At its best, art and sex are two of the world’s most enjoyable equalizers. Bringing people together, tickling a curious nerve, and opening both eyes and doors, art and sex are fountains of inspiration. To celebrate this relationship, while ensuring a safe, non-physical, but fun environment, the lines between the gallery, the stage and daydreams will soon be blurred during Toledo’s first performing arts festival and erotic show in Dirty: Bordello d’Bard.
Turn-on of the century
For the inaugural Dirty event’s theme, Douglas V. Lutman, organizer, local poet and performance artist, chose the Turn of the Century bordello aesthetic. Expect bustles, corsets, long dresses donned by poets who will inhabit a literary, not literal, brothel— offering the sensual service of a poem read aloud in exchange for a dollar. Now, that’s what I call capitalism.
“I wanted to start off with something a little tongue in cheek… “ said Lutman. “When we look back, [this time] kind of represents, to me, from what I’ve seen in art, the first, big liberation of sexuality. The 1900s had a beautiful style, back when femininity was still expressed through movement, rather than showing skin.”
In addition to the poetry performances, Bordello d’Bard will offer an erotic lineup of diverse entertainment. Burlesque dancers, fire eaters, hula hoopers, pole dancers, exotic dancers, drag performers, live music and a 2D Pop Up Art Gallery will further spark your curiosity. Vendors will be on site, selling art, locally-made corsets, steampunk fetish wear, and things less fit for print.
To keep things smart and fun, Lutman has invited local organizations to participate and offer an educational component. “[This is] an event about sex, and there are a lot of parts to it. Sex means different things to different people,” said Lutman. “[So we’ll have] education tables highlighting some of the issues this community faces, [such as] STD information and human trafficking info.”
Safe, sane, and consensual
In a post-50 Shades of Gray world, overt sexuality might not be anything new, and a declaration of interests, to some, could even be blasé, but Bordello d’Bard’s intention is not shock-treatment. This is a celebration of eroticism and loving yourself— without physically loving yourself on-site.
“I want to stress that this is not a hook-up party, or a fetish ball, and it is NOT an orgy. This isn’t Tinder in real life. This is a way for people to engage with art in a way they aren’t used to,” said Lutman, adding that stationed volunteers will further ensure safety. “This event is to celebrate sex-positivity, which is finding comfort in your own skin and finding beauty in yourself in unconventional ways.”
By promoting sex positivity in a safe, sane and consensual space where everyone is comfortable, Bordello d’Bard hopes to make a real, progressive difference in our community’s conversations about sex.
“While people have interpreted and argued about the validity of 50 Shades, nobody can deny it sparked a lot of discussion,” said Lutman. “Because this conversation has started, it’s important to continue this dialogue in the public forum. I hope people come and explore different parts of sexuality that they were never exposed to before, never thought of, or were curious about and didn’t know how to get in touch with.”
Get ready to enter curious, and leave enlightened, excited and potentially confused at the inaugural Dirty: Bordello d’Bard.
Ages 21+
7pm-midnight on Saturday, October 10
$15/in advance, $20/at the door. Price includes food and tokens for readings from poets
Seagate Convention Center,401 Jefferson Ave.
419-255-3300 | [email protected]
brownpapertickets.com/event/2288066
