The Black Rose - any personal knowledge?

[sb2009]

not asking to break confidentiality! And I wish I knew how to search archives on here, I feel like all my questions have been posed/answered a million times before.

Doing some research I came across a group based in DC called Black Rose. It seems really large, really organized, etc. They have monthly meetings and even special meetings for newbies. It seems really interesting but it's just *that much* too far away to be anything other than once-in-a-great-while for me.

Anyone have experience with groups like this? And perhaps something closer to central VA?

 

[CutieMouse]

The Black Rose is one if the oldest BDSM organizations, next to TES in New York. (running off memory here) I'm texting from my phone, but EvilGeoff always had good resources for finding local organizations/munched; I think Homburg & family (also as Etoil, OSG, etc) are in that neck of the woods as well... They might be able to help.

 

[00Syd]

As far as I know, Black Rose is good people. Like CM said, BR is one of the oldest BDSM organizations in the country, and I hear very good things from people who have gone to their meetings/events, and I know some people involved with the group and they are all really great.

 

[Homburg]

I've not personally gone to any of their events, but I have friends that attend regularly. They go on and on about how well done the functions are, the quality of the speakers, etc. BR really seems to be top notch.

What do you mean by central VA? Is Richmond close to you? Shelter is a munch group that meets in Richmond, and occasionally does events at Fallout (a sort of industrial meet slight fetish club in Richmond), and Phyxios Mystique is another group up there (whose name I probably butchered). If need be, I can probably dig up contact info for them.

If the Tidewater area is more convenient, you can try TIED or Crimson Phoenix. TIED is the group I've been associated loosely with for a while now.

If you're closer to western VA, you might want to PM WickedEve. She's out that way and might know of groups that are closer to you.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

I have not been to a Black Rose meeting, but I have attended The Crucible in DC and The Playhouse in Baltimore, and enjoyed both facilities.

To find local Munches, email groups, and events in your area, GOOGLE is your friend. Enter BDSM and the city/town you are interested in and you should find a group or two. If that fails, try:

SceneUSA - http://www.darkheart.com/sceneusa.html
Caryl's Page - http://www.drkdesyre.com/
The BDSM Events Page - http://www.thebdsmeventspage.com/ which has links to both organizations AND events.
SirPaul's National Munch Page - http://phoenixdragon.dreamknight87.com/nmp.htm

Hope that helps!
- Geoff

 

[00Syd]

Also, fetlife.com can be a useful tool for finding local meetings/events.

 

[sb2009]

Fredericksburg area. So sorta near DC but not, with all the traffic. Husband commutes daily and would probably not be able to get it up to attend an event that involved lots of driving. Get it up, ha ha.

Fred is such a small town though. I'm just getting my feet wet.

 

[Etoile]

I know dozens of people who go to BR events, but they're not on Lit. I'm on Lit, but I don't go to BR. Go figure!

If you want to meet people who are genuinely kinky and "lifestylers" then BR is THE place to go. Places like Bound (a semi-floating, often-not-running club run by a guy named Todd) is more emo/goth/ooh spank me than actual kink. The Crucible isn't there anymore, I think. The Playhouse in Baltimore is probably too far for you, but it's omnisexual do-anything play space run by Glenda Rider. DC Eagle is a gay leather bar, but the gay and straight communities are pretty well separated here.

Trust me, BR is the place you want to go. Real people, real kink, lots of fun (I've heard). I have a DM friend if you want to PM me with your email address, I'll pass it along and you can ask her stuff.