Basically the workshop is an ultra-condensed form of a type of massage developed by the Body Electric School, which has been exploring new avenues of eroticism and intimacy for almost two decades. It combines breathwork (on the part of the receiver) and a sequence of erotic massage techniques which stimulate erotic energy but don’t expend it in ejaculation. The result is often a heightened erotic state some people call a “full body orgasm,” which can go on for many minutes and can lead to all kinds of ecstasies, insights, and even spiritual experiences.

In the Body Electric workshops, these techniques are learned over a two-day weekend workshop which explores intimacy, eroticism, and personal growth. On the playa, we’ve got two hours. So, we learn a shortened version just of the massage part, and change the rules a little bit: partners just work on one another, and the massage is a bit shorter. However, as past participants can tell you (and hopefully will in the comments!), the workshops are incredibly powerful, hot (in all senses of the word…), and, for some, deeply healing and transformative. A lot of guys who have done the Burning Man workshop have gone on to do Body Electric, and integrated these new forms of eroticism into their own lives.

A few guiding principles if you’re thinking of coming to the workshop:

- Givers of massage may be of any sex, receivers must have a penis. (One of the most powerful parts of this workshop is how gay, straight, & everyone else share erotic space together.)

- You can come with a partner or try your luck at the workshop. Usually, about a dozen people come partnerless to each workshop, so you’ll do ok. BTW, you’ll find it really doesn’t matter whether the person you’re working on/ who’s working on you is “your type” or not. Some of the best and deepest massages come from, or are given to, people you might not ordinarily hook up with. That’s part of the learning.

- The only contact between partners is the massage. This isn’t sex. The giver of massage is not getting stimulated; it’s all about the receiver. (That said, giving can be even hotter and more powerful than receiving.)

- There is no contact between participants other than the massage. This isn’t group sex — other workshops are! Boundaries are maintained and respected. We even ask that givers not look around the room — receivers can feel it when you’re not tuned in.

- Yes, sometimes people spooge, and that’s okay. It’s not the point but it happens. Yes, the workshop involves 40-80 people naked and hard. No, spectators are not allowed. No cameras either (duh).

- Bring a towel and WetOnes for optimal pleasure. Pee ahead of time. Some people like to be blindfolded – bring a bandana or blindfold if you like.

- Last year we had a line around the block a full hour before the workshop started. So, come early!

- Unfortunately, we don’t have time to do two full workshops, so you’ll either give or receive, but not both. Both are hot – trust us.

- Hygiene is also respected. Teachers/assistants Purell their hands between working on participants. The workshop doesn’t work on feet, or butts. And maybe you’ll bring some breath mints to gift to participants?

So – there’s some stuff. See you Thursday at 2 or Friday at 1!

This Wednesday, August 18th, join us for a special preview of Comfort & Joy’s NEW blacklight art for Burning Man 2010 @ the Lone Star Saloon’s “Gloworm” party in SOMA, San Francisco.

For more information see www.visualsby3.com

“Miss Know Talent” Pagent Winning Performance (NSFW) from Kitten Calfee on Vimeo.

Kale Maerie Soup won the title “Miss Comfort & Joy Miss Know Talent 2010″ with this fierce performance on a warm night in March.

This faerie fundraiser pageant was organized by Wingheart (President of the Church of Nomenus) on behalf of the Comfort & Joy Scholarship Committee in San Francisco. MC’d by Joan Crawford Texas. Video filmed by Ken Hodnett & Produced by Kitten Calfee.

This version of the video is a rough early edit & contains brief nonsexual nudity (NSFW).

For more information see www.playajoy.org

Raise a cup. Raise a Temple!

A beer bust fundraiser benefiting the 2010 Burning Man temple: The Temple of Flux
Facebook Event link: http://tinyurl.com/34tt69q

This Saturday, August 7th
3:00pm – 7:00pm

The Lone Star Saloon
1354 Harrison Street
SOMA, San Francisco, CA

p>

• All-you-can-drink Rolling Rock for $9
• Raffle to win dinner for two at the Temple of Flux on the playa
• Hot food on the patio
• Cool tunes by DJ Bearyoncé
• $1 Jell-o shots
• Groovy art
• Sexy people
• Special appearance by the Photoboof!
• More info: www.temple2010.org

Get on the Bus Queen! Yes, there’s a bus leaving from SF for Wolf Creek Sanctuary on the Monday after Ultra TOUCH – just in time for the Radical Faeries 2010 Summer Men’s Gathering! Cosponsored by Comfort & Joy + the church of Nomenus… only 14 seats available on a
first-cum-first-served basis. See this Webpage for ALL Bus + Men’s Gathering Information.

Are you seeing flashes of glitter, hearing the voices of drag queens, or experiencing radical queer tendencies? Then you may be coming down from the fabulosity that was Faetopia and the incredible week of programming that we showcased this Pride (on top of everything else you could do). Comfort & Joy welcomed thousands of people into the old Tower Records space, hosted dozens of events, workshops and screenings, and exposed fresh eyes to sexy, eclectic queer storefront theater.

Night after night, Aliens Cut My Hair showed that drag has no limits in this space-time continuum; it says something when even the original cast of the film was blown away by the show. “Gay Adults! Gay Adults! Where Are You?” was a huge success, showing many San Francisco queens a new path towards self-actualization. We hosted what was hailed as the most advanced Cunts For Fags workshop ever….and who knows can count how many tourists took their picture in front of our enchanting Faerie storefront museum? EcoHomo taught urban farming techniques and raised hundreds of dollars for Gulf Coast wildlife rescue. And, many Castro residents will not soon forget seeing a goat mama and her two babies strolling down the street.

What our burner/faerie community pulled off for faggots and queerdos this Pride is monumental! Nearly every newspaper in the city from the Chronicle to the Bay Times and SF Weekly to the Bay Guardian. We did all this the same week we also hosted a 600 person Afterglow fundraiser and cohosting the colorfully decorated Faerie Freedom Village. This was only possible thanks to the dozens of Comfort & Joy volunteers who step forward to lend a hand. Way to Glitter
Done girls!

And I know the question on all your minds (even as your head is still spinning from Pride) is ‘what’s next?’. Breathe the glitter in, cause we’re going deeper down the rabbit hole and our momentum is only building.

This Friday we have ULTRA TOUCH, one of Comfort & Joy’s last fundraisers before we head to Burning Man.

…featuring…
DJ BUS STATION JOHN + StuDlyCaPs
Pleasurebot Go-Go Performances
Tiki Bar + Indoor/Outdoor Jungle Smoking Lounge
boudoir DANCEFLOOR // PLAYSPACES GALORE
Luxuriously intimate private venue w/ multiple rooms
:: HOSTED by Seattle’s legendary ULTRA::

Also coming up next week is the 31^st annual Spirity’all Gathering of Radical Faeries (aka Men’s Gathering). Running from Sunday July 25^th to Sunday August 1^st at Wolf Creek Sanctuary in Southern Oregon. Come for any portion you can. Don’t miss this hot, sweaty, dirty faggot-filled event. Read the full call here. There are rideshares available, for information about rides or the gathering email zaxzaxlove@gmail.com.

And then, there’s Burning Man…