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This information was gathered as a way to give an overview of San Diego's leather/kink/fetish community. We have many ongoing events (the ones mentioned below are a tiny fraction), many fine leaders and very active participants.
Photos and text are by Papa Tony (from his column in the Gay & Lesbian Times), unless otherwise credited.
On the left, Tony Mills (International Mr. Leather '98), and on the right, Tom Chavez (Mr. San Diego Leather 1998) congratulate Mike Hargiss (Mr. San Diego Leather 1999) at the end of last February's contest. Join us this February for San Diego Leather Pride and the Mr. SDL 2000 Contest at the Hole.
These jolly men celebrated the New Year at Pecs at 2046 University. Decorations and food were everywhere, and spirits were high. Pecs hosts the GLO Bar Social on the third Wednesday of every month, and the CCMC Beverage Bust on the first Saturday.
Shirtless Timmy the bartender served the main course at the Shooterz buffet for New Year's Eve, and folks gathered to celebrate with feasting and dancing. Shooterz hosts the Rampart Leather Tribe Dance Party every Friday night at 11PM, and Sabbat (a powerful, Gothic experience) every Saturday night.
This rowdy crowd of men attended the New Year's Eve Party at ZONE (formerly the Eagle), and sampled the goodies at the buffet table. ZONE offers a Leather Night every Thursday - For more details, see members.theglobe.com/sdzone/
New Bar, New Owners
The newest version of the Eagle/Arena is now called ZONE. It has been heavily remodeled, and it has gotten off to a great start. The new owners Yves and Alain (they are French) are constantly there at the bar, and paying attention like hawks.
Even though you won't recognize the bar when you arrive (there are BIG, mirrored windows out front, and many TV screens playing music videos and muscle-man images), there is one very welcome flavor of happy remembrance there - the bathroom still sports all of the Tom of Finland and porno-mag decorations.
The original plan was to eliminate everything (including the bathroom art) and start over, but a cry of anguish went up in the community and the new owners adapted their plans. It was a wise move, according to everybody who hears about it. San Diego's leather history has huge gaps in it, and we all crave continuity and traditions. The hand-drawn portrait of our own Tony Chiumento, signed by Tom of Finland (to your right as you stand in the doorway) is something that we can all treasure!
ZONE has been packed each time that I have been there, and many of the faces are new. Alain and Yves are determined to revolutionize the way that leather-bars are perceived, and we have certainly needed to see some visible changes. I wish them every success.
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Here are just a few of the women who will be competing in the Ms. San Diego leather contest at 7PM on Saturday, November 6 at the Hole. Doe, Dawn and Jo will be joined by Lappie (plus other contestants that I may not know about). Please join me in cheering them on!
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Here is the young man who won the Most Original Costume prize at the Nightmare on Normal Street 1999 street party. His outlandish Gargoyle costume was accented with leather straps, a collar and a leather jock.
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On Thursday, October 14th, GLO held another Formal Leather Dinner at the Gulf Coast Grill. The next one will be at 7-9PM on Christmas Day (Tuesday, December 25th) at Fiddlers Green restaurant (owned by the same folks who own the Hole), 2760 Shelter Island Drive (619) 222-2216, with a Social to follow at Pecs. GLO has many other events, so see >http://www.homestead.com/gayleathermenonly/ for more info.
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Kim and Ricky were the 1999 winners of the San Diego Cheeks 'n Chaps contest at Wolfs on Saturday, October 23rd at 12 midnight. Kim is the producer of the upcoming Ms. san Diego leather contest, and Ricky is otherwise known as Empress Ophelia. Ricky has been getting in touch with his leatherman's side, and the both of them have plans to bring all parts of the community together.
This is Brian Williams, who is the current International Mr. Cheeks 'n Chaps - Come to San Diego's local Cheeks 'n Chaps contest at Wolfs on Saturday, October 23rd at 12 midnight. There will be no cover charge. Contestant applications are now available from the bartender at Wolfs. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. If you know someone with a hot butt (in chaps) and is a community minded fundraiser, please encourage them to join the contest. For more info, e-mail >emeraldcity2100@hotmail.com
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The men of GLO (Gay Leathermen Only) will be hosting a Formal Leather Dinner at the Gulf Coast Grill on Park Boulevard on Wednesday, October 13th from 7:00-9:00pm. I will definitely be there, because these events are ALWAYS pleasant ways to meet other leathermen outside of the bar scene, as friends and as peers. As you can see from the previous Formal Dinner's group photo, this is a very popular social function. For more information, please call (619) 285-1909 or e-mail GleatherO@aol.com and get your ticket reserved as early as possible.
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John, Danny and Robbie were having a great time at August's Backroom Party at Wolf's. This event happens on the second Saturday of each month, and it gets CROWDED. Men are required to go shirtless or wear leather or other fetish gear in order to enter the bar's back room, so the smell of testosterone and leather (and the sight of so many bare-chested men) can be pretty stimulating! If you have never attended this event, it's a friendly and VERY cruisy scene. Come over to Wolfs on Saturday, October 9th from 11PM to 2AM and be a part of the tribe!
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Here are Here are some of the many San Diegans who traveled to San Francisco for the annual Folsom Street Fair in late September. To see hundreds of other pictures from the same event, please visit our Folsom Street Fair '99 archives.
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This is only part of the San Diego crowd that traveled to Las Vegas to cheer for our local representatives in the International Ms. Leather Contest for 1999 - We have a lot to be proud of!
In the last year, San Diego's community has been VERY visible on the national scene - We keep having the largest contingents of any city at national events, and our local heroes are doing very well.
Mike Hargiss won Second Runner-Up out of 52 contestants running for International Mr. Leather '99 (and you can see ALL of him in the newest issue of International Leatherman Magazine, available at Obelisk Bookstore RIGHT NOW).
I just came back from Las Vegas for International Ms. Leather 1999, along with about forty San Diegans who were there to root for local stars Suzy Koenigs (she placed sixth) and Crickett Watkins (she placed second). It was a VERY well-run contest, and our team made us proud. To see hundreds of pictures from both events, please visit the SDLLC website listed above.
I'm particularly delighted with Suzy and Crickett for their star turns on stage... I was thrilled with Suzy's clever fantasy sequence, stage-presence and creative outfits. I spent the time that Crickett was on stage watching and listening to the crowd around me - I've seen her in action many times, and I KNOW how brightly she shines. Now, I got to enjoy hundreds of other folks making the same discovery, and it was a noisy revelation, based on what I heard!
It was wonderful to see the enormous number of San Diegans who volunteered their time and expertise to make the IMsL contest a success. Everywhere I looked, there were familiar faces behind the counter during check-in, running the lights and sound system, and handling the endless number of "go-fer" jobs. The folks who ran the main event must be VERY glad that San Diego participated!
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Special congratulations to San Diego's newest titleholders! There were nine burly and handsome men competing for the first annual San Diego Mr. Bear & Bear Cub contest at the Hole on Saturday, August 14th, and here are the winners, from left to right: Jerry Colinard (the new Mr. Bear San Diego '99, Randy Campbell (Mr. Bear Cub San Diego '99), Mike Pennington (president of Bears SD) and Craig (International Mr. Bear '99). The crowd was diverse, the entertainment was non-stop, and everybody had a great time!
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I will be rooting for my very good friends Dean Martin (left, running for Emperor XXVIII) and Tiffany Daniels (running for Empress XXVIII) at the Coronation ball on Saturday, August 7th at the US Grant Hotel. There will be a large contingent of leatherfolk in attendance, and this is a true sign that our community has been working well together! For tickets, call Ricky at 619-291-5520.
To see many other pictures and text from the same event, please visit our Imperial Court of San Diego - Coronation XXVIII archives.
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Here is Leland Heizer (representing Special Delivery) receiving a check for $1,000 from Darryl and Wolfgang, representing Gay Leathermen Only (GLO). The money was raised as a tribute to Ed Buttram. Special Delivery is an all-volunteer organization (they have no professional staff) which delivers meals to homebound people. They are a VERY worthy cause, so if you have donations, please call 619-297-7373.
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Before:
Crickett Watkins (Ms. Southern California Fantasy '99, on the left) and Suzy Koenigs (Ms. San Diego Leather '99) will be representing San Diego in Las Vegas at the International Ms. Leather contest from July 16th through the 19th, 1999. I'll be there to root for them, along with a bunch of other San Diegans. For more information about the event, see the official website: http://www.Leatherspace.com/IMsL
After:
Here are the top three winners from the 1999 International Ms. Leather contest, left to right: Pam Meyer from San Francisco (winner, IMsL '99/Ms. SF Leather '99), Crickett Watkins, 1st runner-up (Ms. Southern California Fantasy, from San Diego), and Peggy (aka "O"), 2nd runner-up (New York Leatherwoman 1999).
This is only part of the San Diego crowd that traveled to Las Vegas to cheer for our local representatives - We have a lot to be proud of!
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All three of the top winners of this year's International Mr. Leather contest were in the Leather Contingent during San Diego's Pride Parade. From left to right: Sean Reilly (Mr. Pistons Leather, 1st runner-up), Mike Hargiss, Mr. San Diego Leather (second runner-up), and Bruce Chopnik, Mr.Rocky Mountain Leather/International Mr. Leather '99). We had a very large Leather contingent in the parade this year, and the Leather Tent at the Pride Festival was well-attended, too - I couldn't believe the size of the crowd that was waiting to get in!
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Here is Leland Heizer (representing Special Delivery) receiving a check for $1,000 from Darryl and Wolfgang, representing Gay Leathermen Only (GLO). The money was raised as a tribute to Ed Buttram. Special Delivery is an all-volunteer organization (they have no professional staff) which delivers meals to homebound people. They are a VERY worthy cause, so if you have donations, please call 619-297-7373.
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This large group is only part of the loving family who came to pay tribute to Ed Buttram at the wake held for him at Paul and Allen's home on Sunday, June 27th. Ed was a tireless volunteer for CCMC, GLO and Greater Outdoors, and was the central figure for the annual Grand Prix, which greatly benefitted Special Delivery, He was best known for his tireless good nature, his warm greetings for all, and his community spirit. We'll all miss him!
Ed has been a fixture at the Arena for years, greeting folks as they arrive, and organizing charity events to help various charities. He died recently as a result of a vicious assault. A tall, fat bully slugged him, ruptured his spleen and sent him into a coma from which he never returned. The bully has been identified, and he's in the process of getting into serious trouble from the police. There are many of us here who miss Ed dearly, and in his honor, there are several events being planned.
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Bears SD is a great group of friendly men who enjoy socializing throughout every month. They're always looking for more cuddly, sweet buddies!
From Mike Pennington - President, Bears San Diego
Bears San Diego is a group of gay men that have banded together as a "tribe" because of their fetish orientation within our community. First of all, let's define what the term "bear" means. Quite simply a bear is any man that is hairy. Within the framework of our bear tribe, we define our bear brothers in a broader sense to include not only the hairy men but also their admirers. So what do we do other than admire each other? Bears San Diego has, since its inception, been involved in a number of charitable activities within the community. We are probably most noted for our Holiday Stuffed Toy Bear Drive for disadvantaged children in San Diego County. Last year alone we donated 438 Toy Bears during the holiday season.
Additionally, Bears San Diego is the host for an annual event called SunBears Weekend; usually held the second weekend in August. This year it is August 13-15, 1999. Bear clubs from all across the country come to San Diego to participate in the fun. We are proud to announce that this year will be the first annual Mr. Bear San Diego and Mr. Bear Cub San Diego Contest to be held at the Hole at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 1999.
So how do bears socialize? Bears San Diego has traditionally held a fundraising beer bust on the fourth Friday of the month at Wolf's at 8:00 p.m. There is also what is referred to as a "den party." A Den Party is a social gathering held in a member's home once a month to provide an opportunity for bears and their admirers to have a good time and meet new bears.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please feel free to visit our website: http://www.bearssd.org or call the information hotline - (619) 221-7309 to find out when the next event is. Membership applications are available at all bear functions.
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Mr. San Diego Leather Reigns Supreme!
Mike Hargiss is a dear friend of mine, and he represented our city magnificently this last weekend at the International Mister Leather contest in Chicago. The entire contingent of San Diegans were very proud to see Mike up there on the Winner's Stand - Here are the top three winners out of 51 entries in the IML contest in Chicago. From left: Sean Reilly, Pistons of Long Beach (1st runner-up), Bruce Chopnik, Denver, CO (International Mr. Leather 1999), and Mike Hargiss, Mr. San Diego Leather 1999 (2nd Runner-up)
If you don't know Mike personally, then don't let your first impression of his gorgeous appearance fool you. He's a dedicated volunteer, leader and solid citizen. The contest wasn't just a beauty pageant - These events are intended to find LEADERS and role-models for the entire community, and Mike is definitely that and more. He's making a difference in San Diego, and he's just getting started!
This is only a fraction of the rowdy and fun crowd that came to Chicago from San Diego. We came to support our good brother Mike Hargiss!
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Come on over to the Hole on May 7 at 8PM for the Southern California Mr. & Ms. Fantasy '99 Meet 'n Greet, and then back to the Hole on Saturday at 7PM for the contest, to see Erin Rife (titleholder for '98) hand over her title. That's Sir Alex Walter on the right - They're a hot pair!
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In case you haven't noticed recently, there are new reasons for you to come out from behind your computer!
We've got the best of the 70's again every Friday night starting at 10:30 PM, with hot Leather Tribe dancing at Shooterz, and then cooling down with the best kind of interfacing at the Arena and Wolf's. Be a part of the scene again!
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San Diego had one of the largest contingents of representatives at the Leather Leadership Conference in San Francisco - the folks in this picture comprise only a small part of the dedicated leaders who are working to improve our community in every way.
Clockwise from upper left: Mike Hargiss (Mr. San Diego Leather 1999), Saint Clair Adams (President, San Diego Leather Leadership Coalition), Papa Tony (International Mr. Cheeks 'n Chaps '98), Madoc Pope (Club X Co-Chair), Chirsti, Suzy Koenigs (Ms. San Diego Leather 1998-99), Barbara Otto and Guy Baldwin, who lives in Los Angeles, and is one of the leather community's wisest leaders.
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Join the members of GLO (Gay Leathermen Only) at 7:30PM on Monday, April 5th, 1999 at MCC Meeting Hall, 4333 30th Street. There will be a Flogging 101 Workshop, with hands-on practice and demonstrations by experienced Old Guard tops. There will also be elections to choose the next year's officers, so please think of folks you may want to nominate!
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Wolf's will be celebrating their anniversary on Friday, April 2nd from 11PM-2AM with a party including drink specials and food - This wonderful bar has filled an important function in our community for twelve years! That's Carl the manager on the far right.
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A year ago, Linda created the Sabbat pansexual extravaganza that is now held every Saturday at Shooterz (at 30th and University) from 9PM to 2AM. Come join the crowd on April 3rd, 1999 for the big First Anniversary party - They have a lot to celebrate!
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Jim Cowden won this contest, and then donated his $200 prize to Special Delivery and Mama's Kitchen - What a class act, and a beautiful 46-year-old man!
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This bar's special night featured a large array of gorgeous men in latex of all colors. For more info about Rubber Knights, contact Scott.
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L.A.S.H. "Leather and Sisterhood" is the newly started Women's Leather Club in Southern California. The first meeting was a great success with a huge amount of positive attitudes and zeal! The next meeting will be at 8PM on February 3rd, 1999 at the Center in San Diego.
This is a Women's Leather BDSM Club which meets on the first Wednesday of every month at The Center on Normal Street from 8:00PM - 9:45PM.
L.A.S.H. represents our large, local female leather community at functions, provides a unified presence within the larger community, organizes events, and just has a grand old time!
L.A.S.H. is open to women who are in Southern California, and they are supportive of all women - lesbian, women in transition, transgendered, heterosexual and bisexual women.
Here is the L.A.S.H. Executive Committee (from left): Sue Byrd, Kim Sontag and Annie Romano, along with Ms. San Diego Leather Suzy Koenigs.
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That's Fay on the left, showing her hand-assembled whip, which she donated to help raise money for Special Delivery. Fay is the founder of SDL.
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At the Aztec Bowl, 1PM. Entry Fee $15 (includes shoe rental). To benefit the Harvey Milk/Tom Homann Scholarship Fund, Live and Let Live Alano Club, and IML/IMsL Travel Funds (percentage of proceeds allocated upon percentage of representation).
Bake sale and raffle
Produced by Dean Martin and Michael Hargiss
Co-sponsors: Mark O'Keefe, Tom Chavez, Annie Romano, Jim Farrelly, Suzy Koenigs and Rickie Alves.
Here are some of the champions (and nearly champions) at the Leather & Lace Bowling Tout=rnament held Jan. 17, which raised a big bag 'o cash for the Harvey Milk/Tom Homann Scholarship Fund, Live and Let Live Alano Club, and IML/IMsL Travel Funds. We took over most of the Aztec bowling alley with hardcore dykes, drag queens, straight folks and leathermen, all laughing and bowling like crazy for charity. Let's do it again!
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Meets on the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm at the Radisson in Mission Valley Contacts: hispeach@aol.com and sensadist@aol.com
History and Mission: Peach and Sen started the SD SM in February 1998, to create an atmosphere where those interested in the SM lifestyle could meet and mingle with other like-minded people in a relaxed, open environment.
They chose the Mission Valley Radisson lobby bar because it is centrally located, usually uncrowded on a weekday evening and, like all good bars, conducive to people mixing and mingling. The bar will accommodate over 100 people (154 is the room capacity as I recall). The July 1998 social was attended by 92 people. For more information, visit the SDLLC website.
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Gay Leathermen Only social club's semi-annual Formal Leather Dinner. At the Old Town Mexican Cafe, 2480 San Diego Avenue, 619-297-4330. $15 per person, paid in advance - Choice of four meals.
For those who don't know, Formal Leather consists of a nice white shirt (tuxedo-style or plain long-sleeve) with a red or black tie (preferably made of leather - available from Eat Leather 619-284-4713), along with your best leather gear - No bare tits or ass!
E-mail GLeatherO@aol.com or call 619-285-1909 for details.
Many handsome men were seen at the recent GLO formal leather dinner held at the Old Town Mexican cafe. We filled up the entire special dining room! Give-away goodies were plentiful, (such as gift certificates), and as usual, the Formal Leather Dinner was playful and full of merriment.
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Joseph, Jeff, Chuck and Art celebrate New Year's Eve at the Eagle.
Kim, Wolf, Annie and Papa Jo welcome the new year at Sabbat.
Craig, Scott, J.R. and Randy wish each other a great new year.
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A gay leatherman's carnival with waxing and shaving demonstrations, auction, raffle and many other activities at Wolfs, 2-7PM. That's RobDog being spattered with hot wax.
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I'm a proud member of this group, which has grown rapidly in the last few months. It is a support and social group for gay males of all ages who are part of the leather scene, or want to be. I joined early on, and I've noticed that the members are bonding together in brotherhood and friendship, with plenty of hearty laughter and fun at the social events, which are non-competitive, non-cruising, and a welcome relief from the bar scene. The long-time guys (like myself) are always available for honest, safe mentoring of novice men who are curious about the leather scene.
Speaking for myself, I miss my old buddies that were my support- team a long time ago - They've died, and I've wandered for years feeling like a dinosaur surrounded by furry mammals, missing my tribe. I'm starting to invest in deeper friendships again, and I'm finding them in GLO. These guys can relate to my own history and experiences, and I've found my tribe again! For more info, call 619- 285-1909.
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(Every Saturday) Dance and social event for forward-thinking folks into kink, fetish, vinyl, rubber, Goth and leather. Watch for straight couples and singles mixed with gay men and lesbians. Dress to impress, be vivid and lively, and enjoy the ambience (there's a lot of it!) 9pm every Saturday night at Shooterz
Speaking as a member of the Old Leather Guard, I have 22 years of experience with wearing fetish-style gear and hanging-out with the kinky crowd. My style of dress, mannerisms, chosen companions and body-language mirror those of the decades-old culture I've adopted as my own.
There's a new crowd now, and they are making NEW rules for the modern age. Sabbat is an exciting, vibrant and fascinating event that happens every Saturday at 9PM at Shooterz, 3815 30th Ave, 619- 574-0744.
You'll see a rather young crowd of as many as 300 people, with straight folks mixing really well with gay males and lesbians. There's a dance-floor and a full bar, with professional dancers on a stage above the bar - The dancers might be ANY mix of people (welllll, maybe not - I still haven't seen two GUYS bumping and grinding on each other on-stage - Can I volunteer?).
The style of dress is best described as vivid and eclectic - You'll see every possible variation of leather, rubber, vinyl, lace, face-painting, glitter, Gothic, tattoos, chains, drag of every kind and some traditional leather-gear. If you go, it's best to dress to impress - Let your secret self OUT!
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Annie Romano welcomes Suzy Koenigs after she wins Annie's former title as Ms San Diego Leather.
Story by: Wendy Sue - Photo by Trish
It is that time of year when all leatherfolk come together and join hands, raise their voices high in the sky with pride...okay, okay, so that is a bit dramatic! But it is that time of year that the annual Ms. San Diego Leather Contest is about to happen.
Mark your black leather books and calendars with the date: November 7th! This year's event will be held at Top of the Park, Park Manor Inn on 5th and Spruce. Doors open for Social Hour and hors d'oeuvres at 6:00 PM. The Contest starts at 8:00 PM sharp. Advanced tickets are available by emailing mssdlthr@hotmail.com with your address. Tickets are $10.00 each, as well as at the door. Seating is limited this year. Be early to get a good "view" of our contestants, of our fantastic opening number and of our beautiful Mistress of Ceremonies! Trust me, you'll want to be close for this one!
We have an all star "Titleholder" line up of judges this year as well!! AND a SURPRISE judge! I just love surprises!!! You can twist my arm too, I'll never tell...hee-hee. But I will tell you the current International Ms. Leather 1998, Megan Dejarlais will be one of our judges!!! We are extremely proud to have her grace our city!
Our very own Ms. Deaf Leather 1998, Sue Byrd, will be performing her fantasy, a kinky version of Tupperware....with her handy assistant, Anita Mann....you can't miss this! Octaviana Designs will also be doing a very special fashion viewing for our pleasure...and trust me...pleasure is the optimum word here!
The first of the fun begins on Friday night at The Flame in the Martini Bar. This is an informal Meet and Greet with all the contestants and judges and many people from out of town as well as in town! Come on by and mingle with the leather crowd like you've not mingled in a while! This kicks off at 7:00 PM till 10:00 PM.
The Contest is on Saturday night, November 7th, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Contest begins at 8:00 PM till 10:00 PM.
Celebration 98 begins at 10:30 PM at our own San Diego Eagle. Come on by and rub hides! We hope to see you there!