WEST HOLLYWOOD—More than 200 porn fans and pros squeezed into the world-famous night spot Whiskey a Go Go for an evening of booze, schmooze and adult entertainment, as Hustler Hollywood hosted the Sex, Drinks and Rock ’n’ Roll Freedomfest, all to benefit the Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry's trade association.
"I flew all the way from the east coast to be here tonight," said Frank Kay of New Jersey-based International Video Distributors and East Coast News. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Co-hosts Ambre Lake (of VH1's "Rock of Love") and adult industry personality Tony Batman kicked things off by introducing FSC executive director Diane Duke, who thanked all for attending, and gave particular thanks to Hustler VP Theresa Flynt for helping to arrange the venue, which is directly across the street from Hustler Hollywood.
Duke also thanked the event's several sponsors, including AVN, Wicked Pictures, Adventure Industries, Evil Angel Productions, Screaming O, Sportsheets, Topco Sales and XGen, then asked AVN senior editor Mark Kernes to say a few words. Kernes' comments focused on the need for the industry to support the fight for free sexual speech, and questioned the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to it, noting that while the owner of website TorturePortal.com had just been indicted for obscenity, those who ordered and supported actual torture such as former VP Dick Cheney were facing no sanctions for their actions.
Adam & Eve contract player Kayden Kross then took the stage, lauding the company's 35 years of service to the adult industry, and introduced a clip from her latest movie, Kayden's Krossfire, directed by Andre Madness.
The audience cheered loudly when actress Sunny Lane next strutted her stuff, wearing a selection of lingerie available at the Hustler Hollywood store. This was followed by the evening's first raffle, for a gift basket containing products donated by XGen, Adventure Industries and Adam & Eve.
Between the acts, the audience was treated to the hot rock sounds of local bands L.A. Gunns and Bolt Action Thrill, coordinated by industry vet Jack Napier.
As we were leaving, Evil Angel co-owner Karen Stagliano had taken the stage to announce her company's support for FSC, and to introduce clips from her company own fundraising video, Defend Our Porn, created to help defray the costs of the federal obscenity charges currently pending against the company.
According to the event's schedule, what followed included more Hustler lingerie modeling, a Screaming O Orgasm contest judged by professional orgasmers Nina Hartley, Sasha Grey and Nicki Hunter, more video clips from Wicked Pictures and Hustler Video, BurningAngel's Joanna Angel demonstrating products from Topco, a Sportsheets product demonstration, and more raffle prize awards.
Besides those mentioned above, among the industry attendees we saw at the event were Wicked contract players jessica drake, Alektra Blue, Mikayla Mendez and Kirsten Price, as well as stars Monica Mayhem, Brooke Haven, Missy Stone, Bobbi Starr, Magdalene St. Michaels, Raquel Sieb, Kristina Rose, Chayse Evans, Misti Dawn, Laurie Vargas, Nyomi Banxxx, Leah Rush, Melena Ann, Tommy Gunn, Evan Stone, James Deen, Jeremy Steele, James Bartholet, ASACP executive director Joan Irvine and directors Roy Karch and Craig Valentine.
After the festivities ended, attendees were invited across the street to "redeem" their wristbands for free goodie bags courtesy of Hustler Hollywood, and to partake of late evening refreshments at their coffee bar.
AVN's video team was on hand to film the "red carpet" and interviews with the stars with hostess Angelina Armani, which will be available soon on AVN.com, and photographer Gia Jordan provides this gallery of images from the event.
(Pictured: Wicked's Kirsten Price, Alektra Blue, jessica drake and Mikayla Mendez)
