On March 13th, I attended Sagacity's 2nd Annual Fetish Competition and Play Party Extraordinaire, Domlander 2004, in Victoria, BC. For readers familiar with the movie, "Zoolander," you will have an idea of what the guest judges are searching for in this fashion competition for Mr. and Ms. Domlander of year. Contestants offer up their idea of the "Sagacity Look" and have the chance to define and rewrite the BDSM/fetish fashion rules.

Domlander is all about attitude, panache, and style. Competitors (submissives, slaves, and switches may enter) were judged in five categories including: Originality, Outrageousness, Performance, Attitude/Presence, and the "Sagacity Look." Special guest judges included Beverley of Vancouver, Annie (Sagacity Wet T-Shirt titleholder), Joe Wheeler (Signal Tail/Whip Maker Extraordinaire, who later provided guests lots of great tips on history, care and use of the signal tail) and Nurse Ratchet of Seattle (who later entertained event attendees with some fantastic needle play demonstrations). Many local stores and businesses as well as individual Sagacity members also provided help with organization, set up/take down, door prizes, and ticket sales

The Dom and Domme fortunate enough to be judged to have that "look" wins their choice of round-trip ferry fare, a snack basket, and weekend use of the Pirate's Lair house on Galiano Island for 4 or a day-cruise for 4 aboard La Beale Isoud including a visit to Flogger's Cove for fun and frolic and a sunset dinner as we sail back to Victoria (all food and drinks provided and guests are waited on hand and foot). All competitors were winners! Every contestant was invited to attend an exclusive private play party hosted by Sagacity in the weeks following the event.

The Domlander show took place at community hall located on the outskirts of Victoria and is one of Sagacity's regular locations for their larger events. The location is some distance from the town center, but one of the organization's members provided a van shuttle service from the event back to town at midnight for those needing transportation after the buses stopped running. This was a fantastic convenience for many of the partygoers.

Two stunningly dressed ladies in fetish attire, greeted event goers >at the door, took their tickets and then provided guests with event >programs. Designated ushers then took guest to their seats. Party attendees wore a variety of clothing including some fetish wear, but also your basic play party "black" attire typical of the Canadian west coast's, more relaxed and informal style of BDSM culture. Sagacity does not "require" (rather they encourage) fetish attire to attend any of their events.

The venue offered over 3,000 square feet of play space and this made for a very roomy, un-crowded space for the play party that happened after the show. There was a tarped-off social area outside so guests could smoke in their often skimpy, barely-there fetish attire without being exposed to the elements or the general population passing by. Although the event was a little late getting started (due to technical difficulties), the fabulous entertainment was well worth the wait. Domlander contestants included; Kev The Man, Bubbles, Mistress of the Bath, Pharaoh Iamtop, Mistress Scorpion, Darklust, Mistress Impossible, The Crimson Dom, Madame Medusa, Lord of Leather, Master Polar, Bo Peep, Mistress of Flogged Sheep and Doctor Frankenstein. There was one final walk down the runway by the departing Ms. Domlander 2003, Queen Akasha (Mr. Domlander was not available) and then it was time to crown this year's winners. Bo Peep and her naughty perverted Sheep and Doctor Frankenstein were the crowned Mr. and Ms. Domlander 2004.

I laughed so hard at these performances and could barely believe I was seeing them. As long as I live, I will never forget the images of Frankenstein and his monster dancing in their pink tutus and Bo Peep disciplining her very "baaaadd" wayward sheep and sheep dog. Many of the pieces by other performers offered some views into varied BDSM culture practices such as the Gorean piece that was done by Darklust and other collaring pieces.

Ladyfish (Sagacity Director), was Mistress of Ceremonies for the event and kept the show moving along and on track with her witty comments on the performances. An unannounced prop and last minute show addition was the fabulously sexy Michelle who spent the entire show locked into BOB (short for Bend-Over-Baby) a piece of equipment that was located near the Domlander show's runway. Rolf, Sagacity's official photographer, was on hand and busily took pictures of the various kinky performances.

Overall, I thought there was a good balance between the more light-hearted humorous entries and the more serious entries. However, this year it was the light-hearted, humorous entries that scooped all of the top prizes. I think it is important that there are the more serious entries as well as the humorous ones in a show like this. Let's face it, there is a lot about BDSM culture that has a more serious, formal tone to its nature. Ironically, a strictly dominant individual did not win any of the titles in competition this year. Dr. Frankenstein (a switch) and Sassy (a submissive) as Bo Peep, were the contestants who took home the main contest prizes and now have the titles of Mr. and Mrs. Domlander for 2004. Congratulations to them both as they obviously put a lot of time and thought into their uniquely twisted and unusual entries.

After the show the play party began. Equipment for the party included a St. Andrews cross, metal cross, spanking bench, scaffolding, suspension frame, ladders, needle play station, A-frame, and BOB

There was a lull in activity after the equipment was brought out but then it seemed to me that I looked away for only a moment and, whoosh, the floor and equipment were packed with players and the play action was non-stop thereafter until the doors closed at 1 AM.

There was a highly pleasing mix of hetero- and same-sex individuals playing with each other, the diversity of the crowd made for an exciting event. Over 100 people attended the event, but still the floor and venue were not crowded and there was plenty of room for socializing. Sagacity provided food and drink as well for a total ticket price of $15 dollars. An event well worth the expense. How often do you get food, drink, a show and a play party with fabulous prizes, all for only $15? I thought the price was more than reasonable and helped to make the event really accessible for the community.

I would have liked to see a shuffling of categories to ensure that the more serious entries have some chance over the gut-splitting humorous entries that, of course, by their nature, garner most of the attention.

Overall, I am giving this year's event a big thumbs or paddles/canes up (Hmm its up, so I just need someone to bend over now!) I thought it was a great show, the atmosphere was relaxed and I enjoyed myself tremendously and hope to attend next year's event...maybe even as a contestant. It sure looks like fun!