San Francisco- The Exotic Erotic Ball, the Bay Area’s largest fetish masquerade event, has been moved to the Oakland side of Treasure Island for its 29th annual celebration.
While the event is a tribute to sexual freedom, it was subject to some strict limitations during its long run at Daly City’s Cow Palace.
The limitations, which organizers felt set an unsexy tone for the provocative parties, in combination with rumors that the Cow Palace was shutting down, prompted the decision to move the strictly 21-and-older event to Treasure Island.
Without the restrictions of a corporate convention center, everything down to the food will have sexual connotations.
A tantric cuisine of chocolate-dipped strawberries and oysters by Wine Valley Catering will replace the less romantic hamburgers and hot dogs that were sold by Cow Palace vendors.
“This is an event that was truly built in the image we always wanted it to be,” said Howard Mauskopf, the ball’s executive producer.
The event, which begins this afternoon, culminates Saturday night with a sexy masquerade ball, where celebrity judges will award $20,000 in costume prizes.
The daytime expos today and Saturday will feature erotic demonstrations, art and music performances and autograph signings by mainstream and adult stars.
There will be about 65 performers, including adult model Akira Lane, hip-hop artist Tone Loc and “The Howard Stern Show” regular “Eric the Midget.”
With more bands on this year’s lineup, Paul Nathan, the event’s entertainment director and emcee, is hoping for a larger turnout. Most of the bands are local, such as rising rock quintet Scissors for Lefty.
“The people who are going to go anyway — they know what will be there,” he said.
The San Francisco-based magician Nathan travels around the world performing and seeking out unique adult talent. His favorite pick for the event is Dutch playmate Ancilla Tilia, who is coming from Amsterdam to put on a shaving show.
“She’s just a seriously hot commodity,” he said.
All told, the event usually draws about 20,000 attendees. Organizers said this year should feel less crowded because Treasure Island allows for a more efficient layout. Several tented stages, an 80,000-square-foot airplane hangar and lots of outdoor space will be a departure from the Cow Palace’s cramped floor plan.
“It’s sort of like a private island — it’s going to be really sexy,” Nathan said.
The 29th Exotic Erotic Ball and Expo
Where: Treasure Island
When: Expo is 2 to 10 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; the ball is from 8 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Cost: Expo tickets are $20; ball tickets start at $79.
Information: www.exoticeroticball.com