(Published in
Lavender Magazine, Issue #492, April 10, 2014)
This year’s Mr. Twin Cities Leather Contest weekend, held Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16, was packed with something for everyone. The weekend started Friday with a Meet-and-Greet-the-Contestants evening and a Red & Black Ball in honor of Valentine’s Day. On Saturday afternoon, Kink U presented several classes, and Sunday’s Victory Brunch was followed by more Kink U classes, an afternoon beer bust and a rubber/kink shower contest in the evening. All of the weekend’s public events were hosted by The Saloon.
But Saturday evening’s contest was the high point of the weekend, and it was full of surprises. One of the evening’s entertainers did a wicked Michele Bachmann drag impersonation. The outgoing Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2013 titleholder, Kyle Truss, did a step-aside striptease in which he literally stripped off the accoutrements of his title year. And The Atons of Minneapolis did an official presentation of their club colors to Twin Cities Leather & Latte.
The evening’s three contestants (Tim Holden, Boy Cody and Greg Menzel) each gave entertaining performances during the Talent portion of the contest. Holden wore what looked like a medieval robe as he performed a takedown on Tim Hotchkin; Boy Cody performed some of his favorite moments from classic movies; and Menzel, a bartender at The Saloon, demonstrated his drink-mixing talents. When the judges’ scores were totaled, Menzel was awarded the Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014 title and sash.
Contest emcee was Karri Plowman, assisted by Luke Wallrich, both of Twin Cities Leather & Latte. Judges were Tynan Fox, an educator, speaker and blogger; Tim Balfanz, general manager of The Saloon; Sir Jack Duke, International Leather Sir 2012 from Dallas; Rod McCoy, aka “Onyx Rod,” Leatherman of Color 2011 from Washington, D.C.; Andrew Bertke, President of the Atons of Minneapolis; and Daniel Hennagir, Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2011. Tallymaster duties were handled by Michael Kramer. Entertainment was provided by Lucy Furr and Nocturna Lee Mission.
As Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014, Menzel will represent Twin Cities Leather & Latte and Minnesota’s leather community in the 36th annual International Mr. Leather competition (<www.imrl.com>), May 23-26, 2014 (Memorial Day weekend) in Chicago.
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| Greg Menzel, Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014, moments after being awarded the title. |
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| The contestants in the Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014 contest. Left to right: Tim Holden, Greg Menzel (Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014) and Boy Cody. |
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| Boy Cody (kneeling) performing great moments from his favorite movies during the Talent portion of the contest. |
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| Greg Menzel demonstrates his bartending skills during the Talent portion of the contest. |
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| Greg Menzel demonstrates his bartending skills during the Talent portion of the contest. |
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| The moment of truth: Kyle Truss puts the Mr. Twin Cities Leather sash on Greg Menzel while Boy Cody reacts. |
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| Greg Menzel, Mr. Twin Cities Leather 2014 (second from left), with the three owners of Twin Cities Leather & Latte: from left, Luke Wallrich, Tynan Fox and Karri Plowman. |
