Happy Solstice!

Well, actually Happy Day After Solstice.

I'm writing this from a small coffee shop in Cle Elum, Washington. Cle Elum is a small town barely east of the Cascades with a population of 1700+ and and elevation of 1900+. The coffee shop, Pioneer Coffee is obviously the happening place in Cle Elum. A mixture of old and young hippies, housewives, farmers and local business men and the odd young tattooed cutie that would look more in place on Capitol Hill. It also has great coffee!

Why am I here?

Every year, for the last 9, I've been the caterer for the Women's Summer Solstice weekend. 120-150 pagan women of all types join to celebrate Summer Solstice, and I've (along with my amazing crew) have had the great honor of feeding them.

I got this gig when I had my cafe and have continued in spite of no longer being in the food business. It's not only my way of staying in touch with my chef side, but also nurturing my need to give back by providing food to people.

Someday I'll tell you more about this (I hate my laptop keyboard) but mostly I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Solstice.

Allena

Do You Take it In The . . .

I am thrilled that we've got The Wet Spots coming to The Wet Spot in July. I'm posting the Press Release below and would love it if any of you reading would post it to your various lists.

Thanks!

Allena

The Wet Spots and The Von Foxies
July 9 and 10
7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30)
Seattle Sex Positive Community Center (aka The Wet Spot)
1602 15^th Ave W.
$16 advanced through Brown Paper Tickets
$20 at the door.

Do You Take It In . . .

If you find yourself humming the tune to the above title, then you know about The Wet Spots. If you don't know who I'm talking about, go here and then come back and read the rest of this post.

The Wet Spots (Cass King and John Woods) are a musical sex comedy duo who write sophisticated lyrics paired with sweet, catchy melodies. Their musical repertoire is inspired by the risqué satirical songs of Monty Python, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Tenacious D and Tom Lehrer. They are known for their lively shows, which include sing-alongs, spankings and bawdy sex-ed. Cass John bring together lounge music, Cabaret and rock, with lots of sexy lyrics thrown in for good measure. Think of the Wet Spots as the sex-ed class you never had but should have, reincarnated as a jazzy funny cabaret musical show.

On July 9th and 10th The Wet Spots will be performing at The Wet Spot (Seattle's Sex Positive Community Center). We are thrilled that they are stopping in Seattle on their West Coast tour and know that you're going to want to join us for a night of song and dance.

Dance you ask? Yes, The Von Foxies, one of Seattle's sexiest and funniest burlesque troupes will be opening for The Wet Spots.

The Von Foxies are Seattle's hottest burlesque power-trio: lovely ladies Pidgeon Von Tramp, Heidi Von Haught and Elsa Von Schmaltz have been taking the Emerald City by storm since November of '04. Sleazy “fourth member” Ernie Von Schmaltz officially joined the troupe in the spring of ’05, and brings a distinctly masculine energy to the troupe.

These kinky minxes enjoy playing with the boundaries of sexuality, gender and decency while engaging in their distinctive brand of bait 'n switch bump 'n grind. They adore burlesque in all its forms- traditional bombshell beauty, queer gender-f*ck draglesque, hilariously naughty satire and politically powerful theatre.

The Seattle Sex Positive Community Center is located in the Interbay area at 1602 15^th Ave W (under the Magnolia Bridge). Tickets are $16 in advance and $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. Seating is limited so order your tickets now.

Changing the Conversation

I just had an incredible discussion with a group of my Landmark Education cohorts. I'm doing the Wisdom Course and we have weekly meetings, either in person or by phone to do coursework and to socialize.

One of the distinctions of the Wisdom Course is how our life is a series of conversations and who we are in the world and how we "be" in the world is from the conversations that others in our life have about us. Also, altering conversations can be life altering both on individual and global scales.

That was what tonight's conversation was about. Globally how we can alter the world just by putting a conversation into existence. We were talking about The Hunger Project started in the 70's, which has altered how the world relates to hunger, but it struck how my and others conversations about sex and sex-positivist has altered our world.

Fifteen years ago, when I came into this community the term sex-positive wasn't even in use. Or if it was, it was used minimally. Even 10 years ago when I had my cafe, it wasn't being spoken and just in the last 7 years, with the beginning of The Wet Spot, with a change in sexual awareness, the term is now everywhere and being used by more than the sex-positive community. I really do feel that by people like me, changing the conversation about sex, we have altered how our world is viewing sexuality.

Oh, I know, some of you are thinking, well, what about the religious right? The current administrations overly zealous prosecution of porn web sites? I think this is just part of it. It's the push back that's to be expected when culture shifts. If it wasn't shifting there wouldn't be such attention to it. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, media, advertising, etc has become more and more sexual and sex positive.

My challenge to everyone is to change the conversation. Don't be afraid to speak your truth about sexuality. I know that when I speak frankly and without shame about who I am and what I do in this world, I don't get negative reactions. I believe that's because I am changing the conversation.

Allena