FoV 2010 Draft List of Presenters

Travel, schedule, or budget constraints may cause this list to change.

Current as of 16 Sep 2010

Send Questions/Comments to the P-Team, please

Anita advocates for the interests of polyamorists with enthusiasm and determination, and loves to help them find joy and happiness by providing helpful info in her educational programs on subjects like poly and spirituality, jealousy and other pitfalls, poly/mono relationships, and poly for kinky people. She has presented programs at Good Vibrations, Sex 2.0, Dark Odyssey, Black Rose, Building Bridges, Free Spirit Alliance’s Beltane Gathering and Fires of Venus, Florida Poly Retreat, Transcending Boundaries, Poly Living and the Loving More© Conferences. She's a member of the Polyamory Leadership Network and serves as poly community advisor to CARAS. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Loving More© and Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness. She's a veteran community organizer and co-founder of an alternative relationships non-profit organization. Anita regularly works with members of the media and has been quoted in news articles on Newsweek.com and Salon.com, in the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst others.
Hot Hot Hot Air: Communicate Well for Maximum Effect

Arakeane & Selene: Arakeane exploits the diversity of his religious, sexual, and spiritual background to bring a unique mix of talent to the pagan community. His Baptist, Methodist, Evangelical, Thalamic, and Mormon background from his early years intermingles with his vast experience in sadomasochism, liberal sexuality, and avant-garde spirituality tempered by his various Wiccan experiences and practices for the past 20+ years. A Naval Officer, Engineer, Physicist, Computer Scientist, and Dungeon Master by trade, Arakeane interleaves his professional training into his quest for spiritual awareness and comprehension. The thrice sworn soul-mate of the High Priestess Selene, Arakeane has been in the public Pagan forum since the late 1980s. Most noted for his open work entwining diverse pagan practices with Wicca, Arakeane has been an embarrassment to fundamentalists from many Pagan traditions for well over a decade. A Distinguished Toastmaster, off-Broadway New York actor, trained in NLP, holistic healing, and a diverse set of other spiritual disciplines, Arakeane's spontaneous and entertaining presentation style typically delights his audience. Even if you've taken a previous year's workshop, you're sure to be delighted with the continuous changes introduced, and Arakeane's ability to spiritually immerse you in the subject matter.

Namasté. I'm Selene. I Became a High Priestess in 1980. I have been a Starwood Elder for the past several years, and my husband Arakeane and I have taught at FSG since the mid 1990s. I am the mother of two, and pagan mentor to several others. I hold a BA in Psychology, and an MBA in Management Information Systems. I have been exploring weaving, macrame, knotwork, jewelry-making, gemlore and herbalism as long as I can remember. I have 20+ years' experience enjoying the exploration of alternative lifestyles. Arakeane and I have been involved in several successful long-term polyamorous relationships.
Listening to Love
Sacrifice, Dedication, Adoration

Beth & Preston: Beth is a professional massage therapist and doula (childbirth assistant) and Intrinsic Coach. She has a long history of using touch to facilitate healing through massage, for assisting mothers through the birth process, for supporting infants in her water babies classes, and for working with animals. She has adapted her touch and coaching training, along with her personal experience, to the scene and to areas of spiritual, sexual, and relationship growth and healing. Her focus is on touching lives in ways that enhance and enrich.

Preston brings balance and humor to Beth’s presentations. A technical person by profession, he keeps Beth on focus. He made his 30-year marriage a study in what satisfies a woman. While it may not have succeeded with his first wife, he has developed an incredibly sensitive approach to touching others which he frequently uses to introduce newbies to BDSM through a Sensation Station at Exploratoriums in various settings. He has also paired massage training from Beth with his foot and touch fetishes to offer a truly wonderfully sensual foot or full body massage. After working with Beth through his own issues with erectile dysfunction, he supported Beth through breast cancer surgery, chemo, radiation, and long term treatment with hormone-suppressive drugs.

Through all of this, they have mastered the art of a very satisfying sexuality that goes way beyond hormones. They delight in sharing their learning with others. Visit them online at www.BethandPreston.com.
Communicating: The Male and Female Brain
Reflecting Our Intuition
Romancing the Crone

Chaya Leia Sylvia, RN, BSN is a Registered Nurse, a Certified Practitioner of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy™, and a long-time dancer and yoga practitioner. She has studied a variety of dance and movement modalities including tribal fusion belly dance, cabaret style belly dance, contact improvisation, authentic movement and Anusara yoga. Chaya danced with Vadalna Tribal Dance Company, a professional tribal fusion dance company based out of Jamaica Plain, MA. Chaya studied the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy™ with Rosita Arvigo in Belize. Chaya is deeply committed to the healing of the wombs, through movement and healing touch. She is currently mentoring with ALisa Starkweather in the creation of the Belly and Womb Conference, which she will be facilitating in years to come. Visit her online at www.purplerosehealingarts.com.
Sacred Sensual Dance
Sacred Sensual Dance II: Bringing it Home

Conrad, owner of Spirit in the Wood Drum Company, is a master drum-maker whose designs are inspired by instruments from West Africa and Latin America as well as Native American shamanic traditions. Ashikos, Djembes, Congas, Batas, Bombas, Cajones, Kit Drums, and the Aboriginal Didgeridoo are among the instruments he builds and plays. Kubiak is an innovator in the manufacture of one piece solid wood drums. Spirit in the Wood sells both Kubiak's original instruments and traditional ones which he reinforces, refurbishes, and re-tunes. The process of making the instruments involves ritual precision while transforming the wood and finding its voice. In the Ivory Coast it is said: “A drummer gives voice to a tree.”

In addition to drum-making activities and workshops, Kubiak also leads corporate consultant leading team-building and motivational exercises during interactive seminars. As the facilitator of drum circles, ceremonies, and White Moment Rhythm Workshops,he develops outreach programs focusing on building communication, improving group dynamics, and appreciating other cultures. Through participatory experience, “white moments” (when left and right hemispheres of the brain are both synchronized and in-phase) are created and everything and everyone slows down as our minds move to a higher state of consciousness. Kubiak draws on his background in NLP as well as his work in the healing arts as a certified Shiatsu therapist, Reiki Master, CranioSacral therapist, and Feng Shui practitioner. In addition to a spiritual path that includes Sufism and Native American studies, he holds degrees in Irish literature, biology, and computer electronics. Kubiak also presented a paper on the “Psychology of Rhythm” at the Creative Arts Therapies Conference in Philadelphia and led a drumming circle in Atlantic City for members of the theatrical troupe performing in STOMP.
Beginner to Intermediate Drum Workshop
Rhythms of the Root Chakra: The Art of Sacred Sexual Drumming

Denise Cumor is devoted to making vaginas happy and empowered; she has dedicated most of her adult life to this single purpose. Growing up in a patriarchal culture where women are objectified, sexually abused, and shamed for their acts of sexual exploration, she found herself being pushed under. This is when she began to reclaim her sexuality and to help other women do the same. Identifying as a Pagan and learning to embody the Goddess in all her forms has given her the confidence to build on this reclamation. Experiences that have profoundly strengthened her commitment: working as a stripper for 4 years on Baltimore's infamous 'Block;' teaching OB-GYN protocol to medical students with Johns Hopkins; selling adult novelties with Athena's Home Novelties; working as an Ad Rep for $pread Magazine; directing and acting in various productions of the Vagina Monologues; being a part of the Spiral Dance Womyn's Center, where she taught sex workshops; making ceramic Goddess and vagina rattles; vending at The Red Tent, where she sells adult novelties, sacred feminine art, books/media, and organic feminine hygiene products. She has been making music for over 20 years, and her current musical project is Red Wound.
Awakening the Serpent: The Art of Erotic Dance
Reclaiming Women’s Rites and Mysteries

Dianna is a writer, teacher, and priestess of the Bluestar tradition. Free Spirit Beltane is one of her favorite events, and she has presented classes and officiated at rituals there several times. Last year’s FoV, when Dianna was the Keeper of Dreams, was a memorable and transformative experience; this year promises bliss as she celebrates ten years of marriage to her partner, Michael. Always a dedicant of intensity and learning, Dianna is looking forward to dancing naked at the fire.
Family Feasting
The Pen is Mightier than the Vibrator

Eric S comes to pagan/heathen practice after an early life in multiple forms of Christianity, then spending over 20 years as an atheist. When he first encountered Norse practice, he was surprised to find out that it fit most of what he already did and believed in life, minus the deities. Eric now follows a Norse path influenced by classical philosophy, pragmatism, and scholarship. He is intensely interested in spiritual BDSM and feels drawn to forms of guardianship at many levels.
Rage, Strength, and Spirituality: Archetypes for the Guardian Path

Hubris is a fun-loving, piratical, licentious, geeky band of fire freaks who seek to entertain and amuse with wickedly creative antics. They, and their Fellow Members, Consorts, Attendants, and Other Assorted Hangers-On, will be thrilled to introduce you to the magical wonders of the Arts of Fire. Just ask them. Have you accepted poi into your life? Visit them online at www.hvbris.com.
Poi 100: Great Balls of Fire
Poi 200: Great(er) Balls of Fire

Lochai Stine has been a student of Japanese inspired rope bondage since a very early age. He has been educating the rope bondage minded across the country for the past 15 years. He is the director of the only international munch, Rope Bite, and runs Bondage Club Baltimore. He can be found on occasion binding beauties and creating living art at local fetish events as well as major exhibitions across the country. “I use the body as a canvas and rope as the medium in creating my art.” It's no surprise that in August 2008, he was picked by kink.com, one of the most respected companies in the adult entertainment industry, to spearhead their flagship site, hogtied.com and to create EverythingButt.com.

His lifestyle experiences extend to many aspects of the bdsm world, including but not limited to age play, pony/puppy play, corporal, humiliation, and impact play. He has given talks on many topics that include both hands on classes as well as photography slide shows and demos. A full listing of his desires can be found at http://lochaistine.com.
Rope Intentions

Mark & Alisa: Dr. Mark M. Tanny has been a chiropractor since 1977. Since this time he has established four separate multi-doctor chiropractic practices in both Massachusetts and in Barbados, West Indes.

In 1969 Mark Tanny devoted himself to a spiritual path of service committed to the ideal of the Oneness of Humankind by becoming a member of the Bahá'í World Community. For the next thirty-three years he was a teacher, lecturer, and community developer both nationally and internationally for the Bahá'í community.

In the autumn of 2001, Dr. Tanny had an awakening experience. As a result he formally re-directed his spiritual energies in a quiet but very different direction. He began to question his entire set of personal beliefs, the motives of his actions, and then the very idea of a concept based reality. In this practice he was directed by the teachings and practices of Byron Katie, the late Robert Adams and Ramana Maharshi. He began a practice of Advaita Vendata and declared himself to be on a quest to “end personal karma.” He silently became a student of Osho, studying his commentaries in the Book of Secrets, 112 techniques from Hindu traditional scripture on the practice of Tantra.

During this time he developed an approach to his chiropractic work, which he calls the “Love Technique.” It arises from an understanding that all things are a manifestation of one love. Associated with this work he addresses emotional and spiritual challenges of patients with an open-heart treatment he refers to as “Enlightenment Therapy.”

Mark has decided to again lecture and teach in association with his wife, Alisa Wright-Tanny, developer of new paradigm of embodied experience called Body Dance™. Together they call upon their wide variety of personal experience, sacred traditions, and spiritual study in their group and individual sharing.

Alisa Wright Tanny is an Integrative Movement Therapist, Movement Intuitive, and Infant Developmental Movement Educator. She holds a Masters Degree in Expressive Arts Dance Movement Therapy, and is an advanced certified teacher of the embodiment experience through the traditional practices of Yoga, Pilates, Developmental Movement, and Body-Mind Centering. She has been a student of movement and dance education for over 30 years. During the past eight years, she has studied extensively with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, founder of the School for Body-Mind Centering. Alisa has developed a focused approach to the embodiment process, from cellular transformation and awakening consciousness.

Alisa’s technique in supporting and listening to the body is transmitted with a strong compassionate and loving emphasis on balancing the body’s natural expression of organic fluid rhythms, nervous system, and glandular chakra tone, and muscular skeletal structural alignment. Alisa’s passion for movement has led her to create, develop, and channel a new paradigm of embodied dance movement exploration called BodyDance™, inspired by the tantra love-light. In her teaching, Alisa’s presence provides the space and safety for inquiry and exploration, transformation, integration and joyful empowerment.

Alisa’s private practice is in Western Massachusetts where she specializes in working with women through embodied health and healing, children and infants, and clients in rehabilitation or with specialized needs. She and her husband, Dr. Mark Tanny, provide in-depth healing treatments for personal health transformation and increased relational and partnering harmony, at their Woodland Temple home in Conway, MA.

Visit them online at www.embodimentstudio.com.
Be, Do, Have: The Spiritual Path to Get Where You’re Going
The Union of Opposites: BodyDance™, a Tantric Temple Dance

Michelle Zee is a Kundalini yoga teacher and does Abundant Healing. She hosts the Sandbox Explorations group in the Washington, DC area where people learn about honesty, tantra, and personal growth in a safe sandbox. She has presented workshops at FSA/THE Beltane and Free Spirit Gatherings, Dark Odyssey, Starwood, Loving More East and West, Poly Living, Building Bridges conferences, and at the Community for Spiritual Living. She has studied both Brad Blanton's Radical Honesty and Susan Campbell’s Getting Real. Michelle is also known as Michael when she changes genders. She is out to friends, neighbors and coworkers. Telling people is not always easy (though the more people I have told my “secret” to the easier it gets). Most people either don't care or are accepting. Let's face it: if they don't like it, then it is their problem—and do I what to be with that kind of person anyway? No! Visit hir online at www.abundantmichael.com.
Kundalini Rising for the Second Chakra

Sparky is an artist and musician who has been playing various styles of percussion for most of his life. He enjoys teaching drumming and believes that the best musical moments are found when everyone works together. He is a monkey who thinks opposable thumbs are far out. He’s also a member of the Keepers of Rhythm at this year’s FoV.
Fire Circles: Why and How
An Introduction to West African Percussion

Stephanie is an initiate of the OTO and a novice priestess of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. She serves as Secretary for William Blake Lodge, the local (Baltimore/DC area) OTO body. She had the honor of presenting the Gnostic Mass at Beltane earlier this year, and will share more perspectives on sex magick at the Fires of Venus.
The Lust Card: Feminine Strength in Sexuality
Venus Planetary Ritual

Tiff: I have made it a long time hobby to study human interaction and various philosophies. I enjoy working with and being a part of ADF Druids (Grove of the Other Gods), Blue Star Wicca, and a new group, Grove of the American Gods. I am a lover of the sensual arts and have the intense desire to share that love with others.
Playing with Copper

Tom Swiss describes his spiritual path as “Zen Pagan Taoist Atheist Discordian,” which usually baffles questioners enough to leave him alone. He has taught workshops to a wide variety of audiences on subjects spanning the gamut from acupressure to Zen and from self-defense to sexuality. Tom is an NCCAOM Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy, a karate teacher holding the rank of yondan (fourth degree black belt), a poet, a singer/songwriter, an amateur philosopher, and a professional computer geek. He is currently serving as FSA’s Vice President. Information about his forthcoming book on Zen Paganism is on the web at http://infamous.net/WhyBuddhaTouchedTheEarth.
Acupressure and Shiatsu for Couples
Cultivating and Controlling Sexual Energy
Kallisti: For the Prettiest One

XtraSpecial Tom has been in the scene for 13 years as a Sadist/Master/Dominant and is Chairperson Trustee Emeritus of Ohio SMART in Cleveland Ohio, having just stepped down after serving 5 terms on the Board of Trustees. As an Eagle Scout, he learned all about fire and knots at an early age. He was hog-tying freshmen during high school and has been adding to his repertoire ever since! Tom's been called an Evil Sadistic Bastard more times than not! Tom has been doing Fire Play for nearly a decade and teaching it for the past 6 years. He added Fire Flogging to his list of fiery activities for the past 3 years. His presentations span across all interest ranges and include Rope Bondage, Torturing with Twine, Impact Play, Cell Popping, Extreme Caning, Flogging, Sword and Knife Play, Mind F***s, and other subjects at Ohio SMART and other local, regional, and National events. He has recently taught at Shibaricon, Beltane, Fires of Venus and did Fire Play as part of the “Taste of Extreme Night” at Leather Retreat. His complete Bio can be found on FetLife.com, and he can be reached via email at XtraSpecial_Tom2 at yahoo dot com.
Fire as a Primal Element
Mark your Partner for Life (or Just a Little While)

Zammis is a long-time attendee of Free Spirit Alliance events, and a third-year clinical acupuncture intern at Tai Sophia Institute’s student clinic in Silver Spring, MD. She wants to share the life-changing frameworks and tools she's learned from Chinese Medicine with her community. Visit her online at www.5dances.net.
Walking the Circle: 5 Element Relationships