Matt Bamford Captures MAL 2010 Title

The Centaur Motorcycle Club of Washington, DC, celebrated their Fortieth Anniversary January 15 - 17.  The big event of the weekend was the selection of Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2010. The Selection of Matt Bamford 27, of Alexandria, VA. brought a roar of approval from the standing room only crowd.

First runner up honors went to David Dean 46,  Mr. Pittsburgh Eagle Leather 2009. Second runner up was Jeff Jarnigan , Arlington, VA. The other contestants were Alan Peoples, James Botelho, and John Truzz. Judges Jeffrey Payne, (IML 09), Lamalani, (IMsL 09), Steven Dwyer, (Mr. Hoist Leather 09), Roger Alford, (Mr Gulf Coast Leather 05), Keith Hunt, (Intl Drummer 94), boy Ky, (Former President DC BOL) , Kip Hollar, MAL 09.

A plethora of events, vendors, cocktail parties, cigar parties and the very formal Leather Cocktails kept everyone busy the entire weekend. Although the weekend events were held at several different locations this year, shuttle buses transported all the guests with no problems. This was the last year that the Washington Plaza will be the host hotel. Next year the host hotel will be the Capital Hyatt. All events will be held there including the Vendor Mart. As a dress rehersal, Leather Cocktails was held there this year, and seemed to meet with approval from all who attended.

Entertainment was provided by KeniMattix an extraordinary acrobatic duo and by Myke Lowe a talented singer from Berlin. Myke also performed at the closing Reaction Dance Sunday evening. Onyx hosted their annual cocktail party and the room was packed.

It goes without saying, that everyone in attendance this year noticed that the late Marcus Hernandez was indeed missed. But he was there in spirit.

Mid Atlantic Weekend  is also the time that the announcement is made of the selection of the judges for International Mr. Leather in May. The judges for 2010 are: Jeffrey Payne, Dallas, TX, Laura Antoniou, Queens, NY, Shawn Carroll, Ottawa Canada, Demetri Moshoyannis, San Francisco, CA, Chad Neal, Kansas City, MO, Gene Romaine, Seattle, WA., Daniel Ruester, Berlin, Germany, William “rubberwilli” Schendel, Chicago, IL., Robert Valin, NY, NY., Bio’s of each judge can be found on the IML website.

Word is out the the San Francisco Eagle Tavern is up for sale. The Endup bar in San Francisco is also up for sale. Both south of market bars have a long and special history in the gay community. No word on new buyers. Hopefully the new owner of the Eagle will keep it the same. However should it fall into the hands of a developer of condo mania,  hopefully the leather history that adorns the walls of the Eagle will be saved. Memorabilia of bike clubs, bike christenings, bike blessings and the names of wonderful leathermen and trailblazers who have gone on before should not be thrown away.

If for no other reason, those items should be placed in the SF Lesbian and Gay Historical Society. Hopefully someone will ensure that this happens should the Eagle fade away into history.

The IML Executive Board members are preparing a most fitting and memorable tribute to the Late Marcus Hernandez leather columnist extraordinaire and Judge Emeritus of IML During IML weekend. As every contestant knew, Marcus the Merciless always made the announcement of the top 20 finalist. Therefore this year that honor will go to the person who loved and cared for him to the very end, Queen Cougar.

DC Dish…

Imagine having a leather title from a major city and attending  a major leather event which is suppose to be a way of meeting other contestants and judges of the class of 2010. But watching a football game was more important than attending the second  largest leather contest in the US.  So he elected to remain in his hotel room. Why bother to even attend the weekend event? I’m sure his sponsor is not too amused.

What a shame the word “brief” has no meaning to some title holders when they decide to thank everyone including Jesus Christ and the 12 disciples. Knowing full well  the event is on a timed schedule and needs to end. IML has the right idea, do the step down speech the day before . Let’s face it 39 minutes is entirely too long.

For those who attended MAL and were surprised there was no jock category this year. It was not the fault of the Centaurs. The owners of the building had a no exposure of fanny clause in the contract. The contest should be back to normal next year when it premiers at the Hyatt.

For as many years as leather cocktails has been presented it has always been ”The” formal event on Saturday evening. What a shame some of those in attendance were not quite clear on the concept or did not care.  A jock strap and a dirty pair of tennis shoes worn by some  were an embarrassment.  If  those who wore those items were were making a fashion statement, they failed miserably.

The fashion police patroling  the hotel hallways did not miss the pink fringed chaps worn by a particular titleholder. Fortunately the shoes did not match.  Only a  boa, and hat  rounded out the ensemble. The titleholder from the New England area made sure everyone knew who who he was. His body was covered by the sash, and can be used as a sling once he gives up his title.

For those who were unable to pull themselves away from the host hotel, it must be duly noted that a new bar/restaurant opened in the DuPont Circle area. James McGlade, owner of the Leather Rack now has a lovely new place in the building where the Leather Rack is located on Connecticut Ave NW  called the Black Fox Lounge.

L-R David Dean, Matt Bamford, Jeff Jarnigan

Steve & Dennis

KeniMattix

Myke Lowe MAL Entertainer From Berlin Germany

KeniMattix Acrobatic Duo

L-R Jeffrey Payne, Vern, Randy Carmenaty

New York Visitors

MAL 2010 contestants