Bawdy Storytelling's 'Kinkfest Kickoff!' (Portland, OR, 4/17/25)
- Curious Comedy Theater5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdPortland
- Thursday, Apr 17th8 PM - 10:30 PM PDT
- 63 people on the list
- Organized by Bawdy Storytelling
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Curious Comedy Theater
5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97211
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Doors & Bang-O at 7:00 PM
Bawdy Storytelling starts at 8:00 PM
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Are you ready for a ★★★★★ Start to K!nkFest weekend?
This Evening of curated True - & NSFW! - Stories & Songs features:
❤ Author, Artist & 'SuperNova of Kink' Midori
❤ Award-winning certified Sexologist Marla Renee Stewart
❤ Gender Explorer/Erotic Authenticity Educator Lee Harrington
❤ Gleeful Sadist & Queer Kinkster MxBliss
❤ Music by Australian Phenom Grant Busé
❤ Hosted by Sexual Folklorist Dixie De La Tour
❤ More Storytellers to come. Stay Tuned...
❤ Play Bang-O & WIN Stellar Prizes - just for making new friends
❤ Custom Bawdy Cocktails that sound Dirty - but taste Delicious!
❤ A connected evening of S3x-Positive Community and NSFW Storytelling, Live & In-Person
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"The Moth for Pervs" - LA Weekly
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Listen to the Bawdy Storytelling podcast at
(or wherever you listen to Podcasts)
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Bawdy Storytelling (‘The Moth for Pervs” - LA Weekly) features True Tales of Carnal Wins & Epic Fails with No Scripts, No Nets, and No Holds Barred. These folks aren't reading from cue cards: this is honest-to-badness story time with real live sexcapades and poignant, transformational tales at each and every show. Sexual Folklorist Dixie De La Tour has been bringing the Nation’s Perverrati together on the Bawdy Storytelling stage for almost 18 Years, to tell their own infamously true tales of lust, love, k!nky collisions, gender redefinition, sexual identity, life-changing hook-ups, educational one-night stands & everything in between.
Hey, you may even go home with a few new tricks for your boudoir arsenal!
P.S. We’re always the Best Date in Town, but you don't need a date to be part of this. Our community of Weirdos (the good kind) are welcoming and inclusive...you may not know it yet, but you're already #OneOfUs
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Performer Bios:
❤ Trailblazing educator, sexologist, artist, and irritant to banality, Midori founded Rope Dojo and ForteFemme: Women's Dominance Intensive. She penned the first English instruction book on Shibari titled, "Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage" in 2001, paving the way to the popularity of rope. Dan Savage calls her the "Super Nova of Kink," while others affectionately call her Auntie Midori for her cool, tell-it-like-it-is, funny, reality-based teaching. She is also the author of "Wild Side Sex," "Master Han's Daughter," and "Silk Threads.” She also does Creative Living Coaching and Private Sexological Consultations, and has the BEST Patreon in existence.
And do you know about Midori's infamous Forté Femme intensives?
https://www.fortefemme.com/
Midori’s Links:
You can learn, laugh and enjoy her special online classes, events and art at www.patreon.com/PlanetMidori
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planetmidori/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidoriReallyMidori
Creative Living Coaching and Private Sexological Consultations: ask@planetmidori.com
- Classes, articles, art, events - currently all on www.patreon.com/planetmidori
- FetLife: Midori
- IG: @PlanetMidori
- Twitter: @PlanetMidori
- FaceBook: @MidoriReallyMidori
❤ Lee Harrington (he/they) is a spiritual and erotic authenticity educator, gender explorer, eclectic artist, and award-winning author and editor on erotic and sacred experience. He brings a combination of playful engagement and thoughtful academic dialogue to a broad audience, and believes we are each beautifully complex ecosystems who deserve to examine the human experience from that lens.
Beginning as a peer sex educator in his teens, and occasionally teaching relationship and kinky sexuality courses from the late nineties through 2003, Lee transitioned out of the non-profit world into this adventure with uncertainty, followed by excitement. Since then, Lee has had the opportunity to teach at universities, sexuality conferences, and within alternate sexuality communities across the United States (in all 50 states), Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. He has taught over 1100 classes to date (with more being set all the time) ranging in topics from gender paradigms to accessible medical care, effective teaching skills to erotic authenticity, embodied rope bondage to sex magic, relationship communication tools to dominant/submissive power exchange within culture at large.
Lee believes in providing educational experiences in the interstitial space where adult sexuality, personal integrity, and spiritual exploration come together. They have also had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker for five conferences on the topics of inter-community intersections, imposter syndrome in queer identity, forgiveness and healing for kink communities, harnessing our own courage, and meeting the needs of community leaders. As an educator he has developed a reputation for helping individuals find and explore the path that is right for them, while as a consultant he has supported a variety of researchers, therapists, and other professionals to find ways to communicate their work to their clients or the world at large.
This calling to educating in an accessible manner has led to his prolific writings on the topics of sexuality, gender identity, erotic restraint, community dynamics, alternative relationships, kink, spirituality, and sacred sex. He is the only author to win the Geoff Mains award for excellence in nonfiction sexuality writing on three separate occasions, and a number of his works have become staples for reference and recommendation within their respective communities. Lee currently has eight books in publication, as well as editing two non-fiction anthologies, doing book introductions for three works, and writing extensively for anthologies, magazines, online publications, and fiction collections.
His non-fiction books include:
- Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Realities
- Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macramé
- Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond
- Playing Well With Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring and Navigating the Kink, Leather and BDSM Communities (co-written with the talented Mollena Williams)
- More Shibari You Can Use: Passionate Rope Bondage and Intimate Connection
- The Toybag Guide to Ageplay
- Become Your Own Beloved: A Guide to Delighting In Self Connection
In addition to his writing and teaching, Lee has been the host of the Passion And Soul Podcast that has run since January 2011, covering topics on the intersection of sacred sex, kink, and life exploration as a multifaceted soul. He has also been an invited guest on numerous other podcasts and radio shows as well, and loves reaching a variety of folks through this fantastic media. His blog, running since 1998, is a wonderful place to explore his writings and other material, though much of the blog and other resources are now available on his Patreon and bi-monthly newsletter. Patreon supporters also have access to weekly resources, patron-only classes, the audio book for “Sacred Kink,” product and event discounts, and more.
When not teaching, touring, blogging, writing, podcasting, or appearing in video, Lee is also a performance artist, shamanic practitioner, tarot/oracle reader, and sacred sex ritualist. He has performed on stage at L’Erotica (Sydney), Femina Potens (San Francisco), New Zealand Fetish Ball (Christchurch), Torture Garden (London), ShibariCon (Chicago), Darkside Club (Berlin), KinkFest (Portland), and more. As a spirit worker, shamanic practitioner and ritualist, he has offered private exploration intensives, done individual rites (such as officiating weddings and collaring ceremonies), created unique experiences, and offered professional domination. These all tie into his published and gallery-show work as a photographer, his internationally shown biographical one-performer show “Creature on a Quest,” and his published poetry collection On Starry Thighs: Sacred and Sensual Poetry.
Lee was not planning to end up living the life he has today, but life is full of miraculous twists and turns. Beautiful gifts, they find, are often wrapped in unexpected packages. We each follow our passion and our soul. He has done that, and hopes to help open up the doorway for people doing that for themselves and the world at large.
For those that want a smile: Lee collects antique keys, bandanas, sacred doodads, and good friends in his spare time between bouts of changing the world. And know what? You can change the world too.
To learn more about Lee’s mission, the communities he centers in supporting, and ways to support his work, visit https://www.passionandsoul.com/
❤ Marla Renee Stewart, MA (she/her) is a 3x award-winning certified sexologist, sexual strategist, intimacy/relationship/sex coach, educator, speaker, and author. She is the owner of Velvet Lips, a sexuality education company that focuses on people to help them integrate seduction, develop their communication abilities, and enhance their sex skills. As a faculty member at Clayton State University, she teaches Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. As the Co-Founder of the Sex Down South Conference, Marla aims to bring diverse groups together to learn and share their experiences in the essence of being authentic and fostering sexual liberation across communities.
She currently runs two programs; the MEE program for people who want to have better relationships with themselves and with their lovers and the Sexcessful Business Coaching program to help business owners in erotic industries move their businesses past six figures.
Marla has studied human sexuality for over 22 years, has educated over 20,000 people in over 15 years, given over 1000 workshops, and has served hundreds of clients in her private practice, all around the world. She has had her influence in the media, as well; she has written over 200 articles, featured in over 100 magazines and books, and has been on over 80 podcasts and independent television shows. She was featured on Netflix’s Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, VH1's Love & HipHop Atlanta, and has filmed as a sex expert for many more reality shows. In addition, she also sits on the Board for American Association of Somatic Sexology.
Her educational background is also robust. She received her BA in Psychology and minored in Human Sexuality/LGBT Studies from San Francisco State University. She gained her Masters Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Gender and Sexuality, while studying for Women’s & Gender Studies certification at Georgia State University. She is currently in pursuit of her PhD in Clinical Sexology from the Modern Sex Therapy Institute.
She co-wrote her first book, The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay (2020) with Dr. Jessica O’Reilly and wrote a chapter and co-edited An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy, released December 2021. She is now working on research and curriculum featuring Black kink studies and is also working on a book, Black Feminine Dominance (working title).
❤ MxBliss is a gleeful sadist, sensation empath, consent enthusiast, rope switch, self-suspender, and quinkster (queer kinkster). As an older, queer, femme-presenting POC who didn’t initially feel welcome in the shibari community, she is committed to democratizing rope and making it accessible to all bodies. She uses rope to help build connection and as a medium to see and hear one another. She has a JD, MBA and over 25 years of experience as an attorney. Through her legal career, she practiced in social justice, estate planning, and business advising to companies big and small. She also served as general counsel and safety officer to one of the biggest brands in adult entertainment. Bliss is now helping creators, fellow SW’ers, and producers of adult content protect their businesses and their privacy as President of CollabCampfire. As the owner of Legally Bound Group she is helping families with estate planning needs and representing sex-and kink-friendly business. She is an attorney, dominance/executive coach, bondage performance artist, and BDSM educator. Mx Bliss presents on a wide range of topics but especially loves talking about rope bondage, the law, and sharing information so fellow kinksters can live their best lives.
Fetlife: MxBliss
IG: mx_bliss
email: bliss@boundbliss.com
❤ Australia’s Grant Busé is a master of mischief, and his unique blend of music and comedy has seduced audiences across the globe. With his sly antics, clever songwriting, and razor-sharp wit, he’s been hailed as “a full package of rockstar comedy entertainment” by Broadway Baby.
Grant's original shows have taken him to over 30 festivals in 9 countries, where he’s left a trail of critical acclaim and sell-out performances in his wake. His provocative hip-hop show about adult sex education, The Birds and The Beats, was named one of the top 10 must-see comedy acts at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Grant’s daring approach to comedy has earned him nominations for 'Best Cabaret' and 'Best Comedy' at Fringe World Festival, along with winning ‘Best Cabaret’ at the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Awards.
But Grant's talents don’t stop at the stage. He’s been up to all sorts of mischief in musical theatre, film, TV, and radio, including a recurring role on the iconic Australian soap Neighbours. In 2020, he turned up the heat with a series of short films and music videos that set international film festivals ablaze, with Clean My House winning Best Comedy at the Rome Music Video Awards, GELOS Comedy Film Fest, and LA Music Video Awards. His directorial debut in 2021, Breaking Up With Corona, snagged Best Rom-Com Micro Film at the Portland Comedy Film Festival and Best Micro Comedy at Best Short Fest.
Whether he’s wooing audiences with his musical prowess or making them blush with his quick wit, Grant Busé is all about pushing boundaries and exploring the playful side of comedy and entertainment. Strap in or strap on and enjoy the wild ride.
★★★★★
“His voice is as impressive as his hair” - Edinburgh Evening News (UK)
★★★★★
“Juices fully flowing, and some of them were even dripping” Gonzo Mag
★★★★★
“Ingenious comedy music…will make you laugh ’til you cry” Tulpa Magazine (AUS)
★★★★★
“A one-man Australian version of Flight of The Conchords” - List
❤ Dixie De La Tour is a sexual folklorist, professional storyteller, podcaster, teacher, storytelling coach, community builder and most of all, a facilitator. She is also the Founder, Curator & Host of the Award-winning storytelling series, Bawdy Storytelling (“The Moth for Pervs” - LA Weekly, “The Original Sex and Storytelling series” - Playgirl) that’s been lauded for its transformational, relatable, empowering performances. Dixie has been a featured storyteller for Risk!, the National Storytelling Conference, has emcee'd Leather and Sexuality Events and Conferences, and in addition to story and public speaking coaching for her own Bawdy series, she story-coaches for events such as TEDx, Women in Technology, and offers How to Be Fascinating: Dixie's Secret System for Brilliant Storytelling and How to Be Bawdy: Dixie’s Secret System for Uncensored Storytelling.
Ultimately, this story-loving southerner is passionate about storytelling’s ability to keep people safe, reduce social anxiety and connect us with strangers. Dixie has also been Sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (“Saint Kiss & Make You Tell”) for her work to reduce stigma and eliminate shame, and in her free time, she enjoys being a Muppet.
Discover more about Dixie De La Tour and Bawdy Storytelling at :
Join Us on Bawdy Storytelling's Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/bawdy
on Facebook.com/BawdyStorytelling,
on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bawdystorytelling/
on Twitter at @Bawdy and always at
on our website: www.BawdyStorytelling.com
Remember, Stories help you find your people!
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• earlyPerv Seating means 6:30 Admission; pick your seats, order food and cocktails, and get your Bang-O card started with other Early Arrivals!
• General Admission seating is first come, first served. We recommend you arrive by 7:30 for best seating
• No Refunds, but Tickets are Transferable
• Lineup Subject to Change
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Want more Bawdy Storytelling?
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