The Sharma Center closes its doors

For any of you that know me you understand I am not a fan of some endings.  I feel lately there have been so many traditional things that I have enjoyed knowing are there that have run their course.  From the announcements of long running television shows ceasing (yes, I will miss Oprah but dig her new network a bunch), closed restaurants, businesses that no longer exist I feel a twinge of sadness as I realize things do run their course and of course, some joy that room is being made for new experiences.  I also know that I am aging, have a long history in Seattle and remember it!

Part of my reason for this reflection is the recent closing of the Sharma Center.  I know the people that started the Sharma Center have been dedicated to making community better and must be feeling this loss as many of you are.  I enclose their letter to the community in full and look forward to their celebration of all they did on Saturday, May 7th.  Ms T. 

Dear Community,

It was little over two and half years ago that the four of us sat around a table at the coffee shop and talked about what a club would be like that we would open ourselves. Since then we have had thousands of people walk through our doors, hosted over 500 events and had an adventure we could never have imagined. What touched us most was the amazing people we met, the authenticity and love that was expressed, and the passion and intimacy that every one of you brought to the Sharma Center.

As some of you may know, we were informed last week that the holder of our rental agreement had to suddenly end the lease of our space with the owner of the building. The reason for this had nothing to do with us, but we were impacted nonetheless. After attempts to create a lease directly with the building owner ended, we had to empty our lovely space of it belongings and bid farewell to this place which has been our home and our place of connection to all of you.

The heart of the Sharma Center has always been, and still is, you; you, who have come through our doors and become a part of us and what we are up too. Our website and this mailing list will continue and we will be posting events throughout the area that embody our commitment in the areas of love, relationship, intimacy and sexuality. The next space that will physically occupy the spirit of the Sharma Center is not certain and is in a phase of exploration at the moment. If you have ideas in this area, feel free to share them with us.

 Allena, the Director of the Center for Sex Positive Culture, has told us that she is happy to continue to honor our memberships to their events throughout the durations of current memberships and she invites you to attend an orientation to find out about all that they do.

The Invitation:
We invite you to come celebrate the completion of the Sharma Center as we have known it, on the evening of Saturday May 7th. Set that date aside, an announcement with details will be coming soon and we hope to celebrate with you the completion of this grand adventure.

Lovingly yours,
Deanna and John
Co-Directors of the Sharma Center
directors@sharmacenter.org
(206) 898-5876

Thanks to Deanna and John for this post.

'Milk' Movie, potluck, socializing, discussion - donations accepted

The Sharma Center is having a potluck and showing the moving, inspirational and unnecessarily tragic true story of gay activist Harvey Milk in 'Milk'.  They are waving any membership for the evening of January 25th with the potluck starting at 6pm, movie at 7pm and discussion to follow the movie.  Ms T

Event by Donation

Explore and learn about relationships, intimacy, sexuality, community and more with us at the movies. 
We're showing the film which garnered Sean Penn his second Academy Award.  "Milk" is about the life of gay activist Harvey Milk, one of the very first openly-gay elected officials to be elected in the US.  A review is available online at http://www.allmovie.com/work/milk-425182.


The Sharma Center

New Years Eve 2010 - Seattle Area Party Events

Another year has passed and you will find parties in this email listed in this order: possible drop ins occurring in the general Capital Hill area you may want to know about followed by specific parties geared for us segueing into sexy more erotic events finishing the list and the evening.  Please note the last email you received from me was regarding the WildRose's 25th Anniversary Party that is occurring tonight (open it, hint hint).  There are 2 other email posts that each are explained if you open them.  All three email posts make up your New Year's Eve selections!


I am sure that I have missed something so please send me an email and I will add it.  I have many items lined up to send you that I hope will inform, excite and entice you my adored readers!  I must sleep at least a little to prepare for tonight.  Ms T




Here is a list of parties you may want to drop in on that may not all be women specific but are use  to seeing us folk.

• BottleNeck Lounge No Cover all night and $6 Champayne.
  
• Cuff Complex-DJ Kimberly S/Black & Blue Party. 10pm-2am, $10.
• Decade-Do-Over/Reboot the Millenium at the New Years Sing-a-Long!
  Let's go back in time and pretend the decade of FAIL never happened. Forget terrorism, war, economic doom and the worst president.  We are going to party with the your favorite music of the 90's then party like it's 1999 with all Prince at the stroke of Midnight.  Seattle cancelled it's Millenium celebration so now it's time to do it right!   Get your new decade started on the right foot.  Let's make the next 10 years the Best Ever!  We'll have a special New Years menu and a confetti cannon for the occasion...Central Cinema 1411 21st Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, 206-328-3230.  Tickets $12
  

• Neighbours til 4am $10/New Year's "2010" Dawn of a New Decade! Performance by Haffi Haff and hosts Gaysha Starr, Lily Armani, Jada and Anita Body. DJs Randy Schlager & Trent Von. The benefits of Neighbours is that they often do afterhours from 2am - 4am.  Rumor has it they may open it up to the 18+ crowd.

• Oddfellows Hall/As the World Falls Down FundRaiser for Lifelong AIDS Alliance/8pm-2am, was $125 now tickets are available for $99. A Labyrinth Masquerade Ball of performance and art with a full open bar serving the once barred absinthe, champagne, regular booze and beer that you can drink and hopefully enough food to avoid getting too smashed.  This sounds like a fabulous party and I hope they raise a bundle.  It will be quite the dress up affair and would be fun just to watch the attendees arrive I bet.
• Swank in Kent: New Year's Party with DJ Ricki Leigh 9pm, No cover and actually can be a fun bar.
• Twisted in Everett: New Year's Eve/Midnight Champagne Toast $10 cover.
• HotFlash is having a NYE party in Portland.  It has been heavily marketed but if you need information, shoot me an email and I will help you out.
  

 ***** 

The WildRose is having a big New Years Eve Bash the very next day after their 25th anniversary party. Think of it as a mini Winter Pride! There will be 3 outdoor bars, stage for all our performers and DJs with plenty of room to dance it out.
    OUR HOURS FOR BOTH DAYS ARE 6pm-1am
    COVER is ONLY $5 EACH NIGHT.

    New Years Eve Line up:
    DJ Jodi Bon Jodi
    LadyJane DJ
    DJ JOY
    DJ LA KENDALL

    MC Adra Boo

    We really hope you all are able to come out & celebrate both days or even just one day with us.      

******

Join us at the Re-bar on Thursday, December 31st for our Queer New Year's Eve Blowout Party! Ring in 2010 with the hottest queer girls and guys while our resident DJ Amateur Youth & Special Guest DJ Judical fill the dance floor with ass-shaking party tunes to keep you going all night long.

Doors will open at 10pm. 21 and over.

Buy Advanced Tickets and use our VIP ticket holders entry line!
Cover is $8 Advance/$10 at the Door.

Cherry takes place at Re-bar 1114 Howell Street - corner of Boren and Howell - Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 233-9873.

******

The Seattle Black Pride event begins at 9 p.m. at the Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave. The red carpet event includes live music by Felicia Loud and band, as well as hip-hop DJs. Tickets: $10, www.brownpapertickets.com. Information: 206-324-1520, seattleblackpride.org.

******

Century BallRoom will have Seattle's best DJs will bring you a mix of salsa, swing and other dance favorites to keep you dancing all night long!  Featuring a special appearance by Cherdonna Shinatra and Lou Henry Hoover of The Cherdonna & Lou Show.

West Hall:  OutDancing on NYE (a special edition of our regular gay night)

Dinner, OutDancing & Romancing $85

OutDancing & Romancing $20

All packages include a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  In addition, the Century Ballroom will have free coat check.  The dancing continues until 1:30am.

This is a dance-focused event.  Seating is limited:  first come, first serve.

Formal attire please - no jeans allowed.  21+

For further information, please email us or call us at 206 324-7263.

Dinners are currently sold out but you can call to be put on the wait list.

For those not wishing to dance, we'll also have a special menu served in The Tin Table with seatings at 6:00 and 9:00.

http://www.centuryballroom.com/

******

Here is a great opportunity to ring in the new year with the fabulous Tamara!

The Cocktet and Tamara the Trapeze Lady are featured at a party beginning at 8:30 p.m. at the Columbia City Theater. The evening of live music, dancing and naughty burlesque also features The Commander, Babette La Fav, MC Adam Hunter and DJ D+. Tickets: $20, brownpapertickets.com,or $25 at the door. Information: 206-605-9920.

*****

New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball! with Little Red Studio
Thursday, December 31st @ 9PM

We'll have opening performances scheduled shortly after 9PM and special tableau performances throughout the evening for your enjoyment!

Formal attire and masks are requested
(We will have a limited number of masks for those who arrive without their own)

Dancing to DJ Michelle Love all night long

Great Complimentary Food catered by the Little Red Bistro and our preferred caterers FoodZ and Tony's Catering.  Special Drinks!

Fireworks right across the street at the Space Needle and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight

Cost:  $50 per person https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91801

******

New Year's Eve at the Sharma Center

Thursday, December 31 2009 -  8:30pm
To Friday, January 01 2010 - 2:00am

December 31st  Door opens at 8:30pm 

(Check membership requirements below)

Swing in the New Year under the Needle

Dress up and join us downtown to welcome in 2010 in style!  Prance and Play till New Year's Day and you won't even have to leave the dance floor to view the fabulous fireworks as they erupt from the Space Needle.  We’ll have a Dancing, a Toast at Midnight, party favors and a spectacular appetizer spread. Join us in ringing in a New Year and swing the night away.

Cost: $50 per couple ($40 per couple for members)
RSVP at rsvp@sharmacenter.org orcall 206-898-5876 with any questions.

*Membership is not required the first time you attend an event at the Sharma Center. On your second visit to the center for a member’s event, you will need join the Sharma Center or attend as the guest of a Sharma Center member. One your third visit to the Sharma center for a member’s event you will need to become members.

Membership is for I year.
Cost is $25 for couples or $15 for single
Membership supports our center and you get discounts to various events and classes.

******
And I have saved the BEST for last.  Allena does know how to throw a party and she is one class act!  She continues to create fabulous parties, events and utilizes the talents in our community.  Brava, brava!

A Decade of Decadent inDulgence

(Ten Years of Tantalizing Torture)

Dinner, Entertainment, Dance, Raffles, Auctions, BDSM, Sex, 

and More to celebrate the New Year!

This is our 10th anniversary New Year's Eve Party.

Decadent Dinner

Nourish your sensation play! 

Please your palate with:

Roast Beast, Fish, Potatoes, Noodles, Veggies, Salads, 

Soup and Delicious Dessert Delicacies.

Excellent Entertainment

*The scrumptious Scarlett A will scandalize your senses with her sensuous moves.

*Jim Duvall and Sophia Sky will distract and detain you with a Dynamic Suspension Performance.

*Shake your booty, or your groove thing, or whatever you wanna shake to DJs T-Bone and Xavier Cross. 

Dancing from 9pm until 3am.

New Year's Eve at the Center - A Decade of Decadent inDulgence
What:     (RSVP Please!)
Schedule:     Thursday, December 31
When:     6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Dinner 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM PARTY!!
Where:     In the main space
Who:     18+. Members and their guests only.
Cost:     $30 for basic members in advance -- $40 at the door -- $15 for premium members, FREE for lifetime members

Fabulous Fundraisers

Win righteous raffle items! 

Raffle tickets are $1 each, or $20 for the length of a breast wrap.

Enjoy a Full-Service Dinner for 12.  
See Center Space, or Fetlife for Auction Details.

Fund raising efforts will benefit the CSPC, FSPC, Paradise, and Evergreen Leather Events.

Silent Auction: Items include a numbered print signed by Jim Duvall and Midori.

Auction Info
http://fetlife.com/groups/13391/group_posts/398383
http://centerspace.org/socialengine/files/forum.php?c=category&op=index&cid=79

Rough play/Rough Space
Dark and dirty play if you dare . . . in the unfinished space next door.
Ambience

Delightful decorations and long lines of lights will help feed the festive feeling of the space. Enjoy your environment as well as your experiences.

Celebrate our History of inDulgence.   Welcome the new Decade with your 
closest Kinksters - and some new ones...

Join us in a Decadent midnight toast, and in appreciating You, and the past ten years.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, especially as a server for the Dinner for 12, Please message september dragon on Center space and Fetlife.

RSVP Appreciated
Please Note: You must prepay at brown paper ticket (or make arrangements with Allena) to get the $30 charge.

It is $40 at the door for basic members whether you RSVP or not.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/92802

$30 in Advance    $40 at the Door    Metal Members $15
Gifting of Leather Ceremony
Be a part of recognizing important leaders in our Community.