New Leather Titleholders Announced

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #86, September 11, 1998)

Contest Winners, plus The Mpls. Eagle Has Landed

International Mr. Fantasy ’98

PHOTO A: Tim Kernan, International Mr. Fantasy ’98

PHOTO B: From left: Terry Brown, International Mr. Fantasy ’98 second runner-up; Tim Kernan, International Mr. Fantasy ’98; and Joshua Conrad, International Mr. Fantasy ’98 first runner-up.

Hometown boy Tim Kernan of Omaha captured the title of International Mr. Fantasy ’98 on August 22 in Omaha, Nebraska. Joshua Conrad (also known as Scooby) of Missouri was first runner-up and Terry Brown of Kansas was 2nd runner-up. Minnesota was represented by Ken Flanagan, whose fantasy about “how to stuff a chicken” was a big hit with the audience. (The “chicken” in question was a cute twenty-something boy—your imagination can take it from there.)

Great Lakes Drummer ’98

PHOTO C: Shown with trophies in hand are, left, Kirk Wood (Great Lakes Drummerboy ’98) and, right, Johann Villar (Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98).

PHOTO D: Steve Eue, Minnesota Mr. Drummer ’98 and Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98 first runner-up.

PHOTO E: Foreground: Kirk Wood, Great Lakes Drummerboy ’98. Background, from left: Steve Eue, Minnesota Mr. Drummer ’98 and Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98 first runner-up; Johann Villar, Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98; and Jim Ellison, Indiana Mr. Drummer ’98 and Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98 second runner-up.

Johann Villar, an invitation contestant from Michigan, was awarded the title of Great Lakes Mr. Drummer ’98 on August 29 in Columbus, Ohio. Steve Eue, who recently became Minnesota Mr. Drummer ’98, was first runner-up; Indiana Mr. Drummer ’98 Jim Ellison was 2nd runner-up. In the Great Lakes Drummerboy competition the title went to Kirk Wood, who had been first runner-up in the Ohio Drummerboy contest. Minnesota was represented in the Drummerboy competition by Minnesota Drummerboy ’98 David McCammon, and Minnesota was also represented on the judging panel by your humble columnist.

Mr. Minnesota Leather ’99

PHOTO F: Joshua Smith, Mr. Minnesota Leather ’99

The 1999 Mr. Minnesota Leather Contest was held at Club Metro Underground on Sept. 6. Joshua Smith emerged as the new Mr. Minnesota Leather in a tightly-packed evening that turned out to be more than just a leather titleholder changing-of-the-guard. Moments before Mr. Minnesota Leather 1998 Roger Gregg passed the sash to Smith, contest organizer Colin Spriestersbach passed the responsibility for the contest (and the Minnesota Drummer contest as well) to Gregg.

The evening also saw various leather-related individuals and organizations distribute fund-raising proceeds to District 202, Every Penny Counts, Camp Heartland, and the Aliveness Project in what can only be described as an orgy of charitable giving. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the contest weekend benefitted the Sexual Violence Center. (More details on the contest weekend, and on the leather community’s efforts to raise funds for charitable organizations, will appear in the next edition of this column.)

Minneapolis Eagle starts serving leather community

After months of planning (and rumors), the Minneapolis Eagle has finally opened its doors to the Twin Cities leather community on September 8. Owner Ed Hopkins says he has been impressed both with the caliber of bartenders and other staff who have applied for employment and with the level of interest from the leather community.

The Minneapolis Eagle, located at 515 Washington Avenue South and formerly known as the Mill Inn, also incorporates a grill; plans call for continuing and improving the menu, and perhaps eventually expanding the space. A parking lot is conveniently located next door (although parking in the lot isn’t free).

A grand-opening celebration is tentatively slated for September 26, but they’re open for business right now if you want to check them out. Friday and Saturday nights a strict dress code will be enforced; if you want to see what’s acceptable and what’s not, visit their website at www.mplseagle.com.

Upcoming Leather Events

Atons Leather/Levi Dinner
Saturday, Sept. 12, 7:30 pm, The Monte Carlo (219 3rd Ave. N, Mpls.)
All members of the leather/SM community are welcome. Call the Atons HotLine to make reservations.

Ms. Minnesota Leather Contest Weekend

A committee of nine women have been working on this weekend’s events for months, and it should be good. Even though it’s a women’s contest, leathermen are welcomed and encouraged to come and party. Prices have been reduced! Weekend Package is now $25 with Survivor’s Brunch or $15 without; events (except the brunch) are also available separately. Call Deb or Renee for further event or contestant information. Winner receives a prize of $250 and competes in the International Ms. Leather Contest in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1999. Here are the event-by-event details:

Meet & Greet/Bare As You Dare
Friday, Sept. 18, 6:30-9:30 pm, The Saloon
“Bare As You Dare” returns, complete with trophies and finger food. It’s also “Bat Night” with the first 10 in the door getting a complimentary slapper. Plans call for a Vendor Fair and live-action digital-camera photos available for pose and purchase. $3 in advance or $5 at the door.

Pre- and Post-Contest Parties
Saturday, Sept. 19, Minnesota Bar & Grill. Cocktails and full menu dinner at 5:30 pm, shuttle bus to contest/show starts at 7 pm.
Why hassle with U of M traffic and parking? Park your car at the MN Bar, have drinks and/or dinner, then catch the shuttle bus to the contest. Shuttle returns to the MN Bar for the Post-Contest Party. $5 in advance or $7 at the door.

1999 Ms. Minnesota Leather Contest and Show
Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 pm, Bell Museum Auditorium, 17th & University Ave. SE, U of M Campus
Perennial favorite, former International Ms. Leather and soon-to-be-parent (you read it here first!) Kay Hallanger will emcee—in my book, that alone is worth the price of admission. Head judge will be current International Ms. Leather Megan DeJarlais. $11 in advance or $13 at the door (Co-sponsored by U Film Society’s LGBT Film Festival, Oct. 2-15.)

Survivor’s Brunch
Sunday, Sept. 20, location and details when you register
Open only to the first 50 people registering for the weekend package, so get your reservation in now.

Wind-Down Party
Sunday, Sept. 20, 9 pm-1 am, The Tank @ The Saloon
An informal wind-down party for the weekend. No admission charge.

Mark Your Calendar . . .

October 1: Deadline for nominations for the Leather Community Awards. If you haven’t submitted your form yet, fill it out and send it in before this date. Don’t have a form? You’ll find one at the Atons’ website (www.starbase21.com/atons) which you can fill out, print and mail to the address shown on the form.

October 16-18: Pantheon of Leather presents the Mr. & Ms. Minnesota Olympus Leather contest, “your local pansexual fetish contest.” The weekend will also include the above-mentioned Leather Community Awards. Call for event or contestant information.