[an error occurred while processing this directive] Risk-Aware Consensual Kink

COMING APRIL 25th-MAY 1st - Exploring the Leather Library: A Week in Un/Common Sexuality

Risk-Aware Consensual Kink (RACK), the University of Chicago's official BDSM club, and its community partners (LRA and Trident International Windy City) are pleased to announce the upcoming arrival of the Carter-Johnson Leather Library! The Leather Library is a 10,000 piece traveling library featuring artwork, books, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, pamphlets, photographs, club and event pins, posters, and various other materials that reveal the myriad paths of alternative sexuality from the 1700s to today. The collection covers everything from 18th century writings on the intersection of pain and pleasure to pulp erotica from the 1930s and '40s, on up to complete series runs of LGBTQ and kinky pansexual magazines like Drummer, Cuir Underground, and Black Leather in Color.

The exhibit, seminars, and opening gala are ALL FREE, thanks to support from UChicago's Uncommon Fund, our community partners, and generous local donors. Accompanying the exhibit will also be a staff of knowledgeable librarians, including one of the Library's founders, Mama Vi Johnson, an iconic Leather elder and activist whose writings and educational outreach have touched on topics from sexuality and gender to race and power. Come get up close and personal with the history of sex and sexuality in the U.S. and beyond, and hear this phenomenal storyteller guide you through this amazing collection!

DATES/TIMES:

On the South Side (University of Chicago):
Monday, April 25, 2011
  • 10am-10pm — Leather Library Exhibit Open @ International House, Coulter Lounge
  • 7pm-10pm — Welcome to Chicago Opening Gala (FREE FOOD!) @ I-House, National Room
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
  • 10am-10pm — Leather Library Exhibit Open @ I-House, Coulter Lounge
  • 7pm-830pm — "You Are Not Alone: What you haven't heard about the history of sex!" (Mama Vi Johnson Speaks!) @ I-House, Coulter Lounge
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
  • 10am-5pm — Leather Library Exhibit Open @ I-House, Coulter Lounge
On the North Side (LRA):
Thursday, April 28, 2011
  • 7pm-? — Dinner with Mama Vi Johnson: A Fundraiser for Major Donors @ Private Location
Friday, April 29, 2011
  • Private Tours of the Library Available by Arrangement
  • 7pm-9pm — Preview of the Library and Donor's Reception @ LRA
  • 9pm-3am — Leather Library Exhibit Open @ LRA
Saturday, April 30, 2011
  • Private Tours of the Library Available by Arrangement
  • 6pm-8pm — "Why Our History Matters" (Mama Vi Johnson Speaks!) @ LRA
  • 9pm-3am — Leather Library Exhibit Open @ LRA
COST:
  • Exhibit, during open hours both on campus at UChicago and at the LRA = FREE
  • Opening Gala on campus at UChicago = FREE
  • Seminars, both on campus at UChicago and at the LRA = FREE
  • There will be places to offer donations at all events, so please support our work if you find these experiences worthwhile and interesting. We really can't do these things without you!
  • For all other/special activities, please write to uofcbdsm@gmail.com for more information.
LOCATION: University of Chicago's International House (http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/), located at 1414 E. 59th Street, Chicago, IL. Then, LRA (http://www.lra-chicago.org/), an alternative lifestyle club on Chicago's North Side, located at 6525 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL.

DRESS CODE/ETIQUETTE: At the University of Chicago, we request that you be street-legal and campus-courteous. Please respect those members of our campus community who do not wish to be party to exhibitionism or raucous talk of explicit topics in hallways or on the quad. All exhibits, seminars, and receptions are alcohol-free.

WHO CAN COME: Anyone 18 years of age or older is welcome to attend events at UChicago. Anyone 19+ is welcome to attend events at the LRA. Per both RACK and LRA club bylaws, however, we reserve the right to refuse entry to or request the exit of anyone who is in any way disruptive or abusive to club members or other event participants.

NOTE: If you have any further questions about this event or need additional information, please contact uofcbdsm@gmail.com, and if you have any LRA-specific questions, please contact information@lra-chicago.org. Finally, if you would like to note your intentions on FetLife, the event page is here. SPREAD THE WORD!

PRESENTER BIO:

Viola "Mama Vi" Johnson is a leatherwoman and author who has been active in the Leather and BDSM scene for well over three decades. A mentor and confidante to many in the world of kink, she has a particular affinity with those who choose to serve in power exchange and authority transfer relationships. Viola is actively involved with preserving the history of the Leather Community, having served for five years on the Board of the Leather Archives and Museum, and now travels around the nation with the Carter-Johnson Leather Library. She is also a member or honorary member of various kink groups, including the Tulsa Uniform Leather Seekers Association, the Lesbian Sex Mafia, and the National Leather Association-International, and has presented and judged at countless events, contests, and, even, colleges. She is the wife of Jill Carter, International Ms Leather 1996, and the owned property of Mistress Victoria.

Viola has had the distinction of winning the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Pantheon of Leather and from the National Leather Association, making her the only person to receive both awards in the same year (1995). She is also the recipient of the first "Lifetime Achievement Award" from Black Beat and the "Legacy Award" from S.W.E.A.T in the City. Indeed, she has been honored by her community in more ways than she ever imagined, including Pantheon of Leather "Woman of the Year" 2000, the "Jack Stice Award" from South East Leatherfest in 2005, the Pantheon of Leather "Forbear Award" in 2005, and the "Slave Heart Award" from the Master/slave Conference in Washington, DC, also in 2005. Viola is the author of two books, titled "Dhampir" and "To Love, To Obey, To Serve," and is currently working on her third book with Mistress Victoria.