K!nk at Pride

a weekend convention of Queer education, art, and community

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

All Queer and Queer-allied educators bringing shibari, kink, BDSM, Queer 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.

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

Negotiations & Trauma-Informed Consent: The Living Document

Dual Demons - Small Theater

Leave an Impression with Lap Dance

Dizzy Stardust & Nikki Rose - Lobby

11:30 - 1:30pm

Drag: Protecting & Celebrating Queer Spaces

Trashy & Xinistra - Small Theater

Dance Alchemy

Kaiya Ashanti - Lobby

2 - 4pm

Knotty Basic - Double Columns & X-frictions

Mooooo & Tiny Teddy - Small Theater

Which Harness, What Shape?

Insignia - Lobby

Sunday

9 - 11am

Grease is Lube: Bootblacking made easy for Play

Conor - Small Theater

Sensual Dance: Embody, Play, Entice! 

Dizzy Stardust - Lobby

11:30 - 1:30pm

From sub to sir

Graylin Thornton - Small Theater

storytelling in performances & scenes

Dom the Switch - Lobby

2 - 4pm

Drag Mug 101: Mastering the Basics of a Perfect Paint

Jairo Delight - Small Theater

Beyond Bedroom Bondage: A nerdy intro to Western-style rope

Shay Tiziano, Angel, & Insignia - Lobby

Meet the presenters

Kaiya Ashanti

Jairo delight

Dizzy stardust

Insignia

Nikki Rose

Dual Demons

Conor

Trashy

Graylin thornton

Xinistra

Shay tiziano

Tiny teddy & mooooo

dom the switch

class descriptions

  • Dual Demons - Sat 6/8, 9-11am, Small Theater

    I’m interested in engaging with kink or rope, I found someone (even just myself) to do this thing with, and now what? How do I negotiate when I don’t even really know what I want or have a ton of experience in this thing? Where do I even begin?

    We have developed our own negotiation and informed consent living document from a Queer and trauma-informed lens over our years as kinksters. A living document is a document that is continually edited and updated, meant to be flexible to match the flow of our dynamic and ever-shifting lives. This is the one we use all the time in our own lives and want to give you some hefty base to develop out your own! In this class on trauma informed consent and negotiation for kink and shibari rope bondage, you will learn the crucial skill of navigating boundaries and discussing past traumas with sensitivity, promoting a safer and more inclusive experience within your scenes and broader kink/rope life.

  • Dizzy Stardust & Nikki Rose - Sat 6/8, 9-11am, Lobby

    Explore erotic lap dance as an avenue to create deep connection with yourself or your partner! Join us as we investigate layers of ourselves, find our flow state, and communicate nonverbally within the container of sensual lap dance. Mixing slow dripping sexy intensity with accessible tricky acrobatics, this workshop offers options for all levels and styles of dancer. Solo or partnered attendees are welcome, and dancing alone is always encouraged!

  • Trashy & Xinistra - Sat 6/8, 11:30-1:30pm, Small Theater

    Coming soon

  • Kaiya Ashanti - Sat 6/8, 11:30-1:30pm, Lobby

    Embark on a ritual dance journey. This workshop blends the wisdom of ancient Egyptian science, we know as Alchemy, bridging spirit and science through movement and dance. A way to raise your frequencies and reclaim ancient wisdom through the art of movement. Connect with the elements and access your birthright wisdom, your connection with nature expressed. Explore earth, air, water, fire, energies and the essence of your soul through breath, writing, and movement. Using dance as a universal language of healing and prayer, This is your invitation to remember deep magick and become the magician of your own transformation.

  • Mooooo & TinyTeddy - Sat 6/8, 2-4pm, Small Theater

    This could be your first Shibari class! At Knotty Basic, we will be focusing on a few minimalistic ties, and what we could do with them. Covered topics includes: Basic rope safety and negotiation, How to tie and play with Double columns & X- Frictions, Rope handling skills, and Rope bottoming guide & etiquette.

  • Insignia - Sat 6/8, 2-4pm, Lobby

    Rope is hard: it’s easy to make it more difficult, but difficult to make easier. In this class, we will first discuss how certain harnesses make shapes easier or harder, while diving into the anatomical theory of how different harnesses isolate key joints. This is a Q&A format, so bring your questions! The (optional) second portion of class will include a movement based warm up including floor exercises designed to prepare the body for any harness. Bring a mat and comfy clothes, you’re gonna be on the floor.

  • Conor - Sun 6/9, 9-11am, Small Theater

    Come learn to love on boots and bodies at the same time with an erotic scene through Bootblacking. Let’s learn negotiation for Bootblacking, (no you don’t have to be the bottom) and basic bootblacking techniques. We will discuss the range of possible experiences from fully technical bootblacking, focused on product selection and optimal outcome, to bootblacking is foreplay, focused on connection and building anticipation. This class is about non-exclusive bootblacking , we will cover a range of footwear spanning masculine to feminine as well as material from leather to vegan leather. Please bring your favorite footwear and attend solo or with folks.

  • Dizzy Stardust - Sun 6/9, 9-11am, Lobby

    Tune in to your body and senses and ignite your inner flame as we explore fluid, sensual and playful movements that celebrate your unique body and sensual energy.

    This class is all levels and beginner friendly; all bodies are welcome! We will explore sensual dance and accessible floorwork techniques and variations, free movement and self-expression, and beginner-friendly choreography.

    Please bring knee pads or comfortable knee protection for floorwork. Yoga mat optional for warm up.

  • Graylin Thornton - Sun 6/9, 11:30-1:30pm, Small Theater

    A historical look of the journey of a Bay Area leather boy from activist to International Titleholder to Sir.

  • Dom the Switch - Sun 6/9, 11:30-1:30pm, Lobby

    Workshop Goals: develop your essential elements (spoiler: these are not the movements themselves) and discuss how performance methods apply to the sculpting of a scene.

  • Shay Tiziano, Angel, & Insignia - Sun 6/9, 2-4pm, Lobby

    Taking a "fuck around and (safely!) find out" approach to bondage, this is a friendly, approachable, raw-beginner-level introduction to rope. With an eye toward focusing on "why" rather than "how," attendees will learn versatile, foundational building blocks and core principles for Western-style bondage.

    This class is dedicated to concepts, not specific pattern ties (although we will incorporate pattern ties into this structure) – come prepared to participate in an exploratory process and build a deeper understanding of rope bondage. In addition to technical tying, foundational topics for partnered bondage (such as negotiation, communication, and risk mitigation) will be briefly introduced.

    While partnered bondage is the focus of this session, many of the participatory activities involve self-tying. Please come prepared to participate in focused discussion and to both tie and be tied! If you'd like to tie with a partner, please come with one.

    Pre-requisites: No bondage experience necessary. Knowledge of consent and negotiation basics and awareness of you and your partners' preferences, limits, needs, etc. Body awareness to participate and interact at a level that is safe(er) and consensual for you and your partner.

    Supplies: If you have rope, bring what you've got! The instructors will have lots to loan out. Either nylon or natural fiber rope works for this class; some activities will involve contrasting the two. Shorter (about 15-foot) pieces are ideal, but longer is also fine.

  • Jairo Delight - Sun 6/9, 2-4pm, Small Theater

    Followl along with Jairo Delight and learn all of the makeup artist secrets behind the staple skills of drag makeup: From brow blocking, to contour and highlight, with a fierce sharp wing on top. Unleash your artistry and creativity in this workshop and pick up a few tips, tricks, and industry secrets. There will be makeup provided!

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

Meet the performers

Sam wilder

Myles higher

Redd fafilth

Evangeline laveau

Dom the switch

Professor loindexter

gallo gallina

Shay Tiziano + Insignia

Trashy

Shadow

Dizzy stardust

PEARLESCENT moon

mooooo & tiny teddy

Dual demons

Nikki rose

Clint taurus

Xinistra

Variety show Performances

Saturday

Pre-Show + Doors - 7pm

Mooooo & Tiny Teddy ambient performance

Lobby Games/Activities, Snacks, tip-exchange

Curtain - 8pm

Redd fafilth

Shay tiziano & insignia

Evangeline laveau

Nikki Rose

Professor loindexter

Dizzy stardust

Intermission

Trashy

myles higher

pearlescent moon

Dual Demons

Sunday

Pre-Show + Doors - 7pm

Themropes ambient performance

Lobby Games/Activities, Snacks, tip-exchange

Curtain - 8pm

Redd fafilth

Shay tiziano & insignia

Clint taurus

Sam wilder

Professor loindexter

Dizzy stardust

Intermission

Trashy

myles higher

Shadow

Dual Demons

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

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.