Thursday, October 4, 2018
Archive Spring 2018
The Impact of SESTA/FOSTA –
As our trumptopian world offers up an endless
parade of weekly chaos, slipping under the radar was the recent passing
of the SESTA & FOSTA Acts. While on the surface such initiatives
carry the spirit of something truly good & strives to
put an end to sex trafficking, as law they are poorly written, FAR too
vague, & carry deep ramifications for the entire scene & how we
interact online. The fallout is already being felt as
various online providers have scrambled to contemplate just what the new
laws will mean. People affected are dating sites, hook up sites,
anything listing legitimate escorts or adult services, as
well as Pro-Domme’s, & an array of others in the alternative
culture. Services such as Craigslist & others have already cancelled
services for online personals & the reaction is already
being felt on mainstream forums across the net. It’s no secret that big
brother has been watching, but his impact just became very real for all
of us. See related articles here...
Dreamscape is No More – One of the East Coast’s largest & most loved rave-format music festivals is no more. Hosted at Ramblewood in Darlington, MD, last June saw the close of a giant. The official word is that its promoters are shifting gears to focus on their other two festivals & club nights. But like any major event that comes to a sudden & unexpected end, there’s always more to the story than what you read. Unfortunately, it’s not our place nor intention to comment on such issues. What matters is that one of the greats is gone & there exists a deep void that has yet to be filled. See Link for official statement.
The Steampunk Worlds Fair is Cancelled – Collapsing under the weight of deep scandal & continued allegations of sexual misconduct, Jeff Mach Productions lost full support of his base, & all of his events have fallen as a result (including Wicked Fair & The Geeky Kink Event). As the largest steampunk festival in the eastern U.S. & one of the largest in the world, a savior organization tried to initially step in & carry the banner forward. But we believe the reality of what it takes to create such an event was a bit too much. Consequently, they pulled out & there was no one left to take over the magnitude of such efforts. As a result, the World’s Fair & all Jeff Mach events have been cancelled. There are no current plans for a future resurrection. See Link for public announcement.
Transformus Rises from the Ashes! – As other giants fall, like the Phoenix from the flames one has risen from the ashes! Indeed, Transformus is back! After a temporary hiatus, they now have a new location offering more space & better accommodations to fit the size of its crowds, Indeed, one of the East Coast’s most revered burns is a welcome return.Tickets are currently on sale & available. Please see Mainn Site for details.
Larry Harvey (Burning Man Founder) January, 11, 1948 - April 28, 2018 - Larry Harvey, the founder of Burning Man & main force behind its core principals has recently passed away. Most people grieve such loss, but I take a different perspective… What an incredible life to have created something that would have such an impact on so many. My god, what an amazing legacy to leave behind! THAT is a life well lived! Rest well good sir, you have brought a sense of love & light to the world that burns bright & carries forward forever more. We honor your memory, your life, & the impact it’s had on so many throughout the world. Please See: Journal Memoriam.
Drac’s Ball Celebrates 20 Years! - On April 14th, Drac’s Ball will host its 20th Anniversary in Philadelphia. We believe this is the longest running Goth Night on the east coast & possibly the nation. The event is already sold out & plans are set. Twenty years in the scene is an amazing accomplishment. So we salute such an awesome achievement!
Tribalcon Draws to a Close – Offering one of the nation’s most beloved gatherings for Tribal & Fusion Dance, this past February Tribalcon celebrated its final installment. This effectively brought the end of an era to a close for a great many. In short, the rising expenses of travel, lodging, & venue created an inequitable weight on its promoters. The economies of the festival just could not support the rising cost for such an endeavor. So the core promoters have wisely decided to refocus efforts into a single teacher model for those in the community. We wish them well w/ their new endeavors & hope for a fulfilling future as they now venture forward. See Facebook for follow-up.
Spoutwood Faerie Fest Hosts Its Last – Spoutwood Farm has announced that this May will probably be the last Faerie Festival for the venue. Never say never, as the owners ‘may’ move the beloved festival to a new location (ha! I see what you did there). But as it stands, the plan is to simply let it draw to a close. Growth is good, but the festival has grown so much that its now stressing the farm, surrounding township, parking, & staff. So, after 27 years of making magic come to life, 2018 will host the last May Day Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm. See Link for announcement.
Klimaxxx Takes a Break while Swinky Fills the Void – As one of the area’s more active swinger nights, the founders of Klimaxxx have decided to step away & take a break. This is a great loss for the scene & we thank them for all their effort to create such a great night. However, in its wake one of their core promoters has stepped forward & created “Swinky” to help fill the void. The inaugural event offered a great night which we hope will build to an amazing future. We wish them luck as the weeks & months progress.
TABU Launches TABU Travel – Baltimore’s most recognized & only ‘on-premise’ club for the Swinger Lifestyle has now launched a new initiative w/ Tabu Travel. Hosting annual trips to such destinations as Hedonism & more, this creates a new dimension for the social circles of the area. Please check it out: Tabu Travel.
Mixtape Draws to a Close – Traditionally hosted at the 9:30 Club, Mixtape offers one of the area’s best & longest running dance nights for the gay communities. Unfortunately, the promoters are moving on with other endeavors. So this brings an amazing night to a close. We wish them well & hope for a bright future in all they hope to be. Their final nights will be Gay Pride at the 9:30 Club on June 9th, & a final farewell at the U Street Music Hall on Sept. 8th. See Facebook.
Code DC is now Hummer – DC’s all male night for those into gear, leather, & more has passed the baton. As Code DC comes to an end, Hummer has risen in it’s place. Hosted 1st & 3rd Saturdays at the Glory Hole (just off of New York Ave), they offer a very similar night under new leadership.
- Congress Legalizes Sexual Sensorship.
- Microsoft Updates Service Agreements.
- CBS: Microsoft to Monitor Private Accounts.
- Tech Republic: Cloud Services Terminate Users.
- Proposed Changes for Fetlife w/ SESTA/FOSTA.
- Why Internet Advocates Are Against SESTA/FOSTA.
- Rolling Stone: Why New Bill Actually Screws Sex Workers.
- Washington Times: New Bill Shuts Down Online Communities.
Dreamscape is No More – One of the East Coast’s largest & most loved rave-format music festivals is no more. Hosted at Ramblewood in Darlington, MD, last June saw the close of a giant. The official word is that its promoters are shifting gears to focus on their other two festivals & club nights. But like any major event that comes to a sudden & unexpected end, there’s always more to the story than what you read. Unfortunately, it’s not our place nor intention to comment on such issues. What matters is that one of the greats is gone & there exists a deep void that has yet to be filled. See Link for official statement.
The Steampunk Worlds Fair is Cancelled – Collapsing under the weight of deep scandal & continued allegations of sexual misconduct, Jeff Mach Productions lost full support of his base, & all of his events have fallen as a result (including Wicked Fair & The Geeky Kink Event). As the largest steampunk festival in the eastern U.S. & one of the largest in the world, a savior organization tried to initially step in & carry the banner forward. But we believe the reality of what it takes to create such an event was a bit too much. Consequently, they pulled out & there was no one left to take over the magnitude of such efforts. As a result, the World’s Fair & all Jeff Mach events have been cancelled. There are no current plans for a future resurrection. See Link for public announcement.
Transformus Rises from the Ashes! – As other giants fall, like the Phoenix from the flames one has risen from the ashes! Indeed, Transformus is back! After a temporary hiatus, they now have a new location offering more space & better accommodations to fit the size of its crowds, Indeed, one of the East Coast’s most revered burns is a welcome return.Tickets are currently on sale & available. Please see Mainn Site for details.
Larry Harvey (Burning Man Founder) January, 11, 1948 - April 28, 2018 - Larry Harvey, the founder of Burning Man & main force behind its core principals has recently passed away. Most people grieve such loss, but I take a different perspective… What an incredible life to have created something that would have such an impact on so many. My god, what an amazing legacy to leave behind! THAT is a life well lived! Rest well good sir, you have brought a sense of love & light to the world that burns bright & carries forward forever more. We honor your memory, your life, & the impact it’s had on so many throughout the world. Please See: Journal Memoriam.
Drac’s Ball Celebrates 20 Years! - On April 14th, Drac’s Ball will host its 20th Anniversary in Philadelphia. We believe this is the longest running Goth Night on the east coast & possibly the nation. The event is already sold out & plans are set. Twenty years in the scene is an amazing accomplishment. So we salute such an awesome achievement!
Tribalcon Draws to a Close – Offering one of the nation’s most beloved gatherings for Tribal & Fusion Dance, this past February Tribalcon celebrated its final installment. This effectively brought the end of an era to a close for a great many. In short, the rising expenses of travel, lodging, & venue created an inequitable weight on its promoters. The economies of the festival just could not support the rising cost for such an endeavor. So the core promoters have wisely decided to refocus efforts into a single teacher model for those in the community. We wish them well w/ their new endeavors & hope for a fulfilling future as they now venture forward. See Facebook for follow-up.
Spoutwood Faerie Fest Hosts Its Last – Spoutwood Farm has announced that this May will probably be the last Faerie Festival for the venue. Never say never, as the owners ‘may’ move the beloved festival to a new location (ha! I see what you did there). But as it stands, the plan is to simply let it draw to a close. Growth is good, but the festival has grown so much that its now stressing the farm, surrounding township, parking, & staff. So, after 27 years of making magic come to life, 2018 will host the last May Day Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm. See Link for announcement.
Klimaxxx Takes a Break while Swinky Fills the Void – As one of the area’s more active swinger nights, the founders of Klimaxxx have decided to step away & take a break. This is a great loss for the scene & we thank them for all their effort to create such a great night. However, in its wake one of their core promoters has stepped forward & created “Swinky” to help fill the void. The inaugural event offered a great night which we hope will build to an amazing future. We wish them luck as the weeks & months progress.
TABU Launches TABU Travel – Baltimore’s most recognized & only ‘on-premise’ club for the Swinger Lifestyle has now launched a new initiative w/ Tabu Travel. Hosting annual trips to such destinations as Hedonism & more, this creates a new dimension for the social circles of the area. Please check it out: Tabu Travel.
Mixtape Draws to a Close – Traditionally hosted at the 9:30 Club, Mixtape offers one of the area’s best & longest running dance nights for the gay communities. Unfortunately, the promoters are moving on with other endeavors. So this brings an amazing night to a close. We wish them well & hope for a bright future in all they hope to be. Their final nights will be Gay Pride at the 9:30 Club on June 9th, & a final farewell at the U Street Music Hall on Sept. 8th. See Facebook.
Code DC is now Hummer – DC’s all male night for those into gear, leather, & more has passed the baton. As Code DC comes to an end, Hummer has risen in it’s place. Hosted 1st & 3rd Saturdays at the Glory Hole (just off of New York Ave), they offer a very similar night under new leadership.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Archive 2017
First a Few Notes from The Metro Underground:
The DC Fetish Ball Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary (DCFetishBall.com): A decade in the making, the area’s most respected & anticipated event returns to Ultra Bar on Sunday, Oct.8th (Columbus Day Weekend). Due to its increasing popularity, this year we’ll be limiting attendance & will absolutely sell out! So don’t wait - tickets go on sale immediately after Labor Day.
DC eXotica Returns (MetroEvents): After an unbelievably successful debut, DC eXotica returns to the district for a second year. Planned for Sunday, Jan 14th (MLK Weekend) we’ll be back at Ultra Bar for a night of decadence & beauty you won’t want to miss.
We’re Phasing Out Our Facebook Page (Facebook): Due to the new policies of Facebook, The Metro Page has become almost irrelevant. As a result, we’re now focusing almost exclusively on our Facebook Group & Fetlife for social media. So: FB Page = to => Facebook Group
Work is Moving Forward on Galleries & Pics (Galleries): We’re currently in the process of posting full galleries & top pics from past events. These include the Final Black & White Ball, Aiyoku & Steampunk Apocalypse (Spring Fromal), DC Fetish Ball for 2015 & 2016, as well as DC eXotica. We’re terribly behind & apologize for the wait. However, we hope to be caught up by the next Fetish Ball in October. Thank you for your patience.
News from Around the Scene:
Fall PDF is Cancelled (Announcement-Link): Due to struggles with its current location, the Fall event for Playa Del Fuego has been cancelled. In its place, a new burn has been organized called Constellation. It’s currently uncertain if this will affect the spring PDF or if they’ll just host it at the new location. Indeed, the search for a proper venue is an ongoing struggle for most. Transformus has fallen to the same circumstances & is no more. But the organizers of PDF seem committed & should find good ground upon which to build soon.
Cranberries Tour Cancelled (Announcement-Link): Unfortunately, The Cranberries North American & European Tour has recently been cancelled. The only east coast show still in progress will be New York. According to the band’s official statement, Doloris O’Riordan has been suffering from extreme back problems. On the advisement of her doctors she was forced to drop out & the band cancelled the tour. See link for full statement & possibilities for a future return.
Mixtape Goes Quarterly (Faebook): One of the 9:30 Club’s most beloved nights has shifted to a quarterly format. Celebrating 9 years in the scene, the burden started to wear on its promoters. Although they considered shutting it down, they still loved the night & all it brought to the scene. So the perfect compromise was to shift formats to a quarterly schedule & move forward while creating a better balance within themselves. The new schedule will include nights for September, December, March, and June.
Recent Shake-Up on Fetlife (Announcement-Link): For those who are unaware, Fetlife has recently suffered a major shake-up. Several groups & elements of certain profiles were pulled. This was due to a recent governmental shakedown under the initiative of “Operation Chokepoint” (worthy of note that this law was recently taken off the books). The master minds behind Fetlife have made full disclosure of the problems involved & have worked diligently to maintain full integrity of the site. See link for more.
The Crucible is Now Open & Active (The-Crucible): In case you’ve been living under a rock, DC’s one & only playspace for the kink-set is once again open! After a 2 year hiatus, Frazier & his aligned powers have been working diligently to fight a mountain of red tape to get the doors open. Indeed, the new space is a beautiful venue & marked improvement over the previous 2 locations. They’re quickly gaining speed & now have a very active calendar. So be sure to check it out & throw some support for the new initiative. And congrats on the tenacity to see it through!
CCPS 2nd Attempt has Left Them Indefinitely on Hiatus (CCPS): After significant financial difficulties drove the Charm City Play Space from its previous location, a second attempt was made at a new location just north of Baltimore. Unfortunately, things have not come together. This coupled health issues facing the owner has left them indefinitely closed until further notice.
Big Changes to DC TNG (Announcement-Link): As of late, there’s been a bit of a shake-up w/ DC TNG. The end result of which is a step in a positive direction. For sometime now, DC TNG has been open to all w/out the usual requirements of a 35 & under group that is usually seen. So ‘The Next Generation’ is spinning off into its own group while the current group is restructuring under Hellfire DC. This new group will serve as a fundamental ‘gateway’ group w/out the age restriction, & will carry forward w/ its current happy hour & monthly play party. We wish them well as they rebrand & restructure the new initiative!
Update for Indecent Enterprise (Announcement-Link): Having lost 2 of its core venues, Indecent Enterprise is temporarily scaling back its once active calendar to take a bit of hiatus while it regroups. This does not mean it’s inactive. Currently they do plan to maintain their presence at regional camps while they sort out issues with a new space.
Diabolique Ball is on Hiatus (Diabolique): But alas, it appears that a recent shake up w/ one of Philly’s most beloved events has potentially put them on temporary hiatus. Please keep an eye out for future announcements.
Skin Two Magazine is Refocusing Efforts (SkinTwo): With a worldwide following, Skin Two has stood for years as the most respected magazine for the fetish & latex subculture. But in an era of social media & dwindling returns on print media, they too have felt the reality of industry economics. As a result, they are now focused almost entirely on their clothing line & have phased out the magazine almost completely. To which, they do not stand alone. Gorgeous Freaks Magazine has followed suit & is currently directing almost all activities toward their clothing line as well. We respect their effort over the years, wish them well in their new endeavor, & lament the passing of a giant.
Our Love & Best Wishes for Richard & Vicki of Tabu (Facebook): For those who may be unaware, Richard (co-owner of Tabu Social Club w/ his wife Vicki) recently collapsed a lung & has been having a difficult time with his health. Although we expect a full recovery, our heart goes out to Vicky & Rick wishing him a speedy recovery, good health, & prosperous days ahead. Please send some love if you’re able, they could use some good vibes through this difficult time.
New Club Comes to Hyattsville (ClubShadow): DC has a new on-premise brick-&-mortar swinger club! To date, we have not been to any of their functions. But for those groups who may be looking for a solid venue, you may want to check them out.
Antibiotic Resistant Gonorrhea has Hit the U.S. (article): Numbers are still miniscule, but it must be noted that a new strain of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea has recently encroached on the U.S. We don’t want to spread unwarranted fear, but this is a significant development worthy of note.
The DC Eagle is Alive & Well (DCEagle): Also filed under the heading of “in case you’ve been living under a rock” - DC’s one & only gay male leather club has returned to form. The new venue offers a vast space w/ secured parking & an active schedule of events.
The DC Fetish Ball Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary (DCFetishBall.com): A decade in the making, the area’s most respected & anticipated event returns to Ultra Bar on Sunday, Oct.8th (Columbus Day Weekend). Due to its increasing popularity, this year we’ll be limiting attendance & will absolutely sell out! So don’t wait - tickets go on sale immediately after Labor Day.
DC eXotica Returns (MetroEvents): After an unbelievably successful debut, DC eXotica returns to the district for a second year. Planned for Sunday, Jan 14th (MLK Weekend) we’ll be back at Ultra Bar for a night of decadence & beauty you won’t want to miss.
We’re Phasing Out Our Facebook Page (Facebook): Due to the new policies of Facebook, The Metro Page has become almost irrelevant. As a result, we’re now focusing almost exclusively on our Facebook Group & Fetlife for social media. So: FB Page = to => Facebook Group
Work is Moving Forward on Galleries & Pics (Galleries): We’re currently in the process of posting full galleries & top pics from past events. These include the Final Black & White Ball, Aiyoku & Steampunk Apocalypse (Spring Fromal), DC Fetish Ball for 2015 & 2016, as well as DC eXotica. We’re terribly behind & apologize for the wait. However, we hope to be caught up by the next Fetish Ball in October. Thank you for your patience.
News from Around the Scene:
Fall PDF is Cancelled (Announcement-Link): Due to struggles with its current location, the Fall event for Playa Del Fuego has been cancelled. In its place, a new burn has been organized called Constellation. It’s currently uncertain if this will affect the spring PDF or if they’ll just host it at the new location. Indeed, the search for a proper venue is an ongoing struggle for most. Transformus has fallen to the same circumstances & is no more. But the organizers of PDF seem committed & should find good ground upon which to build soon.
Cranberries Tour Cancelled (Announcement-Link): Unfortunately, The Cranberries North American & European Tour has recently been cancelled. The only east coast show still in progress will be New York. According to the band’s official statement, Doloris O’Riordan has been suffering from extreme back problems. On the advisement of her doctors she was forced to drop out & the band cancelled the tour. See link for full statement & possibilities for a future return.
Mixtape Goes Quarterly (Faebook): One of the 9:30 Club’s most beloved nights has shifted to a quarterly format. Celebrating 9 years in the scene, the burden started to wear on its promoters. Although they considered shutting it down, they still loved the night & all it brought to the scene. So the perfect compromise was to shift formats to a quarterly schedule & move forward while creating a better balance within themselves. The new schedule will include nights for September, December, March, and June.
Recent Shake-Up on Fetlife (Announcement-Link): For those who are unaware, Fetlife has recently suffered a major shake-up. Several groups & elements of certain profiles were pulled. This was due to a recent governmental shakedown under the initiative of “Operation Chokepoint” (worthy of note that this law was recently taken off the books). The master minds behind Fetlife have made full disclosure of the problems involved & have worked diligently to maintain full integrity of the site. See link for more.
The Crucible is Now Open & Active (The-Crucible): In case you’ve been living under a rock, DC’s one & only playspace for the kink-set is once again open! After a 2 year hiatus, Frazier & his aligned powers have been working diligently to fight a mountain of red tape to get the doors open. Indeed, the new space is a beautiful venue & marked improvement over the previous 2 locations. They’re quickly gaining speed & now have a very active calendar. So be sure to check it out & throw some support for the new initiative. And congrats on the tenacity to see it through!
CCPS 2nd Attempt has Left Them Indefinitely on Hiatus (CCPS): After significant financial difficulties drove the Charm City Play Space from its previous location, a second attempt was made at a new location just north of Baltimore. Unfortunately, things have not come together. This coupled health issues facing the owner has left them indefinitely closed until further notice.
Big Changes to DC TNG (Announcement-Link): As of late, there’s been a bit of a shake-up w/ DC TNG. The end result of which is a step in a positive direction. For sometime now, DC TNG has been open to all w/out the usual requirements of a 35 & under group that is usually seen. So ‘The Next Generation’ is spinning off into its own group while the current group is restructuring under Hellfire DC. This new group will serve as a fundamental ‘gateway’ group w/out the age restriction, & will carry forward w/ its current happy hour & monthly play party. We wish them well as they rebrand & restructure the new initiative!
Update for Indecent Enterprise (Announcement-Link): Having lost 2 of its core venues, Indecent Enterprise is temporarily scaling back its once active calendar to take a bit of hiatus while it regroups. This does not mean it’s inactive. Currently they do plan to maintain their presence at regional camps while they sort out issues with a new space.
Diabolique Ball is on Hiatus (Diabolique): But alas, it appears that a recent shake up w/ one of Philly’s most beloved events has potentially put them on temporary hiatus. Please keep an eye out for future announcements.
Skin Two Magazine is Refocusing Efforts (SkinTwo): With a worldwide following, Skin Two has stood for years as the most respected magazine for the fetish & latex subculture. But in an era of social media & dwindling returns on print media, they too have felt the reality of industry economics. As a result, they are now focused almost entirely on their clothing line & have phased out the magazine almost completely. To which, they do not stand alone. Gorgeous Freaks Magazine has followed suit & is currently directing almost all activities toward their clothing line as well. We respect their effort over the years, wish them well in their new endeavor, & lament the passing of a giant.
Our Love & Best Wishes for Richard & Vicki of Tabu (Facebook): For those who may be unaware, Richard (co-owner of Tabu Social Club w/ his wife Vicki) recently collapsed a lung & has been having a difficult time with his health. Although we expect a full recovery, our heart goes out to Vicky & Rick wishing him a speedy recovery, good health, & prosperous days ahead. Please send some love if you’re able, they could use some good vibes through this difficult time.
New Club Comes to Hyattsville (ClubShadow): DC has a new on-premise brick-&-mortar swinger club! To date, we have not been to any of their functions. But for those groups who may be looking for a solid venue, you may want to check them out.
Antibiotic Resistant Gonorrhea has Hit the U.S. (article): Numbers are still miniscule, but it must be noted that a new strain of antibiotic resistant gonorrhea has recently encroached on the U.S. We don’t want to spread unwarranted fear, but this is a significant development worthy of note.
The DC Eagle is Alive & Well (DCEagle): Also filed under the heading of “in case you’ve been living under a rock” - DC’s one & only gay male leather club has returned to form. The new venue offers a vast space w/ secured parking & an active schedule of events.
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