Las Vegas Weekly

Rowynn IS attractive and articulate, unfortunately her show at the Onxy was mostly a disaster. Badly blocked, completely unresponsive torture dolls (that's why real BDSM people LIKE it, duh). Who ever heard of using hot wax ONLY on a person's back? Note: you can't SEE wax from the audience, so if the demo person doesn't react, what's the point? Worst of all was her entourage of leering frat-boys who are not even into the scene. Their comments would have quickly gotten them a warning from a DM at a play party, then ejected when they refused to stop. Rowynn needs to actually get into the scene here, rather than just trash it and bring her unwanted spankwagon entourage with her. I suggest shows at the Power Exchange and the Erotic Heritage Museum would be good ways to meet real scene people here. One can't really compare this to the shows Midori has done here; it would be like comparing the NBA to your local rec league, just different games entirely.

Apologies for the misunderstanding. I have met many people here in the Las Vegas scene. It is not the scene itself that makes the Las Vegas BDSM scene rubbish, but rather the way that the conservative city receives it. It seems every time the members of this community make some head way, the local government shuts it down. That is the unfortunate state of things on which I commented. I will be clearer next time.

As far as the unresponsive demo dolls, that was a last minute change in the line up. My original demo doll had a personal emergency to attend to, and those two lovely volunteers were what I had to work with. They were cooperative and understanding, but relatively inexperienced, so I was not going to push them too hard. The last minute change was also the reason for the bad blocking. It threw off the whole production, but most of the audience didn't seem to mind.

And yes, a Dominant would stop and correct and later deject the "frat boys" as you called them, at a play party. But this was not a play party. This was an event at a local theater. I would not expect every one in attendance to be aware of D/s etiquette. The whole point of the project is to make BDSM and fetish more available and understandable to the public, not isolate us further by rejecting people for breaching codes of conduct that they had no way to be aware of in the first place.

Power exchange is a fantastic place, as is the Erotic heritage museum. I recommend those places as well. I also agree that what Midori has done for our subculture is invaluable, and I would not attempt to compare the first live taping of "Ask A Mistress" to one of her shows. Your sports metaphor is in fact accurate given that Midori tours and is booked all over the place months in advance, whereas I have this little project of mine at the Onyx.

It was opening night of an experimental project, which very nearly everyone seemed to enjoy, and that is the best we could have hoped for.

I would also like to point out that your criticisms on the show were of my audience, my blocking and my demo dolls, but not of the information I provided or of my technique. The only demonstration which you took specific issue with was the hot wax demo. I only applied the wax to her back because that was what we could fit into the time allotted.

Much to your chagrin I am sure, the show was well received and enough calls and emails were placed to the theater that we have been asked to put the show on monthly. The next one will be on September 23rd. I welcome the WHOLE public to this show, not just those involved in the scene. This show is for everyone, the experienced and curious alike.

Perhaps I was a little too harsh in my original review. I did comment to an Onyx employee that I appreciated your show, as I and my date were leaving EARLY. Along with the two folks sitting in front of us, who also couldn't abide the disrespectful attitude shown to the demo people and the volunteers by the peanut gallery frat boys. Let's do the arithmetic: 30 people there, 10 of whom were employees, camera people, personal friends of yours, entourage etc. So, 4 of 20 is 20% MINIMUM that were so turned off they left early (minimum because I didn't talk to everyone who left early). Not exactly a rousing success in a venue that seats 96.
You might consider that your aims and those of the Onyx overlap but don't exactly jibe perfectly: they made a profit, you certainly didn't. (If you consider that a donation to the community, then I'm all for that and applaud you for your altruism.)
I knew the situation with the demo people, since you told everyone as you started (10 minutes late).
I didn't mention it because I DO NOT CARE. When I go to a play and an actor drops his lines because he had to take his cat to the vet or to a concert and a singer forgets the lyrics to her second song because she got a parking ticket that day, I also DO NOT CARE. A professional, if asked, says "I screwed up and I'll do my best to see that it doesn't happen again". You did a poor job of "policing" the house (among other things) and that is nobody's fault but your own (for a comparison, go to one of Mateo's local rope workshops (just as public as your show) as that is a much fairer comparison than someone like Midori (isn't "Dr. Google" a wonderful thing?) who has done hundreds of these public (admission is charged but they're not by invitation only like a play party) shows). Smart people (I've no reason to think you're not) learn from their mistakes. You can make a positive contribution to the local community but if you cater to the lowest common denominator (that's not the same things as trying to reach a wide audience, as I think should be obvious) then pretty soon that will be your ENTIRE audience. Oh, try advertising on the two local bdsm yahoo groups and one fetlife group I happen to know of (I'm probably missing some). Finally, if you drop the call for volunteers to take spankings, whippings etc (you have no idea of their level of experience, after all) you'll decrease the potential for hooliganism markedly. And if you respond to this, then I probably will also. Consider that contrary to the cliche, not all publicity is actually good publicity.

Your math is so skewed it deserves a punch line. I knew exactly 5 people in that audience and two of them were camera people. 47 people attended the event (not including staff and camera people). And if out of those 47 people 4 people left, that is just fine with me. I did not put this show on to make EVERYONE happy. I knew that some people, particularly purists would likely be confused if not out right displeased, and that is fine, every one has their own preferences.

Your biggest criticism still lies with my audience and how I did or did or did not handle them. You stated above that I did a poor job of "policing" the house. That implies that they needed policing at all. The bottom line is that most people there had a good time and learned a lot.

It seems that you have applied your personal expectations for what a BDSM event should be and how one should be conducted to my show. I submit that these expectations are part of what has isolated the community so much, and I never had a good time with those codes of conduct any how. I had enough of such things in the London scene as well as the Chicago scene. It works just fine for many many people but is simply too stiff for my tastes, and I am not about to pretend to be something I'm not.

It is clear that you didn't enjoy the show, that you were disappointed and have many issues with how I do things. That's fine. While this argument has been interested and stimulating, I think it has run it has run its course. I am not going to convince you to see things my way and you are not going to convince me to see things your way.

I thank you for attending the event and investing enough time and thought to write these well worded comments. The next show is on September 23rd, and I plan on having just as much fun, both on stage and with the audience. My best to you and the next event you attend,

Rowynn

Hey you two, I'll happily pay for a room for the two of you as long as I can participate. I promise not to critique.

While I'm here, are there any adult get-to-gethers tonight - anywhere is this fabulous city?

I'll bring along a very naughty and nasty 55 year old red-headed sub.

Looking forward to the second demo by Mistress Rowynn this evening 9/23 at 7:00 pm.

I attended the first one, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Fast-paced, informative, and well presented.

Mistress Rowynn is hot, and Natalie's ass is amazing!

Looking forward to more of the same this evening.