As the weather warms up, the calendar is definitely heating up. I always thought June was the busiest time of year for the gays, but this month is giving it a huge run for its money.
LIBERTY BEARS ART SHOW
Last month the Liberty Bears held their fourth-annual art show and, once again, it did not disappoint. They had over 150 attendees and sold a record number of pieces. Artists included James Bradford, Jim Bloom, Ren Clark, Daniel Fisher, Rob Harmon, Jason Kraley and David Stevens.
Congratulations to the Liberty Bears for putting on another amazing event, but especially to the classy and gorgeous curator, Veronica Bound, who always finds a way to wrangle those bears and get everything done.
During their June 6 meeting, from 5-6 p.m. at The Bike Stop, the Liberty Bears will present Calcutta House and Dooley House of South Jersey with the proceeds from the art show, the Bears on Liberty Weekend run (more information below) and the charitable socials held last year.
BEARS ON LIBERTY WEEKEND: 7 DEADLY SINS
If you see more bears in town this weekend than usual, don’t adjust your glasses — adjust your package! This weekend, May 15-17, is the Liberty Bears’ annual run, Bears on Liberty Weekend. The theme this year is Seven Deadly Sins, so you know it’s going to be a blast!
You’ll find them all over the Gayborhood this weekend enjoying Bear Bar Crawls, brunches, a scavenger hunt, live music at The Bike Stop and, of course, the traditional after-hours bathhouse Bear-B-Q!
If you’re reading this on Friday, you can still register if you get to The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St., between 6-8 tonight! Only $40 gets you all seven of the deadly sins. WOOF! PHILLY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
It’s hard to believe, but DJ Barney and his adorable cast of cubs are celebrating one year of WOOF! Philly this weekend. This is your chance to get a triple dose of WOOF on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Each night will feature different DJs, dancers and contests. Get to 200 S. 12th St. from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. on Sunday to catch the fun.
LAID SATURDAYS
Steve “boyshark” Mercer has stepped down from his Mid-Atlantic Leatherboy title and stepped up his party promotion efforts. On June 13 his new event, Laid Saturdays, will debut at 200 S. 12th St. Building on the success of the Get Out Get Laid monthly parties, boyshark is keeping the focus on leathermen and their gear, but now he’s turning up the heat every weekend.
MID-ATLANTIC LEATHER
Last Saturday, a new Mid-Atlantic LeatherSir and Leatherboy were selected, along with a new Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack and the first Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman.
After a grueling four-hour-plus contest, Ky Eaton of Pittsburgh was named Mid-Atlantic LeatherSir 2009, Eddie Ortiz of Washington, D.C., was named Mid-Atlantic Leatherboy 2009, Cowboi Jen of Philadelphia was named Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2009, and Brandon Riley of Norristown was named Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2009. Congratulations!
Winners go to San Francisco in October to compete in the international versions of their contests except Cowboi Jen, who has the choice of competing at American Brotherhood Weekend in New Orleans this July or International Ms. Leather in San Francisco next April.
I’M JUST SAYIN’
The Philadelphia region’s great showing at the Mid-Atlantic contest makes me wonder where those naysayers, especially the one who gave me an earful at Get Out Get Laid a few months back, get off saying that the Philadelphia leather scene is a mess. I know contests and titleholders aren’t the sole measure of a community, but they are part of the equation. Jen and Riley are just further proof that Philly’s leather community totally rocks! Way to go!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WOOF! PHILLY — Every Sunday at 5 p.m., 200 S. 12th St.; three-day anniversary party May 15-17; www.woofphilly.com or www.myspace.com/woofphilly for info on DJs and dancers.
CHARITY TRIVIA — 7-11 p.m. June 5 at The Pit Stop at The Bike Stop; www.queeropinion.com/charitytrivia.
BEAR BINGO SOCIAL — 6-10 p.m., June 6, The Bike Stop; www.libertybears.net
PHILADELPHIANS MC GAY PRIDE SOCIAL — 8 p.m.-midnight June 13, 200 S. 12th St.; www.philadelphiansmc.org
INTERNATIONAL MR. LEATHER 31 — It’s our high holiday! Memorial Day weekend in Chicago; www.imrl.com
LAID SATURDAYS — Every Saturday at 8 p.m., 200 S. 12th St., starting June 13, featuring hot bartenders and guest DJs. Wear your gear!
Questions? Comments? Feedback? Contact Jim at [email protected].