Coming Attractions

(Published in Lavender Lifestyles Magazine, Issue #21, March 15, 1996)

The recent “Thrash, Trash, Let It All Flash” fundraiser, hosted by Ms. Minnesota Leather Darlette Knox (assisted by her partner Nicky as well as Mr. Minnesota Leather Michael deLeon and Mr. Minnesota Fantasy Dale Willman), was a memorable one for many reasons. Darlette succeeded in lining up quite a roster of live entertainment led by Bob Hastings and Lori Dow. Their over-the-top rendition of “I Got You Babe” absolutely brought down the house! The glamorous CC Russell, the only lip-sync act of the evening, appeared as Tina Turner and sang “We Don’t Need Another Hero.” Other entertainers included three S&M boys from Seren Productions and—drumroll, please—BIG MAMA of Gay 90’s coatcheck fame! In her first time on stage at a leather fundraiser, she took flogger in hand and let Miranda, who had evidently been a bad girl, feel the wages of sin. Truly a historic moment. (Beneficiaries of the fundraiser were Mr. Minnesota Leather’s travel fund, Robert Parker for the Minnesota AIDS Trek, and Ms. Minnesota Leather’s travel fund.)

At the fundraiser, one question seemed to be on many people’s lips: “When and where is IML (the International Mr. Leather Contest)?” If that’s your question, you’ve turned to the right page. Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to get out the datebook and start planning for the “leather season,” which starts Memorial Day Weekend with the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago and ends in September with the International Mr. Drummer Contest and Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. In between, various people and groups have planned all kinds of interesting events for your entertainment.

The information that follows has been taken from various sources (including the calendar section of The Leather Journal) and should be reasonably accurate. However, things do change and errors have a way of creeping in. (The Leather Journal had the wrong dates for our own North Star Regional Rodeo, for example.) So if you’re interested in an event, avoid disappointment by confirming the details.

Remember, it pays to make your reservations early. At IML and Drummer, for instance, the best seats in the auditorium go to those who register first. And hotels have a nasty way of filling up long before you think they will. (See the entry for IML below, and remember the same thing happens for Drummer/Folsom in San Francisco.)

May 5: Ms. Minnesota Leather and Leatherman of Minnesota present the Labyrinth of Leather Beer Bust.

May 24-27: International Mr. Leather (IML) Contest, Chicago. Come see Mr. Minnesota Leather Michael deLeon and Leatherman of Minnesota Thomas Casey as they take the stage! For information and registration forms call 1-800-545-6753. Host hotel is the Ramada Congress; call for room reservations. Ramada’s toll-free number is 1-800-2RAMADA, but they won’t be able to help you with IML room reservations. And good luck: at this writing the hotel is 95% booked!

May 31-June 2: Knights of Leather present Knights Tournament 8. Info: Knights of Leather, Minneapolis, MN.

June 2: Minnesota Leather Den presents Ludicrous Leather Prom Night—The Crowning of Leather Dominus and Domineer

June 15: International Master and Slave Contest, Atlanta

June 22-23: Twin Cities Festival of Pride ’96

June 23: Minnesota Leather Pride

July 12-14: North Star Gay Rodeo Association presents the North Star Regional Rodeo, St. Paul. Info: 555-0069. (Gotta love that new phone number, eh?)

July 14: Mr. Minnesota Fantasy Contest

July 18-21: International Ms. Leather (IMsL) Contest in Philadelphia, the “city of brotherly (and sisterly?) love.” Ms. Minnesota Leather Darlette Knox will be competing for the title. Call 1-800-THE-BELL for room reservations, 1-800-357-4190 (Atlas Travel) for air or train reservations.

July 19-21: The ATONS present Gopher XII Run, “Going Down on the Farm.” (Thank you ATONS and thank you NSGRA for having the rodeo and the run on different weekends this year!) Info: e-mail at ATONS@AOL.COM. Or check out their new web site (!) on the internet at http//www.starbase21.com/ATONS.

August 2-4: Great Lakes Drummer Weekend (tentative)

August 16-18: Fantasy Weekend and International Mr. Fantasy Contest, Omaha

September 5-11: Chicago Hellfire Club presents Inferno XXV, Chicago

September 23-29: International Leather Pride Week, San Francisco

September 28: International Mr. Drummer Contest, San Francisco

September 29: Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco

There! That should be enough to keep you out of (or maybe into?) mischief for a while!