CHICAGO — The Chicago Rope Summer Intensive Series will be June 22 through 24 at Outerspace Studios in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
From Chicago Rope’s Fetlife announcement:
Chicago Rope’s Summer Intensive Series is back again this June 22-24 with a visit from renowned international rope artist and educator Pedro Cordas! Joining him for this intensive will be Chicago Rope staff instructor Vitrify. Classes will be held at our Wicker Park venue Outerspace Studios.
On Friday evening, June 22, Pedro and Vitrify will offer an all-levels floorwork class from 7-10pm. This session will be limited to a maximum of 15 tying pairs.
Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, will be a two-day intermediate/advanced suspension intensive focusing on tying on bamboo poles. This intensive will be limited to a maximum of 10 tying pairs.
In conjunction with this intensive, we’ll be hosting a special Saturday evening edition of The Chicago Rope Social from 7:30 to 11 PM at Outerspace. Weekend Intensive attendees will receive free admission to the Social. For all others, tickets to the Social will be available a la carte at regular prices.
Workshops
Playing with Floorwork
Friday 7 – 10 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
$90 per tying pair (All Levels)Students will work with single and double column ties to create a variety of poses. These exercises are intended to be fast and use a limited number of ropes. Students will first be asked to copy a proposed idea and then they will experiment with their own creativity. This class will also explore body mechanics and body manipulation.
This class has pre-requisites for all students.
Students Tying: Non-collapsible single or double column tie, and some frictions (ideally: “L friction”, “X friction”, “Flag friction”, “Half-Moon Friction”)
Students Being Tied: Body awareness regarding Nerves, Circulation, Placements, Communication.
This workshop is priced per tying pair and is limited to a maximum of 15 pairs, although we may choose to cap this class at a smaller number. If the workshop is full, you may sign up for the waiting list to be notified if places open up later.
Bamboo Suspension Intensive
Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
$375 per tying pair (Intermediate / Advanced)In this intensive, Pedro Cordas and Vitrify will share a series of 6-8 exercises (exact number depending on the pace of attendees) that will help students to gain a better understanding of working on bamboo. The exercises will cover different locking methods for up-lines, line management exercises, transition exercises, and torsions.
Body awareness and safety play an important role in Japanese-inspired rope bondage, and Pedro Cordas and Vitrify will provide as much information as possible on these topics. Since two-day intensives can be extremely demanding on the shoulders, its suggested that students have a set of alternative harnesses such as strappado, waki sarashi, tengu, arms-in-front TK, etc., that can be utilized as needed. THIS WILL BE A VERY CHALLENGING WEEKEND AND WE SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE MANAGE THEIR PACE.
This class has pre-requisites for all students.
Students Tying: Proficiency in tying a non-collapsible single and double-column tie, a solid stem-based three-rope TK (e.g., Kanna, Kinoko, Kazami, or an equivalent chest harness), knowledge of locking off of up-lines, suspension and up-line management experience.
Students Being Tied: Experience with suspensions and body awareness regarding nerves, circulation, rope placement, and communication.
Suggested Materials: minimum of 12 lengths of rope (8 meters / 26.24 feet), 1 to 4 pieces of shorter rope, tenugui (traditional Japanese cloth, usually used as blindfold, gag, etc.), mat or blanket, rope cutting tool (this item is mandatory). Bamboo poles will be provided by Chicago Rope.
This intensive is priced per tying pair and is limited to a maximum of 10 pairs, although we may choose to cap this intensive at a smaller number. If the intensive is full, you may sign up for the waiting list to be notified if places open up later.
Note For Students
Students should be aware that the ties Pedro Cordas and Vitrify demonstrate may include hair rope, face rope, neck rope, crotch rope, elements of semenawa and/or close contact. Students are encouraged to adapt these ties to fit their own risk profiles in collaboration with their partners, including but not limited to physical adaptation as well as emotional intent. Pedro will be available to help with finding solutions or alternatives within reason.
There is a NO-PHOTO / NO-VIDEO policy for this intensive. Students are ONLY allowed to photograph/video their OWN work, without capturing any persons in the background to avoid invading others privacy. Videos taken by students of their own work with step by step instructions are to be kept private or ONLY shared between the participants of the weekend intensive and not to be posted online. This policy also includes the teachers. They are NOT to be photographed or have video taken of them for ANY reason.
Schedule
Friday Workshop
Doors Open 6:30 PM
Class Starts 7:00 PM
Class Ends 10:00 PM
Venue Closes 10:30 PMSaturday Intensive
Doors Open 9:00 AM
Class Starts 9:30 AM
Lunch Break 12:30 PM
Class Resumes 1:30 PM
Class Ends 4:30 PM
Dinner Break 5:00 PM
The Chicago Rope Social 7:30 PM
Venue Closes 11:00 PMSunday Intensive
Doors Open 9:00 AM
Class Starts 9:30 AM
Lunch Break 12:30 PM
Class Resumes 1:30 PM
Class Ends 4:30 PM
Venue Closes 5:00 PMPresenters
Pedro Cordas
Pedro’s decade-plus obsession with rope started in November 2003 in Tokyo. In 2004, a new journey began when he took classes with Nawashi Akechi Denki Sensei. After Akechi Sensei’s death in 2005, Pedro continued to study with Nawashi Kanna, who remains a strong influence on his style today. He frequently travels to Japan to keep alive his passion for rope, studies and research. He has been teaching for several years now in Europe, North America, and Australia. The topics he teaches are vast, and he usually adjusts his classes to the level of the participants – from beginner to experienced.
Vitrify
Vitrify is a non-binary sadomasochistic rope switch that specializes in improvisational silliness and self-ties. They’ve been pursuing rope-related antics in Chicago since 2014. As a Chicago Rope staff member, they’ve led discussions on gender and rope, participated in our bottoming education programs, and are assisting with our Introduction to Japanese Rope Bondage Course.
Venue
This event will be held in our Wicker Park class venue, Outerspace Studios, directly above Volumes bookstore. The Damen blue line stop is very close to the studio. When you arrive, press the button for “Sun Studio” and you will be buzzed in. The studio is at the top of the stairs to the right. The venue requires that shoes be removed at the top of the stairs prior to entering the studio.
Parking can be difficult in this neighborhood but often can be found on Milwaukee or on the streets surrounding the park. We recommend that those who are driving allow at least 15 minutes extra time to find parking.
Please note that Outerspace is not wheelchair accessible. Entering the studio requires ascending a long flight of stairs.
Intensive FAQ
Do I need a partner?
Chicago Rope’s intensives with guest instructors are typically priced per tying pair. Some of our intensives have auditor pricing available for those who do not have a partner or who prefer to watch rather than tie, however we are not offering these options for Pedro’s classes.
Do I need rope?
For the Friday evening workshop, we recommend bringing 2 or 3 lengths of bondage-grade natural fiber rope, although other rope is also acceptable. We will have rope for sale at the event as well as a few loaner ropes for people who need them.
For the weekend intensive, a full kit of rope suitable for suspension is required. Please see the requirements for the weekend intensive listed above.
Can I switch partners or roles during the intensive?
Unfortunately, there will not be time for partners to switch roles, so students must choose one role for the duration of each workshop. Students may change roles between the Friday workshop and the weekend intensive.
A two-day suspension intensive can be strenuous, so a ticket holder for the weekend intensive may work with different partners on different days. However, since intensive contents will be progressive from one day to the next, Pedro recommends that both partners attend the full weekend in order to receive the most benefit.
Does the intensive include lunch?
We will have some snacks available during in the intensive, but we will not be offering a catered lunch. Since this intensive will be held at a venue in the heart of the restaurant and shopping district of Wicker Park, attendees will have many options available within a short walking distance for lunch on their own.
What should I wear?
This event is open to the public, so 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 adheres to a slightly stricter policy of no exposed nipples for anyone. Pasties are acceptable. Outerspace Studios also requests that shoes be removed prior to entering the studio. We thank you for your cooperation.
What else should I bring?
Chicago Rope’s events are open to those ages 18 and over. We require that you have a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) verifying your age in order to be admitted.
We also suggest bringing a yoga mat or blanket to sit on. A water bottle is a pretty good idea as well.
I’m coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
There are a few hotels within walking distance of the intensive, including The Robey ($$$), Wicker Park Inn ($$), Urban Holiday Lofts ($$), Holiday Jones Hostel ($), and Superior Studios ($). Many more options, including all of the hotels in downtown Chicago, are easily accessible within a short ride on the CTA Blue Line. Uber and Lyft are very useful if you are not staying near the CTA. Airbnbs are also plentiful in Chicago, although availablity varies.
Is this event wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, no. Outerspace Studios is located up a long flight of stairs. There is no elevator available.
For tickets and more information visit the Chicago Rope website and check out the Fetlife event page. If you’re interested in scheduling private lessons, please send an email to events@chicagorope.com.
