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**disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is in no way a complete list of activities in the Austin/GWNN area. For comprehensive information please visit the web pages of various groups, attend munches, or ask your friends. We have made every effort to include as much up to date information as possible. GWNN wholeheartedly supports all local and area groups and hopes every person who sets out to find a comfortable place to be who they are, learn, grow and find friends is successful in their journey. Volume XVII: Issue V Opinions and ideas expressed by individuals in interviews are their own and the Newsletter allows and encourages their free expression. The newsletter volunteers make every effort to double check the information here, but it is not impossible that we may miss something. If you note an error or mis-information, please let us know so we can correct it. GWNN Newsletter welcomes all information from area groups about their gatherings and special events. While it would be very time and space consuming to detail every single group every month, we will gladly list your special events and parties and include web pages and links so that interested persons can find out more. If you are reading this on the web and would like to get it in your own email Press Here. We have had many “bouncing” emails from people we know are active members. Perhaps a move or a change of internet providers has meant a change of email address. If you think this might be why you are not receiving GWNN emails and special announcements please re-subscribe by Pressing Here. ***** GWNN MUNCH *****SATURDAY, JANUARY 9th~~~ Get kinky with BBQ sauce, mmmmmm ~~~Join your kinky friends at Artz Rib house for BBQ and kinky camaraderie. Artz Rib House We meet in the back room, which does have its own entrance with a ramp. Place your food orders at the bar and a server will bring your food in to you. Please remember to tip! In December the entire staff was really nice, despite a mix up with the reservation. With a door right into the room, stepping out for a smoke is easy. If the front parking lot looks full, swing around the back where there is ample parking. Artz is centrally located on South Lamar, about 2 miles south of Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake). Street clothes are the appropriate attire for this event. Tickets for the GWNN Party will be available for advanced purchase. Buy your party tickets at the munch for just $15.00 each! Tickets at the door on the night of the party are $20.00 each. So buy early and save some money and support your group! See ya there! For up to date information about the goings on in GWNN you may join the Yahoo Group: gwnnmembers@yahoogroups.com If you are on FetLife: http://fetlife.com/groups/2451 For a very up to date listing of Area events, may we suggest the FetLife page: http://fetlife.com/groups/9716 JANUARY MEANS PARTY IN GWNN-SPEAK!!!Saturday, January 16There is a lot to be excited about for the kick-off party of 2010. You can purchase tickets at the munch for only $15.00, a savings of 25% over the door price! Remember, if something happens and you can’t make the party, you can keep the ticket for the next party. The party will be pot luck again this month with paper goods and drinks provided. November’s food was awesome – so let’s do it again with your New Year’s favorites. The following provides a suggestion as to what to bring:
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If you don’t care to cook, things like: chips, M&M chocolate candy, dips, chocolate candy, nuts, chocolate candy or even maybe some chocolate candy or chocolate chip cookies are always sure to be welcome. Come out with your toy bag and your wicked and perverted ideas and get your kink on to welcome in the New Year. Bring something ‘delish’ to share, and be sure to checkout the website at www.gwnn.org for special announcements between now and the party. RUMOR HAS IT THAT THERE WILL BE SOME EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS to the JANUARY PARTY Be sure and check your Yahoo and FetLife groups for information on the many perverted opportunities in January. BLACK AND BLUE SANTA REPORTA SHORT SUMMARY FROM MS.BUNNYThis year was a challenging one for the elves. We served 30 children spanning geographically from Killeen to San Antonio ... a new record for us! We had a bumper crop of teenagers this year and the majority of our kids were 8+ which greatly changed our shopping tactics (and the cost of our *toys*). We spent an average of $25 to $30 on each participant not including family gifts, goodie bags and supplies such a wrap, tape, tags etc. Most of the leftover toy donations were passed on to other local charities for distribution; some were retained for use next year. *** note - if you do the math you will get a general idea of the donations this season. In this past year so many people in all walks of life had problems making ends meet. It says a lot about our community that at times when life isn’t easy for so many, that we can step up and help each other in this way. Here’s an idea ahead for the holidays 2010; drop your spare change in a jar all year. Even if that change only averages half a dollar (far less than even half the cost of your favorite coffee or cocktail) by next December you could have as much as $150.00. Keep half for your holidays and give half to B&B Santa. Imagine what we can do as a community! FEATURED GROUP~~~ KINKY DRAWERS ~~~AN INTERVIEW WITH KOURAHow/when did KD start and who started it? KOURA: The first mention I can find of Kinky Drawers is on the Voyagers list, indicating that the group was coming out of hibernation for the January 2003 meeting. I didn't attend until Sept 2003, and have been unable to determine exactly when the group began. Paige (of Paige and Joe, who also founded Voyagers with Rose in October 2002) started the group. When Paige had to give it up to take care of family in Sept 2004, Patrick took over hosting our meetings in his studio for a few years while Trinity and I found models. I began posting the meeting announcements in July of 2005, and with the assistance of several people who provided space for our meetings and two who have served as model coordinator, have kept the group going since then. How often does KD meet? KOURA: We meet on the 3rd Tuesday evening of every month, except in December (when we generally meet earlier in the month or skip having a meeting). How do you find models? KOURA: Our community is remarkably generous. We alternate male and female models each month. Typically the males sign up and wait in line for months, while the females are more coy, waiting for us to ask them. We've been around long enough and have a good enough reputation that most seem pleased to be asked; surprisingly few turn us down. Do they have to model nude? KOURA: We prefer to draw the human form, but most of us are also turned on by boots or other fetish wear. Many of the models bring items to "accessorize." The Doms who model often decide to hold a whip or other toy (and I enjoy it when they wear a lecherous grin). We respect that gender benders may be particularly uncomfortable appearing nude so we don't absolutely require it. But since most of the drawers prefer drawing the body, it's nice that models from the kink community are more comfortable posing nude than those who model for other life drawing groups. The models must also understand that the artists are free to draw whatever they want. One might draw a torso, while another draws a face; occasionally someone will be daring enough to draw just a hand or foot. Jewelry, tattoos and other markings may disappear (or be added). The point isn't to capture an image that's photographically accurate, but to create art. And since few of our models can remain perfectly still for the half-hour drawing sessions, it's a challenge for most of us, especially those who's only previous experience is copying photos. One thing we've discovered in the past year is that we like to have our models talk with us as we draw. It keeps their expression from drooping into a frown. But it's quite a challenge to draw! Can anyone come or do you need to be an "artist"? KOURA: Those who attend are expected to draw with us, but we don't expect artistic skill. It's an imposition on our hosts to have people milling around, and it's distracting. Our group isn't for photographers for the same reason, even though photography can be a beautiful art form. However, we've always permitted the model to bring someone along, particularly if the model would like to be bound while they pose for us. (Occasionally we'll gather at a cafe after the meeting, and friends are certainly welcome to join us then.) You might be surprised by the number of people who enter the kink community through small groups like Kinky Drawers because they feel intimidated to join large groups like GWNN. We are glad to offer that entry. We hope that newbies will soon feel comfortable to explore and express their kink within our wider community. We ask that they respect the basic protocols of the community, such as refraining from recognizing a model or another drawer in a public setting, and that they respect our model, not touching anyone without permission (when suggesting a pose, for example). Those who draw are always welcome, even if they can only draw stick figures. After all, even when a drawing is recognizable, it may lack the organization and balance necessary to be considered a "work of art." We're all still learning. The drawers don't consider artistic talent as important as simply enjoying the creative experience. Do the models ever get to keep any of the portraits they model for? KOURA: Few of the drawers manage to create anything close to a "finished" work of art in our 30-minute drawing sessions. Most of us are just stretching artistic muscles or quieting our minds of stress as we draw. But occasionally a model will express delight with a particular drawing, and some of the drawers will give the drawing (or send a photo of it) to the model. Artists are never expected to give away their work though. We also ask that the drawers be respectful about giving, selling, or posting recognizable drawings without the explicit permission of the model. Kinky Drawers does not ask models to sign releases. While some models might be thrilled to have a portrait hung on a museum wall or in an art exhibition, most would feel uncomfortable to appear nude on the bedroom wall of someone they considered creepy. When GWNN asked me to contribute a drawing for a fund-raising auction, I sought permission of models to display examples of my work, but what I contributed to the fund raiser was my agreement to do a drawing of the winner of the auction, rather than anything I've drawn at a Kinky Drawers meeting. We find models so easily in large part because we're respectful of our models' privacy. Is there any other information you'd like to share about KD? KOURA: We've been meeting in people's homes, but would welcome an invitation to meet in a larger studio space where the potential mess of pastels, charcoal, paint, and ink would be of less concern, preferably someplace within Austin to accommodate the majority of our existing members. It would be best if the place has seating available for the drawers, because it's cumbersome enough to bring along lighting equipment and easels. Since we don't pay our models and haven't thus far charged the drawers a fee to attend (as most other life drawing groups do), we'd prefer to avoid paying rent. While our current hosts seem pleased to have us continue meeting in their homes, there are times when the space is a bit cramped. Please contact koura_a at yahoo dot com if you have or know of a suitable place that we could use, even if just occasionally. ~~~ FEATURED GWNN MEMBER ~~~An interview with ROBERT “THE MUSIC MAN”Robert genuinely values his privacy and rarely talks about himself or his life. But he is one the most interesting gentlemen around, and we appreciate his time and willingness to allow us a peek into what makes him who he is. Robert “The Music Man” has been a member of GWNN since about the second year of activity. He can recall munches at The Brick Oven and parties behind an archery center in an industrial complex. There were also some evenings of watching 7 mm movies together in a rather lighthearted atmosphere. Then there was the move to LaMad’s. Back then, while he has no idea of who took care of the musical needs for parties, he just remembers that it was mostly heavy industrial and, OH NO!!, disco! But there is a lot more to Robert than his involvement with GWNN. Like so many of us, Robert can remember thoughts of the “Dark Side” from as long ago as when Harry Truman was president! (Yes, he said Harry Truman) Of course, back in the day ‘perverts’ had to rely on things like “under the counter” mags, generational porno, 1950’s era comics like Flash Gordon and his hot girlfriend …(ed note - if you aren’t old enough to remember it you need to do some research!) Robert lived in California in the 60’s, where his interest in and love of music grew. Fast forward through hippies and “make love not war” to 1979 when Robert decided he needed a change of scenery and wanted a place where musical traditions were deeply ingrained in the culture. He had decided on trying out the atmosphere in Louisiana. But a funny thing happened on the way there. Robert was traveling through Austin and decided to wait out the winter of 1979 here. Living in his infamous ‘bread truck’, a ’50 Chevy named The Blue Beaver, Robert began to carve out his niche in the music scene in Austin. As the saying goes, Louisiana’s loss was Austin’s gain. Finding an all inclusive atmosphere, Robert decided that Austin might not be a bad place to grow his music interests. Over the years he has had a varied and interesting life. He hosted both radio and access TV shows devoted to local musical talent. His Austin music memories include The Armadillo World Headquarters and the growth and progression of the local music festivals. One of the things Robert has always loved about both the music and the kink scenes in Austin is that both have always felt very all inclusive of people who otherwise may have very little in common. He sees a correlation between avid musicians and music lovers and their toys, and the kinky folks and their toys. Artists and musicians often live sort of outside what is considered “normal”, much like the members of the kink society. So music and kink both play a big role in “Keeping Austin Weird”, and Robert likes having a foot in both communities. Back when the first leather groups were forming in the US, it was the Old Guard who were feeling like the square pegs trying to be pushed into the round holes by society. A bit later it was the beatniks subculture that began to grow as musicians and artists tried to create their own society. Then in the 60’s it became the hippie and commune subculture in Southern California that sheltered those who just couldn’t fit in with what was called “normal”. Robert sees a deep connection between all these separate communities and our kinky community today. Everyone feels like they are so far outside the norm and they end up coming together and building their own community with others like themselves. Robert enjoys being active in GWNN, SAADE and SASM, as well as other local groups. For awhile He was responsible for the music for SASM parties as well as GWNN’s. With his eclectic tastes in music and his accessibility to a wide range of music sources means he can provide a cool mix of tunes for our enjoyment as we flog and spank to our heart’s content. Robert likes to take his time and see what sort of chemistry develops as he gets to know someone better. If that chemistry is there, then Robert enjoys a variety of play and both Ds and bdsm interaction. He does believe in discretion and care when forging any relationship, and knows how important that discretion can be for many involved in wiitwd. He has space at home dedicated to play activities. He no longer lives in the Blue Beaver, but if that’s your kink, you never know what might be arranged! Robert is one of those amazing gentlemen who lives quite happily without the internet, so if you find him interesting, or just want to hear some of his cool stories, be sure and say hello at a party or a munch. Sister Group PartyFebruary is a party month for SAS/M. GWNN and SAS/M have always been thought of as ‘sister groups’ ad have enjoyed a reciprocal member status, so start making your plans now to attend SAS/M’s annual Valentine Celebration. Carpool or caravan, grab your sweetie and your single tail and head down the road for a Valentine celebration. Saturday, February 20th http://www.sasmtx.info/membership.html ~~~ Thank you for your interest and support! ~~~ |