Review: Wotever Sex: Sex As Work, Working Sex

Aug
2011 21

Review: Wotever Sex: Sex As Work, Working Sex

Category: Manifesto, Performance, Portfolio
Tags: Ashley Ryder, Ingo, Jet Moon, Jonathan Kemp, QUIM, RVT, Seeing Red Project, Sex Workers Open University, Vikki Chalklin, Wotever Sex, X:Talk

Wotever Sex- Sex As Work, Working Sex

Steaming Hot!

And so to the fourth instalment of the Wotever Sex extravaganzas. With the RVT packed to capacity again, we lucky members of the audience were treated to, dare I say it, the best night so far! “Like rings on the water, spreading the word” (Ingo), performers, speakers and audience alike, got educated, empowered, inspired, and turned on in the most dynamic way. With eroticism, humour and positivity of the highest order, everyone could feel the heat and passion practically sparking around the venue.

First up was Luca, telling us about the Sex Workers Open University, an invaluable group for all sex workers. A place where we can “all fight together to fight for sex workers rights and safety”. Luca’s warm, witty, impassioned delivery was a big hit with the audience. The film he introduced, “Every Sex Worker I know” informed all who saw it. (And, for sure, he was as pretty as the other performers on the night!).

Following Luca, we had the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence giving a fantabulosa demonstration of hands-off condom application, the important work they do, as well as a song and dance routine that amused and enlivened the audience even more for what was to come. Bless them for continuing their sex education and flogging technique for some very privileged members of the audience during the breaks as well!

Jonathan Kemp and Ashley Ryder then gifted the audience a performance piece of beautiful, provocative, visceral, emotionally and sexually charged words and visuals. A sublime, filthy and powerful scene. The intensity and eroticism of what we both heard and saw, created an energy that seemed to flow back and forth between audience and performers. Jonathan Kemp and Ashley Ryder’s piece engaged and challenged the audience in a unique, and quite stunning, way. I felt privileged to have witnessed this artistic collaboration and connection. It was fucking hot.

Giving us a moment to catch our breath, Ava Caradonna and the women of Quim talked sex and learning. Ava Caradonna had the crowd thinking about language and sex, the importance of words when it comes to negotiation and consent. Which is why the X:Talk Project offers English lessons to migrant sex workers, and why you should volunteer to help if you can. With a historical account of dyke sex mag Quim, and how it came about, Sophie Moorcock and Lulu Belliveau offered us their funny anecdotes, charms and back copies. (Amazingly cheaper than they went for in 92!)

Seeing Red, by Johanna Samuelson and Anna Gibson, gave us art, of the blood and the erotic, for a rapt audience. This performance blended media and flowed red, encouraging us to embrace closeness in bleeding, playing at the edges of our bloody passions. With lust and camera flashes they produced a performance art piece that fetishised and dripped.

Jet Moon is clearly adored by many at Bar Wotever and beyond. Telling us of the jumbles and confusion when money, sex, desire and one’s need to be loved cross. Caught up in her tales of when dyke slut domme meets middle aged Mr flashy, and things get complicated, the revved-up punters cheered and laughed along. Her irreverently humourous act was extremely popular.

Mixing the Queer and the Academic, Vikki Chalklin brought the night to a fantastic end. Autobiographical, educational and thoroughly sassy, her act delighted us with a reverse striptease, to a powerpoint of satirical fabulousness. Who else at Wotever Sex could use words like hegemony and hermeneutics, and still have us begging for more? Vikki is smart, knows performance and knows how to bring laughter with her wit and devilish femme charms.

There is only one more Wotever Sex night left. If you want the chance to be thoroughly entertained, hear the ever eclectic, thoughtfully chosen and downright danceable discs played by Joe Pop, have your minds challenged, your tackle tickled or just wish to celebrate our fight for the right to have sex in the world, come down on Tuesday night. A pleasure palace of sexuality and fun!

See Video of the Sisters Performance Here

Words: Lysander Dove

Pictures: AbsolutQueer Photography

About the Author: antigori

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