The Tenth Edition: Mr. Minneapolis Eagle Contest

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #363, April 24, 2009)

Old, stereotypical joke: What do big, butch, tough leathermen talk about at the leather bar? They exchange recipes.

In that spirit, here’s a recipe for a particularly tasty concoction: the tenth edition of the Mr. Minneapolis Eagle contest, held Saturday night, April 11, in the Bolt Underground.

1. Take six diverse contestants (Robert Ashpole, Bradley Gavin, Bill Devine, Jon Plemons, Rick Burgess, and Jay Kurvers). Place in front of four judges (Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2007 Dan Beach, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2003 Gregg White, Sam Carlisle, and your humble columnist). Grill mercilessly.

2. Add a large, enthusiastic audience and a well-seasoned master of ceremonies (Brian Anderson—this was his fifth time emceeing the contest). Turn heat to high as contestants compete onstage in Keg Walk, Speech/Q&A and Truth-or-Dare contest segments.

3. Finish by adding one combination contest producer/tallymaster (Minneapolis Eagle owner Ed Hopkins) to add up the judges’ scores.

Yield: One second runner-up (Plemons); one first runner-up (Ashpole); one new Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2009 (Burgess); and one hot, entertaining evening for all present.

(Burgess now goes on to compete at the 2009 International Mr. Leather contest, Memorial Day weekend in Chicago—details at <www.imrl.com>.)

7 photos

DSC_3700 / Credit: Marric Photography / Robert Ashpole

DSC_3704 / Credit: Marric Photography / Bradley Gavin

P4112426 / Credit: Steve Lenius / Bill Devine

DSC_3711 / Credit: Marric Photography / Jon Plemons

DSC_3715 / Credit: Marric Photography / Rick Burgess

DSC_3723 / Credit: Marric Photography / Jay Kurvers

DSC_3854 / Credit: Marric Photography

DSC_3858 / Credit: Marric Photography

P4122531 / Credit: Steve Lenius

Rick Burgess, the new Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2009.