What This Event Is

What is an unconference?
An unconference is a structured gathering designed for people to learn from one another and discover new things. In this case, there will be six session slots, each forty-five minutes long, in which to have a class or a workshop or an "I want to learn about X" session or an opportunity for experimentation and discovery.

Why an unconference?
One goal of this structure of event is to democratize the conference. Everyone has equal right to propose a session, and everyone is encouraged to do so, no matter how experienced they are or how qualified they feel.

What will we talk about? What classes/sessions will there be?
The sessions will be determined at the event by you and everyone else attending! People can propose topics and then vote on which topics they want to see on the schedule, and then we'll fill in the schedule from the topics people have proposed and voted on.

It's safe to say there will be sessions about rope. Topics might include anything from upline management to performance, from particular ties to particular aspects of play, from conversations about consent to conversations about safely doing dangerous things. Maybe there will be a hair rope practice workshop, or a rope conditioning skillshare, or an escape games session. Anyone can propose a class they want to teach or learn, or a session they wish to facilitate or participate in.

Attendee Information

Who is this for?
Tangle is for rope enthusiasts of all levels except absolute beginners. If you're coming to tie, please know how to tie some kind of single column tie. If you're coming to be tied, please have some basic familiarity with safety and have been in rope before. If you meet those criteria, you should be able to enjoy yourself at Tangle.

How does vetting work? Should I worry if I don't know people?
After you submit your registration form, we will review your responses and reach out within a week. We will either reach out with a vetting decision or reach out to schedule a 15-30 minute vetting phone call. Once you are vetted, you will get a link to purchase a ticket. If you have a little bit of rope experience but do not know people, you are absolutely welcome at this event.

Can I come for just the unconference part? For just the play party? For just the afternoon?
Participants should arrive by 10:30 to make sure they are there for the opening ceremony. Tickets are only being sold for the whole event, but you're not required to participate in every session, and you're free to leave early or go away for some of the time and come back.

Will my dietary restrictions be accommodated?
To the best of our ability, we will accommodate all dietary restrictions and allergies. There will certainly be ample gluten-free and vegan foods available. Please reach out if you doubt your dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Is this an accessible space?
Unfortunately, no. If there's something we can do to support you (e.g., send a volunteer down to help you bring a scooter upstairs), please let us know and we will. We wish there were an accessible kink space in the city equipped to support an event like this.

Event Policies

What's allowed in the space in terms of kink things?
The space will be focused on rope, but you're welcome to do most kink things during the play party. More specific rules will be posted in advance of the event and shared at the event.

It's not been determined yet whether sharps are going to be allowed in the event. It depends on whether we have dungeon monitors who feel capable of DMing sharps and setup crew who feel capable of setting up for sharps.

Can I take my clothes off?
Entering the building: please dress politely so as to not draw unwanted attention to the space or upset the neighbors.
Before the main sessions: please keep your underwear on (genitals and butthole covered) but otherwise dress however you like.
During the main sessions: please keep your underwear on unless there is a specific session reason to take it off (e.g., a session on tying genitals). Otherwise, dress however you like.
During the play party: dress (or undress) however you like.

Can I take pictures?
You can take pictures as long as you get the consent of everyone in the photograph (even in the background). Please do not use flash during the play party. Please make sure you obtain additional consent from anyone in the photos before posting them online.

What is your infectious disease policy?
You will be asked to take a COVID test within 12 hours before the event start and attest at entry to having no new COVID/flulike symptoms within 48 hours before the event start.

If you test positive for COVID, you can request your event registration be refunded or transferred to a future event.

What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations will be refunded 75% up to a month before the event. Starting a month before the event, cancellations will not be permitted except in the case of unexpected illness. Up to two weeks before the event, you may transfer your registration to another attendee. Please email us if you would like to cancel or transfer your registration.

What Will Happen at Tangle

What is the balance between play and learning?
During the main six sessions, the focus will be on learning, but play is often involved in learning in rope. During session times, you are encouraged to stick to the focus of the topic that drew people to your session, and you are encouraged not to be so loud that groups in adjacent spaces are disrupted.

During the speed tying at the beginning and the play party at the end, the event is generally focused on play, but you're of course welcome to teach and learn as well.

What does group-led brainstorms mean?
Maybe someone wants to learn something that nobody in the room knows already. That learning can still take place! Interested people will come together and work together to think through the questions being asked or the problems being proposed or presented.

What is speed tying?
We'll have 3-4 rounds of speed tying in which people will find someone to tie with and then have seven minutes to negotiate, tie and untie. It will be explained more thoroughly when it happens, but the goal is to get people in a playful, ropey headspace and to facilitate some meeting each other.

Miscellaneous Information

Who is running this?
ropey_flower is organizing this, with help from some of her friends. Ropey_flower is a trans rope enthusiast who has been active in the New York City rope scene since 2021. She values creativity, play, and the sharing of knowledge, and she loves to combine rope with art and movement. She wants there to be a rope unconference in New York because she believes we all have things to learn from each other.

How do I get there?
The venue is quite conveniently located by a number of train lines. If you're driving, prepare to leave extra time for parking.