
Montreal Fetish Weekend 2011
Richard Knightly
The Montreal Fetish Weekend is many things, but one thing it’s not is… a weekend! 2010’s event stretched to six nights of amazing parties and dinners, all set in the heart of a friendly, atmospheric city that seems to welcome fetish with open arms. The hospitality of the locals is warm and genuine, and it’s this – combined with a very full schedule and an amazing line-up of events – that keeps the large, international crowd coming back year after year.
The event hotel (Les Gouverneurs) isn’t going to win any Condé Nast awards, but having everyone in one place is great and most importantly, it’s a 2 minute walk from the main venue. This is a theatre/cinema whose auditorium, minus the seats, provides a large, varied play and dance space arranged around a central stage. And it is surely the stage that is the spiritual heart of Montreal and its hard-working promoter, Eric Paradis. It’s especially worth mentioning the fashion show that took over the whole of the Friday night and featured some 30 designers and a multitude of models (of both sexes). It was a bold, creative venture that was a credit to its organiser Akina Oiszo, and one that showed you can create genuine variety within a multi-night fetish event.
In addition to the fashion show, there were two other nights at the main venue: the Latextacy Ball and the Night of Masks and Vampires, each with their own very different feel. The other nights included a welcome party, Club Sin (at its venerable downtown location), and a farewell dinner. Even the days were full, with a great range of workshops and probably the highlight of the whole week: the exhibitionist photo tour of Montreal. Fifty latex-clad exhibitionists and photographers set off from the hotel to wander around Montreal, creating havoc and art in equal measure. Montreal took us in its stride… and when that includes semi-naked latex-clad girls serving drinks in a coffee shop and handing out leaflets at the information booth, you know this is a city you’ll want to revisit.
The MFW has evolved over the years and matured into an ambitious, inclusive event that survives the occasional – and inevitable – rough edge, and succeeds in creating an atmosphere all of its own. In 2011, the event will cover a whole week – definitely a marathon rather than a sprint, but it will be quite an experience! As Eric points out: 7 years, 7 days, 7 sins – though if 2010 is anything to go by, I suspect there will be rather more than 7 sins taking place.
Another very welcome addition in 2011 is a Fetish Expo at the event hotel, which will provide a strong focal point for rendezvous during the daytime. Emma Alexa and I will definitely be there, and we hope to see you there too!
www.fetishweekend.com
www.richardknightly.com
Richard Knightly is a London-based fetish and fashion photographer who is also active in the international fetish clubbing scene.
Peter, if you would like to include more info on MFW 2011, Eric has passed me these details:
MAIN EVENTS :
Friday Sept 2nd KABARET KINK Fashion Gala
Saturday Sept 3rd LATEXTACY BALL Fetish Fantasy
Sunday Sept 4th A NIGHT OF MASKS Eyes Wide Shut
ACTIVITIES :
Tuesday Aug 30th A VISIT AT THE MUSEUM for the JP Gaultier Tribute exhibit
Wednesday Aug 31st WELCOME SUPPER . Night of 1001 Sins
Thursday Sept 1st CLUB SIN 7th Anniversary
Friday, Saturday & Sunday WORKSHOPS & EXPO
Sunday Sept 4th EXHIBITIONIST PHOTO TOUR
Monday Sept 5th FAREWELL COCKTAIL
Montreal by Night : After-Parties
Offered at a reduced pre-sale price of $150, VIP PASSES
include all events, activities, workshops and exclusive events
If you are going to be in the Montreal area you must attend and feed your fetish
TGIF
All Femdoms All Fetish