CHICAGO — This November, Chicago Rope turns two years old! We’re celebrating with a special event featuring a class on Vintage Rope Bondage with BadKittyBondage, a team that presented at our very first event and has supported us all along.
For beginners, we’ll be offering Rope 102, part Two in our Foundations of Japanese Rope Bondage series. This class will build upon the Intro to Rope class offered at our October event and get you started on the single column tie and the futomomo, two of the core ties of Japanese-style bondage that will help you to develop the skills to move on to more complex ties. While we recommend that you take this series in order starting with Rope 101, but if you have already have some rope experience or are a fast learner, you can just dive right in.
And after the class, stick around for our two-year anniversary party at GD2. We’ll have cake and festive refreshments and then tie into the wee hours of the night. The party will be limited to GD2 members and their guests, so please make appropriate arrangements ahead of time, as the deadline for GD2 memberships and trial memberships is the Thursday prior to the event.
Vintage Rope Bondage
with Badkitty Bondage
Forget the “rules” you’ve have learned for shibari and hojojistu. This class covers a number of ties that we have deconstructed based on photos and drawings by some of the pioneering names in modern kinbaku like Reiko Kita, Seiu Ito, and more. We want to stress that this class will not be a history lesson or breakdown of any particular school of kinbaku. It’s about an aesthetic we enjoy. We teach this class assuming participants adhere to the RACK or PRICK philosophy. While this is advanced class the ties are not necessarily difficult to tie, they can be strenuous for the bottom. We expect tops and bottoms to understand advanced bondage concepts such as why ties work, body mechanics, and body awareness.
Requirements: Participants will need 5 – 6 pieces of rope. Knowing how to tie a single column, reverse tension, frictions, and cinches along with knowledge of body mechanics is required. Two 3 to 4 foot lengths of 1 inch bamboo (or other similar strength poles) might be helpful.
Rope Bondage 102: Single Column and Futomomo
with Chicago Rope Staff
Chicago Rope’s Fundamentals of Japanese Rope Bondage series is designed to provide a solid foundation in Japanese rope for people with absolutely no experience tying. This three-month series repeats four times a year, starting in January, April, July, and October. While we recommend that you start with Rope 101 and take the series in order, if you already have some rope experience and are a fast learner, you can join at any time.
This month, join us for Rope 102: Single Column and Futomomo, which will get you started on the non-collapsing single column tie and the futomomo, two of the core ties of Japanese-style bondage that will help you to develop the skills to move on to more complex ties.
Chicago Rope Social Hour
4-5pm @ GD2
Come early to Chicago Rope to catch up with friends, meet other people interested in rope, find a partner if you need one, and get settled into a floor space. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Classes will start promptly at 5pm.
Rope Bottoming Roundtable
4:15-4:45pm in Serenity
Facilitated by _Jei_ and MedullaOblongata
The Rope Bottoming Roundtable is an integral part of Chicago Rope events. It takes place every second Sunday of the month, and welcomes bottom-identifying people (or switches that put on their bottoming hat) of all experience levels, from brand new to more experienced. The Roundtable is an inclusive space for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sex, or body type.
The topic for the month of November will be:
Intro to Communication, Negotiation Strategies:
Together with the first cycle of the 101 Class, the Roundtable will focus on communication, and negotiation strategies.
Why do we decide to get into rope? Why do we want to tie? How do we identify our intention, and our desires when doing rope? Most of all, how can we effectively communicate these to our partner?
We will talk about what negotiations are, how to effectively build our negotiation experience, and how to solve issues in communication as they arise.
FAQ
How do I attend?
Chicago Rope is open to anyone over the age 18 (with valid, state-issued ID) who is interested in rope. The event is hosted at the Galleria Domain 2 club (GD2) during non-member hours. Those who are not members of GD2 must complete and sign an Entrance Agreement in order to access the premises. We strongly recommend that you do so prior to attending the event to make entry faster and more efficient for everyone. Your online agreement only needs to be completed once to attend all future Chicago Rope events (and any other events at GD2).
Where is GD2 located?
GD2 is located near the border of the Logan Square and Bucktown neighborhoods in Chicago. To get the exact address, you must RSVP here.
What does it cost?
Monthly Chicago Rope events are offered to the public free of charge. All of the organizers and presenters are unpaid volunteers, and our hosts are donating the use of their space.
Do I need a partner?
No. Participants are always welcome to self-tie or simply observe the class of your choice. If you would like to find a partner in advance, you can post in our Seeking Partners thread. If you connect with a potential partner online, we encourage you to meet them in person prior to committing to working with them. One way to do this is at our rope Social Hour, which is always immediately prior to our educational events. You can also search for a partner in-person at the Social Hour, as we will offer color-coded stickers to those seeking partners as a top, bottom, or switch.
Keep in mind that GD2 rules do not permit play during non-member hours, so all tying at Chicago Rope events must be in lab-mode, of the tie demonstrated by the instructor, and for educational purposes only. However, as rope is an activity that involves close physical contact between people, Chicago Rope and GD2 expect that all interactions between partners will be consensual and with respect for any and all stated boundaries. Please contact a staff member if you have any questions or issues regarding this policy.
Do I need rope?
If you only want to be tied, you don’t need to bring any rope. If you would like to tie (or self tie), we recommend that you bring your own rope. We do have a few lengths of synthetic rope available for loan if you need it.
For the Intro to Rope class, almost any rope is fine. We recommend rope of a diameter between 6mm (1/4 inch) and 10mm (3/8 inch). Soft synthetic rope like braided or twisted nylon in this size can easily be purchased at a hardware store. One length of 20-30 feet is sufficient, although shorter or longer lengths will also work.
For the intermediate classes, unless otherwise noted in the class description, we recommend at least three 8 meter (25-30 feet) lengths of natural fiber (jute or hemp) ropes of approximately 6mm (1/4 inch) diameter. If you choose to use synthetic ropes, be aware that some ties may need to be modified to suit your rope.
We also suggest bringing a yoga mat or blanket to sit on.
What should I wear?
Participants must remain dressed legally for public spaces in Chicago. This means that while stripping off a restrictive layer or two is okay, getting completely naked is not. Wear something that is comfortable, fitted, and that you can move in. To comply with city laws and remain gender-neutral, Chicago Rope will be implementing a slightly stricter policy of no exposed nipples for anyone. We thank you for your cooperation.
How can I get involved as a presenter or volunteer?
Presenters should use this form to apply. Those interested in volunteering for organizational roles should use this form. Chicago Rope staff will get in touch to discuss how you can help.
This November, Chicago Rope turns two years old! We’re celebrating with a special event featuring a class on Vintage Rope Bondage with BadKittyBondage, a team that presented at our very first event and has supported us all along.
For beginners, we’ll be offering Rope 102, part Two in our Foundations of Japanese Rope Bondage series. This class will build upon the Intro to Rope class offered at our October event and get you started on the single column tie and the futomomo, two of the core ties of Japanese-style bondage that will help you to develop the skills to move on to more complex ties. While we recommend that you take this series in order starting with Rope 101, but if you have already have some rope experience or are a fast learner, you can just dive right in.
And after the class, stick around for our two-year anniversary party at GD2. We’ll have cake and festive refreshments and then tie into the wee hours of the night. The party will be limited to GD2 members and their guests, so please make appropriate arrangements ahead of time, as the deadline for GD2 memberships and trial memberships is the Thursday prior to the event.
Vintage Rope Bondage
with Badkitty Bondage
Forget the “rules” you’ve have learned for shibari and hojojistu. This class covers a number of ties that we have deconstructed based on photos and drawings by some of the pioneering names in modern kinbaku like Reiko Kita, Seiu Ito, and more. We want to stress that this class will not be a history lesson or breakdown of any particular school of kinbaku. It’s about an aesthetic we enjoy. We teach this class assuming participants adhere to the RACK or PRICK philosophy. While this is advanced class the ties are not necessarily difficult to tie, they can be strenuous for the bottom. We expect tops and bottoms to understand advanced bondage concepts such as why ties work, body mechanics, and body awareness.
Requirements: Participants will need 5 – 6 pieces of rope. Knowing how to tie a single column, reverse tension, frictions, and cinches along with knowledge of body mechanics is required. Two 3 to 4 foot lengths of 1 inch bamboo (or other similar strength poles) might be helpful.
Rope Bondage 102: Single Column and Futomomo
with Chicago Rope Staff
Chicago Rope’s Fundamentals of Japanese Rope Bondage series is designed to provide a solid foundation in Japanese rope for people with absolutely no experience tying. This three-month series repeats four times a year, starting in January, April, July, and October. While we recommend that you start with Rope 101 and take the series in order, if you already have some rope experience and are a fast learner, you can join at any time.
This month, join us for Rope 102: Single Column and Futomomo, which will get you started on the non-collapsing single column tie and the futomomo, two of the core ties of Japanese-style bondage that will help you to develop the skills to move on to more complex ties.
Chicago Rope Social Hour
4-5pm @ GD2
Come early to Chicago Rope to catch up with friends, meet other people interested in rope, find a partner if you need one, and get settled into a floor space. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Classes will start promptly at 5pm.
Rope Bottoming Roundtable
4:15-4:45pm in Serenity
Facilitated by _Jei_ and MedullaOblongata
The Rope Bottoming Roundtable is an integral part of Chicago Rope events. It takes place every second Sunday of the month, and welcomes bottom-identifying people (or switches that put on their bottoming hat) of all experience levels, from brand new to more experienced. The Roundtable is an inclusive space for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sex, or body type.
The topic for the month of November will be:
Intro to Communication, Negotiation Strategies:
Together with the first cycle of the 101 Class, the Roundtable will focus on communication, and negotiation strategies.
Why do we decide to get into rope? Why do we want to tie? How do we identify our intention, and our desires when doing rope? Most of all, how can we effectively communicate these to our partner?
We will talk about what negotiations are, how to effectively build our negotiation experience, and how to solve issues in communication as they arise.
FAQ
How do I attend?
Chicago Rope is open to anyone over the age 18 (with valid, state-issued ID) who is interested in rope. The event is hosted at the Galleria Domain 2 club (GD2) during non-member hours. Those who are not members of GD2 must complete and sign an Entrance Agreement in order to access the premises. We strongly recommend that you do so prior to attending the event to make entry faster and more efficient for everyone. Your online agreement only needs to be completed once to attend all future Chicago Rope events (and any other events at GD2).
Where is GD2 located?
GD2 is located near the border of the Logan Square and Bucktown neighborhoods in Chicago. To get the exact address, you must RSVP here.
What does it cost?
Monthly Chicago Rope events are offered to the public free of charge. All of the organizers and presenters are unpaid volunteers, and our hosts are donating the use of their space.
Do I need a partner?
No. Participants are always welcome to self-tie or simply observe the class of your choice. If you would like to find a partner in advance, you can post in our Seeking Partners thread. If you connect with a potential partner online, we encourage you to meet them in person prior to committing to working with them. One way to do this is at our rope Social Hour, which is always immediately prior to our educational events. You can also search for a partner in-person at the Social Hour, as we will offer color-coded stickers to those seeking partners as a top, bottom, or switch.
Keep in mind that GD2 rules do not permit play during non-member hours, so all tying at Chicago Rope events must be in lab-mode, of the tie demonstrated by the instructor, and for educational purposes only. However, as rope is an activity that involves close physical contact between people, Chicago Rope and GD2 expect that all interactions between partners will be consensual and with respect for any and all stated boundaries. Please contact a staff member if you have any questions or issues regarding this policy.
Do I need rope?
If you only want to be tied, you don’t need to bring any rope. If you would like to tie (or self tie), we recommend that you bring your own rope. We do have a few lengths of synthetic rope available for loan if you need it.
For the Intro to Rope class, almost any rope is fine. We recommend rope of a diameter between 6mm (1/4 inch) and 10mm (3/8 inch). Soft synthetic rope like braided or twisted nylon in this size can easily be purchased at a hardware store. One length of 20-30 feet is sufficient, although shorter or longer lengths will also work.
For the intermediate classes, unless otherwise noted in the class description, we recommend at least three 8 meter (25-30 feet) lengths of natural fiber (jute or hemp) ropes of approximately 6mm (1/4 inch) diameter. If you choose to use synthetic ropes, be aware that some ties may need to be modified to suit your rope.
We also suggest bringing a yoga mat or blanket to sit on.
What should I wear?
Participants must remain dressed legally for public spaces in Chicago. This means that while stripping off a restrictive layer or two is okay, getting completely naked is not. Wear something that is comfortable, fitted, and that you can move in. To comply with city laws and remain gender-neutral, Chicago Rope will be implementing a slightly stricter policy of no exposed nipples for anyone. We thank you for your cooperation.
How can I get involved as a presenter or volunteer?
Presenters should use this form to apply. Those interested in volunteering for organizational roles should use this form. Chicago Rope staff will get in touch to discuss how you can help.
Chicago Rope
