K!nk at Pride

a weekend convention of Queer education, art, and community

Join Dual Demons and The 418 Project for our second annual Pride Month K!nk at Pride convention and Queer Variety Show!

All Queer and Queer-allied educators bringing rope bondage, kink, BDSM, Queer and leather history, movement, dance, lectures, workshops, and much more to sunny Santa Cruz.

All-Queer and Kinky performers bringing silly, sexy weirdness to the stage after-hours.

Con class schedule, descriptions, & presenters

variety show schedule, performers, & more

Apply to teach

We are looking for educators! If you have a 2 hour class, workshop, lecture, or community event that fits one of our three categories: Rope & Kink, Dance & Movement, or Queer History & Lectures, apply here! Must self-identify as Queer or Queer-allied to be a teacher or presenter for K!nk at Pride.

Apply to vend

Vend or Table at K!nk at Pride! We provide the opportunity for vendors and organizations to sell their products or promote their causes for all of our Queer Variety Shows. No fee to table, no commission required . Must self-identify as Queer or Queer-allied in order to be a part of our vendor lineup.

Apply to perform

Join the cast for the K!nk at Pride Queer Variety Show! We are looking for performers that can bring a 2-7 min act to our show. As always, the show will have a plug-and-play storyline and all acts should be heavily themed. Must self-identify as both Kinky and Queer to be a part of the K!nk at Pride cast.

apply to volunteer

We need volunteers! If you would like to volunteer for the convention, the show, or both - we would love to have you! Get reduced or free admission to our events in exchange for helping us out. In order to continue to provide a safe and inclusive environment, all volunteers will be vetted before acceptance.

Concurrent classes, workshops, and lectures at The 418 Project in downtown santa cruz.

6 classes a day, 3 DIFFERENT CATEGORies:

Rope & Kink, Dance & Movement, and Queer History & Lectures.

Class Schedule

*subject to change

Saturday

9 - 11AM

Finding YOU in C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y

Sharrin Spector & Pat Baillie - Small Theater

$LINK & $LITHER: HEELS FLOORWORK

Nikita Velour - Large Theater

11:30 - 1:30PM

STORYTELLING IN PERFORMANCES & SCENES

Dom the Switch - Large Theater

INTEGRATING ME: MY SANTA CRUZ JOURNEY (1987-1996)

Patt Baillie & Sharrin Spector - Small Theater

2 - 4PM

SINK INTO SENSUALITY

Sade Symone - Lobby

FAST & FUN ROPE TIPS & TRICKS FOR BEGINNERS

Shay Tiziano & Angel - Large Theater

Sunday

9 - 11AM

THE SOMATIC SLUT WORKSHOP

Pearlescent Moon - Large Theater

BUILDING A SOLO ROPE SCENE

Dual Demons - Lobby

11:30 - 1:30PM

INTRO TO POLE - MIXED MODALITIES: DANCE, AERIAL, AND SLANTED

Sam Wilder - Large Theater

GREASE IS LUBE: BOOTBLACKING MADE EASY FOR PLAY

Conor Fenrir - Lobby

2 - 4PM

SENSUAL FLOORWORK

Dizzy Stardust - Lobby

NEGOTIATIONS & TRAUMA-INFORMED CONSENT: THE LIVING DOCUMENT

Dual Demons - Small Theater

After-hours K!nk at pride queer variety show

All queer, all kinky cast (& almost all crew!)

Drag, burlesque, shibari suspension, aerial circus acts, silks, lyra, pole, ambient performances, and so much more

Variety show Performances

Friday

Pre-Show + Doors - 7pm

Ambient rope performance

Lobby Games/Activities, Snacks, tip-exchange

Curtain - 8pm

Performances

Intermission

Performances

Saturday

Pre-Show + Doors - 7pm

Ambient rope performance

Lobby Games/Activities, Snacks, tip-exchange

Curtain - 8pm

Performances

Intermission

Performances

After Party at the neighbors pub

Pride was a riot.

Pride was started to commemorate the NYC Stonewall Riots in 1969- which were a response to the police brutality and raids/arrests in gay/leather bars, nightclubs, and other Queer community gathering places. Trans and gender non-conforming people, sex workers, and black and brown folks were the leaders of the early Queer liberation movement, and we have them to thank for the privileges and openness that we can express today.

LGBTQIA+ equality stems from challenging societal norms and embraces the idea of radical existence- which includes the leather, BDSM, and broader kink-aligned communities. These communities have had a long standing place in Queer history and have played a crucial role in caring for and supporting the marginalized and persecuted. The leather community was a crucial part of the support and care of Queer people during times of crisis such as the AIDS epidemic and the Lavender Scare, and have been providing this sense of benevolence throughout their history.

The debate over Kink at Pride has been focused on respectability politics, dividing the Queer community and disproportionately benefiting the few who conform closer to societal cisheternormative standards. Kink is more than the sexual-perversion that conservatives have weaponized against us- it is about identity, chosen family, risk aware and informed consent, and community care. In this time of persecution and direct attacks on Queer folks, it is especially important to go back to our roots and uplift and support each other in any way that we can.

Kink is an expression of Queer cultural identity, sexuality, love, and diversity. We hope to bring the sentiment of this culture to the forefront and build community in some small way through the continuation of explicitly Queer, explicitly Kinky events. We are committed to bringing visibly Queer, trans, kinky, and other marginalized folks in and recreating a sense of safety and community.

Thank you for showing up and being a part of this. We appreciate your vulnerability and support, and are grateful that you’re here.

with love, dual demons