Annual Kink Expo (AKE)

Sensation play is one of the most accessible and versatile ways to deepen intimacy and expand connection in BDSM. In this class, we’ll explore the foundations—what sensation play is, why it matters, and how to use everyday items (yes, even what’s in your purse or kitchen drawer) to create powerful experiences. You’ll leave with practical skills, new perspectives, and a reminder that the language of touch begins with curiosity, presence, play, and creativity.

Want to use rope to create intimacy, not just restraint? Rope for Connection is a 75-minute immersive experience where you’ll learn how to turn bondage into a language of care, presence, and deep partnership. This isn’t about complex knots or performance—it’s about using rope as a tool to see and hold your partner, both physically and emotionally. What You’ll Explore: - The Philosophy of Connection: How intentional touch and rope can foster trust and presence. - Safety & Sensitivity: Reading your partner’s verbal and nonverbal cues to ensure comfort and connection. - Simple, Effective Techniques: Easy-to-learn ties that prioritize emotional resonance over complexity. - The Art of Holding: Using tension, touch, and rhythm to create a meditative, connective experience. Class Flow: 1. Discussion: The difference between "tying" and *connecting* with rope. 2. Demo: Slow, mindful techniques that emphasize partnership over perfection. 3. Hands-On Practice: Paired exercises to explore sensation, communication, and mutual presence. Perfect For: - Couples or play partners wanting to deepen their emotional bond. - Rope beginners (no experience needed!). - Anyone curious about bondage as a practice of attentiveness—not just restraint. Leave With: - Skills to make your partner feel cherished, not just tied. - A fresh perspective on rope as a dialogue, not a monologue. The best knots aren’t the tightest—they’re the ones that make your partner sigh.

This two-part class will explore strategies for enhancing the energy flow in D/s dynamics. 

Part One will explore how to use massage as a form of whole body impact play to stimulate physical and emotional energy flows between (or among) the participants. Also covered will be some of the many ways massage can be integrated into roleplay.

In Part Two Mistress Gothic will describe and demonstrate various techniques she uses to energize her race and gender informed approach to her D/s dynamic. This approach is designed to help the D-type regain and energize personal agency, sexual autonomy, and pleasure in the face of past trauma, long standing social inequality, and cultural constraints and the s-type to learn and grow through service, study, and obedience.

This class is designed to inspire attendees to use both physical and relational strategies to energize healthy and inspiring D/s dynamics.

Wax Play 101 covers everything you need to be ready for your own wax play scene. We start with tools of the trade and covering safety and risks. Then we get to the fun part of a demo and how to set up a scene. SmacksAndWax will also have the pure paraffin spa-grade wax candles available for sale in the vendor area - same ones we demo with to make for brilliant colors and easy clean-up.

Ever wondered what that flogger really feels like—or how your partner experiences your strikes? This 75-minute immersive workshop flips the script by giving you hands-on experience as both the giver and receiver of impact. Through discussion, demo, and guided practice, you’ll explore: ✔️ Safety & Negotiation: Communication frameworks for clear, consensual play. ✔️ Sensory Literacy: How different implements (floggers, paddles, canes and/or hands) create unique sensations. ✔️ Dual-Role Practice: Trade roles with a partner to feel the physics and psychology of impact from both sides. Why It’s Unique: - Walk in Their Shoes: Build empathy and technical skill by switching roles. - Low Pressure: Focused on discovery, not performance. - For All Levels: Newbies and seasoned players alike gain fresh perspective. Leave With: - A deeper understanding of your own—and your partner’s—impact preferences. - Confidence to negotiate and explore with greater awareness.

No toybag? No problem! In this class, learn to create an entire heavy impact scene with just your own body. Slapping, punching, pinching, biting, knees and elbows all come into play to create sensations that take the breath away. We’ll talk about how to hit, where to hit, how to know how hard to hit, and the risks and rewards of playing rough. We’ll also discuss safety, negotiations, and aftercare so you can thrill your partners and have them coming back for more! This class includes a live demo of the techniques described.

Pressure Points - An Owners Manual” is a class which focuses heavily on pressure points and how to utilize them to make the most of your scene. There is a significant amount of time spent covering the anatomy & physiology of pressure points, to prevent injury that may result from poor execution. Throughout the class, there is open discussion on how to best apply each pressure point to a scene.

Teaching Elements:

• Safety considerations and injury prevention

• Hands vs. Tools

• Head-to-toe mapping of pressure points

• Applying pressure points to a scene

TBA