Scene Guide:
Major Regional & National Events

12-14th - AlternaCirque (alternacirque.com): Columbia, SC hosts a 3 day extravaganza for bellydance, circus, sideshow & burlesque.
13th-16th - Mid Atlantic Leather / MAL (www.leatherweekend.com): Gay Male Leather Convention, now hosted at the Hyatt in DC
18th-21st - AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (Show.AdultEntertainmentExpo.com): Held at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, NV.
Mon 23rd - Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year).

Sat 4th  - Drac's Ball (www.DraculasBall.com): One of Philly's most celebrated traditions.
             - KINK Anniversary Party (www.KinkThePlayParty.com) Celebrating 4 years in the scene!

Sun 5th - SUPERBOWL XLVI (46): On a television near you... 

Fri 10th - The Metro Underground Celebrates 3 Years in Service to the Scene!
Sat 11th -  Fetish Factory Valentine Ball (www.fetishfactory.com): One of the East Coast's largest Fetish Balls takes place in Florida.

10th-12th - Philadelphia Tattoo Artist Convention (www.TattooedKingPin.com): Hosted at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
                - Fetish Fair Flea Market (www.nelaonline.org): Province is host to one of the east coast's BIGGEST events for vending.
                - Poly Living Conference (LovingMore.com):  Bringing together people who love more. Hosted in Philadelphia.

Tues 14th - Valentine's Day.

17th-20th - Katsucon (www.Katsucon.org): Annual convention for fans of Japanese & Asian culture. Hosted at National Harbor.
                - Dark Odyssey's Winter Fire (www.darkodyssey.com): Celebrating their 7th convention for the BDSM, Fetish, & Swinger
                  Scene. Winter Fire presents one of the area's truly GRAND events, & represents one of the only real crossover affairs for the
                  various aspects of the overall scene. It's located in one of the city's best downtown hotels & offers a great weekend for all.
                - L.A. Fetish Weekend (www.kinkevents.com): One of L.A.'s most recognized Fetish & Kink events.

20th-26th - DC Fashion Week (dcfashionweek.org/dcfw): A full week dedicated to high fashion in the nation's capitol.

Mon 20th - President's Day.
Tues 21st - Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday.

23rd-26th - L.U.E.Y. Weekend (www.lueyweekend.com): Nationally recognized Gay Male Leather Weekend in Houston.

1st-4th - Colonial Kink (ColonialKink.com): Driving off last year's success, Colonial Williamsburg never had is to good.
            - Playcate's Couples Convention (Playcate.com): One of the Nation's Largest Swinger Convention (hosted at Myrtle Beach).

10th-18th - Ms. No Swimsuit Competition (www.tomstrips.com): A week of festivities in Jamaica's Hedonism II.

Sat 10th - Crucible's L.F.&P. Party (www.The-Crucible.com): Vending all day & play party later that evening.
Sun 11th - Daylight Savings (Spring Forward 1 hour at 2am on Saturday Night).

Sat 17th - St. Patrick's Night of Mayhem (www.TheMetroUnderground.com/Metro): The Return of the Snakes!
                Presented by Richard A.D. & The Metro Underground. In association w/ Johnny Panic & the organizers of Bound.

Sun 18th - SuspenDC (www.suspendc.com): An entire evening dedicated to full body hook suspension at the Crucible.
23rd-25th - Kinkfest (www.kinkfest.org): Portland, Oregon hosts one of the nations most prolific events for the national calendar.

Fri 23rd - Rick & Rudari 2 Year Anniversary: Bringin' on the love for yet another year together!
Sat 24th - Rubber Ball / Miss Rubber World (www.nyrubberball.com): Hosted in New York at Rebel (251 West 30th St.).
Sun 25th - Opening Ceremony of the Cherry Blossom Festival (www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org): Runs to April 27th.

30th-1st - Mythic Faire (renconvention.com): A mystical journey of art, music, & masquerade!  Hosted in Atlanta.
             - Leather Sinsations (www.sinsationsinleather.com): Chicago, Ill. hosts a full weekend retreat for the leather community.
             - Momentum (MomentumCon.com): "Making waves in sexuality, feminism, & relationships." Hosted in Crystal City, Va.

Sat 31st - Persephone's Masquerade (www.openhearth.org): Charity gala for the pagan community hosted by Open Hearth.

TBD - Von Gutenberg Fetish Ball (www.vongutenbergfetishball.com): San Francisco's ultimate weekend!
        - Atlanta Bound (www.1763.net/atlantabound): Fetish extravaganza by 1738 (no affiliation to DC 'Bound').

1st-27th - National Cherry Blossom Festival (www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org): Parade takes place on April 14th.
5th-8th - Rubout (www.rubbout.com): Vancouver, B.C. hosts the nations largest gay male Latex & Rubber Convention.
            - Fetish Evolution Weekend (www.fetishevolution.com): A profound Fetish Convention hosted in Essen, Germany.
            - Frolicon (frolicon.net): Adult oriented fantasy fair heavily influenced by science fiction. Hosted in Atlanta, Ga.

Sun 8th - Easter Sunday.

13th-14th - Charm City Fetish Fair (www.charmcityfetishfair.com): Baltimore's Biggest Festival for Kinksters from all walks of life.
                - Barcelona Fetish Weekend (www.BarcelonaFetishWeekend.com): One of the Hottest Events to hit the Mediterranian.

Sat 14th - Exotique (www.thefetishparty.com): Annual fetish extravaganza, hosted in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
              - Tabu 8th Anniversary (www.TabuLife.com): Tabu Social Club celebrates 8 years in operation! Hosted in Catonsville, MD.
              - Pleasure Garden Club 3rd Anniv. (www.thepleasuregardenclub.com): "Lust 'til Dawn" Party celebrating 3 yrs w/ PGC.

Sun 15th - Steamtopian Spring Picnic (Facebook): Steampunks will gather at the Titanic Memorial for the inaugural voyage! 
Mon 16th - Taxes Are Due.

20th-22nd - Steampunk Empire Symposium (www.SteampunkEmpire.org): Hosted in Cincinatti, Ohio.
                - Victorian Steam Exposition (victoriasteamexpo.blogspot.com): Steampunk Exhibit British Columbia, Ca.
                - New England Metal & Hard Core Festival (www.MetalAndHardCoreFestival.com): Exactly what it says it is...  ;-)
                - Miss Gay America Pageant (www.missgayamerica.com): Hosted at Baltimore's Club Hippo.

21st-28th - "Swinger Break" (www.tomstrips.com): A week of festivities in Jamaica's Hedonism II.
26th-29th - Beyond Leather (www.beyondleather.net): Full Weekend Leather Conventions in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
                - Boardwalk Badness (parties.strictlyspankingnetwork.com): BDSM event focused on Spanking in Atlantic City, N.J.
                - CLAW (www.CLAWinfo.org): Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend, an award winning convention for gay fetishists.

TBD - Bondage Ball 2012 (www.subcultserver.com/fallout): Annual presentation by club Fallout (117 N. 18th St) in Richmond.

4th-6th - Fairie Fest (www.FairieFestival.net): The annual gathering of east coast fairies takes place in Glenn Rock, Pennsylvania.
            - Torture Garden Birthday Weekend (www.torturegarden.com): Presented by London's hottest fetish club.
            - Submissive Journey Weekend (www.submissivejourneyweekend.com): Hosted at a beautiful lodge in Gatinburg, Tenn.
            - Beltane Gathering (BeltaneGathering.com): Celtic Tribal meets sensual desire in Darlington, Md.

Sat 5th - Virginia Gold Cup (www.vagoldcup.com): The 87th running of Virginia's steeplechase takes place in Great Meadows.
            - May Moon Revel (BellBookandCandle.biz/MayMoon): A night of full moon revelry w/ witches, goths, steampunk & more!
              Hosted in Dover, Del. w/ Special guest Ego Likeness & Mortifera Dance!

11th-13th - Baltimore Tattoo Artist Convention (www.TattooedKingPin.com): Hosted at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Sat 12th - Virginia Renne Faire (www.VARF.org): Opening weekend for the Virginia's Renne Faire (Lake Anna, Spotsylvania).

Sun 13th - Mother's Day.

11th-13th - Maryland Faerie Festival (www.MarylandFaerieFestival.org): Get those wings a flappin' & come join in the magic!
                - Bound-Con (www.boundcon.com): Munich, Germany hosts one of Europe's largest BDSM & Fetish Conventions.

18th-20th - Kinetic (www.festival-kinetik.net): Industrial, Electronic, & Power Noise Festival in Montreal.
                - Steampunk World's Fair (SteampunkWorldsFair.com): Takes place in Piscataway, N.J.
                - NDD's Bootcamp V (www.nddsbootcamp.com): "Release the Fire Inside" hosted in Philadelphia.
                - Torture Garden Toronto (www.torturegardentoronto.com): London's premier fetish club hosts a weekend in Canada.
                - DomCon L.A. (www.DomConLA.com): One of the nation's largest conventions for Dominants in the scene.
                - Splash! (lifestylesflorida.com): Hotel take-over in Orlando, Fla. Attended by thousands of liberated couples.
                - Wine in the Woods (www.wineinthewoods.com): Wine festival in the Symphony Woods of Merriweather Post Pavilion.
                - Opening Weekend for Artomatic (www.artomatic.org): DC's largest independent art exhibit. Runs through June 24th.

25th-28th - Memorial Day Weekend...
                - Deathfest (www.supremebrutality.com/fest): Baltimore's own Death-rock Festival held at Sonar.
                - Playa del Fuego (playadelfuego.org): A Bi-Annual Event recognized as the 'Burning Man' of the East Coast.
                - Treffen (www.wave-gotik-treffen.de/english): The world's largest gathering for Goths takes place in Leipzig, Germany.
                - World Steam Expo (www.worldsteamexpo.com): Major Steampunk Exposition in Dearborn, Michigan.
                - Skin Two Rubber Ball (rubberball.skintwo.co.uk): One of the world's premiere events takes place in London, England.
                - German Fetish Ball  (www.german-fetish-ball.com): Berlin hosts a full weekend of extravagance & pure decadent desire.
                - Fetish Factory (www.fetishfactory.com): Celebrating their 17th Anniversary! Fetish weekend takes place in Florida.
                - ShibariCon (www.shibaricon.com): Dedicated to the art of rope bondage. Hosted in Chicago.
                - Camp Crucible (www.the-crucible.com): Leather Retreat Weekend hosted in Port Royal, MD.
                - International Mr. Leather (www.imrl.com): Gay Male Leather Weekend hosted in Chicago.

Sun 27th - Studio 54 Party (to be posred): Presented by BLP Ltd. at Taboo Social Club. A Top 10 event for the local calendar.
Mon 28th - Memorial Day.

TBD - Goth Prom (www.Facebook.com/TronikDC): One of DC's Greatest Traditions & a top ten for the annual calendar.
        - Drac's Ball Anniversary Celebration (DraculasBall.com): Philadelphia's Greatest Tradition, hosted by Dancing Ferret.
        - Queer PlayCon (www.QueerPlayCon.com): Hartford, Ct. hosts one of the nations largest conventions for Gay Fetish & BDSM.
        - DC 101 Chili Cook-off (www.dc101chilicookoff.com): Great bands, good beer, & all the chili you can handle.

1st-24th - Artomatic (www.artomatic.org): DC's largest independent art exhibit. Runs through June 24th.

1st-3rd - N.Y. Fetish Marathon (nyfetishmarathon.com): New York's annual week of fetish & fantasy mayhem.
2nd-3rd - Vintage Virginia (across-the-way.com): The area's largest wine festival is held at Bull Run National Park.

7th-10th - Wicked Woods (wildwonderfulwickedwoods.com): Renaissance meets sensual desire in Darlington, MD. 
              - Gay Pride Festival (www.capitalpride.org): Internationally recognized festival celebrating gay culture for the DC area.

Sat 9th - Torture Garden's Summer Ball (www.torturegarden.com): Presented by London's hottest fetish club.

15th-17th - Convergence 18 (www.altgothic.com/c18buf): This year's gathering of the Gothic Culture will be in Buffalo, N.Y.
                - Anthrocon 2012 (www.anthrocon.org): Pittsburg hosts one of the worlds largest events for Furries.

Sat 16th - Starscape Festival (www.StarscapeFestival.com): One of the region's largest & best Rave-Format Concert Festivals.
              - Leather Pride Night (LeatherPrideNight.org): New York hosts the 29th installment of Leather Pride.

Sun 17th - Father's Day - Folsom East (www.folsomstreeteast.org): New York's answer to the Folsom Street Festival in San Fran.

Wed 20th - Summer Solstice.

21st-24th - Dark Odyssey's Fusion (www.darkodyssey.com): Driving from last year's success, Dark Odyssey returns with one of
                 the regions very best festival camp formats. See website for info.

Fri 22nd - In Memory of J.D.D.

23rd-24th - National Capital Barbecue (www.bbqdc.com): Live Blues, great ribs, & a great afternoon. Not so good for vegans. ;-)
23rd-30th - Caribbean Fetish Festival (www.kinkevents.com): Fun in the sun, at the beautiful Caliente Resort.

29th-1st - TES Fest (www.TESFest.org): The Eulenspiegel Society hosts their 40th anniversary in Piscataway, NJ.

TBD - Free Spirit Gathering (freespiritgathering.org): A family friendly gathering of Pagan intrigue in Darlington, MD.
       - Baltimore Gay Pride (www.BaltimorePride.org): Celebrating Gay Culture in Baltimore, Md.
       - Leather Cruise (www.leathercruise.com): "The Hunt for Red Bent Over" sets sail from Norfolk, Va.
       - Honfest (www.honfest.net): Oh hon', there's nothing else like it! Held in Hampden, it redefines kitschy (in a good way).

Wed 4th - Independence Day.

10th-16th - Starwood Festival (www.rosencomet.com/starwood): America's largest Pagan/Magic gathering is hosted in Pomeroy, Ohio.
12th-15th - Naughty in N'awlins (www.neworleansinnovember.com): What better place to go & be bad?
                - Trans Campout (www.TransCampout.org): A trans-oriented sex-positive kink event at Long Fork Retreat, West Va.
                - International Deaf Leather (www.internationaldeafleather.org): This year's conference is hosted in Denver.

Sat 14th - Bastille Day - French Maid Races (www.lenfantcafe.com): Outrageous Block Party hosted by Cafe L'Enfant.

20th-22nd - Transformus (www.transformus.com): North Carolina hosts one of the East Coast's most recognized burner weekends.
                - Swingfest (www.Swingfest.com): One of the Nation's largest Swinger Conventions moves to Miami, Fla.
                - Sizzlin' Summer Celebration (southwest-va-socials.com): Southwest Va. Socials present a special 2 day event.
                - Artscape (www.artscape.org): One of America's largest free arts festivals takes place in Baltimore, Md.

27th-29th - Faerie Worlds (www.faerieworlds.com): One of the nation's largest & most elaborate festivals dedicated to fantasy!
                - Otakon (www.otakon.com): Held at The Baltimore Convention Center, Otakon covers Anime, Manga, & Asian Pop Culture.
                - Tampa Bay Escapes (TampaBayEscapes.com): Hotel takeover in beautiful Tampa Bay. This event always sells out!

TBD - Pex Summer Festival (www.pexsummerfestival.com): An experiment in joyful expression through music & art. 
        - Capital Fringe Festival (www.capfringe.org): Dedicated to risk taking & independent performing arts.
        - World Polyamory Conference (www.WorldPolyamoryAssociation.org): Taking place in Northern California.
        - Floyd Fandango Beer & Wine Fest (across-the-way.com): The region's largest beer & wine festival at Bull Run Park.

1st-12th - Pennsic (www.PennsicWar.org): The nation's largest gathering for live action medieval war games. But actually, it represents
so much more. There are references for it (i.e. Burning Man), but it really stands as an entity all to its own. Rick & The Metro camp w/
Die Fledermaus & hosts one of the largest parties for the whole event. 

3rd-5th - GlamourCon Chicago (www.glamourcon.com): Celebrating the art of Pin-up & Glamour - past, present, & future.
            - Floating World (www.thefloatingworld.org): Pansexual Inter-Organizational Convention taking place in Edison, N.J.
            - Fetish-Con (www.fetishcon.com): Tampa, Fla. hosts one of the nations largest fetish conventions.
            - Montreal International Kink Festival (www.kinkyfestival.com): See website for more info.
            - Fires of Venus (FiresofVenus.com): A sensual gathering of pagan rites at Darlington, MD.
            - Sigma's 10th Annual Perverted Picnic (www.sigmadc.org): Cum play outside with all the bad boys!

16th-19th - Black Beat (www.blackbeatinc.org): Focused on "Black Expressions & Alternative Tastes." Meets in Washington, DC.

24th-25th - Opening Weekend for Maryland Renaissance Festival (www.RennFest.com): Coolest thing since Disneyland.
                  Runs from end of August to mid-October. See website for theme based festivals on select weekends.
 
TBD - Libertine Ball (Libertineball.wordpress.com): Passional hosts Philly's premier fetish ball at Shampoo Night Club.
        - SMB-XVII (www.DCSMB.com): hosted by Bound at The Loft Warehouse, NE DC.

Maryland Renaissance Festival (www.RennFest.com): Coolest thing since Walt Disney built Disneyland. Runs from end of August to mid-October. See website for theme based festivals on select weekends.

1st-3rd - Labor Day Weekend.
            - DragonCon (www.dragoncon.org): Labor Day Weekend hosts the nation's largest fantasy convention in Atlanta, Ga.
            - Burning Man (www.burningman.com): Annual gathering of an alternate reality like no other. Runs Aug 27th - Sept 3rd.
            - HorrorFind (www.HorrorFindWeekend.com): Weekend Horror Festival featuring signings, screenings, vending, & more.
            - Fet-Fest (www.fetfest.com): New Gathering for the East Coast Kink Culture.
            - Montreal Fetish Weekend (www.fetishweekend.com): One of the true highlights for the international alternative calendar.
            - Master/slave Conference (www.MasterSlaveConference.org): a pansexual gathering of the BDSM scene.
            - Southern Decadence (www.southerndecadence.com): a celebration of gay life, music, & culture.
            - Virginia Scottish Games (www.VaScottishGames.org): Celebrating the celtic heritage in Great Plains, Va.
            - DC Blues Festival (www.dcblues.org): National Talent right in the Nation's Capitol.

7th-9th - Comicon (BaltimoreComicCon.com): Annual gathering for comic enthusiasts (at the Baltimore Convention Center).
            - Couples Fest, Key West (www.couplesfest.com): From the producers "Naughty in N'awlins." Just don't forget the lotion!

Tues 11 - Day of Remembrance (9/11).

12th-17th - Dark Odyssey's Summer Camp (www.DarkOdyssey.com): Hosted at Darlington, MD.
15th-16th - Small Press Expo (www.spxpo.com): North America’s Premiere Independent Cartooning & Comic Arts Festival.

Mon 17th - Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year begins at Sundown on Sun.
Sat 22nd - Fall Equinox.

Sun 23rd - Folsom Street Fair (www.folsomstreetfair.com): San Francisco's nationally recognized Street Fair.

27th-30th - Rope Weekend (TheRopeCamp.com): And entire weekend dedicated to shibari. Hosted in Darlington, Md.
                - Mates Leather Weekend (www.matesleatherweekend.com): Gay Male Leather & Fetish Weekend in Provincetown, Mass.

TBD - Goddess Ball (www.EntreNousDC.com): Presented by Entre Nous at their new location. See website for details.
        - Virginia Wine Festival (across-the-way.com): Ranked as one of the top 10 wine festivals nationwide.

1st-7th - Goth Cruise & Masquerade Ball (www.GothicCruise.com): Featuring DJ's, Bands, & Culture. Hosted by Carpe Nocturne.
5th-7th - Columbus Day Weekend
            - Playa del Fuego (playadelfuego.org): The 'Burning Man' of the East Coast presented bi-annually.
            - DomCon (www.domconatlanta.com): hosted in Atlanta, Ga.

Sun 7th - DC Fetish Ball (DCFetishBall.com): A Top Event for the Annual Calendar, the DC Fetish Ball brings a new level of opulence,
               elegance, & erotic intrigue to the DC area. Indeed, this year's affair is expected to be an event of unparalleled proportion.
               Presented by Richard A.D. & The Metro Underground. Hosted at Ultra Bar.

Sat 20th - International Gold Cup (www.vagoldcup.com): The running of Virginia's steeplechase takes place in Great Meadows.
Sun 21st - In Memory of Jean D.D.

19th-28th - Fantasy Fest (www.FantasyFest.net): Key West, Fla. hosts one of the nations largest gatherings for fanciful debauchery!
19th-31st - Festival of the Dead (festivalofthedead.com): Salem, Mass. hosts one of the most evolved Halloween bash's anywhere.

26th-28th - Steamcon IV (www.steamcon.org): The West Coast's 4th Annual Steampunk Conventions is hosted in Bellevue, Wa.
                - UtopianCon (www.utopiacon.com): An eclectic mix of Faerie, Gothic, Pirate, Medieval, Steampunk, Gaming, & more!
                - Tower of Terror (www.vafriendsonline.com): Halloween Swinger Gathering in Hampton Roads, VA.

Sat 27th - SMack! Fetish Ball (www.smack-fetish.com): Annual Halloween Ball in New York presented by Xris SMack.
              - Fetish & Fantasy Ball (www.halloweenball.com): Las Vegas hosts one of the nation's most extravagant events anywhere.
              - Bondage Ball (www.bondageball.com): Hosted in Los Angeles & featuring nationally recognized talent.
              - Torture Garden Halloween Weekend (www.torturegarden.com): Presented by London's hottest fetish club.

Tue 30th - DC High Heel Race (WashPost): One of the region's biggest traditions, & an event not to be missed (for everyone)!
                 Takes place the Tuesday before Halloween by 17th & Q St. NW DC. Crowds begin at 7pm. Now in its 25th year!

Wed 31st - Halloween!!!  We expect Zombies...  Lots of Zombies.  :-)
               - Nocturne / Drac's Ball (www.draculasball.com) is held at Shampoo Nightclub (Willow between 7th & 8th) in Philly.
               - Endless Night Vampire Ball (www.endlessnight.com): Scheduled every Halloween in New Orleans.

TBD - TRONIK Presents "SPOOKY!" (tronikdc.com): One of DC's greatest traditions for the Goth/Alt/Industrial music set.

Thu 1st - All Saints Day.

3rd-10th - Kink in the Caribbean (www.kinkevents.com): Internationally recognized event, hosted at the Caliente Resorts.

9th-11th - FaerieCon East (www.faerieworlds.com): Baltimore hosts one of the region's largest festivals dedicated to myth & fantasy!
              - Anime USA (www.animeusa.org): One of nation's largest & most recognized anime conventions takes place in N.Va.
              - GlamourCon Long Beach (www.glamourcon.com): Celebrating the art of Pin-up & Glamour - past, present, & future.

Sun 4th - Daylight Savings (Fall Forward 1 Hour at 2am Saturday Night)
Sun 11th - Veteran's Day.

12tt-19th - Desire Dreamfest (Playcate.com): Week long Swinger Conference, hosted in Cancun by Placate Couples. 
22nd-25th - Erotica (www.erotica-uk.com): London is the host for a weekend of pure beauty, extravagance, intrigue, & absolute desire.

Thu 22th - Thanksgiving.
Fri 23rd - The Metro Underground Presents: "Black Friday!"
             - Happy Birthday to My Beloved Rudari.

Sun 25th - Richard A.D. Anniversary.

TBD - Diabolique Fetish Ball (www.phillyfetishball.com) Nov. hosts Philly's most progressive fetish ball at Shampoo Nightclub.

Sat 1st - Torture Garden's X-mas Ball (www.torturegarden.com): Presented by London's hottest fetish club.

Thu 6th - St. Nicholas Day.
Fri 21st - Winter Solstice (Saturnalia).
Tue 25th - X-mas.

Fri 28th - Happy Birthday to Mistress Tyler & Lady Shazz.
Sun 30th - Richard A.D. Birthday

Sat 31st - New Year's Eve - The Metro Underground Presents: New Year's Eve, a Black Tie Formal.