(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #314, June 1, 2007)
GRAPHIC: “Hot Zone” art
June will be extra hot this year. The theme of Minnesota Leather Pride 2007 is “The Hot Zone,” and there’s a full schedule of events starting June 9 and leading up to the Twin Cities GLBT Pride Festival on June 23 and 24. This year’s Pride Parade will be a milestone: the tenth time the giant Rainbow and Leather Pride Flags have made their way up Hennepin Avenue.
This year’s collectible “Hot Zone” Leather Pride dog tag gets you discounts at some 2007 Minnesota Leather Pride events. Get yours for $5 (before June 23) at Cockpit Project, Gray’s Leather, Rainbow Road or Smitten Kitten (ask them about 2007 Minnesota Leather Pride discounts). Or buy your dog tag from members of the Minnesota Leather Pride committee at upcoming club meetings and munches and at all 2007 Minnesota Leather Pride events. (After June 23, dog tags will be available for $7 at the Minnesota Leather Pride booth in Loring Park during the Pride Festival.)
Organizational sponsors for this year’s Minnesota Leather Pride celebration are Athenor, Atons of Minneapolis, Erotic Deviance, Knights of Leather, Masters And slaves Together (MAsT)-Twin Cities, MinKY (Minnesota Kinky Youth), MN Bondage, Minnesota Storm Patrol, MPX (Minnesota Power Exchange), MSDB (Minnesota Stocks, Debentures & Bonds) and Wicked Vixen.
Information listed below is subject to change—updates will be posted at <www.MNLeatherPride.org>.
Saturday, June 9
• Kick off Leather Pride at the Minnesota Storm Patrol Beer Bust at The Minneapolis Eagle, 5-8 P.M. Free admission, $5 for beer/soda bust. All tips benefit Camp Heartland.
Friday, June 15
• Leather Roundtable Discussion: Fanning the Leather Fire. Leather Leadership Conference XI. The Mayhem Party. The MAUL Party. Three landmark events in one watershed weekend. What’s next? How do we build on the experience and take it to the next level? Come join the discussion at Pi Bar and Restaurant, 2532 25th Ave. S. in Minneapolis, 7-9 P.M. Free admission. Great food, spectacular desserts and full bar service will be available.
Saturday, June 16
• A full day of Minnesota Leather Pride events starts with the Leather Smorgasbord, an afternoon of workshops on fireplay, electrical play and the joys of wax. Patrick’s Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, 12:30-4:30 P.M. $10 admission (or $7 with your 2007 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag).
• After the Smorgasbord, the monthly Atons Leather/Levi Dinner is located conveniently around the corner from Patrick’s Cabaret at the Town Talk Diner, 2707 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. Seating is at 5:15 P.M. Reservations strongly encouraged—reserve online at <http://www.atons.net> or call the Atons Hotline and leave a message.
• After dinner, head to the patio of The Minneapolis Eagle for the Dog and Pony Show (human division), where you can meet the human animals and their trainers. Come find out who wins Best of Show. 10 P.M.-midnight and beyond. Free admission.
Sunday, June 17
• Workshop: Household Hot Zones. Learn about the sensual and erotic uses of spices from the kitchen, deep-heating rubs from the medicine cabinet and even, or especially, raw ginger from the vegetable crisper. Patrick’s Cabaret, 2-5 P.M. $7 admission (or $5 with your 2007 Minnesota Leather Pride dog tag).
Monday, June 18
• Kinky Poetry Reading. A retrospective of the best of five years of the Minnesota Kinky Poetry Anthology. Smitten Kitten, 3010 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. 7-9 P.M. Free admission, but space is limited and only those on the guest list will be admitted. RSVP by calling.
Thursday, June 21
• Leather/Fetish Smokeout. A smokin’ cigar/pipe social on the patio of The Minneapolis Eagle, 9 P.M.-midnight. Free admission. Smoke ’em if ya got ’em.
Friday, June 22
• Floggapalooza. It’s back, and better than ever. Bolt Underground, 8-10 P.M. Free admission. Then stick around as the Eagle presents live music by “Mythology” 11 P.M.-close.
Saturday, June 23
• GLBT Pride Festival in Loring Park. Visit, or hang out at, the Leather Pride booth (the one with the giant cage). 10 A.M.-6 P.M. Free admission. Buy your dog tag at the booth if you don’t have one yet ($7).
Sunday, June 24
• Pride Parade. Help carry the giant Leather Pride flag on its tenth appearance in the parade! Meet at 2nd St. and Hennepin Ave. at 10 A.M.—parade steps off at 11 A.M. Then spend the day in Loring Park, and be sure to drop by the Leather Pride booth. Free admission.
Also during Pride Weekend, The Minneapolis Eagle will be presenting Scorch Fireball VIII. Saturday night is Bear Night 7-10 P.M., and Chi-Chi LaRue will be appearing with porn stars Tyler Riggs and Tommy Blade, 10 P.M.-close. Sunday evening there’s live music by Boogie Wonderland 6-8 P.M.
And after Pride . . .
• June 29-July 1: North Star Gay Rodeo at Dead Broke Arena in Hugo, Minn. <www.nsgra.org>.
• July 20-22: Atons Campout, a laid-back weekend in the woods. <www.atons.net>
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