In Toronto – and I am quite sure in other major cities across North America – there has been a constant criticism about large-scale SM-related events “being more associated with a stand-and-model crowd” than with a “hard-core leather lifestyle crowd.” Some of the older denizens of the Kinkdom – Your Humble Narrator included – has in the past pontificated and railed at will against some of these “antiseptic” kinds of events not quite going far enough to appease absolutely everyone who plunks down their hard-earned dollars to attend any number of Fetish events: no matter how well organized, or attended.

To quote a famous 1960′s folk song, “The times – they are a-changin’”.

By all reports, the Marquis Fetish Ball was a tremendous success – and seems to have been well-received universally by those who attended. It isn’t self-serving in the slightest to congratulate our own Erik Von Gutenberg and the lovely Miss Suzanne Forbes, et al, for tirelessly working to ensure that a great time was had by all who attended: and my lovely partner in leather crime, Lady J, and I were quite sorrowed that we had to miss it (due to personal time constraints and unexpected life issues).

Just how does an organizer keep everyone who wishes to come to such events … happy?

This past weekend, Lady J and I ventured out to a long-running event in Toronto called SUBSPACE, held at one of the city’s largest venues, the iconic, old-school Goth emporium known as the Reverb.

We came to hear Angel Trumpets and Devil Trombones … we were, in essence, invited (with apologies to Alex DeLarge of A Clockwork Orange fame)  – and I freely admit to my own reluctance to attend said event, simply because as someone who is regarded as somewhat of a “Defender of the Faith” for “old-school SM types”, I have (in the past) been admittedly somewhat contemptuous and skeptical about the validity of large gatherings of Fetish folk in oh-so-public a venue. However, based on the glowing reports of “good times being had by all” at the Fetish Ball  in the Bay Area weekend last, Lady J and I put on our best leather finery – and ventured out amongst the people to the popular SUBSPACE event. Lady J had a prior commitment, a woman’s only function at the Patricia Marsh House of Domination and Fantasy, and she was admittedly a little tired by the time we actually walked through the main doors to the Reverb.

Well, my Brothers and Sisters and Only True Friends … We had a tremendous time. If there was a ‘downside’ to anything last night, it was only the fact that in the main room (the dance hall), we couldn’t quite hear anything with the enjoyable, but incessant thump, of the lovely music – but that isn’t a complaint. The “eye candy” dancing deliriously on the parquet floor was certainly worth the trade-off of not being able to hear yourself think for a short time. Very much unlike events in Toronto in the past, the percentage of men and women who participated in the festivities took great pains to dress completely en fetische - and it was amazing being able to view the array of assembled revelry and costumery.

The SUBSPACE organizers do a pretty damn good job at hosting a first-rate event, if last night was any indication. Good people … great location … fantastic atmosphere … Really, for a more “social setting” with an SM theme, I daresay there are few (if any) gatherings in Toronto that are so well planned and put together that take the time to cater to everyone – and don’t seem to exist simply for the glorification, nauseating self-aggrandizement of some event’s original organizers (as has been the case especially in “the past”). The atmosphere wasn’t “seedy” or “overtly sexual” at all – and the staff, to a person, we felt were exceptional.

An event “for the people by the people” – which is exactly how the Marquis Fetish Ball should be described. SUBSPACE doesn’t pretend to be any kind of “hard core play party” and has never been billed as such: It’s a chance simply for good people to gather in a great space and a great environment – and in that regard, I personally felt the organizers filled that objective with pure and absolute success. The same organizers are bringing the UK’s landmark Torture Garden “franchise” to Toronto at the end of August – and if SUBSPACE is any indication, that event should prove to be a complete Tour de Force and a triumph for the Southern Ontario community in its own right.

SUBSPACEwas a perfect blend of “older and experienced” folk and “excited new explorers”, in our opinion. The dancers had a place to dance; the socializers had a quiet place to talk with old friends and make new ones; and the players had a place to play. That’s rare – especially for Toronto – where the focus in the past has been to cram as many people as possible into a confined, single space seemingly in an effort to simply line an organizer’s pockets with as much “green” as possible.

As mentioned previously, Lady J had been to a private event earlier in the evening and her feet were starting to feel the oppression of stiletto heeled boots and her ribs the unforgiving confinement of a heavy leather, superbly crafted Northbound Leather corset after all: so to the young Lady who graciously gave up her chair for Lady J to be able to rest for a while in the upstairs “socializing room”, I send my personal thanks and extreme, humbled gratitude. Even the best Dominas in the world, and Lady J is certainly in that class, can’t be on her feet in extreme high-heeled boots for eight or more straight hours and not have them start to “tingle” a wee bit, after all – let alone face the nightmare (and every well-corsetted Domina knows this pain) of having to even make the attempt to use the washroom facilities.

Just a microcosmic example of the kind of “class” people exhibited at SUBSPACE last night – and we had an amazing, truly fantastic time. I was personally extremely impressed – and truly believe more event organizers should take the time to make sure that all of their guests feel as warmly welcomed, and comfortable.

Event organizers – especially in Toronto – should pay heed and take a few notes from the excellent organizers that bring SUBSPACE to the anxious fetish crowds who gather in the effort to share like minds. I believe everyone had a fantastic time (I know Lady J and I certainly did) – and we’re looking very forward to renewing acquaintances with new friends at the Torture Garden event at the end of August.

It’s a tough juggling act, trying to keep everyone “happy” - and SUBSPACE at least, performs that particular act very, very well.

SUBSPACE is held at the Reverb in Toronto the last Saturday of every month. More information about SUBSPACE can be accessed through their website.