WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1999
Update from Andrew Daniel-Drake:
San Diego is the place to be on February 19-21, as one of the largest Leather Pride celebrations gets underway. The San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition, in a joint effort with Tom Chavez (Mr. San Diego Leather 1998), and Randy Vidal (Mr. San Diego Eagle) - the co- producers of the event - have gathered the finest clubs, entertainment, and community-centered happenings to make this the most energy-packed weekend of unity and pride ever. A great number of former and current San Diego leather title holders, as well as title holders from all over the United States and Canada, will be attending. The contest will be sponsored by International Leatherman magazine.
The list of clubs and businesses participating in this three day festival is truly impressive, beginning with a "dine and dance" spectacular at Numbers, starting at 4PM, on Friday. There will be truly excellent buffet-style food and some of the best-made drinks in town, as well as a large open dance floor Proceeds will benefit Special Delivery (an organization that prepares and delivers meals to HIV and AIDS patients), and Mr. San Diego Leather 1999 travel fund.
Next on the lineup is the official "Meet and Greet," also on Friday the 19th at 8PM at Wolf's. Wear your favorite leather-levi attire and meet some of the finest leathermen and leatherwomen anywhere, and have a great time of fellowship and fun. Then, stop by Shooterz for the weekly RAMPART Leather Dance Party, including a "slave" auction at 11PM
On Saturday the 20th, the Mr. San Diego Leather 1999 contest gets underway at 4PM at the recently remodeled Hole in Point Loma. International Mr. Leather 1998/1999 Colt Leather Calendar cover model Tony Mills will emcee as Tom Chavez passes the torch to his successor after an extraordinarily productive year. Leather-levi attire is requested, and the event will be held rain or shine. Proceeds of this event go to Special Delivery and the IML Chicago travel fund.
On Saturday evening at 9PM, a V.I.P. party will be held at Club Montage where Tony Mills will sign copies of the new Colt Calendar which will be auctioned off. To make things even more exciting, this event will morph into Arrested 2, the second installment of club Montage's hot leather-themed party. Don't miss this one because no one else will! And keep in mind that San Diego's Arena (formerly Eagle) will be a hot party bar, as well as Wolf's who will be doing their Bare Chest/Leather/Underwear party during Leather Pride weekend. Sunday the 21st - noon Brunch at Fiddler's Green restaurant in Point Loma to welcome the new Mr. San Diego Leather 1999, followed by Leather Walk '99 (Details in next column).
Other businesses involved: Pecs; Sabbat; and North Park Travel (888- 74-PROUD - the official travel agency of Leather Pride) and others. Leather Pride Info: (619) 284-7444 and the website listed below.
San Diego SM Social @ Radisson in Mission Valley, 7PM (3rd Wednesday of each month) See here for more information.
GLO Bar Social @ Arena, 8-11PM (3rd Wednesday of each month) Hosted by GLO (Gay Leathermen Only).
Rubber Knights Bar Social @ Pecs, 8PM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1999
Leather Night @ Arena, 9PM-2AM (Every Thursday) Happy hour prices to anyone in leather, all night long.
Bondage-a-Go-Go Party @ The Flame, 9PM Sponsored by SDLLC, L.A.S.H., and the proud Leatherwomen of San Diego! We will have go-go dancers for everyone's taste (men and women), entertainment and 50/50 raffle, lots to look at and a few surprises...
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1999
Weekly Meeting @ Live and Let Live Alano Club, 8-9:30PM (Every Friday) AA meeting for those into Leather that are recovering.
Rampart Leather Dance Party @ Shooterz, 9PM-2AM (Every Friday) (See above)
Master/Slave Auction @ Shooterz, 11PM-2AM Benefits Special Delivery - Come bid on the fantasy man or woman of your dreams!
Bar Social @ Arena, 8-11PM (3rd Friday of each month) (See above)
Talent Search for International Leatherman - Dine and Dance Party @ Numbers, 4-8PM - International Leatherman Magazine is looking for some local talented and hot men to feature in upcoming issues, so Numbers is hosting the party with Happy Hour special drink prices & food. There will be truly excellent buffet-style food and some of the best-made drinks in town, as well as a large open dance floor Proceeds will benefit Special Delivery (an organization that prepares and delivers meals to HIV and AIDS patients), and Mr. San Diego Leather 1999 travel fund.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1999
Sabbat @ Shooterz, 9PM (Every Saturday) (See above)
Mr. San Diego Leather '99 Meet and Greet Party @ Wolf's, 8-11PM An opportunity to meet the contestants for Mr. San Diego Leather 99 and many national title holders (including Tony Mills, winner of the '98 IML contest).
Backroom Night Plus @ Wolf's, 11PM-2AM Back room area will be restricted to those in leather, rubber, latex, uniforms, any legal fetish and men in underwear and/or shirtless. Come celebrate Leather Pride!
LEATHER PRIDE WEEK
San Diego has never held a Leather Pride week before, and the first one is coming up soon. The current plans for Leather Pride 1999 involve a weeklong series of parties (involving MANY local bars), contests (culminating in the Mr. San Diego Leather contest on Saturday, February 20th), fund-raisers, art-shows, book-signings, a Leather Walk, dance-parties (such as the return of the highly popular "Arrested" leather dance party at Club Montage) and meals at various wonderful venues, with out-of-town celebrities and plenty of glory, pride and fun for the local leather population. We intend this to be an annual event that grows in size and status for the local scene over many more years, like Leatherfest and the Folsom Street Fair.
There will be several women's events starting on Saturday the 13th of February, so that our sisters can head off to L.A. for the Ms. Los Angeles Leather contest the next weekend. NEXT year's Leather Pride will be arranged so that there won't be any conflicts.
(The LA contest was later moved to one week later)
We're even talking seriously about having the Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather contests and Leatherfest coordinated so that every major event happens during Leather Pride week!
Send e-mail to SDLeatherPride@yahoo.com if you'd like to volunteer for some specialty or idea that you have - we need every part of the community, because this will benefit us all.
By Papa Tony
The big feature for this week is San Diego Leather Pride, of course, so that's what I'm covering on this page - Be sure to visit my article elsewhere in this issue to learn about all of the different clubs and such here in town.
More Contestants Wanted for Mr. San Diego Leather 1999
Contestants are still being accepted for the Mr. San Diego Leather contest on Feb. 20th. The winner of the contest receives free airfare and hotel accommodations while in Chicago, a one year membership to Hillcrest Gym, their choice of a patch or sash from Eat Leather and a $250 gift certificate for merchandise from Eat Leather. A pretty good haul for the winner this year! Please contact jonmik1@home.com if you would like to represent your Leather/Fetish community. See below for details.
* Thursday, Feb. 18 - Leather Night @ Arena, (Formerly the Eagle) 3040 North Park Way, San Diego, 619-295-8072, 9PM-2AM. Happy hour prices to anyone in leather, all night long.
* Thursday, Feb. 18 -- Leather Night @ Arena, (Formerly the Eagle) 3040 North Park Way, San Diego, 619-295-8072, 9PM-2AM. Happy hour prices to anyone in leather, all night long. LASH Bondage-a-Go-Go Party, 9PM @ the Flame. Sponsored by L.A.S.H., SDLLC and the proud Leatherwomen of San Diego! We will have go-go dancers for everyone's taste (men and women), entertainment and 50/50 raffle, lots to look at and a few surprises... E-mail L_A_S_H@hotmail.com for more info.
* Friday, Feb. 19 - S&M AA Group Weekly Meeting @ Live and Let Live Alano Club, 1730 Monroe Avenue, 619-298-8008, 8-9:30PM. AA meeting for those into Leather that are recovering. Rampart Leather Dance Party @ Shooterz, 3815 30th Ave, 619-574-0744, 9PM-2AM every Friday. Leathermen dance to music with lyrics and melodies that appeal to the Classic Leatherman.
SDLLC Master/Slave Auction @ Shooterz, 11PM-2AM. Benefits Special Delivery - Come bid on the fantasy man or woman of your dreams! RHSD Bar Social @ Arena, 8-11PM. Hosted by Red Hankies of San Diego. Talent Search, Dine and Dance Party, 4-8PM. International Leatherman Magazine is looking for some local talented and hot men to feature in upcoming issues, so Numbers (3811 Park Blvd, 619-294-9005) is hosting a party with Happy Hour special drink prices & buffet-style food and a large open dance floor.
* Saturday, Feb. 20 - Sabbat @ Shooterz, 9PM every Saturday. Forward-thinking folks into kink, fetish, vinyl, rubber, Goth, drag and leather.
Mr. San Diego Leather '99 Meet and Greet Party
8-11PM at Wolf's, Friday, February 19, 1999.
An opportunity to meet the contestants for Mr. San Diego Leather 99 and many national title holders (including Tony Mills, winner of the '98 IML contest). Hosted by San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition (SDLLC).
Backroom Night Plus @ Wolf's, 11PM-2AM. Back room area will be restricted to those in leather, rubber, latex, uniforms, any legal fetish and men in underwear and/or shirtless. Come celebrate Leather Pride with some raunchy males!
Mr. San Diego Leather Contest @ The Hole, 2820 Lytton Street (right near MCRD - the Marine training base), 619-226-9019. Hosted by SDLLC. A $10 door charge donation will be charged to benefit Special Delivery, and will provide a chance to win a free raffle prize! This event is destined to be sold-out, so PLEASE ride-share or arrive very early. Too many famous folks and big surprises to list here, so come see for yourself! After Contest Official Party @ Arena, 7-11pm. Hosted by SDLLC. Crowded and cruisy - Come meet the sexy men who competed for the title of Mr. San Diego Leather!
Arrested II - VIP party @ Club Montage, 2028 Hancock Street, 619-9590, 9PM
* Sunday, Feb. 21, 12 noon - CHAPS Monthly Meeting @ MCC Meeting Hall, Metropolitan Community Center, 4333 30th. Gay Christians. Club X Monthly Workshop @ Whiplash (3787 4th, 619-295-4322), 4-6PM Victory Brunch in Formal Leather @ Fiddler's Green Restaurant, 2760 Shelter Island Drive, 619-222-2216, 12 noon. Hosted by SDLLC. A pleasant way to wind down the Leather Pride festivities with friends. Formal Leather and Fetishwear are encouraged. Come enjoy Sunday brunch in a fine setting with like-minded friends! Great menu, smoking patio available, no host bar and specials. Cocktails at 11:30am Brunch begins at Noon. First come first serve! $15/person. Contact Ricky at 619-291-5520 for tickets. Press Party & Beer Bust/Barbecue @ The Hole, 3PM-10PM. Hosted by SDLLC. Final event for Leather Pride 1999. Coincides with regular, super-popular Sunday afternoon at the Hole.
Leather Renaissance
In case you haven't noticed, San Diego has been going through some big changes within the last few months. Things are changing over by the Arena and Wolf's - the 30th Street District is slowly becoming the equivalent of San Francisco's South of Market section in the public's mind, since we now have the Crypt on 30th, the Arena (formerly the Eagle), Wolf's, and the highly successful Rampart & Sabbat dance-parties at Shooterz, all within the same area. Maybe we can attract even more such businesses to the area. It's time to take a closer look!
San Diego Leather Pride, Reviewed
It's time to slow down, and catch our breath after some big excitement - The first annual Leather Pride festivities last week were San Diego's announcement to the world that we can throw some serious parties and raise some big bucks for charity. This whole shebang really only started happening about three months ago, and it came together magnificently, thanks to a hard-working new team of men, women and businesses representing every part of the leather/kink/fetish community. At the end, our community handed over a check for $8,000.61 to Special Delivery, and we're just getting started!
The San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition (SDLLC) is an umbrella organization for our local leaders, who gathered their accumulated experience and energy to make Leather Pride something that we can all look forward to, for years to come! Tom Chavez (the outgoing Mr. SD Leather), Randy Vidal (Mr. SD Eagle) and St. Clair Adams headed a team of men and women of all sexual preferences that got the job done, fast. The old politics and vendettas are gone, and Leather Pride is the result. We can be proud of ourselves as a true community again.
The biggest event of the week was the Mr. San Diego Leather contest at the Hole. We had representatives from many other cities there, and a fine array of former Mr. and Ms. San Diego Leather titleholders to remind us of our history and traditions. Tony Mills (the current International Mr. Leather) was our MC, and he showed us that his stage-presence, wit and personality matched his gorgeous face and stunning body.
The judges worked diligently to choose the contestant that they felt would work the hardest to bring change and hard work to our community, and they chose Mike Hargiss, who will represent our city at the upcoming International Mister Leather contest in Chicago. His husband John will have to start taking up some new hobbies to take up his extra time, because I suspect Mike will win the big title for San Diego!
There were some VERY satisfied out-of-towners in the crowd, plus plenty of local faces that rarely get out any more. The good word is spreading, and we're going to need a much bigger auditorium for next year's contest.
There were so many other events, it's hard to keep them all sorted out, but I'll try:
The LASH Bondage-a-Go-Go women's dance-party at the Flame was a big success, with a nice mix of new faces in the crowd. The Rubber Knights social at Pecs held a large array of gorgeous men in latex of all colors. At Shooterz, the Rampart leather dance-party (happening every Friday, and VERY tribal) and the kink/fetish/Gothic Sabbat dance-party (happening every Saturday, and always crowded) were filled to capacity.
In fact, just about every event was bigger than expected, such as the Old Guard Workshop at Whiplash (75 people in a room designed for 20!) the San Diego SM Social at the Radisson in Mission Valley (it took a long time to get through the largest crowd ever).
For those of us who REALLY like leathermen, there were some seriously flirtatious, humpy men at the Meet and Greet Party (and Backroom Night Plus) at Wolf's, and the After Contest Official Party at the Arena. I heard that the "Arrested II" party at Club Montage was a big success, though I pooped out before I could get there. The Press Party & Beer Bust/Barbecue at The Hole was so crowded that there wasn't any parking anywhere within walking-distance, so I had to skip it!
Instead, I pigged out earlier at the Victory Brunch in Formal Leather at the Fiddler's Green Restaurant. If you haven't seen this place, it's owned by the same folks who own the Hole, and they eagerly encourage local leather and non-leather groups to adopt the place as a fine place to hold social events. I've called several clubs to tell them about it, so spread the news!
All in all, Leather Pride was a big experiment that paid off bigger than expected for a first-annual event, and it involved a team of hard-working folks that will continue to work together for the many, many events that are coming up. The San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition has had its public coming-out ceremony, we raised a big bag of cash for charity, and the whole experience was one for the record-books!
