Beyond Bootblacking: Building a Bootblack Scene with Shedao

A hands-on class for those familiar with leather care and bootblacking, put those skills to sexy use! In this class we will talk about what types of scenes can be made, how to incorporate other play into the scene, and any safety considerations surrounding leather care and play. Will include a short demo and time to practice what you learned. Bring your boot blacking kit and a partner with shine-able wearables. Kit recommendations include:

1. dauber brush
2. glycerin soap
3. spray bottle of water
4. wax polish (matching the color of the leather you are caring for)
5. shoe brushes
6. shoe grease
7. moisturizing skin oil (optional)

Items to bring to the class can include any shinable wearables, but can just be your own bodies as one of the things the instructor will demonstrate is how to craft a leather care scene with just limbs as the focus.

Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Where:

The exact venue address will be sent to ticket holders only for privacy and safety reasons, but it is in SoMa. For planning purposes it is a 10 minute walk from the UN Plaza/Civic Center BART station.

Tickets:

Presale tickets are recommended to save money and secure your spot. If you haven’t been to Stopgap before, you must buy a presale ticket to receive the venue address. If you have been to Stopgap before, you have the option of purchasing a ticket at the door.

1. Tickets are $45 in advance, or $60 at the door. Ticket fees are used to support the instructors and the venue and includes all fees & taxes.
2. No Refunds. All sales are Final.
3. Ticket transfers may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis & may incur a $5 transfer fee per ticket. Please email us at praxium@afterdark-sf.com to transfer your ticket.

About the Instructor

Shedao (@Shedao, they/them) is a Pan, Polyam, Switch and a 11-year veteran of the kink and Leather scene. They have spent their life around leather care having served in the military for 12 years and being in JROTC before that. They were introduced to bootblacking early in their journey in the community and haven’t looked back since. They have an abiding love for making sure everyone is welcomed, has their needs met, and that their voices are heard. They have taught numerous bootblacking classes and was one of the Northwest Leather Celebration 2024 Bootblack judges. Shedao is an advocate for consent within kink and has voluntarily committed to the Kink Educators Code of Conduct. You can find them on Fetlife, Facebook, and Instagram under the name Shedao.

About Praxium

Praxium is a center for kink and sex-positive education, dedicated to building community and expanding knowledge. We honor the rich traditions of the queer leather and kink communities while striving to create a more inclusive, consent-driven culture.

We provide high-quality education - both foundational and advanced - that empowers individuals to explore, play, and connect with confidence and agency. We believe in fostering spaces that support learning, curiosity, and personal growth.

Whether you're new to kink or a seasoned player, Praxium offers opportunities to expand your knowledge, refine your skills, and engage with a thriving community. Reach out to learn more about our classes or how to collaborate with us by emailing us at praxium@afterdark-sf.com