FREAKS ON A LEASH: METAMORPHOSIS

Halloween at Freaks on a Leash starts at 16:00.

The afternoon is for getting into the theme without having to go straight into party mode. There will be workshops, discussions, crafting, games and other things happening around the venue. You can join in, move between activities, meet people or simply have a look around.

You might learn a new skill. You might also discover that the thing you've always felt doesn't make you weird at all. It just has a name and twenty other people in the room are interested in it too.

The workshops will focus on communication, consent, self-expression, intimacy and, of course, the fun stuff around BDSM. There will be practical sessions as well as opportunities to talk about things that don't usually come up in everyday conversation. For the fidgety ones, there will be a crafting table set up throughout the whole evening.

We're also bringing back the Community Passport and the Trinket Bazaar. Bring your own, pick up something that catches your eye and trade little trinkets with others.

You'll receive a small booklet to carry with you throughout the event and collect stamps from the workshop hosts. Make notes of what you learned, scribble, write down the name of the person you spent forty minutes talking to about rope, monsters, neuroscience or obscure fantasy lore.

By the end of the night, no two passports should look the same and the trinkets you brought shouldn't be the same ones you take home.

After the workshops come to an end, the part that probably all of us have secretly considered the best part of the night before gets its own moment:

Getting ready together, having a fancy drink and gossiping about how you put on “too much” glitter or eyeliner again? Yeeesss!

You can touch up your makeup, give your latex another shine, ask our host for some styling tips and change into the less comfy part of your outfit that you brought along but didn't want to wear all evening or during a physical workshop (we've all been there).

Having talked about Freaks ON a Leash for long enough, it's time to TAKE IT OFF - show creatures of the night Kiniko and Shego will make it easy for you to break free.

Expect a fun alternative atmosphere on the dancefloor. As usual, Corvo Nero and Oliver Orwell will carry the classics and the modern bangers alike, and we don't take looking cool seriously enough to not break into a silly dance move at any time.

Make sure you find the people you met during the afternoon again later in the night - on the dancefloor, in the play spaces or having a very good conversation in a cozy corner.

Frankly, we can't choose. They're all our favourite outcome.

We’ll turn it down around midnight to let you find your way back and gather your thoughts and memories to take home with you. May they be on your skin, in your head or something to get back to in the future.


Dress Code

This is Halloween.

Latex, leather, PVC, corsetry, lingerie, harnesses, clubwear, extravagant costumes and creative interpretations of the theme all fit.

Metamorphosis can be dramatic or subtle. Come as a creature, a villain, something post-human - or something we don't have a name for yet.

Everyday clothing or simply showing up in underwear does not meet the dress code.

If you're unsure whether your outfit is enough, it's probably worth adding one more thing - or sending us a quick message to check in with your idea.


Awareness & Community

Consent applies everywhere: conversations, dancing, touching and play. Ask before you assume.

No means no. If someone isn't interested, leave them alone.

Respect people's names, pronouns, identities and boundaries. Nobody owes you attention, interaction, a conversation, a dance or a scene.

Racism, queerphobia, transphobia, sexism, body shaming and other discriminatory behaviour have no place here.

Our awareness team will be around throughout the event. If something doesn't feel right, talk to them or find a member of the crew for support.


Play Space Rules

The play areas are intended for consensual BDSM and fetish activities.

Before you play:

- Negotiate what you're doing.
- Talk about limits and safewords.
- Make sure everyone involved actually wants to be there.
- Check in if something changes.

Do not interrupt scenes unless assistance is required.

Photography and filming are prohibited everywhere except in the designated photography area. Photos will only be shared with the people pictured.

Follow the instructions of the crew and awareness team at all times.

Anyone who ignores boundaries, repeatedly breaks the rules or makes other guests feel unsafe may be asked to leave.


New Here?

Good.

Metamorphosis would be a pretty boring concept if everyone already knew exactly who they were.