by Kirby Lindsay, posted 22 October 2012
'Seduction' at Fremont Studios on Oct 27th, 2012, offers a standard Halloween celebration, and then some! Photo by John Cornicello, from the 2011 'Seduction'
On October 27th, from 8p – 2a, ‘Seduction’ will entertain, inspire, and stimulate as a Halloween party far beyond the norm. “We’re really excited to bring it back this year,” acknowledged Clea Hersperger, Development Director for Seattle Erotic Art Festival, producers of ‘Seduction,’ “to enhance it, and to offer more to our patrons.”
Held at Fremont Studios, this year’s ‘Seduction’ offers adult party-goers (21+) all that they could wish… and some ‘tastes’ of things most people may have even considered, except maybe in their wildest fantasies.
An Adult Halloween Party, Plus
The first ‘Seduction’ in Fremont celebrated Halloween 2011, and roughly 1,500 people came to take part. According to Hersperger, the majority of attendees are in the 30+/- age range, but not all, and the organizers deliberately create a party that offers diversions for a variety of ages, and orientations. They want everyone to be comfortable in their play, and feel welcome. “For some people it is a dance party,” she acknowledged, “for some it’s people-watching, it’s the experience, it’s the socializing, it’s the art, it’s the performances…”
Big, loud Halloween parties, with ginormous costume contests and hectic dancing, can be found all over Seattle. “We want to be more than that,” Hersperger explained. At Fremont Studios, ‘Seduction’ offers the same as the other parties, but in an open, celebratory atmosphere that also provides opportunities to experiment.
Costumes, music, drinks, and art, art, art - at 'Seduction' Photo by Alison Douglas, from the 2011 'Seduction' at the Fremont Studios
“On our organizing team,” Hersperger explained, “we talk about the different installations.” The diversity of interests of team members reflects the diversity of interests among attendees, and the team challenges themselves to provide a variety of installations that create a richer experience for all. “We love the space,” Hersperger said, “Fremont Studios is a really amazing venue, and we want to think about every corner of every room,” and find a way to creatively use the space for the enjoyment of attendees.
The 2012 ‘Seduction’ Selections
At the 2011 'Seduction' at the Fremont Studios, showed art comes in many, many forms. Photo by Robert Fisher
- Music – in Studio A and Studio B, DJs will spin music, non-stop, for dancing, or listening
- Costume Contest – this will take place without interrupting the music (or dancing) with the contestant’s images projected on the walls. Three winners will be selected, to receive over $3,000 in prizes.
- Go-go Dancers – a professional troupe of male and female dancers (from TapTap GoGo) will perform on stage alongside the DJ, and on specially built platforms around the dance floors
- Food Truck/Smoking Area/Chill Space – to tend to more basic needs, an outdoor space (with heaters) will provide access to food for purchase, a smoking area (far from the front doors so late-comers won’t walk through a veil of fumes to enter,) and a comfy ‘chill’ space
- Ultraviolet Body Painting – the popular body paintings by Chelle Beautiful will be created again, this year models will be painted with blacklight reactive paints for more nuanced creations
'Feral', by Visioluxus, one of the pieces of visual art on display at 'Seduction' 2012
- Sensation City – an interactive installation provided by the Foundation for Sex Positive Culture (producers of the Seattle Erotic Art Festival,) where attendees can watch, or try out, sensual sensations available through electricity, wax, and/or rope. “The point is to get people to try new things,” explained Hersperger, “and to learn more about it.” For instance, ‘wax play’ now uses special candles melted at a lower temperature for dribbling on the skin, and peeling off. “Some people find it incredibly arousing,” Hersperger said, “and for some, it’s more just a curiosity.”
- Rope Bondage – Suspended Animation will create decorative rope bondage (a rope corset, or a rope glove encasing one arm) to enhance the costumes of attendees, as well as inventing a few artistic suspension exhibitions, with UV reactive ropes
- Beverages – There will be full bars, with beverages for purchase, and drink specials throughout the night
- Photo Booth – Attendees can choose to have their photo taken, first come/first served, and receive one photo for free
- Plus…the Art!
The Seattle Erotic Art Festival, Revisited
“It’s about celebrating,” Hersperger said of the Seattle Erotic Art Festival, and ‘Seduction,’ “and we want to welcome all kinds of attendees.” Seattle Erotic has built a very solid reputation, and “we have a strong brand recognition,” she acknowledged. The Festival has successfully expanded over its ten years, and now takes place over 10 days (tentatively scheduled, in 2013, for June 15th – 23rd.)
An art piece by Jessica Walker, one of the works on display at Seduction 2012
“It’s great to see that the brand is out there,” Hersperger observed, “we’ve sometimes looked at putting ‘International’ in the title.” Artists from all over the world now apply to be a part of the Seattle Festival, and a select number of Festival artists have been asked to display works at ‘Seduction.’ This year the party features double the amount of visual art from the 2011 ‘Seduction.’
The stunning 20 ft. tall and 40 ft wide steel cable spider web that impressed attendees at the 10th Annual Festival last June will return. Darker, sexy pieces have been selected for display at ‘Seduction,’ by artists including Jeff Hengst, Visioluxus, Jim Duvall, Jessica Walker, Jenna Colby, and John Santerineross. In addition, local muralist John Osgood will be doing a live painting – amidst the music, movement and mayhem of Studio B.
For those ready to see what ‘Seduction’ has to offer, regular tickets can be purchased for $40 for a single or $75 for two. “A perception people have is that we sell out,” Hersperger explained, “but that isn’t true.” No matter how many tickets are sold in advance, tickets will be available at the door – although those procrastinators may have to wait until someone inside leaves.
To be sure to enjoy the stunning, sensual delights of ‘Seduction,’ buy tickets today!
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.
