BEFORE we delve into the raunchy ins and outs (and ins and outs and ins and outs – I’ll stop) of the brand new Sexhibition Expo soon to hit Manchester's Event City on the 21-23 August, here's an idea of those who've already RSVP'd:
We’ve tread the line carefully, we’re arty and accessible without being triple X.
In attendance, infamous adult film star/director, Ben Dover (ten points for scoring the best porn-star pun), whose films include Ben Dover the Booty Bandit and Dover’s English Asscapades; Sukki Singapora, the 'first burlesque performer in the world ever to be invited to tea by the Royal family' (who also rocks a 17.5 inch corseted waist); and there's Japanese rope artists, Kinbaku, which will have you tangled up like a bull at a rodeo.
This list of illustrious pornstars, erotic artists and performers goes on...
Keep up to date on all the sexy ongoings on the Sexhibition Media Wall - see here
Sukki SingaporaThe Sexhibition Expo is going all out. Over two days it will illuminate the 28,000 sq ft Event City space (more used to caravan expos and wedding events) with retailers, performances, parties, classes, 'porn star meet and greets' and talks from 10am until late.
I'm told, by founder Cheryl Smith, that the decadence and debauchery will develop into the night as their partner, Manchester's arm of Killing Kittens 'sex parties', kicks in. She also claims there's something for both the tame and the wild.
Smith is a flame-haired fox, with a Jessica Rabbit pout and a sultry 1950s dress sense. She's a marketer who also runs a few fetish clubs (more of 'the hard-core stuff' - she doesn't scare me with details), and has got sex-positivity on the brain. The aim, she says, is to uplift women.
But is Manchester ready for Sexhibition?
How will the Sexhibition Expo play out?
Cheryl: "Friday will be a networking industry event, for adult stars, manufacturers and journalists. The Saturday opens up to the public for workshops and classes, so we'll have everything from ‘bondage for beginners’ and 'sense play' which encourages people to use furs and ice. Then we have Japanese rope bondage called Kinbaku – it’s beautiful, part of the shibaru family, and an artform in itself. It almost brings out Yoga-type feelings, a stillness..."
KinbakuHow are you going to manage to fill the entire Event City space with sex?
"(Laughs) We’ve got the whole four rooms. It will be blacked out, with black carpets so it won’t look like a regular exhibition warehouse. They’ll be a huge expo element, lingerie and sex toy retailers, erotic art, everybody who’s anybody in the erotic world will be there. There's so much. Plus anything you can think of to purchase - even erotic furniture…
What on earth is erotic furniture?
"We’re actually working with Den Living in the Northern Quarter, they’ve introduced an erotic range which is all wrought-iron. You could have it in your house and you wouldn’t know what it’s for; but in fact there’s attachment points on it, bits so your heels won’t go through the fabric. Practicality and sexuality."
Any class recommendations for a Sexhibition first-timer?
"Attend one of the burlesque classes; it's all about gaining confidence, you can learn how to striptease for your partner and there's a big glamour puss class.
What would you say to someone hesistant about attending?
"Everyone there is going to be in the same boat. It’s a completely safe environment – you’re at Event City not down some side-street. It’s as wholesome as you can get for this sort of event."
There's an 'After Dark' segment - what does that entail?
"It starts at 7:30pm, we have a two hour close down period. 'After Dark' will begin with the burlesque supperclub, which will welcome Sukki Singapora - a huge burlesque performer - and other big names. Then we’ll have five-star dining. That goes all the way through to the Torture Garden for our evening event. That’s something a little bit more risque as the evening progresses and inhibitions fall…"
When you say fetishes... what exactly do you mean?
"We have our fetish club, so if you feel like exploring your own ‘Red Room’ or having your own 50 Shades Of Grey experience then there’s a little bit of an adventure there. The fetish club is different to the event and will have equipment in that you may have not seen before - lots to explore. We’ve got a cinema too, with avant-garde artists who create these beautiful videos without being out-and-out pornography.
"I like to think with everything we’ve done we’re treading the line carefully, we’re arty and accessible without being triple X."
Morgana is performingHow will you separate the tamer events from the wild?
"The arena is segmented in different areas so you can be as involved as you want to be – so if you want to walk around and discover new things to try with your partner and keep it on the tame side of things then you can. If you want to go hell for leather and go all the way through to our Killing Kittens after party, then do. "
Is there something for everyone?
"I think anybody who’s open and curious about their sexuality should attend. It’s a very female positive environment. Apart from two men, the majority of our team is female."
Are people less prudish these days?
"If you look at Ann Summers, run by an amazing woman and created for women, and compare that to previous generations when sex toys were sold to people down side streets - you can see how far we've come. Now you can walk into any of these high-street retailers and get what you want. Combined with 50 Shades and Killing Kittens – which is again about female sexuality - we’re moving in a direction where women are empowered, in control, saying what they want and we’re a great example of that."
What's helped push sex positivity in the right direction? Surely not just 50 Shades?
"I think there’s the argument that 50 Shades encouraged people to try bondage the wrong way. There’s certainly elements in the book, like the cable ties, which may be a bit dangerous, but it certainly got people talking. It’s got people experimenting.
"In the end, it’s about having a bit of fun, sex should be fun."
Visit the Sexhibition website here
(Top image courtesy of myboudoir.co.uk)
TICKETS: General admission £12, VIP £33. Workshops from £5 (see here)
Here's more performers attending...
