SMack! Reloaded: Zion or the Matrix?
Chengwin's ¼ Mile Marathon: The saga continues...
Porn Clowns Take Manhattan: A unique SF to NYC roadtrip.
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The
baddest action flic of the summer has hit the screen and hipster geeks everywhere
are psyched. In Manhattan, the film was met with long lines, sold out shows
and the SMack! Reloaded opening night party. Both the film and the party rocked.
Matrix Reloaded was like the original on steroids. With the original's great success and a dedicated cult following, the steroid injection came in the form of $127 million of production cash (vs. the original's $65 million).
A mega-tech, action film with a philosophy, Matrix is set in a world where
everyone is unknowingly plugged into a virtual world via hardwiring direct to
the brain. While the world seems rosy, each individual is, in fact, a catatonic
pod experiencing a virtual existence programmed by all-powerful machines who
use humans as a power source. Within this realm, a rebel faction based in the
underground
city of Zion, exists free of the hardwires and fights the oppression of the
central programmers. Led by heroes Neo, Morpheus and Trinity, all hell keeps
breaking loose.
In both the dirty, overpopulated Zion and the modern, cyber-world "Matrix", the battle rages between the two sides. In Zion, the army prepares for oncoming killer machines while Neo & co go on the offensive in the Matrix. Eye-popping special effects and brain bending concepts flow.
A gritty, earthy place, Zion's costumery is rough and torn and, for whatever
reason, everyone seems to be wearing sweaters. In the Matrix, severe fashions
rule with slick suits, black leathers, PVC and Neo's new shaolin warrior
getup. In Zion, people live and party on top of each other while the matrix
resembles modern society. Memorable moments included the Zion rave and the Matrix
Freeway fight scene.
Meanwhile, back at the Octagon, fetish party master Xris Flam was brewing up yet another in his ongoing series of slickly staged theme events. Entitled "SMack! Reloaded", this event celebrated the film's opening with a wild array of costumery, staged acts and really cool video projections. Styled after the film's slow-mo fight scenes, the screens flickered with hot, gun wielding actors while NYC's fetish crowd grooved behind dark shades.
With
the film sparking debate about modern society and the truer realities that lie
underneath, I found it interesting watching this particular crowd in Zion-like
celebration. With NYC's underground assortment of tech-geeks, hipster artists
and goths - the fetish scene is, in itself, a rebellion against the mundane.
Not accepting the conformity that drives society's bell curve, this crowd seeks
a more experience-rich reality through fantastic styles and a freer expression
of sexuality.
With technology encroaching on everything we do and central powers grabbing
greater controls, the Matrix is all too familiar. With art imitating life and
visa versa, it seems that such free expression is something that must be actively
celebrated and maintained. Slippery slopes spring up to meet us. With our many-colored
shades and differing costumes, we can all ponder what is real and important
to us… 
On screen and off - Zion or the Matrix?
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More photos in the gallery's Fetish Parties Section
For more on SMack! check out www.smack-fetish.com
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It was a fine spring day… A fine day for a marathon.
While
this was a date that played host to several athletic events, none would compare
to the newest chapter of the Chengwin vs. Chunk saga… The Quarter-Mile Greenwich
Village Marathon.
Once again, the good Chengwin and evil Chunk - half brothers, birthed from unions of their mother chicken and fathers penguin and skunk, respectively - have been locked in an endless sibling rivalry of brother vs. brother and light vs. dark.
On this date, Chengwin and his cheerleader posse were to test their athleticism and endurance against Chunk and his jack-sneakered gang of thugs.
Gathered
at Houston Street in a busy Greenwich Village shopping district, a large crowd
of participants gathered to await their favored hero, get their participant
numbers and warm up for the race. As the runners stretched their tendons, guzzled
Red Bull Energy Drinks and gobbled Power Bars, tensions mounted. With mixed
allegiances even amongst close family members, no one new what would happen.
When would the heroes arrive? Would there be a brawl? Would the streets be safe?
Finally the tension piqued when the competing entourages arrived. Chengwin
and his sexy track team made their appearance while Chunk and his goon squad
followed shortly after. With Spider Man Two filming right up the street and
shoppers bustling about, confusion was everywhere. 
Moving into the center of Houston Street, stalling traffic all around, the runners took their places. With the ¼ mile track stretching before the horde of runners, you could cut the tension with a knife.
*Bang* - with a blast from the starting gun, they were off…
More hare-like, Chengwin pulled to an early lead sprinting forth with the aid of the positive vibes from his fans and team. Egged on by hatred and the foulmouthed tactics of his gang, Chunk then pulled within striking distance of his perky brother. Soon the two were neck and neck, beak to beak…
Back and forth it went as they pulled into the homestretch. First it was Chengwin,
then Chunk, then Chengwin again. 
The
Chengwin babes cheered and the Chunk thugs threw elbows. Then, with the finish
line coming into view, Chengwin made his move.
Showing his better training and relative youth, Chengwin kicked it into gear. Just as Chunk lashed out with a fetid claw, Chengwin turned on the after-burners and powered into the lead blowing through the finish line in triumph.
Dripping from the customary drenching of the water cooler, Chengwin danced about basking in his glory. Goodness had, yet again, prevailed. To the joy of most.
Stewing in hatred and humiliation, Chunk would still have his say. While Chengwin
rejoiced, Team Chunk snuck up and took Chengwin by surprise. Steaming with anger,
Chunk wanted his pound of flesh. 
As is customary, a fight broke out. Circling each other with obvious malice, the brothers quickly engaged. While the fisticuffs and curses flew as usual, it seemed obvious that age and this never-ending war was finally taking its toll on these two. Visibly graying and exhausted from the grueling race, the combatants seemed to have lost something as the lunged at each other.
Lost youth notwithstanding, the battle played out and Chengwin's quickness
and sharper beak ultimately took its toll. With Chunk reeling from a rapid-fire
series of pecks and wing chops, Chengwin moved to finish off his misguided brother.
Finally, with one last burst of energy, Chengwin dropped chunk with a leaping
eye-peck that put him down for the count. With the sun streaming through the
clouds and passers-by gaping in confused amusement, the partying continued well
into the night. 
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More pics in the gallery's Special Events Section).
Also see www.Chengwin.com
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With three mammoth dachshund heads in tow behind their bicycle laden party bus, San Francisco's performance artist troupe, Laughing Squid, descended on New York City. Their intention was several days of partying, bi-coastal brotherhood and some serious silliness.
For their Saturday night festivities, the plan was for a no-holds-barred, blow-out
at CB-GB's Gallery. This was to be a night of many performances, much imbibing
and a variety of insane moments. With many unique acts including the Kitty-Kitty
Bang-Bang Purrlesque, Fisherman Xylophonic Orchestra and Nervous Cabaret hosted
by 
performance
artiste extraordinaire MC $teven Raspa - the crowd wiggled with anticipation.
With the most obvious presence, however, no one was going to second-best the
infamous Porn Clown Posse.
With names like Ouchy, iKandi, Flambeau, Snatchy and Rugburns - in costumery
ranging from Victorian corsetry to slave chic, these "Klowns" made the night.
Not your garden-variety, "C-spelled" circus clowns, these spicy "K" Klowns are
not meant for mainstream family entertainment. With hearty laughter and the
occasional grope, these painted partiers circulated and engaged the crowd whether
they liked it or not.
As Costume Network has traveled the costuming universe, it has heard whispered mention of the C-Clown vs. K-Klown controversy. Most widely known, common c-clowns go back in history as those goofy, good-natured folk who interact with children by freely dispensing good cheer, balloon animals and face paints. In spite of occasional childhood traumatizing moments, these clowns maintain G rated codes of behavior and play with uncontroversial props.
As we were about to witness, K-Klowns break this mold in most flagrant fashion.
As
the night reached its zenith, the Porn Klowns took to the stage. Playing out
their skits in several… er… "acts", the crowd was soon shocked into a speechless
daze. Frolicking about, in a puppy-pile of color, balloons and various… toys,
this clown troupe earned their K's and the eventual appreciation of the dumfounded
audience. Art, it seems, comes in many different forms. Klown art is one that
we recommend only for those who wish to "see it all".
After the Klown performance, all was a blur… While there were many amazing
acts and much revelry shared, the haunting memories of the Klowns have been
hard to forget. Try as I have.
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More Photos in the gallery's Theme Parties Section
Also see - www.laughingsquid.com and...
If you dare - www.PornClownPosse.com.