It is true that large fetish and SM communities have been around for a very long time. There has been a great deal written about some of these communities: most of it utter nonsense, and fabricated solely in the minds of self-effacing, somewhat narcissistic folk who make grandiose and ridiculous claims of “having been trained within a European Great House” in some bizarre equivocal attempt to justify their experience and/or expertise levels (admit it, dear reader: you’ve met at least one such individual).

Some of these communities have even been featured – exaggerated and fictionalized extensively though they may be – within the pages of popular fetish and SM ‘modern’ literature. The most famous example of this would invariably be the Great Estates of Roissy and Samois, so central to the fictionalized, but based in absolute fact, account of Pauline Reage (pseudonym for the late French journalist Ann Desclos) in her taboo-shattering, epic erotic novel, Story of O – the work which will continue to be the benchmark by which all other SM-related works shall be forever weighted against.

Therefore the oldest Communities, and most respected and revered, are typically assumed to be found in some major European centres, most notably London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris (Note: Roissy actually existed at one point: the Chateau described in Story of O was demolished to make way for construction of Charles de Gaulle Airport in 1966, some twelve years after the publication of the novel). Others, such as The Society of Janus in San Francisco and The Eulenspiegel Society (TES) in New York, have been functioning relatively blissfully for decades in North America. While these larger, more matured social organizations still rely on a degree of extreme privacy and adhere to their rules – some very old rules – regarding acceptance of new members and observation of some very near Mason-style Code of Conduct and disclosure policies, the availability of information to the masses (and instantaneously) through the wonders of the Internet Age has forced some of these revered “institutions” to begrudgingly adapt to new recruitment and retaining methods

There are two distinct and large differences that are invariably considered in any discussion of “new wave” versus “old guard” variety Fetish Nation building: One, naturally, is how revered the somewhat secretive and private nature of our chosen life continues to be within the ranks of the people, contrasted with how open and readily available inclusion is to virtually anyone willing to pay entrance fees to events, or even in some cases membership dues. The vast majority of new Fetish/SM based Community groups actually don’t charge membership fees at all – which means the ‘screening’ process that used to be so integral for acceptance within a like-minded SM-focused peer group is, now, virtually non-existent. The discussion, therefore, centers on how “new wave” or “next generation” groups actively police themselves. In the “old days”, an enthusiastic potential new Community member literally was made to jump through a series of exasperating figurative hoops in order to just secure an interview with a Community representative, who would in turn take their membership nomination to a higher authority. That potential new member, almost universally, had best have a respected sponsor already within the Community, too – or their chances for acceptance and inclusion would become a whole lot more difficult. In essence, potentials had to “prove” that they were responsible, honest and generally upstanding people worthy of everyone else’s respect. It just wasn’t very easy to get in through the front door in those days: you were made to work hard to secure your inclusion. This process had several advantages, the most obvious being that those who had selfish agendas, or were shown to not have the temperament or emotional stability to complete the process just weren’t inevitably invited to join the collective – and this made for a near-harmonious social structure. Everyone knew, and loved, everybody else, in time: The issues of ego, unbalanced behavior and what we refer to today as “drama” rarely needed to be dealt with. When something came up that was considered a grave injury or disservice to the Community as a whole, the offender was generally ostracized completely, and not allowed further participation in Community events and functions. The fear of that severe a punishment alone was enough to generally keep those with agendas of their own quite “in line.” In the 1960’s and 1970’s especially, and to a lessening degree in the 1980’s and 1990’s, if you were ostracized from one Community, it was likely you weren’t going to find very many people to play with. Now, in the New Millennium, and thanks to the advent of instant access to any information via the World Wide Web, it is very easy for an “outcast” member of one community organization to latch onto another one – and without any kind of vetting process what so ever.

Second, and far more of an issue, is what can only be described as the “fracturing” of entire Communities into smaller, more “specialized” practitioners. For “old guard” SM folk, there was a sense of “we’re in this together”: It wasn’t (and still isn’t, in some old quarters) the leather crowd holding court over the latex crowd; who in turn cast a contemptuous but curious eye to the spandex or PVC people. There wasn’t so much a sense of superiority of the large tribal-influenced Body Modification contingent over the straight out-and-out whip-bottoms and pierced pure masochists. There was a sense of “your kink isn’t my kink, but we’re all in this together – and united we’re stronger.” I can personally attest, during the 1980’s in particular, to the strength of the Society of Janus in San Francisco as a prime example. Strangely, the Society of Janus started to come apart at the seams the moment a “younger element” voiced a desire to have more of an active say in how the Society conducted business. When the ‘old guard’ objected – cracks began to appear in the old Community’s framework, and eventually an inevitable series of splits occurred. Some of those now-decades long wounds have failed to completely heal, and some of the splinter groups have long since vanished. The Society of Janus has survived, though – and is currently regarded as the second-oldest, continuous communal SM Organization in the United States (The Eulenspiegal Society being the oldest – which has had “fracturing” issues of its own over the decades of its existence).

(Note the Second: It should be noted that “old guard” is used here as a metaphor, not as a de facto title. The reverence to “Old Guard”, those that paved the way the way for literally every one of us to be able to freely express our sadomasochistic tendencies and desires, is an entirely separate storyline, and is too intricate and glorious to do justice to within the paragraphs of this particular piece.)

It is a very old maxim that people are afraid of change. It is far more comfortable to live – sometimes blindly so – in a comfortable, familiar manner. In the case of the Society of Janus, an argument could be made that the community elders were, more or less, dragged kicking and screaming into the modern electronic age. Those organizations and businesses that embrace new methods of communication and technology are certain to continue to prosper and grow their ranks and loyalties. Those that resist change soon find, sadly, that they just don’t have a playground (or even playmates) around to explore the wonders and joys within this particular expressive lifestyle that we’ve collectively chosen. To the unending credit of both the Society of Janus and The Eulenspiegal Society, they have found ways to embrace the tools of the digital age (websites and social networking especially) and have figuratively weathered the thundering storms of lightning-quick change – and survived.

If there is a downside, though, it’s that the ‘storm weathering’ in both of these important, historically-significant large community groups in North America was (more or less) solely undertaken for the benefit of existing, long-term members, and as a potential ‘recruitment and contact tool’ in the same sense and manner that any aggregator in the modern age reaches out to potential new members (or customers). That is to say, the use of the Internet to educate the masses of the people about the existence and offerings of these large communal groups is both a bane and a boon: In the shotgun approach to recruitment, the “screening” or vetting process has virtually disappeared – and the contact information (which used to be so incredibly difficult to obtain, as mentioned above) is oh-too-easily available, right down to contact names, (Email) addresses and telephone numbers, with a simple click of a button. Shotgun approaches are sure to bring interest and new, enthusiastic members to respective communities – but that approach has absolutely zero positive effect upon weeding out the quality, community-minded people from the opportunistic, mercenary, narcissistic and potentially destructive poisonous types. Sadly, as ever-growing examples of aforementioned “drama” continue to populate our communal messaging systems and digitally megalithic gathering places (such as the popular website Fet Life, for example), the latter appears to be far more the “norm” than the “exception”.

Which is exactly why the New York City Fetish TRIBE is so incredibly, wonderfully unique.

The main movers and shakers of what is called the NYC Tribe - Mike B., Kelley Dane and an amazingly engaging, alluring and supremely magnetic personality known locally as Powder – have managed to create, and promote, an exceptional, large new Community that is based on a perfect blending, or balance, of “old world” ideals with “new age” methods. In essence, what the troika has managed to deliver to the Fetish and SM world at large is a hybrid: they take the best of what made the “old world” groups (such as their distinguished older ‘cousins’ in New York, TES) perfected in the way of a true Community bond and “self-policing” system, and combined it with all the advantages and glamour that the positive exploitation of digital media can provide. Working in concert with a young, Mohawk-sporting, engaging and enthusiastic Education Coordinator who goes by the moniker of Rocky Horror, the foursome produced – and entirely succeeded – in bringing something quite new, and in the opinion of many in attendance, revolutionary weekend-long event to North America’s largest social stage.

The New York City Tribe Experience was held, for the first time, in early October, 2010. It ran for five, virtually full days – from October 7^th to 11^th, and by all accounts there simply wasn’t a down moment to be found during the entire time. “Tribesters” from all parts of North America – Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Florida, Arizona, Montreal and Toronto – gathered for several feverish days of unparalleled Fetish and sadomasochistic delights that, without a word of bias or favoritism, culminated in the absolute best (the majority of attendees agreed) experience in their lives.

Did it have the unending eye candy that a Montreal Fetish Weekend brings? No, not really. Was it as deliciously performance-laden and eye-popping as a Torture Garden event always is? Absolutely not! Was it as well-attended or as truly spectacular as either the huge annual Northbound Leather events or the Von Gutenberg Fetish Balls? Not even close! Neither, it must be said, was the NYC Tribe Experience designed to resemble as such. Naturally, there were four entire evenings of near-exhaustively paced parties – but there were other factors in play throughout the weekend that simply set what Mike, Kelley, Powder and Rocky were able to accomplish far above anything most of the attendees had experienced before.

What is even more impressive: they managed to accomplish four entire days of all-inclusive absolute revelry for an astonishing ticket price of only $75.00. That’s $75.00 for VIP access to all four large parties and all day-trips and excursions. The organizers also set up a billeting system for out-of-town guests, in order to defray the cost of attendance and spare visitors (who may not have been able to attend the Experience otherwise) the sting of having to pay somewhat ridiculous hotel room rates. This was an exceptionally welcome, and fantastic, idea: our little group spoke to a few people who took advantage of this billeting system (in which Tribe members volunteered a room, or a bed, or a couch even, for a night or more in their own homes) – and fast made new, solid long-term friendships from these arrangements. All in all, many precedents were established during this initial New York City Tribe Experience – and with few exceptions, the organizers managed to make it all click meticulously.

It wouldn’t do the Tribe organizers any justice to delve into deep, detailed and intricate dissections of each of the four main parties – three of which exist on their own merits as “separate but connected events” within the New York City fetish scene (Impact, Dress to {xcess and Suspension). The main distinguishing feature of all three of these “Main Events” is that they were held in three unique venues. Other weekend-long events tend to be limited to one, and in some cases (like the Fetish Weekend and Torture Garden, for instance), two, main locations. Having the three main evening gatherings in three separate, but relatively central locations enabled the organizers to present somewhat of a fresh atmosphere to each themed party. For instance, in order to get a sense of what is being described, some weekend long Fetish events will have two large-scale parties, on consecutive nights, at one appropriate club or event hall. What one of the criticisms of this format has been, is that in reality, the second-night’s gathering in the same locale tends to be a virtual ‘carbon copy’ of the previous night’s fun – even though the entertainment line-up will invariably differ. There was no sense of déjà vu at the Tribe Experience. Each party – while attended by the same people, featuring the same equipment to play on and featuring an inordinate amount of the same costuming – nevertheless felt like a “new”, and quite vibrant, titillating separate event. Whether this was done by accident, out of necessity or completely be design, it absolutely worked.

What also worked, and were themselves delightfully quirky and unique events, were each of the “sideline day trips” that the Tribe brain-trust organized. Ranging from an afternoon of Croquet in Central Park (wearing nothing but the finest knickers and lingerie, of course) to an awe-inspiring witnessing of the “dawn’s early light” (complete with bagels), on the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, each little day excursion was intended to – and succeeded in – recharging the metaphorical ‘batteries’ that had been drained from exhortations and excitations at one of the large parties the evening previous. These “day trips” were an exceptional and very welcome idea: it is without question that similar, somewhat gimmicky events will be planned for other Fetish weekends in other large centres heading into 2011. They were reported to be extraordinarily fun – and eminently succeeded in bringing new-found friends much closer together in so short a time span.

Which leads to a necessary few words in regard to the participation of other identifiable groups that collectively thrive under the translucent “Tribe umbrella”: It is rare – even unheard of – for so-called “competing organizations” to come together, let alone work together, to give the vast populace a truly encompassing, communal experience. The “day trips”, and several of the “official” functions connected with the NYC Tribe Experience were all encouraged to be, and actively were, sponsored by entirely outside and separate entities. For instance, the Kinky Jews group were responsible for hosting the early-morning Brooklyn Bridge sunrise breakfast excursion on Sunday morning, and the NYC TNG crowd were responsible for hosting the unforgettable Lingerie Croquet in Central Park (an event, I may add, that was featured on several morning NYC news magazine shows and prominently in at least two major New York daily newspapers – you can’t purchase that kind of free publicity in New York so readily). Without question, never since the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in San Francisco has there been such an immense and successful collaboration of large, Fetish and SM community-focused organizations joining forces, and resources, in an effort to just bring their New York City residents and respective guests such an undeniable good time.

I cannot go any further without mentioning the professionalism, dedication and indeed the pure class of Mike B. in particular. This in no way casts a dispersion on the other three organizers mentioned within the body of this piece, but something happened on Friday evening that was extraordinary, and should be held as an example of what the definition of a “responsible event organizer” can be.

At Friday night’s big event (the Impact play party), there were some glaring safety issues regarding the placement of equipment and monitoring staff that our little “entourage” immediately viewed as areas of extreme concern. Without going into exorbitant and unnecessary detail, it must be said that Mike B., when quietly informed of our concerns (he had just arrived a few moments before and therefore had not had even a chance to take his coat off, I might add – a bit of a social faux pas on my account admittedly) immediately leapt into action and within a few minutes had directed his staff to rectify the potential dangers. The rest of Friday’s festivities proceeded without incident – much to the happiness of the huge crowd. This is the mark of a dedicated man who obviously cares deeply for the quality of experience that he plans to present to each and every one of his guests.

By extension, the other organizers are equally worthy of laudability. In an area of our Fetish world where it is usually the work of a single person, or a duo at best, that reaps the praise of a grateful community for their event-running efforts, it is remarkable that four and more answerable individuals can work to create such an awe-inspiring great experience with such total comprehension, and so little tension, between them. Regardless of whatever issues, troubles or “drama” any of these organizers may have had to face prior to the commencement of the Tribe Experience weekend, they didn’t allow those issues to cloud their abilities to present to their people a world-class, and first-rate professional Fetish and SM affair.

It was a masterstroke of pure genius to host the weekend’s educational component – the Tribe Workshops – in the same venue in which the final soiree was going to be produced. Lady J, my beloved life mate, and I were guests of the irrepressible Mistress Lyn and sjoe for the entire week (a week in which saw Your Humble Narrator finally be able to pay respects to a childhood hero – Ulysses S. Grant – who lies within an immense, magnificent tomb at Riverside Park), and for most scheduled events our intrepid foursome made the long drive from Long Island into the City in order to partake in the festivities. I say “most”, sadly, because one of our troupe became quite ill with a serious infection and ended up missing all of Saturday’s fun (yes, it was me). But I digress slightly: Lady J and I were asked to conduct two basic single-tail whipping seminars on the Sunday afternoon, and I readily admit that in my weakened, sickened state, my first impression of the venue wasn’t entirely favorable.

It didn’t take us long to warm up to the place, though; this unassuming little edifice known as The Delancey. Skeptical first impressions quickly gave way to silent admiration as we realized this four-level nightclub was, in truth, the absolute perfect venue in which to host all of Sunday’s educational seminars. Our own two seminars were conducted with great joy and without a single hitch, and all of the classes were well-attended and enthusiastically participated in by the Tribesters who chose to come out. Because of the aforementioned illness, our foursome simply could not stay for the Suspension event that was held in the same venue later on that same evening – but reading the concerned and heartfelt notes left for me by many of our new Tribe friends the next morning, it was absolutely evident that we’d had to pass on a history-making occasion. At the time of this writing, over an entire month after the final doors closed on the Tribe Experience, there are still excited stories being swapped about the grandeur and hedonistic delight of Sunday evening’s Suspension – such so, that it is without question that the event is certain to become a long-running, essential ‘staple’ on the Fetish party circuit for New York City (and area) dwellers for years to come. I am still wondering how all four of the organizers pulled it off, and so amazingly well: Mike B., Powder and Rocky in particular were so obviously exhausted they collectively resembled something from a George Romero Zombie feature by Sunday afternoon. And yet, all of them (joined by Kelley) somehow managed to suck it up, and then pull off, a highlight worthy, signature event to cap an unbelievably sumptuous weekend of great fun and glorious decadence.

That, my friends, is what every event organizer in every major town should aspire to create. The New York City Fetish Tribe is a revolutionary concept. It is the evolution of the “old” perfectly enhanced with all the advantages of the “new”. It is a community of fantastic, joyful and dedicated, responsible people enraptured within breath-depriving, sensual experiments in ecstasy during some of the best-planned, and best executed, large-scale event gatherings on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The Tribe is what many of the ‘old’ communities had aspired to be, and for reasons that limited those eras legally and socially, could never truly be.

The Tribe Experience is a hopeful gaze towards the future – and a shining example of what other large alternative-lifestyle communities should aspire to be.

(All photos courtesy of Aeric Meredith-Goujon Photography and NYC Fetish Tribe. All Rights Reserved.)