HIGH COW SEASON HAS ARRIVED
After summer seemed to go by in a flash, fall is going by even faster.
High cow season has arrived. Formal leather, chaps, gloves, jackets and boots. The leather fashion show premiered last week at the New York Eagle. The Eagle celebrated their 38 anniversary and the selection of Mr. Eagle NYC 2009.
Friday evening brought hoards of the faithful customers and friends.
A lavish buffet and an open bar for several hours kept all in attendance in a very festive mood. The new anniversary pins were a crowd pleaser. Later in the evening the 5 contestants vying for the Mr Eagle title drew their contestant numbers for the contest the following evening.
The meet and greet lasted for hours. Since NY bars are open until 4 AM no one rushed home.
Saturday afternoon the contestant interview portion took place.
The judging panel consisted of Peter Schwartz, Mr Eagle NYC 2008,
Michael Marino, MAL 2001, Marcus Hernandez, Leather Columnist for the Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco, “Doc” Hoskins, Leatherman of Color 2007, Teddy O’Rourke, INDL 2004.
The contestants were Jake Keary, Michael Colon, Brett Larson, Matt McFarland, and Steve Arszt. Brian Kent, Mr Eagle NY 2004 spared no one with his one liners and rapid fire delivery, and the audience was nearly rolling on the floor in laughter. Hillary Williams, Mr. Ebony Leather 2002 was Den Daddy for the event, and Christophe Andre, Mr Eagle NY 2006 handled the Tally master duties, and Boy Ray, President of the NYBOL
was judges boy, Susan Weinstein the wonderful ASL interpreter was terrific.
Four of the Former Mr. Eagle NY with the winner. L-R Peter Schwartz, 2008, Christophe Andre, 2006, Jake Keary, 2009 Rick Weber, 2007 and Brian Kent 2004 (Bottom)
Following the Eagle contest, there were several more. The Mr NY Leather contest. The winner of that contest was none other than Michael Colon, who was the first runner up at the Mr Eagle NY contest. Michael will compete at IML in 2009
The Mr. & Ms. NJ Leather contest was held in Asbury Park. NJ. The winners of that contest were John Nowak and Caren Cunningham.
They have the option to compete at several upcoming leather contests.
Intl. Leather Sir and Intl Leather boy made it’s grand debut in San Francisco. A large crowd was in attendance to witness the selection of
Sir Raul Mendez II from Florida, Intl. Leather boy Bill Hoeppner, also From Florida. Jack “Black Jack” Pearce was chosen Community Boot Black.
Arlington, VA. was the scene of the Mr. Old Dominion Leather contest.
Three contestants competed for that title. Dirk Perry, Joel Shotwell and Matt Bamford. Joel Shotwell was announced the winner. Joel will compete for the Mid Atlantic Leather title in January 2009 in Washington, DC.
In Tulsa, OK the Oklahoma Mr Leather contest was held and the winner of that contest is Brad Gemeinhart. A very handsome man who will compete at IML May 2009.
L-R IML2008 and Brad Gemeinhart Okla. Mr. Leather 2009 (Photo by Larry Everett)
Once upon a time, back in the day of the two major leather titles (Intl Mr Drummer and Intl Mr Leather), leathermen were very selective as to what title they would compete for. Men who felt they projected and believed in the Drummer attitude and masculine identity and the fantasy it entailed and identified with Drummer Magazine had no problem entering local or regional competition. Those who entered IML had a concept of a well rounded handsome, body beautiful leatherman.
Somehow over the years these impressions have dissolved. I have been questioned over the months. Questions ranging from have leather competitions just become another pageant. Do the entrants to these contests just enter to parade around with a sash? Do they have any idea as to what they are attempting to portray? Is it because the leather man of 2008 has not given any thought to the generations of leathermen who have gone before them.
When did it become acceptable to enter to enter whatever contest comes along? One year a contestant enters Leather Sir, the following year they enter the boy competition, or the boy decides to enter the Sir contest. or the Sir competes for IML, or the IML contestant suddenly becomes a boy and enters a boy competition. What type of message is this person sending out? Is he confused? is he attempting to play the entire field? Or does he just not care and just wants a sash and title.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out the mind set of those who are involving themselves in this thought process. What are the goals? How does one explain this to young, new leather people who are voicing interest. Perhaps there is no explanation? Perhaps no one really cares anymore? Perhaps it is a mute point.
What valid explanation or advice do you give to the future leather generation? How do you explain a supposedly leather person who enters a leather competition and wins and goes on to a International competition who then appears in high drag and enters and wins a Ms. leather contest a year or so later. Confusing? You betcha.
Following the Eagle contest, there were several more. The Mr NY Leather contest. The winner of that contest was none other than Michael Colon, who was the first runner up at the Mr Eagle NY contest. Michael will compete at IML in 2009
The Mr. & Ms. NJ Leather contest was held in Asbury Park. NJ. The winners of that contest were John Nowak and Caren Cunningham.
They have the option to compete at several upcoming leather contests.
Intl. Leather Sir and Intl Leather boy made it’s grand debut in San Francisco. A large crowd was in attendance to witness the selection of
Sir Raul Mendez II from Florida, Intl. Leather boy Bill Hoeppner, also From Florida. Jack “Black Jack” Pearce was chosen Community Boot Black.
Arlington, VA. was the scene of the Mr. Old Dominion Leather contest.
Three contestants competed for that title. Dirk Perry, Joel Shotwell and Matt Bamford. Joel Shotwell was announced the winner. Joel will compete for the Mid Atlantic Leather title in January 2009 in Washington, DC.
In Tulsa, OK the Oklahoma Mr Leather contest was held and the winner of that contest is Brad—. A very handsome man who will compete at IML May 2009.
Once upon a time, back in the day of the two major leather titles (Intl Mr Drummer and Intl Mr Leather), leathermen were very selective as to what title they would compete for. Men who felt they projected and believed in the Drummer attitude and masculine identity and the fantasy it entailed and identified with Drummer Magazine had no problem entering local or regional competition. Those who entered IML had a concept of a well rounded handsome, body beautiful leatherman.
Somehow over the years these impressions have dissolved. I have been questioned over the months. Questions ranging from have leather competitions just become another pageant. Do the entrants to these contests just enter to parade around with a sash? Do they have any idea as to what they are attempting to portray? Is it because the leather man of 2008 has not given any thought to the generations of leathermen who have gone before them.
When did it become acceptable to enter to enter whatever contest comes along? One year a contest enters Leather Sir, the following year they enter the boy competition, or the boy decides to enter the Sir contest. or the Sir competes for IML, or the IML contestant suddenly becomes a boy and enters a boy competition. What type of message is this person sending out? Is he confused? is he attempting to play the entire field? Or does he just not care and just wants a sash and title.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out the mind set of those who are involving themselves in this thought process. What are the goals? How does one explain this to young, new leather people who are voicing interest. Perhaps there is no explanation? Perhaps no one really cares anymore? Perhaps it is a mute point.
What valid explanation or advice do you give to the future leather generation? How do you explain a supposedly leather person who enters a leather competition and wins and goes on to a International competition who then appears in high drag and enters and wins a Ms. leather contest a year or so later. Confusing? You betcha.
DISH N’ DAT……..
Someone should have really pulled that one contestant aside and told him panty hose does not go well with chaps! Especially when there was a run in his hose…Yep, right up the back!
And isn’t is sad when a title holder gets stripped of his title, allegedly for drugs and misbehavior….
Imagine having a two different titles, then producing contests for several years. Now he is planning on entering yet another big time title. the word STOP, is not in his dictionary evidently. Ah, life on the east coast.
And to that major titleholder….if you are wondering why people flee the other direction when they see you coming…It’s because you are a nasty loud mouth drunk. Betty Ford Clinic can give you a lovely room facing the golf course for at least 6 months or more.
And just when you think things must be quiet in Oklahoma with the Leather community….Guess again. The OML (Oklahoma Mr Leather) contest had it’s up’s and down. But the best thing will happen when the perpetrator of the mess steps down from his lofty position as president next month. The dancing in the streets will begin.
Now that our current IML has tied the knot, lets hope they live happily ever after in that rose covered cottage in Pacifica, CA. The Mother of the groom, looked very chic in the tasteful suit and tie but no Corsage or the large hat like the one he wore in Men Behind Bars (the SF production) some years ago…
THE WICKED WITCH
More photos from around the Leatherworld
L-R Mike Tattersall, 1st Runner up, Brendan McGovern, MLO 2009, Daniel Laroche, 2nd Runner up Photo by Pat Croteau
Mr Double L 2009 Contestants. Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Paul Masterson-Mr. Double L 2009
DC Boys of Leather Having Fun at Olympia 2008
Jake Keary, Mr. Eagle NY 2009
NY Eagle Staff and Friends Picnic in Upstate, NY
November 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
June 13th, 2009 at 12:42 pm