The attendance record was shattered at the world-famous Double L bar in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware this past weekend. The bar and the huge patio were jam-packed with leather folk from all over the Eastern Seaboard. Six men competed for the title that has produced winners who advanced to the next level of competition and came away with titles advancing them to the International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago – and all of them have made the top 20 at IML.
Karl Hornberger of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania triumphed over five other contestants Saturday night, September 15. The first runner-up was Steven Tompa of Charleston, West Virginia. Tompa also won the "Brotherhood Award" from his fellow competitors.
The contestants (including Dennis Arden, Jake Carpenter, Bob Deckert, and David White) faced judges Gary Samuels, Mary Elizabeth Boyd, Mark Teesdale, Dan Noel, and myself in the scoring segments. Frank Nowicki had no problem with the emcee duties and Mark Teesdale opened the show with the national anthem after the DC Boys of Leather paraded the colors.
Of course, titleholders of all stripes were introduced and the outgoing Mr. Double L Leather, Gary Samuels, gave a four and a half minute step aside speech, which was more of a challenge to the six contestants than a farewell to his constituents. He briefly cautioned them of the situations that could arise as a titleholder and encouraged them to "be yourself" in all dealings. Very sage suggestions, indeed.
Jim Raymond was the tally master and after a short intermission, the results were brought to the stage as all six hopefuls lined up for the "moment of truth." First, the Brotherhood Award was on the line-up, a glass plaque to the contestant that all the others had voted upon. It went to Tompa, no stranger to titles, especially bear titles, which he has won in the past. The first runner-up, again Tompa and Mr. Double L Leather chosen by the judges is Karl Hornberger. Whoops and hollers throughout the big crowd.
Hornberger is a 53-year-old seasoned leather man with a calm and thoughtful demeanor. His leathers and boots were meticulous; his opinions and outlook/overview on the leather community were a blend of old guard/new guard/progressive views. His speech and on-the-spot thinking were pluses and he is a very handsome specimen with a friendly attitude. He will do well when he competes for the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2008 contest in Washington, D.C. in January. I daresay he will be a force to be reckoned with in that competition.
The popularity of this contest grows with each year. There was some talk about moving the event to a bigger venue in the Rehoboth Beach area. That would be a plus. If you've never attended this particular contest, the quality of the production, and the number and quality of the contestants does indeed warrant an expansion to larger quarters. The Double L itself is a warm inviting venue with a nice, big patio and right on the main street of Rehoboth Beach. But the crush of the crowd with a chance to mingle at "close quarters" gets to be a bit much; therefore, I would not be surprised to see the production at a bigger venue next year.
Rehoboth Beach 2007 – a warm, stimulating and energetic experience as always. The crowds get bigger and bigger each year so you know they're doing something right. Congratulations all!
Disappointing producers
You'd never believe how I get inundated with press releases for leather events. Last weekend, besides the Double L contest, I had received seven e-mail releases about the Mr. Dixie Belle Leather contest in Kansas City, Missouri, and another half-dozen press releases about the Mr. Barracks Leather contest in Palm Springs, both taking place last Saturday night, September 15. I publicized both contests three weeks in a row.
Here it is Monday afternoon, September 17, almost 24 hours after my deadline and not a word about the results in Kansas City or Palm Springs. Some producers are not "press savvy" at all. In my opinion, it is a disservice to the winners of these contests when the producers do not put the word out about their victory. Sorry to say Kansas City and Palm Springs are both guilty of neglecting their titleholders. Don't they realize potential judges read these columns in gay publications and the Leather Journal so they can be prepared when they judge these individuals at higher levels?
The producers want all the free publicity they can get for their contests, but after the curtain falls and all the money is counted, they forget to do justice to their winners! Astute and press savvy contest producers make sure their guys and gals are "out there" for all the world to see, instead of having to wait for weeks to find out who won any given contest. Maybe, one of these days I'll do a workshop at one of these leather weekends to teach people how to deal with leather and the press. What do you think?
I did get one photo of the Kansas City event. Someone sent a picture of the cake served at the contest weekend for a surprise birthday party for the emcee, Karen Ultra Domme. How many of you are interested in seeing a photo of a birthday cake? The last sentence of the e-mail was "The winner was Brian Heinan." So that's all you get about Mr. Dixie Belle Leather 2007 (or is it 2008?). Not a word from the Mr. Barracks Leather contest.
So long for a while. See you all next week. Keep living, laughing, loving and volunteering. Just do it in leather!
Eventures in Leather, Sept. 21–23, 2007
Weekend Sep. 21-23
Mr. Michigan Leather contest in the Detroit area; no details furnished. For into, go to www.mrmlweekend.com/weekend
Tom of Finland 13th annual West Hollywood Erotic Art Festival in W. Hollywood Park, Sat. and Sun., showing work of over 75 artists from around the world. For more information, go to: www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org
Mr. Boston Leather 2008 contest at the Ramrod bar. No details at my deadline, but what else is new?
Friday, Sep. 21
Freaky Friday party at The Den in Fresno with porn stars and a drag revue for a $10 donation. For information, go to: www.eznslezproductionz.com
Exiles of SF monthly meeting at the Women's Building. Topic: Branding, presented by Ruth Marks. $4 members/$10 guests.
Sunday, Sep. 23
Leather Pride Week kicks off today with the Leather Walk from 440 Castro bar in the Castro and ending at the Eagle Tavern with a pit stop at Powerhouse. Raising of the leather flag at 1300 and then the walk begins.
Bare Chest Calendar 2008 men will be auctioned off for dinner dates and goodies (not that kind!) from 1500 to 1900. $10 for beer/benefit, food. To benefit AEF & BCEF and the Positive Resource Center.