 "Photo: Photo courtesy of EXTRAVAGASM")
This weekend’s activities encourage you to take a walk on the wild side.
For the kink inside every one of us comes the annual Sinsations Erotic Carnival and Extravagasm Fantasy Ball.
Presented by Austin’s own Forbidden Fruit, the Extravagasm Fantasy Ball is a fetish, fantasy masquerade. Wear your sexiest outfits, dress up as your kinkiest fantasy — this ball is supporting Austin’s sex-friendly businesses and artists and is all about making your sexual fantasies a reality.
“We try to create a playful atmosphere where people can not only explore their fantasies, but sometimes actually act them out,” said Extravagasm founder and producer Lynn Raridon.
The ball is nationally recognized as a hedonistic event and is full of performances by burlesque mistresses, belly dancers, fire twirlers and silk aerialist Mercy Killings. Now in its eighth year, this year’s ball is themed “Erotic Renaissance.”
“Nowhere else in Texas will you experience so much fun, see so much beauty and get so turned on as at this year’s Extravagasm,” said Miss Sophie, a performer.
Miss Sophie is showcasing at the ball this year with the Austin-based Brass Ovaries Pole Dancers, the only pole-dancing troupe in the U.S. While the group usually teaches private pole dancing classes, members will put on group and solo pole dances as well as aerial hoop acrobatics for public pleasure. In addition to being veteran performers at many Austin venues, the group has been filmed by MTV, HBO, National Geographic and has appeared on Jerry Springer.
“People should expect to get loose, dance and see some incredible performances by Austin’s premiere acrobats and burlesque performers!” Miss Sophie said.
While you’re watching, grab a bite of Naughty Cake, experiment with body painting, enter in the kinkiest and best dressed costume contests, enter in for a door prize, try out some play piercings, get your fortune read, get your fantasy photo taken or just get loose and dance. For $25, you’re benefitting Austin charities The Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife and the Wolfdog Aid of Austin.
Don’t stop your kinky fantasies there, and don’t be fooled by the name. The Erotic Carnival is anything but your typical Ferris wheel and funnel cake gig. Put on by Sinsations, a local adult and lingerie store, you should forget winning teddy bears at the Whack-a-Mole. Instead, think penis ring toss and vaginal ping-pong when you head over to The Scoot Inn and Bier Garten on East Fourth Street this Saturday.
And be sure to dress for the occasion — kinky and sexual dress is encouraged. Fish out your fishnets and find the bustier.
“It gets pretty nutty at the carnival — no pun intended,” said Greg Lewis, member of Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five, who will be performing at the carnival.
For attendees’ additional pleasure, Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five will be performing. Made up of Lewis on vocals/guitar, James Sheeran on drums, Danny Dervish on bass, Rob Metcalfe on guitar/percussion, Phil Howard on keyboards/percussion and James Bonura on saxophone/flute, the band is returning to the carnival to play fan favorites like “My Girl, Suicide” and “Tuesday’s the New Monday.” Even if you’re not familiar with the band’s hits, listen in for music that celebrates the negatives in life, full of gloomy lyrics over old world music.
“We played last year and had the time of our lives,” Lewis said.
The Skeletons will also bring their dark Americana rock sound to the event. The band rocks a vintage sound complete with tremolo guitar sounds and slap bass. Listen for their song written in tribute to the late Johnny Cash, check out their album “Suerte” put out last October and be on the lookout for their second album coming out early next month.
“We’ve got cool lyrics and cool guitar riffs that I’m not sure a lot of bands are using,” said Jeremiah Ingram, guitarist and vocalist for The Skeletons. “I mean, it’s basic stuff, but that sort of thing gets looked over a lot.”
Best of all, the price you pay for tickets will benefit local charities, including an Austin-based AIDS fund.
“We like the people that are putting it on; the proceeds are going to benefit local charities, and I heard that there are going to be half-naked girls, so it worked out perfectly,” Ingram said.
Whatever your kinkiest fantasy, whatever your sexual style, everyone is sure to have a blast with this weekend’s erotic treats.
“Who couldn’t use a little kink? And besides, it’s our pleasure to warm you up for Halloween,” Miss Sophie said.
Forbidden Fruit Presents: Extravagasm Fantasy Ball
When: Friday, 9 p.m.
Where: Club Mixx, 612 E. Sixth Street
Who: 21+
Tickets: $25, available at Forbidden Fruit locations (512 Neches and 108 E. North Loop) and at the door of the event
MORE INFO: extravagasm.com
Sinsations Erotic Carnival
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: The Scoot Inn and Bier Garten, 1308 E. Fourth Street
Who: 18+
Tickets: $15 for 21+, $20 for under 21
More info: sinsationseroticcarnival.com
