The D thing

Friday 15 February 2008

The 2008 Auckland Hero Festival saw the Return of the D.thing at MARCO Trust, again combining art, performance, video and music, this time with the theme of “A Kinky Cruise through the Exotic East”. One was welcomed aboard the HMS D.thing, the Flagship of Her Royal Harness by the “crew” all wearing ship’s uniforms (very sexy!) creating a “Love Boat” feel to the event.

Immediately on the starboard side was the “Up-Si-Daisy Love Hotel” resplendent with lots of pink and daisies and frufru and pink light, with cool and cruisy sounds from DJ Vibe. Guests were encouraged by the gregarious hosts to drink pink bubbly, eat lollies and have their photo taken on the Love Hotel Bed adorned with props galore (all pink of course!) and then to post the photo onto the large pink map of the world painted on one wall – an interesting and fun sociogram rather like the L-Word whiteboard in the last D.thing.

Up the passage to the bow of the ship there was the mysterious and seductive “HerKiss Delight Bar” (sponsored by the Women’s bookshop), with a continous slide show of nineteenth century paintings of women in Hareems and Turkish Baths by artists such as Delacroix and Gérôme, and a sexy belly dance routine to liven up the crowd. Behind there was the intimate carpeted low-lit Inner Harem, a great chill space where scrumptious Lezzo Apple Tea (nice touch!) and Turkish Delight could be consumed. 

Finally one entered Dollywood (sponsored by Red Bull), beautifully decorated with bright colourful fabrics and featuring a fabulous huge wall hanging of two elephants painted by the ever-talented Jo Mears, of the mannequin fame from the last D.thing. The dance floor was in this space and again featured the video work of VJ Vixen, a intoxicating blend of images from Bollywood and some very cool shadow dancing by a couple of very sexy lezzies. (I don’t know how she did it but it appeared she found a lesbian Bollywood dance routine!)

There were two fab performances in this space – one by the Dollywood Dancers, a group of girls who took part in the pre-event workshops (as with the Belly dancing) and an amusing drag act by Rewa and Ariel.

As with the 2007 event, this year’s D.thing had lots to do and see. The Love Hotel was loads of fun and I know some people hardly left the space. It was also a treat to be able to get a henna tattoo from the lovely redheads in Dollywood. Many women commented to me how great it was to come to a quirky and fun event in a creative and welcoming environment. Good on you Vixen+Vibe for giving us another great experience that goes far beyond the usual club environment.

Candy-boi-grl, April 2008.

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