Previous workshops (2) This is a listing of some of the workshops P3Gatherings has presented in the past. Please scroll down to learn more about some of our past workshops or use the links below. Knife play & Cuttings Edge Play Temporary Piercing - Needle Play Advanced Needleplay Branding Cutting the Razor's Edge-Play: Sharps & Cutting Introduction to Corsetry Corset Construction Aggressive Scene Management Negotiating Complicated Relationships Something old, something new - Cupping 101 Rituals: In BDSM & Society BDSM 101 SM 101 - Making an Impact Intro to BDSM Caress of Steel - A workshop on the art of Cutting Cutting (or Scarification) is one of those practices that both excite and terrifies people, sometimes at the same time. Historically this ritual is one of the oldest forms of body modification. In more recent times cutting has held a negative image. Most mentions of cutting have been books published on the psychology of cutting and how to stop this self-mutilation. But cutting as art? If done properly, cutting can create beautiful permanent body decorations which leave you with positive memories of this incredible experience. Our presenter will offer a workshop on the history, psychology (cutting for the right and wrong reasons and how to know the difference) safety, aesthetic and skills needed in doing cuttings. A live demonstration will be done to show the techniques and precautions required. There are no pre-requisites for this class; however guests may find that a basic understanding of cross-contamination precautions will be useful. Attending the day's class on Ritual may also help lend an insight into some of the origins and uses for this art. This workshop took place September 22, 2007 and was taught by Elwood. Edge Play Bring your questions, concerns, and comments, as our instructors guide us through the strategies, pitfalls, and fears involved with incorporating various forms of edge play into your relationships and play sessions. This workshop took place March 25th, 2006, and was taught by Mistress Taz and NelsonX. Temporary Piercing - Needle Play "You don't mind a few extra holes, do you?" Temporary Piercing isn't done for jewelry or body modification, instead it's a temporary way to experience different sensations, and can be particularly intense for those with a deep seeded fear of needles. Part of bondage, part of sensation play, or incorporated in a number of other kinds of scenes, needle play can be done safely with the proper precautions. Our instructor will demonstrate tips and tricks, while also going over safety issues such as cross contamination, preparation, sharps containers, aftercare, and what to expect from needle play. This workshop took place on April 15th, 2006 and was taught by Loger and Zarah. For anyone who is attending the Needle Play workshop, there will be a hands-on portion to this workshop. Please come on time. Below is a check-list of the things you should bring: _____ a willing victim.. erm.. partner - or an open mind to partner up with someone at the workshop. Top/Bottom doesn't matter… we're just learning here! _____ a sharps container. You can get these at most pharmacies. Some are free, others will charge a nominal fee. _____ needles! You're more than welcome to use whatever gauge you and your partner wish, but we suggest 22s or 20s to start out with. You can get these at medical supply stores. You can buy a box of 100, or just a "sheet" in quantities of 5. _____ alcohol prep pads. You can get these at any pharmacy. _____ antibacterial lubricant. (I think a brand name is either bacagel or bacagent) You can get this at a pharmacy, and it's stored with things like Polysporin. _____ paper towel _____ latex or non-latex gloves that fit you. You can get these at any pharmacy. A mini-kit of some of these items (not all!) will be available first-come-first-serve at the workshop for purchase for those of you who forget your items. These kits will be 10$ or less (price will be determined by the price of what it costs us to supply the kits!) We will NOT be bringing enough kits for everyone… so come prepared if you know you want to join in on the hands-on portion of this workshop! We also recommend that you consider aftercare for yourself or your bottom, and bring what you might think will be needed. Needleplay can be very edgy for some people, and the reaction you expect may not be the reaction you get. Advanced Needle Play This needle play workshop is designed for those who attended the April 15th , 2006 Needle Play workshop, or who have already begun doing basic needle play, and want to increase the complexity. Our instructor will cover basic safety (as a review) including the basics of avoiding cross-contamination, and then begin with a demonstration of some more advanced techniques including incorporating other forms of play into your needle play. The workshop will be rounded out with a hands-on portion where you can try different techniques or show off your own personal creations. Because of the potential for intensity at this workshop, and the potential risk, we ask that you attend the workshop with a partner, versus hoping to pair up at the workshop. This workshop took place July 28th, 2007 and was taught by Mistress Taz. A permanent mark - Branding Our presenter, a professional body brander and body modification artist will illustrate different tools for branding, how a brand is created, and how to treat it while it's healing. Our teacher will also discuss how to use branding in part with commitment ceremonies - a more permanent mark than a collar. There will be a brief discussion about the psychological effects of branding, and the safety precautions with branding and other permanent marks will also be covered. The description of this workshop is subject to change. This workshop took place September 22nd, 2007 and was taught by Elwood. On the razor's edge - cuttings Not for the faint of heart (or shaky of hand!) – knife play can range from the light temptation of sensation play to the exhilarating rush of cuttings. Either in play, or as a way to mark your property, knife play and cuttings can also introduce some unique dangers and considerations. Knife play can be harsh and stoic, or artistic and cathartic, and our teacher will guide us through the safety measures to keep in mind before, during, and after knife play. A large portion of this workshop will deal specifically with non-invasive knife play, however we will also deal with cuttings specifically for those who are interested. Due to the nature of this workshop, we are limiting this workshop to 15 people. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their tools, along with a nice large orange to practice on. Please contact P3Gatherings if you would like to attend. This workshop was taught by Mike on February 25th, 2006. the Razor's Edge-Play: Sharps & Cutting Tempting the resilience of flesh with the strength of steel isn’t for the faint of heart (or shaky of hand!) – encompassing needles, knives, scalpels and more, playing with sharps can provide a rush to both top and bottom alike. This workshop will cover a range of ‘sharp’ play, both invasive and non-invasive. There will be demonstrations of various techniques and tools and time for interested parties to learn hands-on; however both will take place after a break so anyone who is NOT comfortable with invasive play can leave early. Due to the nature of this workshop, attendance at this workshop is limited. Supplies for those who wish to try some of the techniques demonstrated will be available for an additional cost. These will be available first-come-first-serve. This workshop was on January 24, 2009 and was taught by Dawn Dawn's Corset Class - Part 1- Introduction to corsetry, and corset drafting We'll be covering different types of corsets, and their popularity in history. Different fabrics, and methods of construction will also be covered. The second part of the class will include detailed measurements, and then each student will create his or her own personal, custom corset pattern. A second date will be chosen for corset construction. This workshop was taught by Dawn on May 21st, 2005 Dawn's Corset Class - Part 2 - Corset construction Bring your pattern from the drafting class, and join Dawn and the rest of the class to construct your corset. Please bring your fabric, cut out, with the pattern pieces still pinned on. We'll go over various construction techniques, tools, and materials. You won't get to finish your corset in the class, but will learn all of the techniques to do so at home. Please check your email for a detailed list of what to bring. This workshop was taught by Dawn on July 16th, 2005 Aggressive Scene Management Struggling to take concept and theory to reality? Want to explore rough scenes, take downs, consensual non-consent, and fantasy aggressive play - but have a true concern for the welfare of your partner and yourself during the fray? This workshop will explore how to take theories and put them into reality, and our instructor will demonstrate how to use techniques usually used to harm or control - and revisit them in a safe, yet still intimidating manner. Our instructor will also go over some of the basic safety suggestions for this kind of aggressive play, and how to manage situations that might not go as you intended. Your participation will aid greatly, and there will be time for hands-on experimentation with supervised instruction. We recommend you bring a partner, and wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. This workshop was taught by Mike on October 28th, 2006. Negotiating Complicated Relationships This is an interactive workshop, and class involvement is highly encouraged as we explore harems/stables, the 24/7 relationship, incorporating other people into your relationships or play sessions and other relationship models that sometimes challenge both tops and bottoms alike. This workshop took place March 25th, 2006, and was taught by Mistress Taz and NelsonX. Something Old, Something New - Cupping 101 Cupping is a traditional medical technique to purify the blood, draw toxins out of the body, and align a person's qi. .. Of course - that's not what WE use it for! Cupping can range from a sensual sensation - well teamed with other techniques, to an intensely powerful (and painful) scene all of it's own. It can leave the skin gently pink - or can leave bruises that last for days. Cupping (either using glass or plastic cups) involves playing with suction, and can be done in a variety of ways, for a variety of purposes. In this class our instructor will go over some of the safety concerns relating to cupping, and some of the different reasons and locations to use cupping. We'll also have a demonstration, and those wanting to try cupping will have the chance to do so. This workshop took place April 23, 2008, and was taught by Dawn. Ritual in BDSM and Society - Bringing Ritual into your Play Ritual, whether you're spiritual or not can bring a new level to your experiences or your play. Theoretically, ritual can be any series of actions that you do habitually, however the ritual discussed in this workshop are any actions that are done with the intention and belief to reach a higher energy level. Why bring ritual into BDSM play? BDSM play, on various levels, generally wants to evoke an atmosphere to enhance the emotion during play. Ritual works in creating this proper "space" or atmosphere and intent. This, in turn, intensifies the "mood" of the play by the heightened level of energy created. Who wouldn't want that? Who knows what new levels you can reach? We will be discussing various levels of ritual, and also how to achieve this through some ideas and demonstrations. We will discuss ideas from the most simplistic to the more serious methods through smudging, centering, energy work, and grounding. Your questions and discreet input on your personal experiences are welcome. This workshop is suitable for both experienced players as well as those who are new to the BDSM lifestyle. This workshop can be taken alone, but will also be highly complimentary to the day's other two workshops on Branding and Cutting. This workshop took place September 22nd, 2007 and was taught by Elwood. BDSM 101 This is an introductory class designed for four separate groups of people: Individuals (couples, or groups) who are new to the bdsm lifestyle Vanilla partners of individuals interested in the lifestyle, looking to learn more Individuals who are new to the Calgary BDSM community who wish to learn more about Calgary's culture Individuals who have previously been involved in the lifestyle, but now are returning to the lifestyle and wish a refresher… Our instructors will lead us through a brief discussion about what is BDSM, as well as Kink, and Fetishes, some of the unique language that we use in our community, how to find other kinky people, and the plethora of options that are out there for either socialization, education or play… We will touch briefly on topics such as forming relationships, types of relationships, mentorships, collars, orientations and other related topics. This workshop is designed as a 'soft' introduction to the lifestyle and we wont be focusing on any one topic in great depth. This is, however, an opportunity to learn a bit more about the Calgary BDSM community, meet other kinky people, and hopefully inspire you to learn more! This workshop will have a slightly different format from our regular events. It will take place on a weeknight, and will not be followed by a private play party. Tickets WILL be available at the door - as well as before hand - so if you would like to apply, please email us to be put on our guest list and receive the address to our location. This workshop took place February 27th, 2008 and was taught by Land of Shadows/Derek and Dawn. If you would like to attend this class when and if it repeats(or know someone who should), please contact us at p3gatherings @ gmail. com. SM 101 - Making an Impact Where BDSM 101 left off, SM 101 will pick up - delving deeper into the "play" side of SM in BDSM. Heard of "Slap n' Tickle"? Sadomasochism: the act of applying sensation, often intense and often painful to bring about a positive state of sensation and pleasure. This workshop will explore how to play with and incorporate healthy, consensual SM in your relationships. Impact Play is often one of the most common forms of SM play in our community. We will be discussing and demonstrating some of the most popular SM activities such as spanking, paddling, cropping, caning and more. In this Introductory workshop we will focus on the "activity" aspect of SM discussing types of Impact Play, techniques, where to hit, where not to hit, negotiating an SM scene, tools/toys, and other elements you'll want to consider. Questions welcome, demo bottoms encouraged. This workshop is ideal for those of you who are new to the lifestyle, want to learn other play styles, or maybe just want to add SM activities to your already growing play repertoire. It's also a great workshop for those of you who are already well-versed in SM, but maybe want to bring a curious partner to begin the dialogue about what SM is, and see first hand SM in action. What better things are there to do on a Wednesday night? Join us for lively discussion and real demonstrations. This workshop took place June 25th, 2008, and was taught by Derek/Land of Shadows. The Words, The Rules, The Culture - A Realistic Introduction to the BDSM Community Welcome! You've just discovered something intrinsically true about yourself - you're kinky. Now what? You've discovered that you're not the only one… but what is this thing "community", and why do people keep getting upset when you don't automatically know what to do next? In this workshop we'll discuss what our community is - warts and all - and what you can realistically expect to get out of being part of the BDSM community. We'll discuss our unique vocabulary, protocols and the meanings behind them, costumes and manner of dress which communicates without saying anything, what 'scenes' are, what WIIWD means, dungeon etiquette, how to be invited to parties, how to find munches, what organizations are out there, and some straight talk about our community's history. Although this workshop is aimed towards people who are new to the lifestyle and/or new to our Calgary community, we also welcome those who want to share their experiences with new people to come out as well. This workshop took place February 25, 2009 and was taught by Land of Shadows/ Derek and Dawn, and will be taught again on November 24, 2010, also by Dawn and Derek.