SMOOTH HOTEL, new fashion photos by Barbara Nitke
Clothes by Tom and Linda Platt

at
Gansevoort 69
69 Gansevoort Street, New York City
May 4 – 30
Gallery hours 24/7

SMOOTH HOTEL, a fashion/art show in New York’s Meatpacking District, will feature Barbara Nitke’s provocative photographs of chic people misbehaving in anonymous hotel settings.

Artists reception Monday May 3, 6-8pm

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Thursday, May 6, 7:30 to 9:30pm
Living The Sensual Life:
An Evening of Erotic Open Mic
at The Slipper Room

The Sensual Life celebrates its two-year anniversary of producing this show, which is known among its loyal following for being uncensored, raw, real…and very, very hot. Theme of this incarnation is Comedy.
Doors open at 7, cover is $10.

For more information or to perform contact monica@thesensuallife.com


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Saturday, May 8
Roc n Roll Disco’s
Groove Evolution Music Fest PRESENTS"Fantastic Voyage” on The Queen of Hearts.
Boarding 6:30pm - Pier 40, West Houston/Westside Highway
Sailing around the Big Apple

Emcee: Kate Rigg
Soundscape: DJ STRUCTURE
Gang Plank: Manana

Performance:
Sky D & Le Grange
Alice Tan Ridley
The Maine Attraction
Malachi Rivers

Ticket Info: $25 til May 7th
May 8th: $30
www.grooveevolutionfest.com

Secret tix pricing, check site for locations

Dress:
Kinky pirates, naughty sailors, swaggering Pin Ups & dominant disco gear - Manana will enforce the dress code!

Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC
FB: Fantastic Voyage

After party in the Seaport @ Lei Restaurant – 25 Peck Slip

Opens Friday, February 8th, from 7-10 pm
Work hangs from February 8 to April 4
@ Arena Studios, 407 Broome St, Suite 7A

In the 19th century, the term ‘Demimonde’ referred to the world of the theatre, of bohemia and of high-end sex-work: where style was traded for money and class transgression was possible - though often at great personal cost. As the American safety net falls apart, we’re once again turning to the Demimonde for consolation.

Molly Crabapple’s ‘Demimonde’ explores this half-world of sex, ambition and artifice. It also marks the debut of her new series of large scale works. Dr. Sketchy’s burlesque drawing in the back room. Bring your sketchpads!

: : : Arena Studios is a continuing sponsor of CineKink NYC February 26 - March 2, 2008.

For more information as well as for information about actions, workshops, and vigils outside of NYC see: http://www.swopusa.org/dec17

This year’s list of names of murdered sex workers will be read aloud, participants will be encouraged to speak or offer a prayer, and a moment of silence will be observed to call attention to the global hate crimes committed against sex workers.

Originally conceived by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and SWOP-USA [Sex Workers Outreach Project USA] after the conviction of serial killer Gary Ridgway (the “Green River Killer”), who was responsible for the murder of at least 48 prostitutes in Washington State, this day has been embraced by sex workers and their allies in over 100 cities as a chance to raise global awareness about the assault, rape, murder and institutional violence that is routinely committed against sex workers.

Vigil attendees are asked to wear red and to bring a red umbrella. Media and the public are encouraged to attend.

For further information regarding the details of the vigil and other actions related to International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, please visit: http://www.swopusa.org/dec17

here are some suggestions on ways to mark the day from legend Annie Sprinkle:

Ten Things You Can Do to Participate:

1. Do something of personal meaning alone at home; take a ritual bath, or simply think about those who have died, light a candle, make a wish, have a cry, call a friend and discuss the topic, etc.

2. Write a short personal quote or a statement about violence against sex workers and send to the SWOP web site for them to post.

3. Send a donation to a nonprofit group such as SWANK, PONY, Urban Justice Center that helps sex workers stay safer.

4. Organize a public memorial event in your town. If not, choose a place, and time, where you can gather. Make an email letter and/or flyer and get it around with news of the event. Invite people to bring writings, stories, readings, thoughts, related news items, poems, performances, etc. Make a circle at the event. Take turns sharing. This will make for a wonderful memorial and be great for consciousness raising and outreach as well.

5. Organize a panel discussion about violence towards sex workers. You can ask a church or other community space if you can do it there.

6. Send news of this event to any and all press you know, so the word gets out that there are people who care about murdered sex workers, and who are concerned with the safety of sex workers out there today.

7. Attend one of the events which is listed on the SWOP web site.

8. If you know any sex workers, send them some information about self-defense.

9. Send a personal email letter to people telling them how you feel about violence against sex workers and the women who were murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgway. Or email this letter around.

10. Read Daisy Anarchy’s poem, to yourself or to friends, or at one of the public events. Or email it around.

Or at the closing cocktail reception on Thursday July 26th

Join curator Audacia Ray and the rest of the $pread team at Arena Studios for a closing cocktail reception for the annual art show, Sex Worker Visions II. It’s your last chance to see the art before the show comes down on July 28th. If you missed your chance to bid on a decorated dildo at the art show opening, more will be available on the night, along with the latest issue of $pread!

All art is for sale and the ebay auction will close during the reception, so come prepared to bid!

Thursday July 26th, 7-9pm. Arena Studios, 407 Broome St., Suite 7A, NYC. This event is FREE.

If you can’t make this event but would like to see the show before it closes, contact Arena Studios at 212.889.1591 or email .

Dress Code: Leather of any and all kinds to celebrate Leather Pride
(All black, formal, or other fetish wear is also acceptable.)

Tickets:  $40 at the door (food/beverage included)
portion of proceeds to benefit the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom

more info & tickets also available:
http://www.arenastudios.com • http://www.nycsubclub.org • http://www.rapturenyc.com
212.889.1591

join Leda and your favorite Arena performers for:

Red Hot Ice
Friday, May 18th
@ Club Sol, 609 West 29th Street NYC

hosted by Chi-Chi Valenti & DJ Johnny Dynell

doors open at 8pm with complimentary drinks by X Rated Vodka til 9:30

tickets $30 advance, $45 at door

break out your sparkles, stir up your paint, and slip into your best party gear to benefit the East Biloxi Coordination Relief and Redevelopment Center!

$pread Magazine‘s second annual benefit exhibition, Sex Worker Visions II, is open for viewing at Arena Studios [407 Broome St, Suite 7A, NYC] from May 1st through July 28th 2007.

Guided talks led by the curator and exhibiting artists will occur biweekly throughout the exhibition.

On May 12th & May 26th at 2 pm, the exhibition’s curator, Audacia Ray, will begin the discussion series with one-hour talks about the show.

June & July talks listed at ArenaStudios.com

All of the talks are FREE and all art is for sale!

If you cannot make any of these dates but would like to see the show, contact Arena Studios at 212.889.1591 or email .

Sex Workers Visions II, curated by Audacia Ray and co-sponsored by
$pread Magazine, Arena Studios, and the SoHo Arts Council

Opening May 1, 2007 from 6 to 9 pm

Runs through July 28, 2007

Arena Studios, 407 Broome Street, Suite 7A

In $pread magazine’s second annual art show, sex workers with an artistic bent step up and tell their stories visually. The show includes art by Annie Sprinkle, Zak Smith, Genevive Zacconi, and Vena Virago, in addition to illustrations and photographs that have appeared in $pread magazine. Featuring a special opening night exhibition of hand-decorated dildos by sex workers from around the country!

$pread Magazine will be presenting public viewings of the exhibition on the following dates:
Saturday May 12th 2-3pm
Saturday May 26th 2-3pm
Saturday June 9th 2-3pm
Thursday June 14th 7-8pm
Saturday July 7th 2-3pm
Thursday July 26th 7-8pm

The Red Hot Ice Ball: A Hurricane Katrina Reconstruction Benefit

May 18th, 2007, Doors @ 8pm

Club Sol, 609 W 29th Street

What is RED HOT ICE?

Welcome to a fusion of a Cutting Edge Ice Fantasy and Hot Spicy Mardis Gras – donate to a deserving cause as you frolic with Snow Queens, Jack Frost, Crystal Pixies and an Abominable Snowman.  This exotic world will tantalize as it transforms and melts into the inevitably sultry and sexy Mardis Gras Spring celebration.  Enjoy the fantasy make-up and body art while being entertained by NYC’s most talented aerialists, contortion, burlesque performers, fire artists, musicians, and dancers.  Empress Chi Chi Valenti will be your guide through the evening’s escapades and pleasures as DJ Johnny Dynell spins.

Sponsored by: The SoHo Journal, Rush Philanthropic, Temptu, Make Up For Ever, The Rust Company & Okamoto Studio

The Black and Blue Ball is currently being planned for The Fall.

Intimate gathering Thursday, April 19th, 8pm - 1am

Donation: $50 - All proceeds go to the ‘MS Prison Project’
Limited spaces: tix available now:

Space donated by Carrie & Leda - arenastudios.com
Food donated by Rapture - rapturenyc.com
Beverages donated by PuppyDog John - nycsubclub.org

More play parties are in the works to tide us over until then…

Leda & Carrie

End your V Day weekend with LEDA and Mistress Billie of Arena, Go-Go goddesses Sarah & Riot and DJ Maria

Remote Lounge
327 Bowery btw 2nd & 3rd Streets

Fetish attire encouraged: $10 cover
This is a queer identified event
myspace.com/thexparty
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Tuesday, May 1st
Arena Studios is proud to host Sex Worker Visions II, an art show curated & created by SPREAD Magazine.
Call for submissions is now, opening night and many other festivities will be listed soon.

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When is the Ball?
We appreciate that many of you need to know the date of the Ball as early as possible - as soon as we have a date, we will post here and let everyone know!