Month: February 2025

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You’re here because you love us and are able to make an ongoing commitment to the stability of the Grounds. Thank you.  Many folks care about us, but don’t actually know we’re in crisis.  Many others know that we’re in crisis, but don’t realize that their small contributions can make a difference. (They do. They’re honestly the main thing that does!)  Will you help us get the word out?  Attached is a link to the newsletter I sent all our mailing list subscribers today. If you haven’t yet, take a moment to review so you know what’s going on.  https://wicked-grounds.ck.page/posts/an-update-rays-of-hope-and-a-request-to-get-this-over-the-finish-line If you’re willing to share this with people that you know value the Grounds, we would certainly appreciate it.  Not everyone is in a position to contribute. We get that. But the gap is actually VERY manageable if everyone who values the Grounds gives a very small amount. (See my cheeky “Math” posts on various social media — the actual amount we need from any particular social follower ranges from $1 on Twitter to $3 on Facebook & FetLife. Literally trival amounts.)  My suspicion is that most folks either don’t know that we’re in need (because :: waves hands around at social media :: ) or don’t think they can make a difference.  We are.  They can.  Much love,  Mir  PS: One way or another we WILL continue to offer our community building and education. But our current physical location is of vital importance to our operations and the people who use it as a home. Let’s not let it fall out of our hands. 

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May Fair ​ An art, artisan & wellness fair for the kinky, queer and sex-positive community ​ Wicked Grounds Cafe & Annex 289 and 293 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 Join us for a celebration of our local community! ​ Get your advance tickets now! ​ This Saturday May Fair will be taking over the entire Annex & Cafe, and there will be a cover to enter either space for the day until after 5pm. This event is a fundraiser for Wicked Grounds Cafe & Annex. May Fair centers our queer, kinky & sex-positive community in all our parts! We will have a wide variety of artists, artisans, and kink vendors as well as tarot readers, oracles and body workers to help us center wellness for our community. Confirmed vendors: Alice Arcana – Tarot reading & witchy earrings Byrd Beaks – Masks & accessories Cedar and Spice – Paintings, artwork & gaming gear Dandy Disaster – Small prints, art comics & stickers! Didi Does Good Massage– Massage Dungeon K Studio – Kink inspired jewelry & adornments Glam Punk Art – Wall art & other decor Grimoire of Magi – Earthy herbal & apothecary magick HeartShapedEarmarks – Petplay gear LV Bite – Kinky & queer art Mauskavelli – Paintings & artwork Mischief Manor Studio – Handcrafted magickal tools & gaming gear Needle Play Acupuncture – Acupuncture ReDiscovery Coach by Flame RosaNegra – Tarot & oracular readings Security Culture – Neon vegan fetishwear Wicked Grounds – Kink gear & books, occult books, tarot ​ Get your advance tickets now! ​ $5+ admission in advance or at the door. This event is a fundraiser, so give what you are able! Advance tickets available through Forbidden Tickets here: ​https://forbiddentickets.com/events/wicked-grounds/847baed104​ Higher donations gratefully accepted to support the space. Access This event is held in both Wicked Grounds Cafe & Wicked Grounds Annex (two doors down from the café). While the Annex space is ADA friendly once upstairs, stairs at the front door are the only means of ingress and egress to the space. This event is an inclusive, queer, and sex-positive safe space.

Books are sexy! And all our books are at a 20% discount today. Kink books! Magick books! Tarot decks! Consent books! Polyamory books! You get the idea. WickedGrounds.com CODE: EFFINBIZ22

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First, I want to say that I’m extremely grateful to everyone’s enthusiasm and support for our latest Staying the Eff in Business efforts. We do have several new classes & content in development and remain excited about building future programming, events and offerings with our community near and far — so let’s keep doing this together. This particular sale has two days left, but you’ll keep hearing from me in the next couple of weeks as we try to right the post-Omicron ship. We’re building new programs and cool new events over here that we can’t wait to delight you with. ​ Enjoy some of the free stuff we already have out there for you! Did you ever wonder why we have a Patreon? In part, it’s so that we can help kinksters everywhere while creating cool stuff like this: Did you know we have a YouTube channel? You may get some free pre-pandemic snippets of content there. You can even find most of the old Kinky Queer Revolution podcast!!! You can even find a taped version of our BDSM Negotiation Basics class (old school! no slides or Zoom!) right here. Into our Sex Magick programming? You might enjoy this talk Mir gave a few years ago about Sex Magick & Polarity Beyond Gender. If you love some of this and want to tip, you know where. ​ Help us by helping us help you! Take advantage of the Staying the Eff in Business sale in person or online. 20% off all books & decks, and most impact & sex toys! Just use code EFFINBIZ between now and Sunday evening. Do you have one of our cool new shirts yet? WickedGrounds.clothing offers great designs via print on demand and gets neat swag to your door reliably and quickly. Have you been meaning to sign up for a future class? Why not sign up now? ​ Join our Patreon for personal benefits and to stabilize our long term trajectory. Use our new Schedulista to book daytime hours for the Annex directly, or even book time to pick Mir’s brain. Or reach out to Events@WickedGrounds.com to talk about other bookings! ​ Help us by helping others! Throw a support coffee or scholarship ticket onto your purchases at WickedGrounds.com by checking our our Pay It Forward section. In just the past two weeks, we’ve been able to provide education to 16 people who could not have afforded it otherwise. That benefits everyone. Want to buy a LOT of support coffee or scholarship tickets? Send funds via PayPal to put your funds to work immediately. Don’t want anything but want to throw in a few shekels? Use our online tip jar for one-time contributions or to show your gratitude for our content beyond classes & coffee. ​ We want to be here for you. You want us to be here for you. Let’s do this. Let’s weave community. With love and gratitude, Mir Love all the many things Wicked Grounds offers you beyond our products? Show us some love in our tip jar or by joining our Patreon!

We are doubling down on our KINK 101 series, and for the first time since before the pandemic we have at least one instance of almost every Kink 101 class available. Whether it’s your first adventure in kink, or you’ve taken one of the series and are hungry for more, we hope you’ll check out these upcoming classes at Wicked Grounds! All Wicked Grounds classes are available on a sliding scale. If cost is a barrier at any level, please use the “Volunteer List” at the bottom of the ticket listing to request a space-available scholarship ticket. A reminder that our Patreon VIP members at the $30/month or higher level automatically get access to one Kink 101 class per month just for the asking. The KINK 101 Series All classes taught by Miriam Green, owner Wicked Grounds This series welcomes all genders, orientations, and dynamic styles. Kink 101: BDSM Negotiation Basics (SF & ONLINE) Upcoming dates available: ​Monday, February 21st (TICKETS) ​ ​Monday, March 21st (TICKETS) ​ or mark your calendars – this is every third Monday So you’ve met a lovely human that you want to play with… but you’re nervous that the negotiation will kill the mood. Perhaps you’re just starting out in the scene and want to learn the basics of pre-scene negotiation. Or maybe you’ve had challenges communicating that you’d like to understand and address. This workshop is designed for newcomers to BDSM but is open to anyone who wants new tools to improve their BDSM communications. KINK 201: Advanced BDSM Negotiations – Relationships & Dynamics (SF & ONLINE) Upcoming dates available: ​Monday, February 28th (TICKETS) ​ ​Monday, March 28th (TICKETS) ​ or mark your calendars – this is every fourth Monday Join us for a Kink 201 session which delves in-depth into negotiating and check-ins for ongoing BDSM dynamics. We’ll talk about: – Setting your own must-haves and red flags – Negotiating for play partner relationships – D/s relationships & contracts – How to maintain relationships over time – And more! Building on our negotiation basics, we’ll learn how to negotiate as partners toward a BDSM style that is hotter, more fun, and more powerful for all partners in a dynamic. This workshop is designed for kinksters with some experience and knowledge of how to negotiate for BDSM play and scenes, but is open to anyone who wants new tools to improve their BDSM communications in ongoing relationships. KINK 101: Welcome to the SF Scene (SF only) Psst! Have you wished for a class like this for folks beyond the Bay Area? We’re working on an online class right now — stay tuned! Upcoming dates available: ​Saturday, March 5th (TICKETS) ​ ​Saturday, April 2nd (TICKETS) ​ or mark your calendars – this is every first Saturday at noon New to the local public scene? This Kink 101 class gives you the basics on the San Francisco BDSM scene, and is perfect whether you’re new to kink, new to the public scene, want to learn more about local BDSM play and education, even just want to know what the heck happens at a kink café. Join us for this quick orientation to the local kink scene and San Francisco’s very own kink café. This session is perfect for folks who are making their first brave steps into the San Francisco kink scene. This class is also a perfect intro to etiquette and protocols if you’re planning to get involved with local play parties and organizations. Private Joy: Sadomasochism for Solo & Distance Play (SF & ONLINE) Upcoming dates available: ​Thursday, March 3rd (TICKETS) ​ This class is offered about every three months Partnered BDSM is fun — but there’s no reason to give up kinky play when you’re on your own. Whether you’re just exploring your kinks, want to spice up your solo play, or want some ideas for play with distanced partners, this is the class for you! Starting with exploring our own goals & intentions for kink, we will explore a wide variety of strategies for getting your own kink on! From solo sadomasochistic play to safely practicing bondage on your own, we’ll navigate the wide world of unpartnered and distantly partnered kink. You’ll walk away with lots of tips and tricks for keeping your play hot and your own passions & life force burning! This workshop is designed for players at all levels of experience. Whether you’re brand new to exploring your kinks & fetishes, or an experienced player looking for new ideas, you’re certain to leave with new tools & techniques for solo and distance play. NEW CLASS! Diving Deep – Discovering and Voicing Kink Desires (SF & ONLINE) Upcoming dates available: ​Thursday, April 7th (TICKETS) ​ This class will be offered about every three months The first step in negotiating is voicing what we want. But many of us run into challenges almost immediately: What do I want? Assuming I figure that out, how do I feel safe talking out loud about my kinky desires? Join us for a new Kink 101 class brought to you by popular request. Together, we’ll explore: – How to discover what turns you on — even if you haven’t played yet – How to safely learn about kink from other people – Deepening our insights into our own desires, for our own sake – Techniques for finding your voice and speaking freely – Tips & tricks for sharing the desires you’re afraid to voice While this class is geared toward those starting or expanding their BDSM education, it will be of value to kinksters at any level of experience who face the challenges of connecting with or voicing their desires. Dating While Kinky (SF & ONLINE) Upcoming dates available: ​Thursday, May 5th (TICKETS) ​ This class will be offered about every three months Whether you’re doing online dating, speed dating, blind dates, or the million other ways we meet people, it’s hard enough to be yourself and just get to know the someone —

Hello kinksters! Whether you’re near or far, we want to help you connect with your local kink scene. We have lots of NEW events on the way, with brand new opportunities for kink education & connection. Look below next week’s events for a sneak peek at a few. (Do you find this weekly roundup helpful? If this newsletter has saved you time, or given you a great idea, feel free to leave a little something in our tip jar or of course become part of our Patreon!) Events Roundup! (Thursday, February 24th – Monday, March 7th) ​ Thursday, February 24th Café & boutique open 3pm – 10pm Looking to add new depth to a pre-existing D/s or M/s dynamic? Curious to see what it’s like when the collar doesn’t come off at the end of the scene? Tomo leads a moderated discussion about what fulfills participants on both sides of the “slash” to live in 24/7 relationships that exchange authority tonight online at 6 pm PST. This class will delve into why people are drawn to a 24/7 dynamic; what the joys in such a dynamic, as well as some of the challenges. ​Advance ticketing required to participate online. Get yours here!​​ Friday, February 25th Cafe and boutique closed Saturday, February 26th Café & boutique open 10am – 8pm Topologist presents Introductory Rope Bondage Intensive at the Wicked Grounds Annex in San Francisco at 1 pm PST. This class is SOLD OUT/WAITLISTED only at this time Those on the waitlist will be first to hear about upcoming dates, so feel free to add yourself to the waitlist here!​ Sunday, February 27th Café & boutique open 10am – 8pm Continuation of Introductory Rope Bondage Intensive at the Wicked Grounds Annex in San Francisco at 1 pm PST. Monday, February 28th Café & boutique open 3pm – 10pm Interested in BDSM negotiations that go on longer than a scene — for relationships, ongoing dynamics or long-term D/s contracts? There’s a lot to consider about not only what to ask for, but how to frame the discussion to set all parties up for long-term success! Join us at 7pm PST either in person or online for our monthly class Kink 201: Advanced BDSM Negotiations – Relationships & Dynamics with Miriam Green to explore the best questions and strategies to launch and maintain your personal D/s relationships. [Advance ticketing required to attend online and recommended to attend in person. Get yours here!. Patreon members at the VIP+ level may also attend one Miriam Green class per month for free! Live classes with Foundations return to the Annex with Honor, Respect, Integrity at 7pm. You must be a Foundations student or have attended an orientation to take part. Find out more here!​ Tuesday, March 1st Café & boutique open 3pm – 10pm “Playing pretend” is a common activity for humans, typically starting when they are really young, but what about those taboo interests? What can one do with dark desire, and how can we explore them in a healthy way? Lee Harrington takes us down the fantasy rabbit hole in Dark Roleplaying online tonight at 6 pm PST. Explore the shadow realms of our fantasies and rolls we can try on, including abduction, abuse, snuff, and anywhere else our twisted minds can dream up. Tackle how to bring up taboo interests with our partners, troublehoot the challenges these types of fantasies can elicit, and more. ​Advance ticketing required to participate online. Get yours here!​​ Wednesday, March 2nd Café & boutique open 3pm – 10pm Looking to dive further into the emotional and psychological aspects of rope bondage while improving your rope specific communication skills? Wanting to explore the sensual potential in rope play? Join us for Rope Bondage- Sense and Sensuality with Midori online tonight at 6pm PST. This class is for both solo and partnered people, with no rope or BDSM experience required. For this class students should have minimum one piece of rope anywhere from 15′ to 25′ in length, note taking tools, and clothing that allows for some skin exposure. ​Advance ticketing required to participate online. Get yours here!​​ Prefer an in-person exploration of rope bondage, but don’t know where to start? Looking for a chance to connect with the SF rope community? Topologist and Rope Bite San Francisco provide a welcoming, all-inclusive social venue for meeting fellow rope lovers and practicing your bondage skills in San Francisco at the Wicked Grounds Annex tonight at 7pm PST. All you need to attend is an interest in rope!If you don’t have your own rope yet, don’t worry; there’ll be loaner rope you can use, and there is great rope available for purchase at the cafe. There will also be handouts on safety, and teach a short class with some basic techniques at the beginning of the event. ​Advanced tickets are recommended to participate, and seats will be limited. Get yours here!​ You must have proof of full vaccination + booster to attend. Sorry, no exceptions. For more info on what to expect, free online educational resources, and links to related events, see the official Rope Bite group on Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/groups/14363​ Thursday, March 3rd Café & boutique open 3pm – 10pm Partnered BDSM is fun — but there’s no reason to give up kinky play when you’re on your own. Want some ideas for play with distanced partners? How about spice up some solo play? **Miriam Green gives you the tools to get your solo kink on in Private Joy: Sadomasochism for Solo & Distance Play in person at the Wicked Grounds Annex and online tonight at 7pm PST. From solo sadomasochistic play to safely practicing bondage on your own, this class will navigate the wide world of unpartnered and distantly partnered kink. You’ll walk away with lots of tips and tricks for keeping your play hot and your own passions & life force burning! ​Advanced tickets are recommended to participate in person and required to participate online. Get yours here​ The kink

Many terms from the BDSM community have filtered out into wider parlance. Vanilla folks* make jokes about using their safeword or calling red. Folks talk about not kink shaming or may even refer to themselves as vanilla — or not. But some jargon still confuses newcomers to the scene. For example: What the heck is a “munch”? Is that a sex thing?! And why are there so many of them on the calendar? A munch is simply a social gathering of kinky folks for what’s usually a non-kink purpose: socializing, hanging out, getting to know you. In a community that includes many kink- or sexually-charged environments, a munch signifies a low-key, low-protocol way to meet other kinksters where the focus is building community and friendships. I’ve heard that the term originated from “burger munch“, although a few different locales make claim to first use of the term back in the early days of the internet, and it’s hard to know for certain where it originated first. We’ve often heard it was Southern California, but the Bay Area and East Coast have made reasonable claims. In my experience, there are a few specific kinds of munches — and reading your event listing will help you know what you’re getting into. Organizational munches are sponsored by a local BDSM group (for example, San Francisco’s Society of Janus or Austin’s GWNN) and are focused on socializing for that organization. These munches are a great way to meet new friends, learn about what the organization has to offer, and often to help connect with other resources & parties. Topical munches are organized around a specific area of interest. For example, here in SF there are munches for switches, submissives, dominants, asexual kinksters, kinky crafters, gamers, photographers, spiritual kinksters, and much more. Depending on the topics, light play may be allowed at or encouraged; rope events, events for adult age players and events for human animals often offer activities for optional PG-13 level play. Regional munches are often hosted in more rural areas or areas where it’s harder to connect with niche BDSM groups, and provide a way to see what local resources exist. You’ll often find representatives of a few local groups at these. Anyone can start a munch. Yes, that includes YOU! All you need to start a munch is a good reputation in your community, a few friends, and a place to meet. If you want help starting a munch at Wicked Grounds, we have a whole FAQ for that on FetLife. Never been to a munch? Get out there! Munches are the single easiest way to build community with like-minded individuals. Even if the first munch you go to isn’t a good fit, it might help you find another group or munch that is a better fit for you. In many cities and regions of the US, attending munches is the only way to find out how to attend reputable classes & play parties, so going to a munch is a critical first step in becoming part of your local public scene. And being part of your local public scene improves your kink journey in many ways. So your homework — should you choose to accept it — is to find a local or online munch and start meeting your community! xoxo Mir *or are they . . . ? You never know! PS: Has this explainer been useful? You can always leave a little tip here for our newsletter content, and of course we’d love it if you join our Patreon.