House of Knotty: Shibari Tea Dance
What is the history of the Tea Dance?
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Between 1950-1960 the Tea Dance was a clandestine LGBTQ+ event held typically on Sunday afternoons outside of New York City. They were often located in outdoor locations for queer singles to mingle in a safe and protected environment. The name comes from the traditional tea dances of the English countryside.
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The Tea Dance soon became a symbol of LGBTQ+ activism and protest. It was illegal through the mid-1960s for bars to sell alcohol to queer clientele. New York City police were known to conduct violent raids on underground gay bars attacking the LGBTQ+ community as we see in the Stonewall riots in 1969.
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This is why the queer community in the area began to hold tea dances outside of the city as an alternative event. For example, outside of New York, tea dances took place at Fire Island, Cherry Grove, and the Pines. Tea was often served rather than alcohol making the event less law-defying, sending a clear message to local law enforcement and state legislators, “You can’t stop us, we are here to stay.” Because the Tea Dance was held in the early afternoon, attendees would be able to catch a ferry and return home to Manhattan and be ready to start the workweek, most likely, a little less horny.
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“The history of the gay tea dances.” Pride News, 5 March 2022
Photo: The Tea Dance Est. 1966 – Fire Island & Pines Historical Society
Shibari Tea Dance
Come and join us for our own type of LGBTQ+ activism and protest. Rope is political. Enjoy brunch at the House of Knotty with chill vibes with music, food prepared by the community, and post rope mimosas. Mingle with your friends and meet new members of the Seattle rope community. Be 100% your queer authentic self and don't forget to bring your rope bags.
Lock the door.
Lower the blinds.
Let's have a kiki.
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Fully Inclusive
21+ event. All skill levels are welcome even people new to rope. This is a great way to take your first step into the Seattle rope ecosystem. Fully inclusive for all genders, sexual orientations, and ethnicities. The House of Knotty commits to standing with all of the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming members of our community, and celebrating trans bodies and voices.
Donations and Food
All participants must preregister before the event. This is a non-ticketed community event to help support the LGBTQ+ community. Our mission is to provide affordable kink opportunities where cost is never a barrier of entry. We have set a $20 suggested donation or ask individuals to prepare brunch food to share with the group. The House of Knotty will provide prosecco and orange juice.
Risk Profile
All participants must tie at your own risk and discuss your individual risk profiles with your tying partners. The consumption of alcohol and other substances effect you and your partners abilities to consent to kink activities. All participants must work under the lens of Risk-Aware Consensual Kink. Individuals creating an unsafe environment due to intoxication or substance use will be asked to leave.
Address
3100 Airport Way S.
Seattle, WA 98134
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Free Parking
Sundays
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
First Sundays
Aug 2
Sep 6
Oct 4
Nov 1
Dec 6
