discussion.
Then, we will conclude with time for questions and/or discussions.
This class is geared more toward the pup, but trainers may learn from
this as well. The curious are always welcome!
ROPE
BONDAGE AND BONDAGE DYNAMICS - Dart
In this workshop Dart will introduce you to the basics
of Japanese rope bondage, what makes it erotic, and what kind of care
and preparations need to be taken. Dart will demonstrate a full bondage
scene showing how simple to how complex and beautiful complete immobilization
with rope can be. There will also be a "hands-on" section
in the workshop to actually learn and practice some basic knot-tying
techniques. Also elements of the dynamics of Dom/sub play will be
discussed and how to make the most of the scene for both parties.
Sex the Hardcore Way - Mason
Alexander
Have you ever watched a scene that was so intense that
it had your heart racing and your twisted mind thinking? Ever wonder
how those players got to that level? And wondered how you'd get there
too? In this class, Mason will discuss how to get from a begining
players mindset to an advanced level of play that you are craving.
Smoke,
Glamour, & Sadomasochism - A Journey into the Smoking Fetish
- Miss
Sophia
The smoking
fetish is one of the lesser known "subfetishes" or paraphilias,
yet for the person who possesses the fetish, the sight of a beautiful
woman smoking sexily is the most powerful and compelling image imaginable.
Two things epitomize the glamorous femdom: the bullwhip, and a cigarette
smoldering in a long holder. Hollywood, TV and marketers have known
this for years, but only the kink community could take this now socially
unacceptable behavior, and turn it into a real-time outlet for immense
sensual and sexual gratification.
But
it's not just smoke and glamour which attracts the smoking fetishist
- there's a dark side to this phenomenon as well. Many male submissives
crave to be tortured by cigarette and cigar smoke; to have their body
hair singed; wear smoke-filled gasmasks; have cigarettes put out on
their tongues; needles inserted and heated with cigarettes, and serve
as human ashtrays. In this workshop, Wichita's only prodomme, Miss
Sophia, will take us on a journey inside the smoking fetish - both
the glamour and the sadomasochism - and help us understand how this
taboo, yet compelling activity exerts its magic and allure on those
who are trapped by its spell.
SO,
IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME TO TRIBAL FIRE, HUH? - Tribal
Fire Committee
If this is your first time to Tribal Fire, then this is the class
for you. Even if you're not new, you can just come by and harrass
the Tribal Fire committee! We'll go over some basic information about
the weekend and the activities we have planned. You can meet some
or all of the committee members so you will know who we are in case
you have questions throughout the weekend. We'll be going over dungeon
manners and rules. This is a great first timers class.
SURVIVING
CORPORAL 101 - How to Handle the Physical and Emotional Effects
- Boymeat
Pain is a very complicated thing, and creates a myriad
of responses in the body. There is the physical side (Ow, fuck! Jeez,
how can he take that!) Then there are the emotional effects; the multitude
of emotions and thoughts that go through one's head through pain.
Processing pain, while so simply stated in this world, is actually
quite difficult at times. In this class we will talk about how to
handle the pain both inside and out. We will explore why we endure
it, where it takes us and what we can get out of it.
SUSPENSION
CONSTRUCTION - Scott
Smith
How to transform almost any room into a suspension friendly dungeon?
It's all in the nuts, bolts and anchors. If you have rope, desire,
a few tools, and a willing bottom, this workshop will help get them
off the ground. Presented by a person who loves to do suspension from
the privacy of his dungeon, to elevator shafts, to vertical cliffs
overlooking the ocean; Scott will address the tricks that make doing
suspension both easier and safer. Learn various ways to put sturdy
and concealable anchors into walls, doorframes, and ceilings; both
before and after construction; how to avoid those annoying cracks
in the ceiling; how to easily build a free standing suspension frame;
and for those outdoor projects, how to attach anchors to natural objects.
Learn the technical aspects of suspension and safely elevate your
play to new heights.
SUSPENSION
OF DISBELIEF - Scott
Smith
How to get the bottom to believe you're crazy, even if you're not.
Note: this is about mindset, planning, tools, techniques.
How to get the bottom to believe you're crazy, even if you're not.
Make the creativity of the tops imagination become the essence of
the bottoms reality. We'll pull skills from stagecraft, psychology,
magic, and even a bit from street performers. This is where the practical
meets with the theatrical. We'll talk about planning, props, orchestration,
trickery, cunning, imagination, and lots of good fun all coming together
to make a scene the bottom will never forget, even if they wanted
to. The mind is the edgiest place we journey; this class is not for
the timid.
TACTICAL
S&M - Ms Toy
Are you thinking you want to sit home and watch Gilligans
Island reruns? Going to the store for some TV dinners? Planning to
be a Saturday afternoon loaf? Well change those plans and attend Tactical
S&M instead.
TSM is
an out of the box, outrageous new approach to doing a scene. It busts
some of those myths and takes a light-hearted, diverse new stab at
making a scene more fun, better laid out, and has more depth to it.
TSM is fun. You will be engaged and find yourself laughing out loud
as you explore your own scene methodology. This course is for everybody
that wants to do better while they play. Learn how to integrate role
playing into your scenes in a fun and diverse new way. Select arch-type
characters that fit your persona then use these archetypes to add
spice and new depths to your play environment. Learn how to start
your scenes days before you actually play, and how to create mindfucks
that are out of this world.
If you
only attend one course this year make it this one!
THE
TABOOS OF INCEST ROLE PLAY - Boymeat
Incest is one of the last standing taboos in the world
of sexuality today. Just mentioning the word creates a myriad of responses...
from fear, apprehension, and disgust to guilty grins, slight arousal,
and downright lust. And once you move beyond the literal term, and
enter the world of fantasy role play, all things become possible.
Daddy, boy, Mommy, girl, brother, sister
like Master and slave,
top and bottom, but with an edge. This class will cover the whats,
hows, and whys of playing with familial roles, both in sexual/scene
contexts, and as a way of defining relationships themselves. Please
note - this class is for consenting adults only, and does not involve
or endorse actual acts of incest. Sensitive, sometimes volatile topics
will be discussed.
TAKE
DOWNS, KIDNAPPING & ABDUCTION
- Scott
Smith
How to get them, how to keep them, and how to avoid being on the
evening news.
Does that evil glint come to your eye when you contemplate abducting
a hot bottom off the street or out of their bedroom as they slumber?
Does you heart race when you think of being abducted? If so, this
is the workshop for you. Scott will interweave fantasy with reality
and walk you through techniques to give your bottom the most realistic
experience possible.
This workshop will be fast paced, full of action, and packed with
information: Critical negotiation techniques; a realistic look at
injury reduction; how exactly to carry a squirming bottom down a ladder;
how to move the bottom out of their home or apartment while minimizing
unwanted attention; equipment; and more than one sneaky little trick.
Most importantly, Scott will cover his tried and true physical techniques
to maximize both safety and success. The shackles are real, the capture
is real, the adrenaline is real.
Tribal Soul Dance -
Dayvid
A
Tribal Fire Signature Event
Keeping
with this year's Tribal Fire theme of Redemption, we will be taking
a Journey of liberation and cleansing at the Soul Dance.
Cultures
throughout history have incorporated basic elements such as water,
pain, dance and creative expression in their rituals to help cleanse,
redeem and free the spirit of its earthly struggles and trauma. This
year we will explore a few of these practices, using a water cleansing
ritual, group piercing, chanting, dancing and creative expression.
Please
keep in mind that the Soul Dance incorporates various aspects of many
religious beliefs in an attempt to help bridge the gaps in our BDSM/Leather
communities. Come join us for an experience that will take you through
a wide range of emotion, expression and understanding of what it means
to accept your place in our community and express that is ways unlike
you have in the past.
Many
portions of the Soul Dance are completely clothing option - If this
type of expression is not something you are comfortable with, please
wear something that is loose fitting and that you won't be concerned
if it becomes dirty or damaged in this experience.
The close
of our Soul Dance will be the traditional Maypole dance in celebration
of the spirit of Beltane. If you have any questions regarding what
we will be doing at the Soul Dance, please feel free to contact the
presenter at SouthCentralLeatherSIR2007@cox.net.
The Tribal Soul Dance is an experience supported by spiritual guides,
music and our bodies to take you on a journey to help cleanse and
heal your soul. It will be an uplifting experience that can help you
discover more of the driving spirit within you. Take yourself to a
space where you can release your mind's control over your body and
soul.
Limited Admittance. You must make a reservation for this special event.
Your reservation will be secured based on when your registration fee
is received.
Sunday, 9:30am till lunch. Wear very comfortable clothing that you
can move in (in other words, leather wear isn't necessarily recommended).
You will be bare foot. Men may want to remove their shirts, women
may wish to wear sports bras (or make sure that the appropriate areas
of your breasts are covered). We will be using sage lightly, however,
no cologne, please.
WHOLE
BODY SM I want it all! - Whipmaster
Bob & BootPig
Why
stop with backs and asses, breasts and balls? The whole body is a
canvas for SM techniques that range from erotic to excruciating. This
is a mixed bag of techniques for every area from tip of the head to
toes of the feet, beginner to advanced. This is Lust and Gluttony
defined, indulge in sensation on every bit of skin available to you.
For those of you into long scenes, this helps extend time as you can
work all over instead of using up one section of canvas and quitting.
Mmmm, can you play with a collarbone? The back of a knee? The small
of a back? An eyelash? You can. We'll encourage discussion, imagination,
and innovation.