(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #95, January 15, 1999)
Minneapolis leather club The Black Guard was recently called “the premiere show club in the U.S.” by Drummer Magazine, and their Black Frost run was selected by Drummer as one of the nation’s top four runs. That’s nice recognition, but it also means The Black Guard now must live up to that reputation. How will they do it? Well, in planning Black Frost ’99, their 22nd annual run, they’ve thought BIG: for their banquet/show venue they’ve booked the Camp Snoopy Playhouse Theater at the Mall of America, and they’re going to fill the theater with performers from show-biz places like Broadway, Hollywood and Las Vegas.
Black Frost ’99 is slated for Friday through Sunday, February 12-14, 1999. The action starts Friday night with registration check-in at The Town House in St. Paul. Serving as host hotel is the Midway Days Inn, also in St. Paul. There will be sixteen events and parties throughout the run sponsored and hosted by other clubs from across the country.
The highlight of the run will be the banquet, show and Red Heart Party in the Camp Snoopy Playhouse Theater at the Mall of America on Saturday night, February 13. The run banquet starts at 5 pm and will be followed by The Black Guard’s usual wild and high-energy show (this year’s theme: “The Land Of Oz”) featuring performances by Black Guard members and by Frit & Frat Fuller and The Kin International Dance Company from “The Wiz” touring company. The banquet and show will be followed by the Red Heart Party, a fundraiser for the GLBT community presented in cooperation with Because We Care. Scheduled to appear are Jm J. Bullock (television: “Too Close For Comfort,” “Hollywood Squares”; also has appeared in Las Vegas); Wayne Moore and Brenda Silas Moore (stars of Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe); and Kelly Britt (who has appeared on Broadway, television and film). Admission for the Red Heart Party only is $25 in advance, $30 at the door; advance tickets are available at The Brass Rail or through Black Guard members. Call for banquet admission information.
Sunday afternoon is the Awards ceremony, change of club officers, and wind-down party at The Brass Rail.
Sponsors of the Red Heart Party and Black Frost ’99 include U S West, Lavender Magazine, United Airlines, Coors, National Car Rental and, according to a Black Guard press release, “many others.” According to that same press release, “The Black Guard of Minneapolis over the last years has dispersed over $80,000 to various Twin Cities and Minnesota GLBT-related charities through their fundraising efforts. They have also worked with, or teamed with, other organizations to raise another $50,000 in that same time period.”
You can save $20 by registering for Black Frost ’99 before February 1. Call for information and a run registration form.
Stars to entertain at local leather contests
The next leather contest on the horizon is the Mr. Minnesota Fantasy contest, which takes place February 26-28. The winner of this contest goes on to compete in the International Mr. Fantasy contest in Omaha in mid-August. If you’re interested in competing, contact Dale Willman.
Local leather contest producer Minnesota Leather Productions recently announced that Drummer Magazine has awarded them the privilege of producing the Great Plains Regional Drummer/Drummerboy Contest. This regional contest, scheduled for June, includes the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Winners of each individual state Mr. Drummer and Drummerboy contest will compete in this regional contest, and the winning Mr. Drummer and Drummerboy will go on to compete in the International Mr. Drummer contest in San Francisco.
Planning has commenced for a full weekend of events, called “Drummer of the Northern Star,” which will be held in conjunction with this regional Drummer contest. Scheduled to appear at the main contest will be Mercury Records recording artists Men Out Loud. Watch this column for further details.
Minnesota Leather Productions will also be presenting the Minnesota Drummer/Drummerboy contest April 16-17, and the Mr. Minnesota Leather contest September 3-6 (Labor Day weekend). Both of these contests will feature generous prize packages and will send their winners to the next level of competition. The Minnesota Drummer/Drummerboy contest will feature Jason Stewart, who has been seen on HBO and in the television series “Charmed” and “The Drew Carey Show.” HBO star Michelle Balland has been scheduled to appear at the Mr. Minnesota Leather contest.
Gay leathermen interested in competing for the Mr. Minnesota Drummer, Minnesota Drummerboy or Mr. Minnesota Leather titles should contact Colin Spriestersbach at Minnesota Leather Productions.
Minnesota Leather Productions is partnered for the Minnesota state contests with The Black Guard of Minneapolis and The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Ice Castle.
Upcoming Leather Events
Mr./Ms. Olympus Leather Send-Off Party
Sunday, January 17, 7 pm-close (show 9:30-11 pm), The Brass Rail
Come and support Ms. Minnesota Olympus Leather Cori Ander and Mr. Minnesota Olympus Leather Greg Hausler as they head for New Orleans to compete in the national Olympus Leather contest. Kendra Blake has hostess duties, and there will be hors d’oeuvres, special prizes and auctions all evening. The live show from 9:30 to 11 pm will include fantasy performances by the two Minnesota Olympus Leather titleholders. $5 at the door.
Pantheon of Leather IX and Olympus Leather Contest
February 5-7, New Orleans
Pantheon of Leather is the Leather Nation’s equivalent of Hollywood’s Academy Awards, and this year’s leather community service awards show includes seven nominations from Minnesota. Also part of the festivities will be the national Olympus Leather contest with Cori Ander and Greg Hausler representing Minnesota. If you want to go, act now! For air, hotel, and registration information and a registration form point your browser to www.theleatherjournal.com/Pantheon.htm.
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