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| Ms_Valentine |
Having read most of the post Kinkfest4 threads and blogs, I thought what the world really needed was another one.
Please bear with me.
What can I say....Kinkfest4, though I enjoyed it in it's own right, was smaller, somehow less glamorous, less happy and celebratory than its predecessors. I know it was organised at shortish notice and that the venue, used previously for SM Pride, had some short comings being small and with the air of a place better used for Unison Health and Safety Meetings.
Thinking back on my KF4 experience made me realise that for the past couple of years BDSM events have been smaller than before, do seem to attract less high end and/or interesting retailers.
Before I carry on, I should say that for demos and workshops the rooms at Conway Hall were good as there was little noise transference. At SEone in previous years, the fabric drapes between workshop areas just did not work to create separate spaces and so one could often not hear what was going on.
Somehow, the atmosphere at Conway Hall was a little at odds with the nature of the event. At SEone, seeing as it was a nightclub, it has a certain naughty feel to it, everyone looked fabulous all dressed up and the atmopshere was one of party. At KF4, it was more like SM Pride,an interesting rather worthy event, designed to educate more than to enjoy. The atmosphere despite best efforts of the compere was downbeat. Maybe we are all a little battered at present. Outings, the MM affair,the extreme porn laws, all these things hurt us and make us more sombre.
In the last couple of years, with LAM competing with LFF, and the two dreadful Expo/Xpo's last year, London events seem fractured, smaller, less glamorous and with much less diversity of produce sold. I recall the old Skin2 Expo and even KF2 and 3 with much longing.
I know there are great bdsm retailers out there but where are they at events. Is it too expensive to attend? Is it that we attendees don't buy enough to make it worthwhile? Do they just sell via the internet now?
I wanted to buy an n-joy stainless buttplug at KF4 but there were none to be had. I don't recall seeing any steel butt plugs and accessories of that type.
So, back to KF4, I knew it would be smaller than before and had managed my expectations. It was quite quiet really although it was buzzier at the Munch afterwards when maybe inside a pub people relaxed and let rip a little more.
I am grateful that these events are put on and I will continue to attend but despite the scene supposedly being bigger, bdsm more mainstream, our events have lost something and I am yet to fully put my finger on what it is.
Edited Mon 4 Aug 08, 9:51 AM by Ms_Valentine
| 4 Aug 08, 10:38 AM Scribbles UK(RH), 4 yrs |
An honest, fair and thoughtful review. Thank you. | |
| 4 Aug 08, 11:41 AM DKLeather  UK(S), 11 yrs  |
Having discussed with several stall holders lately I'm afraid it's true, the 'credit crunch' is having a seriously detrimental affect on everyone - folks just aren't spending money!
That was a very reasonable and thought out review - thank you, very useful for future events! KINKFEST4 - DON'T MISS IT! | |
| 4 Aug 08, 10:05 PM missbunnypenny UK(SM), 5 yrs |
I thoroughly enjoyed the day, despite the event being smaller than the last one. I think Rosie Lugosi should get an award for her fab attempt at being compere on the day, she really looked the part in her sparkling finerie. She was very good at ad-libbing, during the fashion show, especially when there was a technical hitch. The models both professional and amateur were very good and all looked stunning. You couldnt tell them apart! The talks were very good and the rooms were relatively suitable for all the attendees. Shame we couldnt attend all of them, as alot were grouped together at the same time. The stalls were a good selection and it was nice to see some familiar faces behind them, as well as some faces we haven't seen in a while. I think a big thank you should be said to all those who ran around like headless chickens behind the scenes, in order to put on such a great event for us perves. And thanks should be made to the organisers who made this event possible. We also enjoyed the after event munch, nice to see so many people attend it. Sad that the pub didn't really cater for some of our disabled friends, they may have a disabled toilet, but no sign of a lift to the cellar bar. So a few of us stayed upstairs to make them feel, not so left out of the party atmosphere.
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| 7 Aug 08, 7:57 PM EStim_Si UK, 8 yrs |
We have fond memories of KF1 as it was our first event ever back in the dark and distant past. We attended KF2 and KF3, sadly KF4 clashed with Brighton Pride, and we booked that back in January. If/when there is a KF5 we will do our best to support it Si E-Stim Systems Ltd http://www.e-stim.co.uk The New Series 2 is here | |
| 8 Aug 08, 10:20 AM x_Thunder_x UK(E), 9 yrs    |
Yep and you were sh**ing yourselves beforehand in case you had wasted your money on a stall.
In the event you actually sold out on the stall and took orders for more ^Thunder^ |
