November open forum
Of naked museum tours, naked barbershops, 'Disneyland for adults' and more
Winter seems to be in a big hurry to settle in this year, as you can see by the photo accompanying this post. That dump arrived overnight Oct. 30 and while most of it has since melted, the weather folks are forecasting another 5 to 10 centimetres on Monday night and about 15 centimetres more over the course of the week. Hardly outdoor naturism weather, though I do know a few brave souls who delight in baring it all in the cold, even cross-country skiing in the nude. Brrrrr . . .
In the news . . .
What better way to view photographs in a museum of Greek bronze statues of naked warriors from the 5th century BC than to be naked yourself? The Catalan Naturism Club and the Museum of Archaeology of Cataloni teamed up for the viewing, and the event is garnering a lot of virtual ink in the media. Here’s one of a dozen or so reports that came my way: Life reflects art: Barcelona museum welcomes nudist visitors for tour of naked statues.
Not to be outdone, The Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh will be playing host to a similar event on Nov. 10. And there will be food! If you’re in the area, reserve here.
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Nudist barbershops?
Hey, why not? It’s a thing in some Brazilian “barbershops and salons,” according to a recent article on Vice. The article points out that there is no sex involved, as you would expect, but apparently some customers “assume” is it part of the deal, Vice reports. It seems to be a guy thing, though. There is no mention of any beauty salons catering to women. Read more here: The Rise of the Nudist Barbershop.
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There is sex involved at The Sea Mountain Nudist Resort and Spa locations in Las Vegas and Palm Springs, apparently. I wonder how most naturists feel about these “nudist resorts,” dubbed “Disneyland for adults,” where sex and partying are part of the attractions?
OK, I know that most purists would frown upon that sort of thing and might suggest it is more of a swingers’ club than a true naturism resort — and that calling them nudist resorts might give the uninformed the wrong idea about naturism and nudism.
But, hey, even these adult settings draw the line at single men, who are barred from attending just like they are at most traditional landed and non-landed naturism clubs. And there’s a ban on touching staff, the Mirror and other papers are reporting.
Dress code is lingerie or less. Read more here.
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The practice of naturism in the fabled Sherwood Forest is “strongly discouraged,” according to a report by Nottinghamshire Live. But if you insist upon practising nudism there, you are being asked to carry a cover-up garment to wear when nearing clothed visitors.
"Naturism may be tolerated in quieter parts of Budby South Forest (subject to behaviours), but is strongly discouraged in Sherwood Forest, where there is a greater likelihood of encountering other visitors, especially families with children," management says.
Read more here: Sherwood Forest 'strongly discourages' naturism in warning to visitors
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Richard Collins is in the news again, this time for being asked to leave a pub after he “exposed his (bare) bum in front of a young girl and her mother as he tried to pick up a poppadom from a chair at The John Logie Baird in Hastings, East Sussex,” the Mirror reports. Collins, the founder of Naturists UK, has accused the pub of “discrimination,” the paper reports, which adds: “He is campaigning for naturist rights to be formally recognised in legislation so that people can "walk into any pub naked" and get served following the incident.”
Collins says he normally wears a skirt and sweatshirt to go into a pub.
You may recall that Collins was “wrongly arrested in May this year (for public indecency) by an off-duty police officer, before being de-arrested.” Apparently, he was arrested once before that for public nudity as well.
Our June open forum had an item about Collins, in which I took issue with a photograph of him sitting with his bare bottom directly on a public bench. I called it “a hygienic faux pas. He should have placed a towel or some sort of material on the bench to sit on.”
As always, the monthly open forums are for all members to talk about all things related to naturism and nudism. Feel free to discuss some of the above news items, or something else.
And a warm welcome to new members here!
Cheers
Jillian
We have an event here called Nude Art LA. The first night is open specifically for nudists. Unfortunately they stopped having shows due to COVID. Looks like they'll be starting up again in 2023.
https://www.nudeartla.com/nude-art-la-intro-video/
I recall when I went to Cypress Cove I needed a haircut and went to the salon where most of the clients were women and received one. The staff were all clothed, but I wasn't. No problems. It's a strangely (unpleasant) feeling to be draped in a nylon cape to keep the chopped hair off when I could just walk into a shower afterwards - but it keeps the salon tidy!