Trying to talk your paramour into expanding their repertoire between the sheets, however, is often an awkward experience or has the possibility of sparking off a nasty, relationship-ending argument. Which is why the kink-minded folks at several of the Valley's Fascinations stores have been conducting "Let's Talk Sex" workshops to lend local singles and couples to help lessen any potential. And this weekend, they're bringing in adult film star jessica drake to host special Valentine's Day editions of the ongoing series.
The 30something porn actress -- who's starred in more than 250 adult films over the last 13 years (including such titles as Caribbean Undercover, Office Encounters, and Cruel Seductions) -- has been keen on adding the role of sex educator to her resume in recent years. So much so that she's created a series of instructional DVDs called jessica drake's Guide to Wicked Sex aimed at giving couples and singles an assist with topics like female masturbation, fellatio, and anal sex.
Such salacious subject matter will be the focus of two workshops drake will oversee this weekend at a pair of local Fascinations; including a discussion concerning the joys of female self-love on Friday, February 8, at the chain's South Tempe location, and one entitled "Fellatio: The ABCs of BJs" on Saturday, February 9, inside the North Scottsdale store.
Jackalope Ranch recently spoke with drake about the workshops, her DVD series, and the awkwardness most people feel about openly discussing sexual matters.
Why did you create a series of instructional DVDs about such things as masturbation and fellatio? What happened was about four or five years ago in the midst of all these personal appearances that I do all the time for Wicked Pictures, I noticed a shift in the demographics of people that were coming to see me at the store signings. What I saw happening was, where they used to be mostly comprised of men, a few years back I noticed a lot of women coming out and getting really comfortable with being in adult stores, partially because they're so beautiful now and they cater to women so much more than they every did before.
So I was approached by a woman at one of these signings who said that she didn't know if she was having orgasms, and she wanted me to sort of help her and guide her. And I felt really bad, because obviously if you don't if you're having an orgasm, then you're not having orgasms. So I did try to give her some advice. I've also been approached by both women and couples about how to spice up their relationships, how they can do a particular sex act better in bed...you name it. I've been asked all kinds of questions, so I got the idea to do seminars and workshops first, but after I did them for a few months, everyone kept asking me for DVDs to back this up. Where can we find this information.
Why do you want to help people out in the bedroom? This is something that I obviously feel very passionate about. I think I have a sort of unique approach when it comes to sex because even before I was in the adult industry, I was the person that everyone came to for advice. Out of all of my friends, I was the one most comfortable talking about it. And I'm a people pleaser, I love to help people. I like to have a use in the bigger picture, instead of just doing movies.
Really? I've always wanted to teach, of course, but I also wanted to give people ways to get inspired. And the best way to keep people inspired is to give them the knowledge and then you turn them on with the information. So the instructional line that I do, I narrate them. They're 100 percent me, but I do not have sex in them. It's something I wanted to keep separate from my own hardcore career. I narrate them, I direct them, and a cast them. I shoot demonstrations with each particular topic that we're covering. So say we're the shooting the one on fellatio. I give some anatomy lessons, I start talking about technique, different ideas and tips that people could try.
We imagine both the DVDs and the seminars are quite explicit. Basically. I mean we are talking about sex, you know.
What do the "Let's Talk About Sex" workshops involve? The seminars sort of encompass the basic information that's within the instructional DVDs. So definitely if a couple wanted to come to my anal workshop, for instance, and all they need to be is curious. And I definitely give them the knowledge and the tips and the tools that they need to at least attempt it for the first time. And the same with female masturbation one as well.
Female masturbation has probably been one of my favorite instructionals so far because I make it so empowering. You're really teaching a woman how to better love her body and how to be more comfortable with exploring herself and that's the basis for better sex with a partner. You really have to know yourself first and then you can take that into your bedroom and share it.
Will the workshops cover what's on the DVDs? Well, the workshops do cover the basics that are on the DVDs: Fellatio, female masturbation, and anal sex. I always sort of gauge the audience and adjust the workshop accordingly. I've never had two identical workshops in the past few years. It depends on the area of the country that I'm in, or which country I'm in for that matter, and how comfortable everyone is with participating. And, obviously, by participating, I don't mean having sex; I mean having part in the conversation and asking questions. And some of the time, I let the audience guide the way the seminar goes, because if I have a more conservative group, I certainly don't want to make them feel uncomfortable by jumping right into a topic, I'd rather let them warm up to it.
What else is involved with the workshops? I do this thing that I love at the ending of every workshop, I do a Q&A. At first, the question and answers are about the topic of the workshop. But then, after we get those questions out of the way, I give them the opportunity to ask me anything. And I've had some of the most amazing conversations with people because of that.
So you hope that people who attend the workshops will leave fully informed? Absolutely.
And there aren't any hands-on demonstrations? No, of course not (laughs). This is an actual, realistic workshop. This is somewhere that people can come for the real information and take this home and try these things out with their partners. Husbands and wives love these workshops. But no, this is not a live sex show.
At these seminars, are the crowds largely male or female? We definitely see a lot of couples, with the exception of maybe the workshop for female masturbation. Obviously, I like to keep that workshop women only because I find that's what ladies the most comfortable, especially if they have questions that involve difficulties that they had reaching orgasm. But everybody is welcome. When I do the fellatio seminars, men are welcome too, because I feel they can provide some really useful feedback.
Are people shy going into the workshops because of the explicit nature of the subject matter? I've definitely seen people be shy and timid and a little embarrassed during the beginnings of the workshops. Usually, they do loosen up and get into it, which is great. I love it when the mood changes like that. But I've always had people come into the seminars all over the world that are super open-minded and nothing phases them. And those people are really great too. It's generally a mix. But I do enjoy helping open people's minds.
The "Let's Talk Sex" Workshops hosted by jessica drake take place on Friday, February 8, at Fascinations in South Tempe, and on Saturday, February 9, at the Fascinations in North Scottsdale. Admission is free, but RSVPs are required. See www.yourfascinations.com for more info.
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