On
June 23-25, 2005, I had the chance to attend the glamorous and
sexy adult entertainment industry convention called Erotica-LA.
And although I've been to other conventions and sampled other
gatherings, this one was unique for me.
It was held at the Los Angeles Convention center, and this girl
has never been to LA, so that was an adventure in itself. Sunset
Boulevard. Beverly Hills. Santa Monica Boulevard. The true La-la-land.
I finally made it to Hollywood, and -- wouldn't you know it
-- my journey there was connected to the adult entertainment
industry. There's a strange twist of fate there, you know...
At any rate, I can tell you: this convention had over 250 exhibitors,
live entertainment, lots and lots of celebrities, live music,
seminars, a display by the
Erotic Museum, and a fabulous art gallery. And it was not
focused on just one aspect of the marketplace -- there was a
"Romantic" marketplace, a "Gay" marketplace, and an "X-Rated"
marketplace. Each area was well designed and filled with booths
and presenters who were articulate and educated and eager to
share information on their product or service.
Oh, did I mention you could do a little shopping there, too?
But a word to the wise -- unlike some other shows, this convention
made it expressly clear that nudity and sexual activity were
strictly prohibited on the show floor at all times. And I was
surprised but pleased when I read that a portion of the proceeds
from Erotica-LA would benefit the Free
Speech Coalition Legal Defense Fund, AIM-Med
(Adult Industry Medical Testing) and VIAAC
(Video Industry AIDS Action Committee). It was a completely
non-profit show! Well, except for the vendors, I think, but
who knows -- maybe they were in on the act, too!
First, though, we walked around to get the feel of the crowd
and the vendors. We moved almost immediately into an area that
was a gallery,
with artistic, erotic pieces by many different artists in almost
every medium. There were paintings, photographs, sculptures,
cast-iron
statues - if you could dream it, it was there. The show
was enormous, but this initial area was designed in such a way
as to give you a few moments to savor the pieces, to delight
in whatever you found in the image on the canvas/paper/stand.
I saw so many pieces I would've loved to have in my personal
collection, but let's face it -- I have Filet Mignon taste on
a Hamburger Helper budget!
After you get your moment of Zen in the artistic area, you move
along into the vendor/display area. Let me tell you about some
of the seminars they were offering throughout the run of the
show, though, and this is just a short, varied sampling: A Practical
Guide to Striptease presented by Miyoko Fujimori, The Power
of Seduction by Dr. Ava Cadell, Understanding Sex Addiction
presented by Dr. Etkes, Safe Sex Tips Presented by Dr. Sharon
Mitchell, and the Art of Sensual Touch by Dr. Patti Britton.
These were powerful names giving real, practical advice and
information regarding their specialties, and were worth the
additional effort it took to register for them ahead of time.
Also going on throughout the show were stage specialties, like
the Naughty School Girl dance performance, La Bare Hollywood
All Male Dance Review, Erotic Fashion shows, Foreplay Fashion
shows, and the Love, Latex & Leather Fashion show, Hip Hop Showcase,
and an exotic dancer showdown, with an amateur exotic dancer
showcase thrown in between the semis and the finals, just to
give you more eye candy.
It was nice, because each of the different marketplaces were
represented in the shows, as well. There were two huge stages
(and do I have to even bother mentioning the enormous sound
systems that went along with them) on either side of the show,
and it seemed like there was always something happening or just
about to start. Entertainment was also very present at each
of the booths, as is the norm for these events. This was especially
true for the Wicked
women, and Jenna Jameson, who was on hand promoting her Club
Jenna industry and signing copies of her book How To
Make Love Like A Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale. Look for
our upcoming review of this best-seller!
We stopped by the RodneyMoore.com
booth because I just HAD to have a t-shirt that proudly states
"I Swallow." Besides, the
gals were very cute, and we know I can't resist a gorgeous
babe. There were, of course, all kinds of booths selling sexual
aides -- I mean aids, like the Double
Cobra. I laughed, and then I cried looking at that thing.
Then we dropped by the Tasty
Wear Booth, and they must've liked my
review, 'cause they were using it as part of their press
package -- hey -- thanks guys! I'm flattered! They gave me a
deal on another set of their cute panties, and then I noticed
they were sharing booth space with Pastease,
whom I also mentioned in the Tasty Wear review. They were interested
in us reviewing them, and so they were generous enough offer
a product or two for sampling. So watch for another review here,
soon.
As you can tell by some of these photos, there were a lot of
vendors on hand, ready to sell you just about anything you wanted.
Sex toys, clothing, erotic clothing, t-shirts with nasty sayings,
chain mail, books, make-up, nipple rings, free piercing with
a purchase of a belly ring, glass
dildos by Phallix (but we're bringing you a review soon
of a company called Xhale with some GREAT glass dildos), a hot
hot hot Niko
from Playgirl Home Video, and, as always -- and, very oddly
to me, the obligatory "hot
car" showcase. I never understand why these two things seem
to go together -- adult entertainment and odd/tricked-out cars
and motorcycles, but it seems to be a staple showcase at every
show, so I'll just stop and say "ooooh" and "aaaah."
Next we visited Tittie
Pretties, and I'll be showing you some of their stuff in
just a little while. Then we were off to Chains
Reaction, a sexy, chain-mail type of metallic erotic clothing.
Want to buy your own Stripper's pole to put in your living room?
PartyPole
was there offering you your own slice of paradise for your home
or boat or wherever. The Lifestyles Conventions group was well-represented,
by a pretty lady in pink letting everyone know about the huge
upcoming party in Vegas. I just had to get some of that... Oh,
it's hard work, I tell ya.
Next we visited a booth that offered sheets. Sheets for your
bed. Big deal, right? These sheets, called Sheets
Gone Wild, were covered in all the different sexual positions
in the world, and in case you couldn't think of anything spontaneous
to try, all you had to do was look down and you could get inspired
by one of the positions on the sheets. There was the Ultimate
Love Machine, which I tried out (but we can't show you that!!)
to the enjoyment of many of the attendees. I think I was popular
for a minute or three. But I was working -- really!
I hope to bring you more information about the little numbers
from Mi-Su Designs. They're a
dildo, a plug, they're whatever you need and more. Cool
metal with a smooth feel and lovely heft to them, these little
pieces promise to be a parcel of playtime heaven. They also
offer a nice range of cockrings
that we'll be telling you about later. I also got to handle
this
little number, the CB-3000
from the makers of the infamous Curve
-- the gold standard in erotic male infibulation.
Speaking of cockrings, our friends Gear
Essentials were there with their latest innovation -- and
we promise to tell you all about that soon, too!! If you check
out this
photo, something tells me this fan doesn't need a ring to
stay hard...but he should wear one anyway. Just to enhance his
experience!
It happens from time to time that people mistake me for some
of the talent that seems to be floating around. I suppose any
woman there could be potential talent, right? But it's flattering
when someone comes up and asks
for my photo. And then I see what these ladies have to wear
to a show -- look at those shoes! I'd be dead in half an hour.
But I love the raw, "eat you alive" sexuality of the
woman with the Mohawk. I'd worship at her feet anytime.
Miyoko
Fujimori, the former Playboy TV host turned author and entrepreneur,
was on hand signing her new book and toys from her new company,
Indulge Party. If you recall, she was also giving seminars every
day on how to striptease for your partner.
Clothes, toys, DVDs, makeup, artwork, the Erotic Museum, JT's
Stockroom...there was so much on hand, it took 8 hours to get
once around the room. And now I brought back so much to share
with you readers, I'll be working non-stop for the next six
months! If you can make it to this show in the future, it's
definitely one worth the fee and the time. You find treasures,
delights, beauty, handsomeness, sexuality, sensuality, eroticism
and lust around each and every corner. And it's in LA, so that
brief side-trip to Trashy
Lingerie makes the trip oh-so-worth-it!
I'll be back at this show for sure. Maybe I should start practicing
with those shoes now...
• EROTICA / ZINE
