SMIRC 2024 Class Lineup
Friday, August 2nd
5:00 pm - 11 :00 pm
Registration open
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Meet and greet - conference rooms open
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Introductions & opening remarks
8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Opening performance
9:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Conference room available for practice
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Saturday, August 3rd
8:00 am - 6:00 pm - Registration open
9:00 am - 10:30 am - Class 1
The Tobutsuru Hip Harness
R0pe-daddy and AuraLee33
Knowledge Base: Be able to tie a single column and an inline cuff.
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Did you know The Tobutsuru is a hip harness?
We will cover how to tie this hip harness.What to
Bring to Class: 2-3 hanks of rope
9:00 am - 10:30 am - Class 2
Oh Shit - Help!
Bonds of Steel
This class demonstrates knowledge of what to do in different emergency situations in the dungeon, and reviewing dungeons for safety before play.
This explores scenarios and solutions such as medical emergency, gear failure and more to help prepare both tops and bottoms.
Concepts covered:
Is the environment safe to play in, are there trip hazards such as crash mats - which can be good or bad, is the gear safe?
Taking someone off a rig as quickly and safely as possible.
Different methods of moving a sub should they pass out - chair vs rig vs spanking bench.
When to call out for help if needed, and how to help others.
Items that can be of use - backboards, chairs, tables.
What should you carry with you at all times besides safety shears and an open mind?
What responsibilities do the rigger and riggee hold, separately and together?
10:30 am - 11:00 am - Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Class 1
Floating Hashira Tying: Ramping up the Intensity- Intermediate/ Advanced
MR_Arrow and Subzq
Mr_Arrow and Subzq2 live and breathe “hashira,” which means playing on a vertical pole. They created a new style of dungeon furniture, the “Dungeon Pole,” which is an easily portable, free-
standing pole strong enough for suspensions. One will be available in our dungeon during the
con, so you may want to check it out.
This class teaches the “floating” style of hashira, where a bamboo is rigged off the ground vertically, with one end attached to a hard point. The rope bottom is suspended, tied to the bamboo which is “floating” in the air.
We can provide five bamboos (presuming there are enough hard points). Students can also bring their own. This is a class for players who are already competent in suspensions.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Class 2
Tying For Eels
BondageNexus and Rope_Siren
Escape artists are a special breed of rope fans. Often they are secretly disappointed if they are tied in a way that they can eel out easily.
This class covers techniques that can be used to restrain willing partners inescapably. We cover the safety issues that are unique to eeling scenes including the urge to thrash, and how to tie so that partners are able to experience competitive thrashing or panic.
Hints for gamification of eeling scenes are included so that attendees can enhance their styles of play.
We cover the psychology of eeling including the (often accidental and unintentional) power exchange which can occur when a skilled escape artist finds out that they cannot escape a tie they were sure they could slip.
We demonstrate the making of Solomon bar rope cuffs that provide the magic cross between actual cuffs and a rope tie.
Suitable audiences: Beginners to advanced rope fans love this class.
Rope: Any rope works but folks learn that nylon rope is often a better fit because knots can be untied by secured hands and toes.
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Lunch break
Conference Rooms Will Be Open For A
Mini-Lunch Munch Get Together
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Class 1
Single Columns... Only!
SnappedGinger and CaptainLeviathan
Though single columns are the first tie most rope enthusiasts learn, they're still really important in more complex rope.
In this class, we'll focus on the use of single columns in suspension. We'll share tips and tricks for managing single column inversions (including ankle inversions).
We'll also explore transition sequences using only single columns.
This class is taught from the perspective of self-tiers, but partnered attendees are welcome to attend and participate as well.
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Class 2
Intro to Strangulation
MrO and Ropeybunny
This workshop provides an introduction to strangulation play (aka choking), including rope based methods.
Attendees who wish to do so will have the option of trying techniques on a partner, provided it falls within both of their risk profiles. Topics include: risks and risk mitigation negotiation type of choking play (air/blood) techniques & demonstrations optional hands on practice skill development
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Break
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Class 1
Suspension Without Plan:
Where experience, skill, and terrible ideas all come to play together!
Air with Rope_Siren
A lack of a plan does not mean a lack of intention. To safely break the rules, one must first learn them. In this class, I will help you become more adaptable and creative as we explore how to leverage our existing skills and knowledge, while trusting ourselves to innovate. One of my favorite aspects of this play is that by not micromanaging and staying present, we discover beautiful (and often hilarious) places we never knew existed.
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
PRE-REQS:
-Tying folx need solid up line management, a suspendible chest and lower body harness, negotiation skills, basic anatomy of nerves and pressure points.
-Those in rope need suspension experience, body awareness, and excellent verbal communication skills while in rope and in suspension.
-Self-tiers need all of the above AND self-suspension experience.
TO BRING:
-Tying participants will need full rope kit, carabiners, cutters (*must be able to keep on person if self-tying), and preferred suspension equipment, straps, etc.
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4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Class 2
Caressing Shibari 201- Flowing the Hog Tie
MR_Arrow and Subzq
Caressing Shibari focuses on dynamic floor play that creates a conversation and energy exchange between the rigger and the rope receiver, focusing on dominate touch and transitioning between positions. It is a style that emphasizes using rope as a conduit for connection, and rather than focusing on ending at a specific tie, it emphasizes the journey through the scene as an experience for both rigger and receiver. The late Haruki Yukimura compared rope to a child’s playground cup and rope telephone, observing that it only works if tension remains and both parties are fully engaged in the practice.
The hog tie is a floor play favorite, but is often treated as a static tie. The receiver gets into position, the rope is applied, they enjoy, and then the tie is removed. This session will teach a
method for dynamically transitioning into and out of the hog tie as part of a continuous scene, emphasizing the emotional connection of the rigger and receiver provided through dominant touch and repositioning. The psychology of dynamic floor play, from both the rigger and reciever’s perspective, will be shared, providing a range of flow options for tying pairs. Tie along and demonstration will be facilitated. Let’s have fun!
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Dinner Break
8:00 pm - 1:00 am
Party at The Mothership
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Conference rooms available for practice
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Sunday, August 4th
8:00 am - 10:30 am - Registration open
9:00 am - 10:30 am - Class 1
Suspension Recipe
BondageNexus and Rope_Siren
The purpose of the Suspension Recipe class is to introduce otherwise experienced rope tops to suspension. Often rope tops report being unclear about one or two things that keep them from attempting suspensions.
Rather than a “tie along” approach, we gather the group into a very close circle and demonstrate a simple recipe for first time face down suspensions that can safely(!) accommodate any size of rope bottom.
This class will watch - at very close range - how the recipe is done. The process is repeated up to five times. This method has been proven to be boring to the attendees, such that they experience new confidence that they can now A)do the thing that has prevented them from suspending or that they B)know exactly what to practice. The class also gets a good suspension recipe composed of a simplified OS2 chest harness and separate thigh cuffs.
Suitability: Intermediate rope tops looking to take their first steps in suspension.
Rope: No rope is required for this class.
9:00 am - 10:30 am - Class 2
Struggle Play and Rope
MrO and Ropeybunny
Many of us like rough body play, and many of us like rope bondage too. What could be better than both combined? In this workshop we will look at using grappling take downs and pins to keep our partner still while we tie them, and ways we can use rope to control and move them as we play.
Topics covered will include:
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Negotiation
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Safety
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Take Down
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Pins
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Quick Ties
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Body Manipulation
Attendees should know a non-collapsing single and double column tie.
10:30 am - 11:00 am - Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Class 1
Face Up TK
R0pe-daddy and AuraLee33
Knowledge Base: Participants must be able to comfortably tie a TK. Please do not attend this class if you do not have a solid understanding of a TK!
Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced
The face up TK is a favorite of ours. We will cover how to tie a sustainable face up TK; as well as our most favorite ways to pose in this tie. Say Cheese!
What to Bring to Class: 6-8 hanks of rope
11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Class 2
Knot What You See: Tying Blindfolded
SnappedGinger and CaptainLeviathan
Darkness. Complete darkness. Spaciness hitting hard, the sound of soft breathing, the feeling of rope slipping through fingers and pulling tight around flesh. Without sight, the way we experience a rope scene changes.
But, what happens if the person tying the rope is blindfolded?
This class will open with a few short demos of both self-tying and tying partnered rope blindfolded. We will discuss how vision, or lack of, influences a rope scene, then work through drills to build skills in tying blindfolded. Bring a blindfold, if you can. A limited number will be available to borrow.
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Lunch break
Conference Rooms Will Be Open For A
Mini-Lunch Munch Get Together
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Class 1
Inspirational Sadomasochism
Air
Woo hoo! Risk-aware, absurdity-driven, creative, and hilariously torturous predicament play, for all levels and all hoomans, no partner required, but always welcome.
This class is demo/discussion of predicament play with rope…. and a few other things I’ve picked up along the way. I will be demonstrating a variety of self-tied predicaments, but just b/c I’m unpartnered, you don’t have to be!
This class is intended for anyone interested in (or obsessed with) predicament play! As is coming to be expected in my classes, the demo will be entertaining, creative and ridiculous... But I promise, we won’t let the shenanigans deter us from learning a ton and I’m confident everyone will leave with new skills to practice and things to try!!
In addition to rope, folx may want to bring toys, clamps, a hank or 2 of paracord or smaller diameter rope, vibrators, spreader bar or body bamboo, etc… for creative purposes!
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Class 2
Suspension Hardpoints & Dungeon Safety
Bonds of Steel
Everything you want to know about suspension gear and how to purchase or use to suit your needs.
This class is talking about the pros and cons of different sorts of rigs, not just mine, and is not set up to make mine look best as sometimes a competitor's rig may be better for you than mine.
It also covers basic dungeon safety from a gear standpoint, which benefits tops, bottoms, event organizers, and dungeon owners.
We show how to cursory review of all gear - not just hard points - to ensure it's assembled correctly and if you need to alter your scene to fit the piece of gear.
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Closing ceremony and remarks
Prizes and raffles
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Conference rooms available for social time
Break down equipment and get out of dodge