Our Lucky Players Valentine's Weekend in Las Vegas, 2003

Party report by Eve Howard

A long time ago, when we first began producing videos, our good friend and patron in the scene, Ed Lee of Nu-West, advised us that shooting videos is somewhat akin to completing missions, based on the many challenges (as well as high level of stress) such endeavors provide. So is hosting spanking parties! We just held our eighteenth scene event, this time in an entirely new venue, and although roundly enjoyed by the vast majority of our guests, this particular mission was fraught with snafus, most of which we were able to navigate around, albeit awkwardly and therefore not precisely with our usual style.

Our Guests

Valentine's Weekend in Las Vegas, 2003, brought Shadow Lane approximately 300 guests, the largest number ever. (The Sportsman's Lodge parties in Studio City had traditionally been the best attended, due to their location within the large metropolis of Los Angeles.)

Of course, due to our guests' propensity of running, walking or tottering on high heels back to their suites to play privately intermittently throughout the evening, it's unlikely that all three hundred party people were ever in the ballroom simultaneously. However, ticket sales told the story, and it was a big one this time.

Among our guests were spanking enthusiasts from as far away as Kuwait, Bosnia, Hong Kong, London, Canada, Alaska and dozens of additional states from coast to coast. Our youngest guest was a 21 year old English girl, who had come by herself to attend her first spanking party and played until she could play no more. (She says she'll be back on Labor Day!)

The gentleman from Bosnia had made it his business to attend not only this party, but the last three as well. Ditto our dear friend Gordon from Hong Kong.

One pretty lady, currently battling an awesome disease, came from Canada to escape her cares for a few days and subsequently reported having a wonderful time. (Think on that, you inexcusably inert Californians who never bother to bestir yourselves!)

Our attendees from back east were gratified to leave snow drifts and temps in the teens to join us for a mild and balmy winter weekend in Nevada, with highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's throughout. It even stopped raining on Friday afternoon and sweaters rather than coats sufficed for outerwear all the while we were there.

We had contingents from the deep south, the Pacific Northwest, the New York tri-state area, Texas, the Western states, New England, the Rockies, the mid-west and the entire eastern seaboard, not to mention scores of Californians and some very charming native Las Vegans who only had to travel a few blocks to attend the party and were full of friendly and useful information concerning our new environs.

Our guests comprised a congenial mix of diverse ethnicity and numerous nationalities, including many Europeans and Canadians who have made America their permanent home. We had big and small, tall and short, old and young, dark and light and everything in between. As always, our group was a microcosm of our society, full of variety and color.

There were so many beautiful couples I can't name or describe them all, but I managed to find out many of their professions as I went around talking to people and thought it would be interesting to note that our list of guests included: doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists, technical writers, more lawyers, proof readers, art gallery docents, pipe fitters, engineers, cops, forensic experts, medical technicians, photographers, models, masseurs, building contractors, data inputters, software geniuses, counter help, security personnel, small and large business owners, lighting and camera men, military reservists, paralegals, additional lawyers and more cops, nicely rounded off by that group of fetish actors, actresses and industry associates who never miss an event if humanly possible along with some beautiful new professional faces. And these are only some I can think of

Due to the party being held outside L.A., combined with the current weak economy, and in certain cases, other unforeseen obstacles, the number of attending Shadow Lane video personalities present was smaller than usual. Happily, Erica Scott (fresh from her triumphant telephone appearance as "Louise" on Dr. Phil), Ralph Marvell, Susan Mills, Gino Coletti, Dolores Cortez, Mark Fisher, Bob Wilson and Dallas were able to join us as usual. So was our constant researcher and tireless scene promoter, Bill Sova. Next time we hope to welcome back Chelsea and Larry, Stephanie Locke, Keith Jones, Bobbie Tawse, Brian Tarsis, Angella Faith, Alex Dominguez and Sycilia Sutton, all of whom were greatly missed.

Among our most flamboyant female guests were: "sparkplug of the dance floor" Dolores Cortez, the sleekly dominant Dana Specht in an amazing red dress, birch mistress extraordinaire Miss Janis of J's Attic, and luscious Liz of the hourglass figure, arrayed in a remarkable playing card corset dress in black pvc with red accents.

There were more lovely and attractive ladies than I can name, including several who expressed an interest in working with us, one of whom was Bella, the vivacious brainiac who is so active on our member's board and will appear in Our Sorority Part III, scheduled for production this Spring.

There were many charming couples, some long time Shadow Lane customers, others newer friends from our online members section, including: Bill and Evie, Cutie Couple from Texas, John and Erica, Dee and her new sweetheart, nattily retro-dressed whip maker George and his wife, Ellie-O and Gordon, long distance buddies, Krissy and Larry and oh so many others.

There was one romantic couple who got married on Valentine's Day in Vegas and another who got married a few weeks ago. K., an impudent blonde from Florida came with Ralph. A young lady from Las Vegas wound up on the arm of the gentleman from Bosnia. Arthur Sire and Ava Barton showed up later at a suite party, confessing to doing the town so thoroughly that it caused them to miss the actual party.

There were couples and individuals kind and generous enough to host suite parties. Krissy put on a Brat's Breakfast for the ladies that included guest appearances by the monumental Dan, (dressed as a CHP), Tony (dressed as someone who'd gotten four hours sleep the previous night) and a distinguished Canadian gentleman named Ian, all of whom dispensed spankings to the attending brats. Krissy continued to shower her guests with love by providing a sumptuous spread. Well done, Krissy! Although I'm not surprised. Krissy is a enthusiastic member of our bulletin board who consistently goes the distance to welcome and encourage new members and inject fun into the group.

Always generous with their time and friendship, Dan and Patty hosted an exciting party in their suite as did the incredibly hospitable Bob and Ariel, who opened their suite to all two nights running. A handsome gentleman from Chicago also hosted a suite party and there were others I'm sure I'll hear the details about later.

Tony and I couldn't help but notice how much the party was being enjoyed by some of those individuals who had never attended a spanking party before. There were many newbies this time and most seemed delighted to be there. Especially the Nevada locals, who seemed to really get a kick out of their town becoming a spanking town. But speaking of Nevada, this brings us to the snafus.

The Party Space and Event

The biggest obstacle we had to face about this particular venue, was that Nevada law forbids the combining of alcohol and nudity in a public place; it also apparently restricts exhibitions involving nudity to venues possessing a cabaret license, which our hotel did not.

We were told, on the morning of the party, that if this no nudity rule was violated and an inspector for the city was present, the hotel could lose its liquor license. Thus the onus was on us to preserve this rule, which unfortunately meant, no strictly bare bottom spankings at this party.

Since the concept of spanking on the panties or even a skimpy thong seemed to fly with the management and cover them if there was an inspection, and they seemed to have no problem with actual over the knee spanking in the public room, I personally didn't find the rule too draconian.

I don't mind sharing with you that for years I've felt acute anxiety at the goings on in our public rooms at other venues. Bare bottoms of all shapes and sizes bouncing all over the place and an actual din from the sheer amount of hard spanking being done! I've often wondered how far we could push it. This party we found out that in Nevada you can only push it so far. (I'm not expecting any surprises of this nature when we return to the Riviera in Palm Springs.)

But getting back to my own and many other guests' feelings about this issue, I'd like to report that 95% of the women I alerted to the new rule at the party approved of the change! Which proves I'm not alone in still thinking spanking on the panties or a fully clothes person enchanting in its own innocent way.

But truly, some people were scandalized at the absence of bare bottom spanking at this party. Especially when the outrage was compounded by the necessity of having two (huge) security guards in the room throughout the event.

The security guard rule was sprung on us a few days before the party, though it was probably in the fine print of the Byzantine contract which we signed to get the party scheduled. The two guards were apparently required by law, because of the alcohol, or the semi-nudity, or semi-lewdity, or whatever they needed to come up with to bill us an additional $500 for security. The guards made the hotel feel secure about not being busted by the fabled inspector but their heavy presence made a number of our guests less than comfortable, especially those used to the free and easy ways of Palm Springs and Los Angeles.

Personally, I felt able to tune the guards out. I took a spanking in front of them at the end of Friday night and didn't think much of it.

On Saturday night I found out from one extremely irate guest that the word had not gotten around to everyone about the no bare bottom rule and he had been admonished by a guard not to spank a girl bare bottom. I do apologize for that! I should have made a general announcement at the beginning of each night, but never got around to doing so. When I didn't see anyone bare bottom spanking on Friday, I figured all was well. I didn't see any bare bottom spanking on Saturday either, either prior to or after the irate guest's report to me, and I was in the room almost the whole time, though I was told that there was some. I did see a good deal of spanking over panties and atop thonged backsides that might as well have been bare for all that was covered.

We deeply regret any humiliation or distress suffered by any guest due to any unpleasant interaction with either the security staff or any other member of the hotel staff.

In recent years I have begun to notice less exhibitionist sttyle spanking at our parties and more couples going off to private rooms to play, with people using the main ballroom as a meeting center rather than an ultimate play destination. Perhaps this continuous flow and ebb in and out of the main room has had to do in part with most people not wishing to bare all in public. In the long run, the panties spanking only rule in Vegas may encourage some of our slightly more shy or modest party attendees to eventually allow their skirts to be lifted in public for a few well placed swats. But I also fully understand the disappointment of those who felt deprived of observing or participating in a racier show.

Since this was an entirely new venue in an untried city, and we really didn't know exactly what to expect, we were careful not to even promise public spanking on the flier that went out for this party. We were hoping for the best and that turned out to be spanking on the panties. It could have been worse.

I can see a solution to this particular snafu if we decide to do another Vegas party, which is that Shadow Lane might purchase additional suites and set them aside for the bare bottom contingent overflow from the main party. They would have to be monitored but I think the combination of panty spanking in the main room and bare bottom behind closed doors in suites only might be the solution. These hospitality suites would also take the pressure off the couples who generally throw suite parties and get a hundred people showing up at them. We're kicking this idea around if we go back to Vegas.

The room was large, but boring, a highly unflattering shade of green and the lighting impossible to get perfect either night. Speaking of lighting, at future Shadow Lane events, the lights will be brightened, dimmed or otherwise adjusted at our discretion and not that of any vendor or vendors. Any vendor who can't live with the concept of more atmospheric lighting should definitely not purchase a table at the next party.

Most of the vendors reported successful, though not outstanding sales at the end of the night. Predictably, the majority of the tables were devoted to implements of correction and some of the nicest paddles were to be seen on Bob the d.j.'s table. The Toy Bag of Virginia brought beautiful floggers. The charismatic Claire Fonda was selling her own video line. Dallas had a new beauty with him this time and a dazzling set of new dvd's of the hardest possible spanking. Firm Hand had several of their lissome models prancing around their table to stimulate business, which I'm certain they did. Stern Time videos offered a variety of spanking tapes as did we. Our table was manned by myself, Dolores Cortez and my scene buddy Brad D.

As always, the Vendor Faire provided our guests not only with an activity for Friday, but a conversation piece and an excuse to start playing, just trying out the toys. No vendor ever got rich selling toys at a vendor faire, but sales do help with party expenses, which is always appreciated, as are the finely crafted implements provided by these garage and workshop artisans. A paddle, strap, whip or crop is an item an enthusiast will keep and use for life. No, these accessories to play aren't cheap, but they can be much more satisfying than the makeshift kind.

Bob, our dedicated spanking d.j., did a terrific job spinning tunes both nights and had couples dancing all Saturday night. He also awarded some of his beautiful paddles to: the guest who had come the furthest, the guest who had been at the most Shadow Lane parties, and other categories.

"Respect" by Aretha Frankin was played to honor the untimely passing of Janet Beckwith Lord, the San Diego based dominant who sadly left this world over the Christmas holiday.

If you want Bob to play something special at the next party, just send us an email and I'll forward it to him for his list. He wants your suggestions!

The food was the next biggest problem. Friday's cheese, fruit and veggie displays were fine. But Saturday's pasta and fajita bars were found lacking by those who had been to the grand spread put on at The Riviera in Palm Springs.

Frankly, when we consulted the Alexis Park menus we were shocked at the prices. At that point, we had a choice: raise the price of the party ticket dramatically in order to put out a more substantial dinner, or keep the price of the party ticket the same, by ordering only as much food as our standard catering budget would allow.

It turned out that for the same amount we pay in Palm Springs for: a steamship round of beef, a pasta and fajita bar, salad, coffee, bread, dessert, and two drinks, at the Vegas hotel we could only purchase the pasta and fajita bars. (Even adding one drink took us over our previous catering budget by five dollars per person.) While we sincerely regret that many of our guests were disappointed with the food, our Saturday menu was truthfully represented on the flier and website as being composed of a pasta and fajita bar only.

If we return to Vegas again we'll do our best to pick a hotel where we can negotiate a better spread at the lowest possible cost to our customers.

We would, however, like people to realize that the catering is not the only cost involved in putting on an event of this nature. Other facets of our over head include: taxes and gratuities, dance floor rentals, the d.j.'s fee, security fees, paying our assistants, comping our models and actors who couldn't afford to attend otherwise, paying for the printing of the fliers, promotional materials and tickets, the mainstream advertising that brings us new members and readers who then people these events, and of course the numberless hours we spend on the phone and online talking and writing to customers about our parties up to a year prior to each event, not to mention the footwork involved in going around to hotels and seeing whether they might be amenable to and viable for our group.

We chose the Alexis Park because it was an attractive, extensive property which had successfully hosted alternative lifestyles groups before, because the accommodations were affordable and because they would have us. We realized that we were making a compromise about the food, but hoped that the more spacious and private suites, offered at the same price as we were paying for modest rooms at the Lodge and Rivera, would offset the gustatory inadequacy of the Saturday night spread.

I would also ask our guests to consider that when they attend a Shadow Lane party, that the ticket price applies not only to the food served and promotional aspects mentioned above, but to the party space itself, which must be large enough to comfortably house hundreds of socially and playfully interactive spanking enthusiasts at the same time. In order to obtain such a space, we generally have to purchase catering. In this case, while we spent as much, if not more, on party rooms and food than traditionally at The Rivera, we got considerably less value for our banquet dollar.

We pledge to work harder on this point if we return to Vegas but beg not to be held to the same standards as much smaller group parties, who can fit their entire guest roster into a few large suites and bring in their own snacks without attracting the attention or censure of their host hotels. With the sheer number of our guests at this point, only a ballroom will suffice as a central meeting area. So we will continue to search for the perfect one.

There was one advantage to holding the party in the Apollo Ballroom, which was that it had a separate entrance outside the hotel, with an enclosed lobby, so other guests didn't see us walking in or out and couldn't peer into the ballroom from the foyer. The restrooms were conveniently situated and a smoking area accessible outside. Fortunately it was temperate enough that the smokers didn't freeze.

In spite of all the inconveniences, almost everyone I spoke to said they were enjoying the party. Especially those shepherding an attractive playmate back to their suite for a spanking tete a tete. Ironically, those nursing the sorest bottoms went home the happiest!

A few of our guests need a course in party etiquette. They will be on probation at or banned from the next party. One of these individuals positioned himself in the front lobby of the hotel and accosted every woman checking in to ask if she was with Shadow Lane and single. This is just what people in our group are not supposed to do! Another person was excessively drunk and noisy with it. This was improper and he will be informed.

The Property

On balance with the less than impressive catering was the nice grounds and suite choices offered by the hotel. Each accommodation was a two room suite. And while these standard suites were small, they did allow for moderate entertaining. The loft suites were sexy, with jacuzzis, wet bars, refrigerators, fire places and two bathrooms each. At $149 the loft suites were a bargain.

One of the best features of the hotel was its rather thick walls. As I walked around I didn't hear spanking sounds from every direction. Thus, I was not aware of any noise complaints relative to our group. The security never informed us of any problems, nor did the hotel, so I'm thinking at least the walls were solid.

But there were problems relative to the rooms as well. One lady had the sprinklers go off, another couple had ants in their bathroom; the air conditioning units were noisy and the water pressure disappointing. In addition, the boast of a 24 hour business office was a lie and the spa was closed on Sunday.

I didn't eat in the restaurant but I did get my room service quickly. The food wasn't bad or expensive. And the bar provided a haven for socializers. If it had been warmer I think our guests would have greatly enjoyed the three swimming pools, but it wasn't quite bathing weather. Though I did see people pop in and out of the outdoor jacuzzis.

To its credit, the hotel seemed to keep its word about isolating us pretty well from the youth group as well as other hotel guests.

The last criticism of the hotel we heard from more than one guest was that some of the staff were surly, rude or unresponsive. This pains us greatly and we wish it hadn't been the case. I'd like to think this isn't typical of Vegas because so many of our guests are clamoring for another party there.

Unexpected Dividend

So with all these obstacles, why consider returning to Vegas? For one thing, the new location attracted our largest turn out ever. People coming from distant points, who had been to L.A. and Palm Springs many times, were by and large extremely pleased with the diversity of amusements and nearby culinary options offered by the new city. Obviously, all the gamblers among us were in heaven. But the shoppers and tourists also had fun. The array of shows, exhibits and specialty clubs around town provided more entertainment choices for guests and their accompanying partners than ever before.

A number of partners and spouses who had never come to a Shadow Lane party before made the trip to this one. They didn't all attend the actual party. Some of them just enjoyed Vegas while their spanking partner attended the party, then rendezvoused later. In this manner a number of couples reaped a dual purpose vacation, combining a spanking holiday with an exciting getaway with their mate.

Some non-spanking partners who had felt excluded or disinterested before, finally found enough to interest them in making the trip (without compelling them to plunge into the smack bottom frolics). And their spanking partners were glad of it. No one likes to leave a spouse alone on a holiday to romp with one's immature playmates. This time the spankers could still engage in their own form of rarified fun with their spanking pals for hours every day with plenty of time left over to wine, dine and entertain the darlings of their hearts. This removed vast quantities of guilt from many of the revelers and thus set an even nicer tone to this particular event. The partners who didn't want to join in the spanking socializing, found they had plenty to do and eat in walking distance.

We ran into one non-spanking partner who saw Penn and Teller and had his photo taken with them. Another member's (non-party attending) wife continuously played the slots at a casino a few blocks away and ended up hitting a big jackpot. Guests and partners alike toured the city, shopped, gamed, enjoyed free drinks and paid for stiff ones, goggled at the multitudes and tried to spot the wedding dresses in the crowds of weekend revelers. Some gentlemen of our party even partook of cigars, brandy and off-color remarks in the Hard Rock smoking lounge across the street while their better halves gleefully blew or enlarged their play allowance in the round casino with the wooden floor.

There were private pizza parties and hamburger fests, cocktail hours, champagne toasts and chocolate by the pound, shared among spanking friends well met, not the least of which had first discovered one another's unique personalities online.

Some guests visited the Faberge Eggs while others paid homage to Elvis, Liberace and the still living Wayne Newton. Sports enthusiasts found action packed screens everywhere they turned and the recreational gamblers among us were never better pleased. No one was forced to join in on anything that didn't interest them because there were so many options. Some adventurous souls actually left the neon behind and escaped to hike in the nearby mountains.

In spite of all the set backs and drawbacks, most of the people I talked to had a splendid time, myself included. I loved seeing all my friends and playing with a special few. All the women looked so lovely and there were so many charming men it was easy to block out the little problems.

Tony and Butch (each still vibrating with post traumatic stress brought on by the Alexis Park Resort) join me in thanking all of our guests for their encouragement and continued presence at our events over the years. We were thrilled to meet so many new people too and hope to see everyone again at Palm Springs on Labor Day Weekend.

I'd also like to extend my special thanks to all those constant readers who made a point of telling me that they had been enjoying my novels for years. Our company began with the first Shadow Lane story that I published in 1987, that not too distant era past during which the notion of a rambunctiously playful, truly interactive social spanking scene still came under the heading of fantasy. How times have changed!

If you have a report on our party you'd like us to post on our website, just email the text to:
Evehoward@shadowlane.com.
Regrettably, most of our digital photos came out too dark, so if anyone has nice photos from the party they might like posted on our website, please email them to:
Tony@shadowlane.com.

(He can draw dark glasses on for anonymity if you wish.)

Best wishes,
Eve