ILKW 2025 A Lot Of Everything Under One Woof!
Thursday Sep. 11, 2025 5 PM To Sunday Sep. 14, 2025 2 PM
Thursday Sep. 11, 2025
Join us on the adventure! We'll cover the history of hotel takeovers, best practices for interacting with others, play area etiquette, give a tour, and more!
Join us on the adventure! We'll cover the history of hotel takeovers, best practices for interacting with others, play area etiquette, give a tour, and more!
Friday Sep. 12, 2025
The workshop will contain a little about my life and experiences. Basics practices of whip play and short history lesson. Learn the parts that make up a whip and different types. Recommendations for setting the scene for mood and risk aware safety. A sensual and whip demonstration at the end. Time for questions and answers and definitely fun!
I was seven and had my first whip. Although there were hints of SM throughout my life, I did not act on them right away. Now, I have over 35 years of experience and am still teachable and want to learn new things. I have taught many classes on whips and other topics. Over the years in the community, I’ve been a part of groups, organizations and even honored a couple of times for the work. I come here with an Old Guard experience and change with today’s environment. I’m so grateful and honored to Knot A Contest to have me back to teach with my boy GD Jarry.
I am relatively new to the BDSM scene, roughly five years, but wow what a ride. Always had thoughts of being of service and sensation play. Started coming out a bit to our local dungeon and had a few exceptional scenes with edge players. I started learning more about whips, paddling and sensation play from My Sir. My Sir and I have taught numerous classes in the Tri State Area of Cincinnati including sensation play, whips, and my favorite abrasion play. The spiritually, connection, and the playfulness. My Sir likes it best when I am snarky and occasionally wear tie dye of some sort. I am so honored to be asked to help teach with my Sir whips again at Knot A Contest, My Sir is Mark O'Keefe.
Beginner Class - lecture and discussion
There is a wide variety of ways that our mental health plays a role when engaging in kink activities. As such, it is crucial that considerations for and negotiations surrounding mental health are involved when engaging in our kinky activities. The purpose of this class is to explore ways to effectively navigate mental health while engaging in kink, including exploration of negotiations for scenes and dynamics, intentionally navigating triggering scenes, and support and discussion regarding what you can do if (when) a scene goes wrong. While we all must acknowledge that no protocol will perfectly cover every possible mental health impact, it is critical that time is taken to intentionally explore these impacts to engage in safer and more holistically risk-informed kink.
Lucian Raven (he/him) is a bootblack from Sioux City, Iowa, who has been engaged in leather care for nearly 15 years and has been formally bootblacking since 2020. He is the bootblack coordinator for Iowa Leather Weekend and host of Tristate Area BootLab, often working at The Blazing Saddle in Des Moines and Kings and Queens in Sioux City. His passions as a bootblack include leather restoration and caring for nontraditional gear (colored leather gear, neoprene, and pleather in particular). He's the Bratty Daddy and proud Owner of His doll, celina whom He explores various ageplay+ dynamics. As an educator, he enjoys teaching leather care skills, mental health, and disability considerations in kink, service-oriented power exchange, emotional sadism, and dynamic negotiations. He's a proud member of the House of Raven, a leather family in the Midwest with a passion for service to our communities and preservation of our history.
This discussion is aimed at those who enjoy a little taboo in their taboo play. Whether you're into dark age play, fear play, humiliation, degradation, consensual nonconsent, or something darker - this is the place to talk about it. Devyn Stone facilitates the discussion, pulling in his own experiences with fear play, consensual nonconsent, and more.
Master (Devyn) Stone is an author, educator, and JEDI consultant. He is a Leatherman, an extrovert, a Sons of Anarchy fan, and a foodie. He enjoys organizing events and moderating! He's been practicing authority transfer dynamics since 2004. Today, he lives in Detroit with his property, Guan-Xuan.
Devyn has authored multiple concise and easy-to-digest BDSM "how-to" books. He is the Founder of Pragmatically Kinking and the Executive Producer for THRIVE.
Master Stone has a passion for giving and receiving education. His favorite topics to speak on include leadership, authority transfer, and neurodivergence.
A great scene explores the sweet spot between one's own desires, the desires of their scene partner(s), and the setting's unique elements. ProfessorSweet will guide participants in using tools derived from improv theater to co-design genuinely one-of-a-kind scenes. All experience levels are welcome, and a supportive environment will be created for all!
ProfessorSweet (he/him) is a dominant top who loves to design scenarios that provoke strong reactions. He enjoys physically and emotionally challenging his scene partners, and he draws on decades of experience with improv to enhance connection and co-creation in his kinky play.
This class will cover the fundamentals of fire cupping in both sensual and sadistic scenes. The session will include a live demonstration, guidance on equipment and technique, discussion of safety protocols, and tips for clean up and aftercare. Interested attendees will have the opportunity to experience it for themselves. No prior experience with fire play is required, but attendees should be familiar with basic consent principles.
Ginger (she/her) is a switch who began exploring the kink community in 2021 during a college internship. She loves all things fire and impact, particularly when she can be a sadistic, bratty top. She organizes CincyTNG and co-organizes DaytonTNG—social groups that offer safer, welcoming spaces for kinksters ages 18–35. At CincyTNG, she also facilitates educational events aimed at building knowledge and community. In her vanilla life, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and going to concerts.
Come together to unveil the intricate world of ageplay and age regression. What are the different types of ageplay? What are the stigmas behind it? We will dive into the diverse dimensions of these identities while skillfully treading the fine line between childlike innocence and mature sensibilities. Within this class, we will tackle the differences between age regression, bright age play, spicy ageplay, and alt (dark) ageplay. Warning: topics of sexual ageplay and trauma-induced ageplay will probably be discussed. Celina is a trauma-informed educator and will provide crisis intervention resources.
Celina Raven (she/they/it) is the beautiful collared property of her Daddy Lucian, indulging in various dynamics together. She's been a part of the community since 2017 and, individually and with her Daddy, is an international presenter teaching both in-person and virtual classes to the community. She is a proud member of the House of Raven, a leather family with a passion for service to our communities and preservation of our history. Her passion is to destigmatize Owner/property CNC dynamics and ageplay. She aims to educate and bridge the diverse communities. She has served as the 2023 Show Me Leather Little and is the founding member of All 'Bout Community Con. Remembering what it was like entering the community at 18, she welcomes newcomers while tirelessly advocating for inclusive spaces for growth and learning.
It turns out sporting goods companies have thought up a special solution for sore, post-workout muscles - vibrating foam rollers. Of course, we kinksters can always come up with creative uses of everyday items, so why not translate that creativity here? In particular, humans (with clitorises especially) enjoy vibrations for other “therapeutic” reasons, and a foam roller is perfect for those humans to sit on. And so, I give you… the fuck log.
By using the simple rope bondage techniques of tension, body handling, and friction, Linworth will demonstrate plastering their tying partner to this novel vibrating apparatus. And not only will they talk through how to apply the rope, they’ll also discuss affected neuroscience aspects like the somatosensory system, vasovagal response, and why this exercise has even more profound effects on the human body than you might think. Rope and vibration together - it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.
Linworth's (they/them) journey as a rope performer started in 2011 when they started exploring the rope bondage medium as an aerial art. The next year they threw themselves into the deep end by driving to Toronto for a weekend of performing at Morpheus Bondage Extravaganza, where they continued to make an appearance for five years running. Since then they have popped up in exhibitions around the continent - from Baltimore to Detroit to San Francisco - and moved to the "big city" of Columbus, Ohio where they are based as an international presenter and performer.
RowanMars (he/they) has a kink for workshops and using them to explore niche facets of the human experience. He has spent the past decade helping organize arts-centric events throughout the Midwest. Recently, he's begun dipping his toes into Kink-specific events, as well as bringing elements of Kink culture into other productions he's involved with.
Rowan is passionate about the importance of Play in adulthood, be it wholesome or spicy, and frequently approaches Kink through a lens of gamification. As an asexual (?) trans(!) guy, he's found Kink to be a powerful tool in navigating identity and deepening connections with self and others. His favorite things in life tend to fall under the 3 S's- Silly, Sacred, or Sexy, with Kink often managing to hit all three.
Everything we know about the Leather community, we know because someone preserved the history. From meeting minutes to personal stories, history has helped shape the current Leather culture. The history we are making now will help shape it in the future. But whose history should be saved? Whose stories should be told? YOURS, that’s who! Join bridgid as she talks about why you should preserve your history and all the ways you can in the modern age. As she says, “Someone, someday, is going to tell your story if you don’t.”
Bridgid (she/her) is an Indigiqueer Slave and Bootblack from Southern Indiana. For nearly 16 years, she has been collared to her Sir and husband, Master Michael. She is also the current Director of Communications for the Carter/Johnson Library and Collection and personal assistant to Mama Vi Johnson. She was also appointed as the Midwest slave for 2023 and 2024.
When she's not serving her Sir or her community, bridgid is an avid gamer (PS5 for the win!), a knitter, and a reader. She also has a soft spot for souped-up cars, motorcycles, and other things that go fast.
In her community, she is a board member of her local munch and was a member of MAsT: Evansville when it was still active. She and her Sir have taught at their local munch, MAsT: Evansville and MAsT: Gettysburg. She is a member of the Council of Indigenous Leather (CoIL). Bridgid is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, leveraging her role as Midwest Slave to raise awareness about critical issues like blood quantum and the harmful ideologies it reinforces. A complete and updated class list can be found on Fetlife.
This class will cover the fundamentals of fire cupping in both sensual and sadistic scenes. The session will include a live demonstration, guidance on equipment and technique, discussion of safety protocols, and tips for clean up and aftercare. Interested attendees will have the opportunity to experience it for themselves. No prior experience with fire play is required, but attendees should be familiar with basic consent principles.
Ginger (she/her) is a switch who began exploring the kink community in 2021 during a college internship. She loves all things fire and impact, particularly when she can be a sadistic, bratty top. She organizes CincyTNG and co-organizes DaytonTNG—social groups that offer safer, welcoming spaces for kinksters ages 18–35. At CincyTNG, she also facilitates educational events aimed at building knowledge and community. In her vanilla life, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and going to concerts.
This is an interactive class for Beginners to Intermediate
In this workshop, Wwe’ll explore the topic of what service looks like, or could look like, in your dynamic. Wwe will cover how Service is utilized in Oour dynamic and how Wwe use a Military style of Service protocol to enhance everything Wwe do.
Obedience! We love it! Obedience is a dedicated and emotional gift that some people are born with by nature, and some develop. Let’s explore how to nurture and empower that obedience to get specific results… without building a tank of resentment in the process!
Wwe also cover Authority and Obedience in Oour Dynamic and how it's used to empower and lift each other up
Sir_Thadious & His_Cherri are the 2024 WCPE and 2025 International Power Exchange titleholders. They have been active in the scene for over a decade. They are the owners and Leaders of House of Luxper & Twisted Acres, and co-directors of Power Exchange Together Kootenays. Their military-style CO (Commanding Officer)/XO (Executive Officer) 24/7 M/s lifestyle is grounded in 59 years of combined military and leadership experience, and emphasizes leadership, service, protocols, and rituals. Collared since 2014, their dynamic fuels their passion for power exchange and high protocol. They & their House are dedicated to education and community service, sharing their extensive knowledge and support, to foster the growth of empowering Power Exchange relationships. Cherri is a Certified Professional Leadership coach and teaches specialized Leadership workshops. Together, Tthey present on Dynamic Leadership, Power Exchange, and High Protocol (skills and Knowledge)
Breathplay, cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual gratification, and face slapping are rightly categorized as edge play because they come with a significant risk of serious injury or death.
In this interactive discussion, we will go over the risks involved and some ways to mitigate them. Participants should leave with the knowledge to practice these kinks more safely.
Malechus was introduced to the kink community in 2017 and found his home the same night.He is a switch, an owner, a dominant, a top, a bottom, and someone who does his best to experience everything he can, at least once. Over the years he has learned from some of the best and has presented around the Great Lakes Region on topics related to kink and polyamory. He is co-owner of the Facebook group The Polyamorous Underground, a space focused on growth and well being in the kink and polyamorous communities with over 20,000 members. He is also a member of the House of Fang and Claw, a blended kink and poly household that includes crossover power dynamics and lots of edge cases.
Fate has been active in the lifestyle for over 20 years. A GP veteran, she is a mostly subby switch collared to both IceBear and Malechus. She enjoys building up her poly house, The House of Fang and Claw, playing board games, reading romantasy, and learning random facts she will likely never use. She teaches a variety of classes from Bratting as a Service to Humiliation and Degradation and has taught in several states. She is neurospicy, so please don't be offended when she is, inevitably, terribly awkward.
Scarification can be a powerful ritual component to mark personal milestones or to recognize a bond in a power exchange relationship. In this class, we’ll discuss and demonstrate creating meaningful scars by removing skin and then following specific healing protocols to encourage the development of a permanent marking.
Master Vick, Indiana Ms. Leather Pride 2016, is a spiritually oriented Native American energy worker and Reiki Master with roots in Blackfoot and Cherokee traditions and practices. He is also a southern gentleman leather-dyke with a soft heart for his chosen family, a deep devotion to his partner Lady Elsa, and a seriously sadistic streak in the dungeon, where he delights in heavy impact play and scarification scenes. Master Vick created and produced the first Indiana Leather Pride Weekend, has served on the board of Indiana Leather Club, and co-leads Andromeda, a Central Indiana group for people who ID as women, trans, and non-binary. He enjoys hosting play parties, building dungeon furniture, gardening, and cooking huge southern-style meals for friends.
Class Description Coming
A truly captivating scene requires more than just good storytelling—it demands the ability to immerse your audience fully. In this engaging and hands-on class, Devyn Stone will teach you how to enhance realism with the art of stage combat, fake blood, and essential movie special effects techniques. Whether you're crafting an intense moment for a play party, a dungeon scene, or a theatrical performance, you'll gain practical skills to elevate your storytelling and leave a lasting impression. Get ready to explore the magic of illusion and create unforgettable experiences!
Master (Devyn) Stone is an author, educator, and JEDI consultant. He is a Leatherman, an extrovert, a Sons of Anarchy fan, and a foodie. He enjoys organizing events and moderating! He's been practicing authority transfer dynamics since 2004. Today, he lives in Detroit with his property, Guan-Xuan.
Devyn has authored multiple concise and easy-to-digest BDSM "how-to" books. He is the Founder of Pragmatically Kinking and the Executive Producer for THRIVE.
Master Stone has a passion for giving and receiving education. His favorite topics to speak on include leadership, authority transfer, and neurodivergence.
Explore the emotional and neurological reasons a submissive might seek intensity, and what it means to be a “pain slut” from a spiritual and somatic view. Include coping, recovery, and craving cycles. Deep, heavy, and healing.
Angel (she/her) is a queer, bisexual slave who has been active in the lifestyle for 17 years. Deeply rooted in service and submission, she brings lived experience from both sides of the slash—though she proudly identifies as 1000% submissive. A medical professional by trade and a fierce advocate by heart, Angel blends clinical knowledge with kink education to prioritize safety, empowerment, and informed play.
She is the organizer behind Bound in Bliss and the Farm Kinkouts, two spaces known for connection, consent, and community growth. Through her educational platform, she shares classes that merge medical insight with real-world kink, focusing on risk-aware practices and holistic wellness in play. Whether she's teaching about trauma-informed care or blood pressure in beatings, Angel keeps it smart, honest, and a little bit sassy—because education should be as alive as the community it serves.
Did you know that electro play can be sensual? Have you ever wanted to control a pet like a puppet? What about shock collars and obedience training? Come join the smell of ozone and the crackle of a violet wand and explore the different ways electro play can enhance pet play experience and layer with other kinks to build interactive scenes.
Pup Shock (He/Him/His) is a true switch with a love of predicament and sensual play with a sadistic side. From training submissive tops, to bringing experiences of rubber, drone play, objectification, and restraint play to simply pawing holes, he brings over a decade of experience blending kink into customized scenes to affront the senses. Strike up a conversation about your favorite kinks and find yourself engaged with a no-shame lets-play-a-game dog who can't seem to stop coming up with new ways to play.
A brief introduction about all the ins and outs of kinky wrestling (and other combat sports): you’ll get helpful resources for this niche fetish, discussion about ring etiquette, and everything you need to know to hit the mats.
Thomas "Laz" Beranek is a fun-loving and dedicated member of the leather community, known for his commitment to fostering inclusivity, education, and community-building projects. Born on the west coast and raised in the heartland, Thomas discovered his affinity for the leather lifestyle in his early twenties through pro wrestling (yes, you read that right) and has since become a familiar face at leather events across Wisconsin and beyond. Safe, consensual practices are the expectation while planning and executing events in his capacity as the President for Cream City PAH, the Milwaukee Pet and Handler organization.
Thomas is currently Mr Wisconsin Leather Pride, aiming to use the platform to promote building strong, supportive networks between local LGBTQ+ kink groups. With his charismatic presence, extensive knowledge of leather culture, and a deep commitment to building bridges within the community, Thomas aspires to *inspire* with his vision of a more inclusive and supportive leather community.
Forget the cardboard boxes—this is what pallet wrap does best. In this beginner and intermediate level class, we’ll stretch, smooth, and layer our way into the deliciously restrictive world of plastic bondage. Whether you're curious about full-body containment or just want to add a slick, sensory twist to your scenes, this is your invitation to wrap things up tight.
We’ll start with the basics: safety considerations, scene setup, and foundational techniques, as well as the tools you'll need, whether you're simply grabbing Saran wrap from the kitchen or ordering crates of high gauge pallet wrap. You’ll learn how to restrain and compress efficiently and with a safety-focus, and how to plan for temperature, timing, and breathability—because when someone’s immobilized, the details matter.
But we’re not stopping at “just wrap me up.” This class also explores sensory deprivation, objectification, teasing, torment, and the art of keeping someone still while their mind runs wild. We’ll offer beginner and intermediate scene ideas, practical positioning tips, and creative variations for D-types and S-types alike.
Expect a live demonstration tailored to your event’s length—short and punchy for public play spaces, or longer and more detailed for private or extended sessions. There’ll be plenty of time to see technique in action, ask your questions, and get inspired.
Whether you’re brand new to bondage or looking to expand your repertoire beyond rope and cuffs, this class offers an accessible entry point into containment kink. Come curious, leave wrapped—and bring your imagination.
Gary Wasdin is the Executive Director of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago, and if you have any latent librarian fantasies about overdue books and creative ways to pay your fines, he's your guy. Gary is a Bi Dom Poly Leather Daddy Bear who flags red, yellow, tan, and hunter green on the left. He has started occasionally flagging on the right, but that is on a need-to-know basis. In his free time, Gary enjoys travel, food, and awkward silence. Gary is a passionate advocate for body positivity and sexiness in all shapes and sizes.
Gary's professional background is in academic and public libraries, where he has worked to build more inclusive spaces that are welcoming to everyone. He holds Masters degrees in Library Science and English and a Bachelor's degree in theatre. He lives in Chicago with his husband, Sir, boys, and pups, and you can find him in various places online as chicagocigardad.
Ever wish there were more models for understanding and creating power exchange dynamics? Look in the mirror! Every time a couple defies the stereotypes and goes with what works for them, more positive role models are created. This interactive class provides tools and support for defining and discussing your power exchange relationship, not only with each other, but with friends and family and the local BDSM community.
Lady Elsa, International Power Exchange 2012, has been serving the Leather and BDSM community for 19+ years, in roles including contest producer, community leader, presenter, and mentor, and in 2016 received the Leathertarian Award for long-standing service to the Leather and Fetish communities. She co-founded and leads Andromeda, a group for women, trans, and non-binary kinky people in Central Indiana, and serves as Membership/Mentorship chair for Indiana Leather Club.
Master Vick, Indiana Ms. Leather Pride 2016, is a spiritually oriented Native American energy worker and Reiki Master with roots in Blackfoot and Cherokee traditions and practices. He is also a southern gentleman leather-dyke with a soft heart for his chosen family, a deep devotion to his partner Lady Elsa, and a seriously sadistic streak in the dungeon, where he delights in heavy impact play and scarification scenes. Master Vick created and produced the first Indiana Leather Pride Weekend, has served on the board of Indiana Leather Club, and co-leads Andromeda, a Central Indiana group for people who ID as women, trans, and non-binary. He enjoys hosting play parties, building dungeon furniture, gardening, and cooking huge southern-style meals for friends.
Hey everyone, my name is Barbie Evergreen, and I have been in the kink community for 9 years now. I have so much experience I'd love to share with you, but today's class sits on the outskirts of kink. Kink has given me the fundamental tools to start the journey of understanding myself and given me the community to support my growth. My life has been filled with hard experiences. There was never a question of IF I was traumatized, but HOW it affected my day-to-day existence. I could never pinpoint what my trauma looked like. I thought it had to be some wound on my heart or some feeling I wasn't experiencing, and therefore, my experiences were never as valid as others. After having a child, almost five years ago, I decided to figure my shit out so I didn't pass my trauma down to the next generation. It's been close to five years of reading, researching, learning, and growing. Today, I want to share my most important bits, so maybe you can also feel validated in your trauma and have an idea of how you can start doing the hard work of healing, too.
Trigger warning: This class will make you feel all of the things. We talk about all forms of trauma, so be prepared.
Disclaimer: I am not licensed, nor do I have a degree in this subject matter. I am just a mom who took her mental health into her own hands. I'm also ADHD. Hyper focus, we know her!!
Hello everyone, and welcome to my little island of misfit toys. My name is Barbie Evergreen, and I am a mental health kink educator. My vanilla job focuses on behavior analysis, and I have been hyper-focused on how our brain functions concerning trauma and how to navigate through that trauma. I started my kink journey 9 years ago in the Chicago community, and it has been a wild ride of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and healing through my shame to become the person I am today. I have been teaching for the last 3 years at a variety of venues. From small kink gatherings in local houses to large-scale events like Twisted Tryst. I have been helping people work on becoming more self-aware as they navigate their kink journey. I look forward to putting my mental twist on your kink journey, if you're ready to listen and learn.
Either a history of or an expectation of being rejected prevents some people from seeking to form any kind of relationship with others, particularly intimate ones. This fear of rejection keeps people isolated and alone. I have suffered with this very affliction, but have learned to turn my fears into a fetish. I now get the same thrill from being rejected as I feel when someone returns my amorous attention. This has freed me to reach out to more people, form more relationships, and even enjoy being rejected. This class will teach you to use some of the same techniques I have used to overcome your fear of rejection and enjoy a new fetish you never thought you would add to your list.
LT is a longtime Leatherman, involved in the LEATHER, kink, BDSM, Power Exchange & Master/slave community. He was a former Librarian and President of the National Leather Association - Indianapolis Chapter, and founding President of Indiana Leather Club. As a full patch member of the Indiana Falcons, LT serves as the current Vice President, leading into the group's 25th year as the oldest leather organization in Indiana. He serves as Head of House for his Leather Family at House Exemplar in Richmond, Indiana, where they hold community classes, munches, and sloshes. LT founded the Leather Arts Initiative to promote community art and artists and www.LeatherContests.com to disseminate information about contests, title holders, conventions, Pride events, Leather Clubs, and Leather Houses.
Saturday Sep. 13, 2025
A bag of clips and clamps may be the perfect SM toy! They're inexpensive, relatively safe, and anyone can use them to create a variety of sensations, regardless of dexterity, strength, or experience level. In this workshop, you'll learn how to select and evaluate various types of clips and clamps, how to safely apply and remove them to create relaxing or amped-up scenes, and how to construct zippers and other devices that add versatility to your clamp collection. Then we’ll break out the clothespins so everyone who wants to try clamp play can have the experience.
Lady Elsa, International Power Exchange 2012, has been serving the Leather and BDSM community for 19+ years, in roles including contest producer, community leader, presenter, and mentor, and in 2016 received the Leathertarian Award for long-standing service to the Leather and Fetish communities. She co-founded and leads Andromeda, a group for women, trans, and non-binary kinky people in Central Indiana, and serves as Membership/Mentorship chair for Indiana Leather Club.
The class will be in two parts - Interactive & open discussion/Q&A. The interactive portion will consist of demonstrating and showing how those who are sci-fi/fantasy/anime lovers can integrate that into their kink life. The use of items like a St. Andrew's cross, a bench, or flogging can add to the integration of both the kink and nerd side of participants. The discussion portion will focus on how it is ok to integrate the two sides into one. Topics including consent, verbal & non-verbal safety protocols, and more.
I am the current Wisconsin Fetish titleholder. @ 50, I am a late bloomer kinkster but have explored much in the past few years. My primary fetish is integrating my love of Star Wars, cosplay, and my kink life. In my personal role, I'm an advocate for the unhoused and politically active in my community.
Unlock the dark and thrilling intersection of kink and cult dynamics as we explore the psychology, power, and perversion of Cult role play, themes, and tactics, offering tools to design, experience, and recover from scenes with both intentional and unintentional cult influences.
We will delve into the interpersonal and psychological tactics used by historic (pre-1930s) and contemporary cults (also known as "charismatic cults" or NRMs), examining their effects on both perpetrators and their targets, while exploring the practical implementation of similar techniques for mindfuck and behavior modification play.
This is a 201 class, and does NOT include an introduction to basic consent frameworks. This class is designed for people with an understanding of consent practices. We will be discussing consent within cult play frameworks.
Content advisory: This class includes discussion of cults from the perspective of a survivor, and will likely involve discussions of sexual assault, suicide, brainwashing, abuse, ritual murder, and violence & sexual assault towards children. We will strike a careful balance between respect for victims and delving into darker desires.
Syrup? Bananas? Whipped Cream? Honey? Cherries? Splosh along with us for some tasty and tactile fun. This class delves into the world of food fetish play, exploring its psychological, sensory, and emotional dimensions. Participants will learn about the dynamics of incorporating food into intimate experiences, including the role of texture, taste, and aesthetics. While food play is a relatively easy fetish to explore, we will emphasize safety, consent, and communication, and discuss tips for creating enjoyable food play scenes. And yes, we will get a little messy!
Gary Wasdin is the Executive Director of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago, and if you have any latent librarian fantasies about overdue books and creative ways to pay your fines, he's your guy. Gary is a Bi Dom Poly Leather Daddy Bear who flags red, yellow, tan, and hunter green on the left. He has started occasionally flagging on the right, but that is on a need-to-know basis. In his free time, Gary enjoys travel, food, and awkward silence. Gary is a passionate advocate for body positivity and sexiness in all shapes and sizes.
Gary's professional background is in academic and public libraries, where he has worked to build more inclusive spaces that are welcoming to everyone. He holds Masters degrees in Library Science and English and a Bachelor's degree in theatre. He lives in Chicago with his husband, Sir, boys, and pups, and you can find him in various places online as chicagocigardad.
Building on a topic introduced at the Great Lakes Power Exchange Contest in January 2025, TheStingySmiley and ProfessorSweet will facilitate discussion around ways that power exchange dynamics can support individual autonomy and mutual consent. We'll bring in some feminist theory and discuss ways that culture coerces us to define our gender and kink roles through the lens of cis male gaze. We would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences related to this topic, and we will share ours as individuals in a committed power exchange dynamic for nearly three years. You don't have to have been present for the previous discussion; just jump in! We will create a fun and safe environment for all to feel comfortable speaking their minds.
ProfessorSweet (he/him) is a dominant top who loves to design scenarios that provoke strong reactions. He enjoys physically and emotionally challenging his scene partners, and he draws on decades of experience with improv to enhance connection and co-creation in his kinky play.
TheStingySmiley (they/them) is a masochistic bottom with a love for overlapped, overwhelming sensations. They approach scenes as creative opportunities to collaborate and connect with their partners. They enjoy analyzing power structures and exploring them in their D/s practice.
Cat is excited to share with you how bootblacking not only takes care of your leather but can be erotic and sexy. She will talk about basic products to use and what products can be used in sexy and fun ways. Check out this dirty way to get clean!
Thomas "Laz" Beranek is a fun-loving and dedicated member of the leather community, known for his commitment to fostering inclusivity, education, and community-building projects. Born on the west coast and raised in the heartland, Thomas discovered his affinity for the leather lifestyle in his early twenties through pro wrestling (yes, you read that right) and has since become a familiar face at leather events across Wisconsin and beyond. Safe, consensual practices are the expectation while planning and executing events in his capacity as the President for Cream City PAH, the Milwaukee Pet and Handler organization.
Thomas is currently Mr Wisconsin Leather Pride, aiming to use the platform to promote building strong, supportive networks between local LGBTQ+ kink groups. With his charismatic presence, extensive knowledge of leather culture, and a deep commitment to building bridges within the community, Thomas aspires to *inspire* with his vision of a more inclusive and supportive leather community.
Trauma play can be some of the most intense and pleasurable experiences a bottom can have, but it comes with so many warning labels that need to be heeded. We do not break our "Toys". This is a rule. We do not want to cause real and lasting harm to our people when we play with them. But what are the warning labels? How do I heed them? That's why I am here. My name is Barbie Evergreen, and I am a mental health kink educator. I have experienced the ups and downs of playing and making mistakes while I explored my trauma play, so you don't have to. Paired with my focus in mental health and a fundamental understanding of how our brains process emotions and trauma. I have written this class to help both tops and bottoms navigate negotiation, give an outline of must-haves before playing with someone's trauma, and how to navigate an oops in trauma play.
Hello everyone, and welcome to my little island of misfit toys. My name is Barbie Evergreen, and I am a mental health kink educator. My vanilla job focuses on behavior analysis, and I have been hyper-focused on how our brain functions concerning trauma and how to navigate through that trauma. I started my kink journey 9 years ago in the Chicago community, and it has been a wild ride of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and healing through my shame to become the person I am today. I have been teaching for the last 3 years at a variety of venues. From small kink gatherings in local houses to large-scale events like Twisted Tryst. I have been helping people work on becoming more self-aware as they navigate their kink journey. I look forward to putting my mental twist on your kink journey, if you're ready to listen and learn.
Do you happen to remember when you fell and skinned your knees? That is an abrasion and not in a good way. Today, we will learn the good way. Abrasion play can be fun with the right players and very satisfying. There are many levels of abrasion play, from soft and gentle to hard and painful. I will give a little background, and it can be a great introduction to the world of SM. Abrasion play doesn’t even have to cost anything, you have all the tools you need with you. Let your mind wander on all the objects that can be used. Your mind is your biggest sex organ.
- History
- Anatomy
- Types of Abrasions
- Types of Toys
- Setting
- Safety
- Aftercare and caring for toys
I was seven and had my first whip. Although there were hints of SM throughout my life, I did not act on them right away. Now, I have over 35 years of experience and am still teachable and want to learn new things. I have taught many classes on whips and other topics. Over the years in the community, I’ve been a part of groups, organizations and even honored a couple of times for the work. I come here with an Old Guard experience and change with today’s environment. I’m so grateful and honored to Knot A Contest to have me back to teach with my boy GD Jarry.
I am relatively new to the BDSM scene, roughly five years, but wow what a ride. Always had thoughts of being of service and sensation play. Started coming out a bit to our local dungeon and had a few exceptional scenes with edge players. I started learning more about whips, paddling and sensation play from My Sir. My Sir and I have taught numerous classes in the Tri State Area of Cincinnati including sensation play, whips, and my favorite abrasion play. The spiritually, connection, and the playfulness. My Sir likes it best when I am snarky and occasionally wear tie dye of some sort. I am so honored to be asked to help teach with my Sir whips again at Knot A Contest, My Sir is Mark O'Keefe.
Have you ever wanted to spice up your pet or puppy play with some rope bondage? Does the idea of a rope harness and leash appeal, or maybe you want to feel your little doggy legs bound up and ready to wriggle in? Participants in this class will learn some basic rope bondage ties they can pick and choose from to create different feelings and scenarios in their play.
Please come prepared with 3 or 4 15-foot lengths plus 3 or 4 30-foot lengths of rope for use in tying.
Linworth's (they/them) journey as a rope performer started in 2011 when they started exploring the rope bondage medium as an aerial art. The next year they threw themselves into the deep end by driving to Toronto for a weekend of performing at Morpheus Bondage Extravaganza, where they continued to make an appearance for five years running. Since then they have popped up in exhibitions around the continent - from Baltimore to Detroit to San Francisco - and moved to the "big city" of Columbus, Ohio where they are based as an international presenter and performer.
RowanMars (he/they) has a kink for workshops and using them to explore niche facets of the human experience. He has spent the past decade helping organize arts-centric events throughout the Midwest. Recently, he's begun dipping his toes into Kink-specific events, as well as bringing elements of Kink culture into other productions he's involved with.
Rowan is passionate about the importance of Play in adulthood, be it wholesome or spicy, and frequently approaches Kink through a lens of gamification. As an asexual (?) trans(!) guy, he's found Kink to be a powerful tool in navigating identity and deepening connections with self and others. His favorite things in life tend to fall under the 3 S's- Silly, Sacred, or Sexy, with Kink often managing to hit all three.
LilPonyBites joined the Leather, Fetish, and Kink community in 2012 and immersed herself in a submissive role through a D/s relationship. This first experience taught her the do's and don'ts of power exchange and opened up her pony identity. Submissive at heart, she's been exploring her new switch tendencies and little/brat side. LilPonyBites has enjoyed going to The Farm to learn and train. She is Ms. Ohio Valley Leather 2016, Ms. Tri-State Leather 2018; board member of Miami Valley Pets and Handlers; a member of Ohio Leather Alliance, Tri-State Leather, and Women of Drummer. She indulges in her cigar fetish at her home bar and local cigar shop. LilPonyBites enjoys learning and teaching American Sign Language. You'll see her combining passions as an ASL interpreter at kink events. She looks to serve and help grow the leather/kink communities.
The life skills you bring to a Power Exchange Dynamic are fundamental. Your personal Knowledge, expertise, and experience enhance a dynamic. What do you have in your personal toolbox to benefit the dynamic??
This class is a 101/201-level course that combines presentations, practical exercises, and discussions designed to empower participants on their journey.
Sir_Thadious & His_Cherri are the 2024 WCPE and 2025 International Power Exchange titleholders. They have been active in the scene for over a decade. They are the owners and Leaders of House of Luxper & Twisted Acres, and co-directors of Power Exchange Together Kootenays. Their military-style CO (Commanding Officer)/XO (Executive Officer) 24/7 M/s lifestyle is grounded in 59 years of combined military and leadership experience, and emphasizes leadership, service, protocols, and rituals. Collared since 2014, their dynamic fuels their passion for power exchange and high protocol. They & their House are dedicated to education and community service, sharing their extensive knowledge and support, to foster the growth of empowering Power Exchange relationships. Cherri is a Certified Professional Leadership coach and teaches specialized Leadership workshops. Together, Tthey present on Dynamic Leadership, Power Exchange, and High Protocol (skills and Knowledge)
Do you have questions about Master and slave relationships or Authority Transfers? Have you heard things about Masters, slaves, or the dynamic in general that sound a little too good to be true? Or maybe you have heard horrible things about abusive Masters and manipulative slaves. What exactly is “topping from the bottom”? Bring your questions, comments, and concerns to this Q&A-style class on all the things you ever wanted to know about M/s but never got the chance to ask.
Bridgid (she/her) is an Indigiqueer Slave and Bootblack from Southern Indiana. For nearly 16 years, she has been collared to her Sir and husband, Master Michael. She is also the current Director of Communications for the Carter/Johnson Library and Collection and personal assistant to Mama Vi Johnson. She was also appointed as the Midwest slave for 2023 and 2024.
When she's not serving her Sir or her community, bridgid is an avid gamer (PS5 for the win!), a knitter and reader. She also has a soft spot for souped up cars, motorcycles and other things that go fast.
In her community, she is a board member of her local munch and was a member of MAsT: Evansville when it was still active. She and her Sir have taught at their local munch, MAsT: Evansville and MAsT: Gettysburg. She is a member of the Council of Indigenous Leather (CoIL). Bridgid is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, leveraging her role as Midwest Slave to raise awareness about critical issues like blood quantum and the harmful ideologies it reinforces. A complete and updated class list can be found on Fetlife.
Master Michael is the 2023 and 2024 Midwest Master. Along with his slave of 15 years, bridgid, he has made it his goal to educate and lead by example. Master Michael was a member of MAsT: Evansville and is a current member of the Evansville Munch. He is also a staff member for the Carter/Johnson Library and Collection, the main library in Evansville, Indiana. He is an avid gamer, rigger, and 3D print designer. Master Michael has taught in his local munch, at MAsT: Evansville, and MAsT: Gettysburg.
Do you like fast, dirty, easy rope to immobilize your partner? We will focus on easy ways to restrain your partner using rope and easily accessible items such as chairs, massage tables, or bed frames to spice up your bedroom games.
Fynch has been tied, tying, and teaching for over a decade. Her style of rope bondage is based on Shibari/Kinbaku with elements of New and Old school influence. With a heavy focus on tying people, not forms, and learning the building blocks of rope, not regurgitating others' ties, you will find her classes both informative and engaging. Fynch has created many unique learning opportunities over the years, including intensives, unconference style retreats, local monthly rope education, and performances at both local and national shows.
Taught from your own love of pain, trust, and anatomy, this is a class on eroticizing real medical procedures. Catheters, thermometers, scalpels, needles, tongue depressors, dental gags… all through a lens of service, vulnerability, and intense power. Bonus: How to do it safely and sterilely—while staying hot.
Angel (she/her) is a queer, bisexual slave who has been active in the lifestyle for 17 years. Deeply rooted in service and submission, she brings lived experience from both sides of the slash—though she proudly identifies as 1000% submissive. A medical professional by trade and a fierce advocate by heart, Angel blends clinical knowledge with kink education to prioritize safety, empowerment, and informed play.
She is the organizer behind Bound in Bliss and the Farm Kinkouts, two spaces known for connection, consent, and community growth. Through her educational platform, she shares classes that merge medical insight with real-world kink, focusing on risk-aware practices and holistic wellness in play. Whether she's teaching about trauma-informed care or blood pressure in beatings, Angel keeps it smart, honest, and a little bit sassy—because education should be as alive as the community it serves.
Intermediate Class - discussion
Disabilities can add unexpected complexities to dynamic negotiations, particularly when disabilities are acquired, dynamic, and/or progressive. Disability can impact all parties involved in a scene or dynamic, and we have unique experiences navigating disability within our Owner/property dynamic. These complexities can include physical limitations, considerations for how different types of play can be impacted, and ways mental health and headspace are influenced, and ways that medications can influence play. In this class, we'll explore ways to negotiate through and adapt to the different changes, challenges, and care disability may bring to your dynamics.
Lucian Raven and His doll celina Raven, are in a 24/7 Owner/property ageplay+ long-distance dynamic. Their dynamic includes a variety of kinks and headspaces for both, because well, who wants to just have one kink? They equally share a kink for spreadsheets, are passionate about education and service, and are committed to growing the kink, leather, Master/slave, and ageplay communities. You may often hear them be referred to as the Sadist and service masochist, the diamonds of the party, Daddy and doll, or even the Brat and the sass. They are two of the founding designers of All 'Bout Community Conference, a free online ageplay conference. Together, Lucian and Celina bring an eccentric, eclectic, and quirky blend of experience, passion, and commitment to their teaching, enriching the community through their advocacy, education, and inclusive approaches.
To misquote a really sexy guy from a dinosaur movie, “Life, uh, gets in the way.” Relationships in real life are complex, messy things that come with all kinds of baggage, responsibilities, and interconnections. These often make power exchange extremely complicated.
Malechus and BoundFate have been in a power exchange dynamic since 2017, and in this interactive discussion, will go over some of the many ways life can get in the way of that, from kids to work to familial connections to the everyday pressures of life. They will talk about some of the ways they have learned to cope with these obstacles.
Malechus was introduced to the kink community in 2017 and found his home the same night.He is a switch, an owner, a dominant, a top, a bottom, and someone who does his best to experience everything he can, at least once. Over the years he has learned from some of the best and has presented around the Great Lakes Region on topics related to kink and polyamory. He is co-owner of the Facebook group The Polyamorous Underground, a space focused on growth and well being in the kink and polyamorous communities with over 20,000 members. He is also a member of the House of Fang and Claw, a blended kink and poly household that includes crossover power dynamics and lots of edge cases.
Fate has been active in the lifestyle for over 20 years. A GP veteran, she is a mostly subby switch collared to both IceBear and Malechus. She enjoys building up her poly house, The House of Fang and Claw, playing board games, reading romantasy, and learning random facts she will likely never use. She teaches a variety of classes from Bratting as a Service to Humiliation and Degradation and has taught in several states. She is neurospicy, so please don't be offended when she is, inevitably, terribly awkward.
This class will teach you various torture ties that can be utilized with floor work. Each tie will be shown in a variation of severity so that any spiciness level can be accommodated
Fynch has been tied, tying, and teaching for over a decade. Her style of rope bondage is based on Shibari/Kinbaku with elements of New and Old school influence. With a heavy focus on tying people, not forms, and learning the building blocks of rope, not regurgitating others' ties, you will find her classes both informative and engaging. Fynch has created many unique learning opportunities over the years, including intensives, unconference style retreats, local monthly rope education, and performances at both local and national shows.