Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Stimulate in the Hartford Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/x-46846-Hartford-Sex-and-Relationships-Examiner~y2010m5d11-Fetish-and-gothindustrial-at-its-best-at-NYCs-Stimulate-party

Raven Lightholme

Fetish and goth-industrial at its best at NYC's Stimulate party

On May 8th, New England's fetish and goth-industrial crowd headed to Stimulate, an extravaganza of gothic excess typically held on the third Saturday of each month.
Attendees were dressed in their fetish best.  Although a minimum of all black is required, Stimulate's promotional materials suggested the following styles of dress:  steampunk, cyberpunk/cyberslut, electrohead/rivithead/industrial, cybergoth, gothic, gothic lolita, and fashionista.  As for fetish, PVC/vinyl, leather, latex, corsetry, and armor are all acceptable.
As a general rule, the fetish community appreciates all thoughtful and extreme costumes, no matter what the genre.  The most remarkable costume of the evening?  A man in a head-to-toe black and white lamp outfit, complete with head lighting.
Stimulate featured performances by the EBM bands Aesthetic Perfection and The Spider Lillies, as well as a set by Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Tweeker fame.  The artists mingled with the crowd after their shows, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.
Although Stimulate is not exclusively a fetish play party, several Saint Andrews crosses and benches were available for light bondage and corporeal punishment, and more than a few attendees left with happily- (and publicly) acquired bruises.  Resident dominatrix Mistress Jordan Jones, a statuesque redhead, oversaw the dungeon play.
Only a few hours from Connecticut, New York City's Stimulate offers a range of sensory satisfactions that make the drive (or train ride) worthwhile.  To learn more about Stimulate, visit their website or facebook group.