Source: Adult Industry News
By: Joanne Cachapero
(LOS ANGELES, CA) — Well-attended and well-presented, Erotica LA drew crowds estimated at 40,000 for the three-day event. Long lines at the ticket windows indicated strong public support for the show, even into its last hours at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Increasing mainstream acceptance of adult entertainment was evidenced by the number of couples there, interested in everything from sex toys to seminars in striptease and sensuality. Roving packs of male fans prowled the rows, pouncing on opportunities to have their photos taken with hundreds of hot, scantily-clad performers. Female attendees also shopped the wares of various vendors.
At the front of the show, the Erotic Museum of Hollywood displayed a selection of carnal artworks, including the edgy, evocative photography of R.C. Horsch. Artists in different mediums, from painting to print, were also featured; the message in their media ranging from thought-provoking to humorous, all with a sexual bent. Computer-generated hardcore animation of demons drilling damsels drew a crowd of curious onlookers, while demonstrations in the art of bondage rope-binding were given by a crew from the Dominion BDSM club.
More than just DVDs and photo ops, Erotica merchandisers offered a full spectrum of sensual products. At the Phallix Glass booth, Lettie from Los Angeles told me she enjoys adult entertainment, though it was her first time to experience Erotica LA. Looking over the large selection of erotic art glass, she expressed interest in the product because it seemed “smooth… And cleaner than rubber.” Steve Knox was at his booth promoting Liquid O lotion containing L-arginine, an amino acid that allows increased blood flow to female genitalia, when applied topically. A PhD in chemistry, he claimed his product was “like a Viagra for women,” with one application potentially heightening sensitivity and intensity of orgasm.
But for most attendees, Erotica LA was a chance to meet and greet with some of the biggest stars in the business. The constant line of fans at the ClubJenna booth were rewarded with appearances by Jenna Jameson and her growing roster of contract girls. The women of Wicked, including Stormy, jessica drake, Julia Ann, Kaylani Lei and Keri Sable also inspired a steady line of traffic for their booth. Crowd favorites Ron Jeremy and Cousin Stevie also made appearances over the weekend.
Smaller booths were also big on talent. Danish delight Malou worked all weekend for Black Widow, alongside Vicki Vette. At the Rodney Moore booth, a bevy of corseted beauties included the incomparable Caroline Pierce, who posed for Polaroid after Polaroid. Producer John Stavros indulged in the carnival-like atmosphere at his PMP Studios booth, while model Melodee looked lusty in her red leather chaps. With their line of Lifestyle-oriented videos, Summer Haze and husband Craig saw lots of traffic at their corner location. Throughout the show, dancers worked the pole in the Spearmint Rhino enclosure, as well as some enthusiastic dancing on both center stages.
One booth that heard a lot of buzz belonged to the Free Speech Coalition. Due to the newly updated 2257 regulations for record-keeping in the adult industry (poised to take effect on June 23) representatives from FSC urged fans to show their industry support by making contributions. Staffed by adult legend Bill Margold, Christina Noir and Lynn LeMay, as well as several other performers that came by to lend their support, fans were urged to become informed on legal issues facing the adult industry.
Always willing to fight the good fight, classic adult superstar Nina Hartley had this to say about the latest developments, “The 2257 regulations, as they’ve been re-imagined, are totally punitive. They’re like the Nuremberg laws, designed specifically to make it impossible for us to do our work.” Further, she stated, “They’re particularly onerous to these small, individually-owned websites where women can finally have a way to own their property, to own their labor and to work together as women, and this totally messes it up. It’s very punitive. It’s very, very mean-spirited. It’s like a religious-based ideology being foisted on the rest of us. It’s very dangerous.”
If the turn-out for Erotica LA was any indication of public opinion, clearly, the demand for adult entertainment says a lot about a growing acceptance of sexuality by America, at large. For more information about Erotica LA, visit erotica-LA.com.
