Presenters: Shay & lemec 

If you’ve ever said (or thought), "Rope takes too long!" "It’s too complicated!" or "I just want to do something fun/sexy/mean," we'll help you skip the fancy, difficult rope work in favor of versatile, easy-to-learn techniques with immediate applications. After a quick safety speed round (so the instructors can sleep at night), we’ll cover our top 10 tips and tricks, including methods for efficiently and effectively using rope as a tool, spiral-style experiential ties, and delightfully intense foot, calf, and body ties. This hands-on class encourages self-tying for certain exercises and partnered tying for others; you can come solo or with a partner. 

Pre-reqs: Absolutely no rope experience is necessary! 

Supplies: The instructors will have some loaner rope. To tie along, we recommend at least one half length (approx 15 feet) and one full length (approx 30 feet) of rope. Jute or hemp is preferred.

Presenters: Dancehalldyke and Slab_me_harder

This class is about using movement and body manipulation in order to feel power dynamics in rope and build intensity. We find that many people who want to be tied want to experience a power dynamic and feel a sense of surrendering or submitting. In this class we explore several specific movement and body handling techniques and strategies that we use in order to make space for the person in ropes to feel comfortable settling into this type of head space.

Pre-reqs: this is an all levels class. Total beginners can take this class. It is aimed at intermediate students who have tied before and are ready for more. Advanced students can also benefit, if you have been tying for a while and are feeling uninspired, this class can help you break out of your usual ways of tying. This is a partnered tying class, observers are welcome but self tiers may not get a lot out of the class. Participants need to have good body awareness and be prepared to be physically very close with their tying partner during the exercises. We recommend doing this class with someone you know well, if you are tying someone for the first time for this class, please make a thorough negotiation including all aspects of physical touch and closeness, chest, head, neck, and hair contact, etc. This class is also about power dynamics in rope, if that's not part of your interests, this is not the class for you.

Accessibility notes: this class involves standing, sitting on the floor, moving ourselves and moving our partner. Adaptations of all kinds are possible and many exercises can be adapted to being in a chair, however, your mileage may vary. Being able to physically lift your tying partner is not necessary; we will discuss in detail these exercises when tying someone that you cannot lift.

Supplies: Two 30 foot ropes and safety shears

Presenters: Dancehalldyke & Slab_me_harder

You've put together some patterns, you've done your first suspension, but how do you make it h-o-t? If you've ever done a tie where you were intending to do something powerful and sensual and it felt more like making friendship bracelets in outdoor camp, this class is for you. We'll discuss strategies for turning our technical tying skills into scenes through body manipulation, misdirection, intentional touch, and more, and talk about making our harness tying process and exciting and fun part of our scenes. This class is for intermediate to advanced rope students who have some suspension experience, and want to start bringing scene energy into more technical ties.

Pre-reqs: Suspension experience is required for this class for both participants. Tyers must be able to tie a suspension worthy chest harness, fluidly tie upline hangars and lockoffs, and single columns. People in rope should be able to recognize and communicate physical and emotional concerns while in rope and have some experience in partial and full suspension positions. 

Supplies: Full suspension rope kit including at least two upline worthy ropes, and safety shears

Presenter: Conor Fenrir

Come build connection thru bootblacking! No prior experience needed. From technical bootblacking, focused on product choices, to bootblacking as foreplay, focused on connection and building anticipation, this class explores the range of possible experiences on a 101 level.

Content includes negotiation and basic techniques, as well as a demo. We will cover a range of masculine to feminine garments and footwear. You will leave being able to erotically  rub on your partner’s boots/chaps/dress with confidence in your treatment of the leather, focusing on the person in the leather. 

Pre-requs: none

Supplies: none 

Presenter: Shay

Focusing on principles and concepts rather than recipes and formulas, this class examines the reasoning behind different suspension choices and builds your ability to create unique sequences. With lots of science sprinkled in! Shay will collaboratively generate a demonstration suspension transition sequence with the class, discussing “decision points” and the pros and cons of different selections. Participants will then pick their paths to create partial and full suspension sequences.

Pre-requisites: This class is self- or partnered-suspension friendly. 

• Tyers: The ability to independently tie a suspension-worthy chest harness, hip harness (ideally a leg ladder), and secure hanger and upline configuration. Pattern ties will not be taught.

• Flyers: Ability to recognize and communicate physical and emotional concerns while in rope. Experience in partials and at least two suspension positions. 

• Self-suspenders: All the requirements for both tyers and flyers, with specific experience in a self-suspension context.

• Everyone: Knowledge of safety basics. Risk awareness and self-knowledge to participate at a level that is safe(r) for you. 

Supplies:A basic suspension kit.

Presenter: Shay

Explore dynamic movement with a minimalist and playful 'circus bondage'-style 3- to 5- point rig. An example suspension transition sequence using this structure will be demonstrated, along with tips for flyers on taking full advantage of the freedom & flow it offers. Potential flyer-driven shapes include running person, splits, pinwheel, lotus, birdcage, pike, and many more. Unleash your inner aerialist – this is *not* traditional Shibari in any sense!

The first half of class is a lecture and demo. In the remaining time, attendees with appropriate suspension experience may try the rig and/or the sequence. During the hands-on time, attendees will need to tie all required harnesses independently.

Pre-reqs: This class is self- or partnered-suspension friendly. Anyone is welcome to observe. To participate in the hands-on portion, the prerequisites are:

• Tiers: This fast-moving class requires an intermediate to advanced level of suspension knowledge – it is not appropriate for suspension bondage beginners. Tops should know, at minimum, suspension-ready chest harness (arms-free preferred, but arms-in may be used at the discretion of the tying pair), attaching support lines, and basics of negotiation and risk mitigation for suspension bondage.

• Flyers: Body and health awareness to participate safely at a level appropriate for your body. Experience with suspension ties that heavily load the chest. 

• Self-suspenders: Same requirements as for tiers AND flyers.

Supplies: Your basic suspension kit. Synthetic/rated rope for all uplines and locking carabiners are strongly recommended; a minimum of one piece of rated rope for the critical upline is required. Flyers should ideally wear snug leggings and firm-soled shoes that can be tied over.

Coming soon

Hosted by: Nadia Vanilla

A creative session for anyone who wants to loosen up and let go of perfection. We’ll use crayons, paper, and curiosity to explore movement, line, and focus—starting with quick, expressive sketches and easing into longer, more intentional drawings. It’s about process, not perfection; making marks, exploring rhythm, and seeing where the lines lead.

Pre-requs: No experience needed.

Supplies: Crayons and paper are provided (or bring your own).

Presenters: DanceHallDyke & Slab_Me_Harder

At times daunting and at times exhilarating; suspension transitions can be used to extend scenes, captivate audiences, build intensity, and find new possibilities for movement and connection. This course will focus on identifying opportunities for transitions, understanding their physical and emotional effects, and finding ways to choreograph sequences of transitions together to form a coherent and impactful scene. This course provides ideas and frameworks for how to move beyond static suspensions and planned transition sequences towards improvising transitions to form a sequence. We will also cover navigating various difficulties midair in safer ways.

Prerequisites: this is an intermediate/advanced class. Students need to have suspension experience to participate in the class. Beginners are welcome to observe and might find it interesting but will not be able to tie along for the class.

Presenter: Charli Ropes, with Outergodless

Discover the captivating allure of shibari where every tie begins – on the floor! In this class, you’ll discover the playful and sensual dimensions of rope, shifting the focus from memorizing patterns to the rich sensory and emotional experiences woven into each tie. This class invites each individual to explore intimacy, sensuality, or playfulness at their own pace.

We will start with a playful exploration of body movement, where you'll tune into your internal states and outward expressions. These can be sensed energetically, physically, and even through the rope itself! We’ll then engage in a guided improvisational rope session using only a single-column tie, playing with tension, and multiple sensations using rope. Participants will switch roles several times throughout these exercises. This is not only a great practice in empathy, but also one of the best ways to gain insight into what the person on the other side of the rope is experiencing. Join us and elevate your shibari practice to new heights – all without leaving the floor.

Pre-requs: This class is intended to help break out of the routines one can find oneself stuck in while tying or being tied. The focus of this class is to steer away from any known or memorized patterns and is meant to focus on the body language, movement, and energy of oneself, and our rope partners. Attending with a rope partner that is familiar or comfortable will help enhance the experience further, however, this is not required and solo attendees are also encouraged to attend. Charli will cover how to negotiate with new partners in this type of space during the class. During the exercises in this class, tying pairs will be asked to switch roles multiple times throughout the evening. Please be ready to both tie and be tied! Charli will guide participants through this transition of roles and each exercise can be taken at one's own pace. There is also a section of this class that will include a blindfold, which is optional, but highly recommended for the full experience. This class is designed for individuals of all skill levels, from complete beginners to seasoned rope enthusiasts. 

Supplies: Rope of your preference (2 -3 pieces of 30ft length recommended),  a rope partner you are comfortable with (switching optional), a blindfold (recommended but not required), aftercare material (for self or partner).