Philadelphians MC, the area’s largest gay men’s leather social club, celebrated its 35th anniversary and welcomed 2010 with Tri-Cen XIX. Nearly 100 men and women representing clubs from Virginia to Maine descended on the city to help the club ring in the New Year.
The theme of the weekend was “The 19th Huddle: A Tribute to Jocks … and the athletes who wear them,” which resulted in some very creative cocktail parties hosted by the attending clubs. Party themes included NASCAR and drag racing, which featured elaborate decorations, a race track and remote-control car races; Philly sports rivals, for which the hosts threw personal safety to the wind and dressed in their favorite New York Giants and New Jersey Devils uniforms; and bullfighting (you just had to see that one to believe it). One party was hosted by a club dressed in football uniforms serving cocktails they called “Gator-laid,” and another by a bartender in a complete, authentic hockey goalie uniform while he served punch out of a makeshift Stanley Cup.
For entertainment, the guests enjoyed cornholing (the bean-bag toss game as well as the other kind). Another game involved contestants trying to stuff as many golf balls into their partner’s jockstrap as they could — using only their mouths, of course. The best game was the one where players were blindfolded, dressed up to look like Norwegian supermodels and then given a golf club to break open a piñata that looked suspiciously like Tiger Woods.
Events were held at The Bike Stop, Stir, the William Way Community Center and the Marriott on Market Street, which was the host hotel and the site of Saturday night’s formal banquet.
Guests at the banquet enjoyed a spectacular meal with members of the Philadelphians ranging from “The Fab Four,” the newest club members who earned that nickname while pledging last year, to beloved charter member Richard “Pearl” Ball, a former club captain who has been a member since day one in the fall of 1974.
The highlight of the weekend was the special banquet guest, Gloria Casarez, the mayor’s director of LGBT affairs. As a surprise to almost everyone in the room, Casarez presented the club with a citation signed by Mayor Nutter recognizing 35 years of outstanding service and brotherhood within the LGBT community.
The club was honored and humbled to receive the citation, and looks forward to a long future of continued service, fundraising and hell-raising in the Philadelphia community.
Bears’ fifth annual art show
Don’t get caught with your pants down and miss this year’s art show sponsored by the Liberty Bears, at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.! Normally the show is in April, but this year it’s moved up to February. That will give the Bears a little breathing room between the art show and their big annual run, Bears On Liberty Weekend 8, which has also been moved up a couple of weeks to the first weekend of May.
The Bears’ art show is a very special event. They bring in a great variety of local and regional artists who are bears and/or bear-friendly. You never know what you might find at the show: oils, watercolors, wood carvings, ink illustrations, multimedia presentations, photography, pottery, sculpture, erotica — even the food is prepared so beautifully, you’ll be wondering whether you’re allowed to eat it or if it’s part of the show.
This year, all proceeds will benefit Camp Brightfeather, a summer camp for kids affected by HIV. So not only can you finally get something to put in that gaping hole above your mantle, but you can do so knowing that you’re also helping to support a great cause.
The show runs from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 12-13. The Bears request a $5 donation at the door. Be there on Friday night if you want to meet the artists at the wine-and-cheese opening reception.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
— Midatlantic Leather Weekend: On Jan. 15-18 in Washington, D.C., hosted by Centaur MC. The theme this year is “The Skin UR In.” See www.leatherweekend.org for details.
— WOOF! Philly and Laid: Every Sunday at 5 p.m., 1416 Chancellor St.; see www.woofphilly.com or www.laidsaturdays.com for DJ and dancer schedules. Special guest dancers on Jan. 24: Jonny Mack and Torez — come celebrate Jonny’s “Bear”thday Party!
— Liberty Bears Meeting and Social: Feb. 6, at The Bike Stop; meeting from 6-7 p.m. in the Pit and social from 7-10 p.m. on the main floor.
— Liberty Bears Annual Art Show and Sale: Feb. 12-13, 7-10 p.m. on the third floor at The Bike Stop. Meet the artists at the wine and cheese reception on opening night, Feb. 12.
— Philadelphians MC Social: Feb. 13 at The Bike Stop from 9 p.m.-midnight on the main floor.
Questions? Comments? New Year’s resolution suggestions? Contact Jim at [email protected].