The fifth annual James Bondage Valentine's Day bash at the Howe Sound Brew Pub Saturday Feb. 14, gets better with every remake.
Organized by the Trinity Romance Shop since 2005, each year the party gets wilder, the costumes crazier and the entertainment more over the top. When asked to describe James Bondage, Eric Armour, owner of Trinity Romance Shop, said the bash is a hybrid of art, party and nouveau vaudeville. In other words, a whole lot of kinky Valentine's fun.
"The party is a fun way to raise money for our local women's shelter, while providing a night tinged with kink and expressive freedom where the people of Squamish can let it all hang loose," said Armour.
The costume-encouraged event includes a lingerie fashion show, a men's underwear show, two DJs, live music and belly dancers. Armour said he is also trying to set up an erotic mime performance - giving this year's event a distinctive circus theme.
"It's a pretty wild party with a fetish theme but we get everyone from professionals to students. It's an atmosphere where people can be open, expressive and empowered, Armour said.
The party sells out fast and some partygoers put hours of work into their kinky costume creations. Armour said guests should check their egos at the door, relax, soak up the atmosphere and prepare to have fun.
Created in 2005, the James Bondage party is all in the name of fun, charity and sexual freedom. Proceeds from this year's event will be donated to the Howe Sound Women's Centre and a downtown art project.
"Each year the party gets bigger and better and it all goes toward a good cause. This year half of the proceeds are going to a public art project downtown," Armour said.
After the party, Armour hopes to employ metal artisans to create funky, artistic bike racks for the downtown core.
Tickets go on sale Monday (Feb. 2). and they go fast. Tickets are available at Trinity Romance Shop, Onatah Coffee Co. and the Howe Sound Inn front desk for $40.
