The World Dance Party is BACK, Saturday April 30th.

I attended this event last year and it was a lot of fun.  All ages, many ethnicity's and lifestyles were represented by the attendees.  The music was fabulous and was 'spun' by our own Shan Ottey who is doing the music again this year (lucky us!).  If you enjoy cultural diversity, want to meet interesting people and get to know other communities and dances, this IS the gig for you.  Enjoy, Ms. T.


The Dance Party is a collaboration between Afro-Moves Learning Institute, Central Area District Council, Central Area Senior Center, Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), Filipino Community of Seattle, Grace United Methodist Church, International Drop-In Center, International Examiner, Latino Senior Information and Assistance, Rainier Chamber of Commerce, ReWA, SeaMar, Seattle Neighborhood Group, Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Senior Services, Southeast District Council, Vietnamese Friendship Association.

Contact sabrinaj@seniorservices.org for more information.


Mini lessons will be offered:

Line dancing
Hip Hop
Chicago Style Stepping
Native American Friendship Dance
Zumba
West African Dance
Tinikling (from the Philippines)

Followed by freestyle dancing!

Free Event

All Ages
Welcome!

Bring a dish to share and your dancing shoes.

Beverages will be available. Additional parking at Grace United Methodist Church.

Saturday, April 30th, 2011
6:03pm to 10:17pm
Central Area Senior Center
500 30th Avenue South, Seattle 98144


WORLD DANCE PARTY

Show Up, Get Down

Tomorrow (Thursday) is Dining Out for Life

Have you thought of the great restaurant that you want to eat at tomorrow to support Dining Out for Life?  The benefit for Lifelong AIDS Alliance is in it's 18th year and it gets better every year!  I have tried new places and visited my personal favorites over the years.  You can eat in MANY restaurants in the Seattle/Tacoma area (and you can check out your area if you live elsewhere).

Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dine Out. Save a LIFE!

When you dine at a participating restaurant, grocery store, cafe, or bakery on this day, a percentage of your purchase is donated to Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and the fight against illness and hunger in our community.

Check out the Participating Restaurants Page to see which of your favorites are supporting Dining Out For Life this year! Remember, you can support Dining Out For Life during breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night hours!

Thanks to Dining Out for Life at http://www.diningoutforlife.com/Seattle. 

Art Exhibit will mark Gender Odyssey's 10th Anniversary Conference

Gender Odyssey is requesting a Call for Entries for the Gender Odyssey 2011 Art Exhibit. 

We Made This Road by Walking

Theme
As part of Gender Odyssey’s 10th anniversary conference, this art show is an opportunity for
reflection and celebration. We Made This Road by Walking references creating a path for
oneself when the road to a desired destination doesn’t already exist. Our theme is not limited to
transgender topics, but contextualizes our individual and collective experiences in terms of the
actions we have taken to move our lives and our community forward.

Dates
Submission deadline: June 30, 2011
Exhibition dates: August 4-7, 2011

Conditions of Entry

    * Entry of artwork to this show is open to members of our collective transgender communities. Feel free to email us to discuss content questions.
    * Original 2- and 3-dimensional works and original multimedia works -- subject to technical requirements -- will be accepted.
    * Display space may be limited so please get your submissions in early. Gender Odyssey 2011 does not guarantee space for all art submissions.

Please visit our website for further details as well as an entry form.
Submission deadline - June 30, 2011.

Jennifer from Libido Events to teach fabulous classes this weekend

When I read 'How Not To Be The Creepy Guy...', a workshop coming to Seattle this weekend, I thought--I know a few people I have met that I would like to send to the class!  Leave it to Jennifer from Libido Events located in Vancouver, BC to teach fun, educational and inspiring classes on real topics that we humans face.  I know that you have read before from me how fortunate we are to have so many choices in our area for all kinds of self exploration and education and this counts up on the list for smart creativity.  This weekend Jennifer will teach 3 classes for women, men, couples and bi-sexual women which you can check out below and of course on the Seattle Announcements Calender.  Enjoy - Ms. T.

Bi Women for Women Party

Hosted by Jennifer of Libido Events

Mark Your Calendars - Jennifer is BACK !!!!

Bi Women for Women Party 

A Sexy Play Party

FRIDAY April 29
9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
CSPC Member's Only $20

Imagine your best all woman fantasy, now consider this an invitation to make it happen --without any men present. When you arrive at the venue you will step inside a place where the cares and the stresses of the day are left at the door. The lighting is soft, the colors are soft, the carpets and furniture are all soft. (The women are soft too).

The best part about a BI WOMEN For Women party is that it's a sexy, fun, carefree evening where almost anything and everything goes; a place to explore your voyeuristic or exhibitionist side (or both). If you're just at the beginning of your adventurous journey, it's a great place to dip a toe into the water and decide if you want to dive in deep or wade gently into the shallows. You can be naked as the day you were born, decked out in lace, satin or silk, wrapped in leather, shiny and sparkly in glitter, or festooned in feathers. Choose something that makes you feel provocative and desirable, because by the end of the evening it will be pulsing through you. Beauty. Softness. Laughter. Joy.

No two women are the same and no two BI WOMEN parties are the same.  There will surely be massage oil at some point, and the racy games ensure everyone not with a plan hatched has something to do that will appeal.   You'll find play stations set up for sex, cuddling, spanking, putting on a show, group play and more.   Plus you will find volunteers running booths where you may sign up for and experience a couple of unique pleasuring opportunities.  Oh my.

A BI WOMEN party is a feast for all the senses. Delicious snacks, fragrant candles and massage oils, giggles and whimpers, touches as bountiful as you might desire or none at all if you're merely a contented voyeur, and pretty girls of all ages, shapes and colors everywhere.  Bring your toys all your lovely play toys and your sexy desires.  It would be appreciated if you brought along a home made / baked item or store bought something to share at the snacks table, so there will be plenty for us to nibble on.

Come see which other women are looking to play, to hook up and to be seen.  It's like a secret sorority with no particular pledge and no particular uniform. The only expectation is that you leave your inhibitions at the door and venture boldly where no man has gone before. It's a girl thing. Try it. You'll like it.

Female ID only
Bi Sexual  & Bi Curious Women
We respectfully ask that this party have only lite BDSM play.

Saturday, April 30th

Toys for Boys Workshop

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Open to men, women and couples

Many people assume that sex toys are only to be used on women -- happily this is no longer the case. These days there are a wide variety of products available to tease, please and make male pleasure so much more fun to achieve for the novice to the more experienced lover.

For a great number of men using a toy as an enhancement is not a thought they have previously entertained. Though by the end of this informative class, you will have discovered a few new products that you must acquire.

We will cover solo toys, toys to use with a partner and toys that are enhancers. Come learn about what creams, potions, powders, lubricants, rings, masturbators, plugs, hand held devices and other accouterments can do for your sex life.

You'll be blown away with heightened orgasms and sheer delight at the end result from using many of these products.

 How to Look & Feel Sexy

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
 Open to men, women and couples

Feeling and looking sexy doesn't come naturally for everyone. You too can learn how to turn on the sex energy and let yourself shine.

Good looks are sexy, but the confidence and attitude that you'll find for yourself after attending this class will make you even more attractive and desirable. We'll cover confidence building, inner and outer beauty, body language, pillow talk, seduction tips, and creating a sumptuous welcoming lair.

*this class is appropriate for all ages and for anyone who may feel less than enthusiastic about themselves yet still desires to be seen as sexy.

How Not To Be The Creepy Guy Workshop

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 MEN ONLY

At every party I attend or host there is inevitably a very nice man who comes off to at least a few different people, as the lonely creepy fellow to stay away from.

There are certainly ways to draw people in and there are even more ways to send them running.

In this class we will cover the top things that men do however subconsciously that turn women off and ensure you do not get the attention you are seeking.

Mens awkward advances and posturing can be the very reason that they never get any further with the ladies.

This class will support men in social scenarios but more importantly it will give positive feedback on how to handle yourself in sex play space.

*this class is appropriate for the man who is new in sex culture or who may have been around awhile and yet still not enjoyed success.

Thanks to CSPC and Libido Events for these announcements.

Seattle Poetry Slam is at home at Re-Bar

Many poets have come through the doors of the Seattle Poetry Slam at the Re-Bar for fun filled nights of competition, open mic and good ole fashioned poetry slams. This is a weekly event with different featured poets and this week hails Simply Kat.  Check her out and the weekly Tuesday events with sign up between 8:00-8:30 and then the  line up begins.  Ms T.

Seattle Poetry Slam
Every Tuesday
 Re-bar
1114 Howell St.
Howell St. & Boren Ave
Sign  ups 8-8:30pm
$5 cover, 21 & up, ID required

April 26th: Featured Poet is Simply Kat

Simply Kat is anything but simple. A mother, student, mentor and poet are just a few titles she holds. Simply Kat has conducted dance and poetry workshops throughout schools, group homes, detention and rehabilitation centers for adolescents and took on the role of coach and slam master for the I. E. youth slam team, which competed at Brave New Voices, and is continuing to mentor. She has performed at colleges all over the nation with the intent of empowering and encouraging expression through all platforms of art. She has written and produced a one woman show entitled CORNER SWEET and was brought back to produce another show entitled HUMAN.

Simply Kat also has competed in numerous slams, winning spots on the 2005, 2006, 2008 Hollywood Slam team, 2007 Los Angeles Slam team, 2009 Grand Slam Champion San Diego  and is the 2009 West Coast Regional Grand Slam Champion. Simply Kat has also performed on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and opened up for such artist as Raheem DeVaughn, Ryan Leslie, Mos Def and Whitney Thompson (ANTM). She featured in documentary Spit, and has been seen on Current TV. She also has been aired on radio stations from Alaska to Hawaii.

Now as Executive Director of her own non profit The Project Center Simply Kat is a firm believer in adding as many tools as she can to her belt. With a children's book soon to be published as well as a collection of poems, stories and illustrations titled "Lay my Bones over Spilled Milk", she is limitless in her dedication to the arts.
    
THE SLAM

A Poetry Slam is a performance poetry competition. Poets must perform their own original work, cannot use props or costumes and have time limits. The poets are judged by randomly selected audience members.

   This week's slam is the Iron Poet Slam.

IRON POET SLAM: Poets will test their poetic muscle and the audience will get an eye and earful as the performers work thru a series of challenges in this raucous and unpredictable show.

1st round:
2nd round: interpretive dance round.
3rd round: physical challenge :)
First place winner receives $100 CASH!

Thanks to www.SeattlePoetrySlam.org for this information.

Rapper Lil B sings a gay tune

Rap Music has been controversial since the beginning in our society due to the raw lyrics and seeming disregard for basic unspoken norms.  It has been considered experiential and hip or edgy and obscene depending on the audience.  I cannot think of any group that has escaped a rap lyric, it is almost a rite of passage. 

Some in Rap believe that the use of certain inflammatory phrases/words assists in desensitizing the listener while also creating ownership and community for the members.  There are words that people in our community have done the same with to bring empowerment back to where they feel it belongs and remove the stigma and associated sting.  Of course, some of the exact same words/phrases can be seen as extremely negative depending on who is speaking them, and to whom.

While I am not current on Rap artists nor listen to it regularly, I saw this interesting article by GLAAD which I am posting in it's entirety.  I am interested in what Lil B's choice of wording will be on this 'message' CD and what the content of the songs will be.  I am curious if there will be a tie-in to the recent media attention focused on bullying and how damaging words can be.  This is a 'time will tell' scenario, for sure.  Ms T.

Rapper Lil B Responds to GLAAD
Posted: 22 Apr 2011 01:24 PM PDT

Last weekend [April 16/17], rapper Lil B announced at Coachella that he’d be naming his upcoming album 'I’m Gay.' 'I’m gonna do the most controversial thing in hip-hop,' said Lil B, who is straight. 'Ya’ll heard it first. And I’mma just show you that words don’t mean s–t. I’mma make an album called ‘I’m Gay,’ right.'

'Now I’mma tell you why I’m the first person to do it in hip-hop and why you’re the first people to know my reasons,' the rapper explained. 'I’m just gonna tell you. So many people be worried about what people mean and definitions of words and s—t…Now I like women, I love women, you feel me. But within yourselves, no matter what you do, it doesn’t matter, it’s like live life. You’ve only got one life to live. Be happy.'

In response, GLAAD issued a statement to hip-hop news and entertainment source, XXLmag.com saying, 'As a lyricist, Lil B knows that words matter. Slurs have the power to fuel intolerance. We hope that Lil B’s album title is not just a gimmick, and is really a sincere attempt to be an ally. He has the platform and the voice. We hope he uses it in a positive way.'

In a recent interview with MTV News, Lil B responded to GLAAD saying, 'I got major love for the gay and lesbian community and I just want to push less separation and that’s why I’m doing it. I hope GLAAD sees that I’m taking initial steps to break barriers.'

GLAAD thanks Lil B for his response and commends him for taking steps to promote acceptance.

Thanks to GLAAD for this article.

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.