IML 2008 Wrap

Thirty years is a very long time for anything to last and remain successful, but for three decades on Memorial Day weekend, Chicago has been flooded with the sexiest leather/fetish contest and convention on the planet. Men and women from around the globe descend on our amazing city to partake in all that is sling'd chapped(in a good way), bound, gagged, zipped and latex'd.

To help celebrate the 30th Anniversary, IML once again asked me to produce the main entertainment for the actual contest (besides the crowning of Mr. International Leather-2008) which featured an amazing concert by Erasure's ANDY BELL, as well as the two official dance parties-"The Victory Party" at Chicago's House Of Blues featuring Grammy Nominated DJ/Producer Tony Moran and" The Black And Blue Ball" at Excalibur with myself at the DJ helm for a fifth consecutive year.

Perhaps the most welcoming and embracing sector of the LGBT world, I consider myself very fortunate and honored to be a part of the IML and leather community.
Bill Stadt, the "King Of All That Is IML" and his unsurpassed army of volunteers and staff, orchestrate seven full days of seminars, outreach programs, social gatherings, shuttle buses, 100's of vendor booths, leather contests, fetish demonstrations, educational programs and community building all from their command center in the sold out twin towers of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago (not to mention the overflow guests in hotels across the city). Over 20,000 people attended this massive celebration and it's only going to get bigger and better next year.

This years "Victory Party" at House Of Blues was perhaps the best to date. My dance music idol and friend Tony Moran, in his first IML appearance, brought his stellar music library and DJ style to feed the leather crowd every last drop of his sexy bass beats and soaring vocals. To say he wants to come back next year is an understatement. A rope bound Derek de Silva enthralled the HOB audience with his suspended acrobatic muscular beauty. TITAN Video stars Dean Flynn, Diesel Washington, Rick van Sant and Marcus Ram gave us quite the stage show/"go-go" set—both on stage and in the dressing rooms…(listen, someone has to play host to all that live porn just standing there in front of me waiting to go onstage. I'm a giver that way). Everett from Leatherpost.com and Brian Mills from TITAN are a dream to work with and my own go-go sex machines Jason, Benji, German, Puppy Ken and Evin worked it OUT for hours on that stage. Phillip Bryan and the glow-in-the-dark flagging demonstration featuring a dozen volunteers not only brought back a lost art form from our community, but presented it in such a glorious, layered way-they elevated the room to a new heights of joy and visual orgasm.

"The Black And Blue Closing Party" has had many incarnations over the years. Evolving from a small gathering with two car speakers duct taped together and a couple of guys waving around flashlights in a basement back then, to a 22,000 square foot state of the art landmark club in downtown Chicago now, this night is by far my favorite event of the year. With over 2000 leather men and boys reveling in the final hours of an amazing weekend, I am honored to be the DJ for the largest gay dance party in Chicago. I can only say that your support means the world to me and to have you all there until the very end dancing and cheering makes my entire year. Tony Moran hanging out in the booth and six porn stars (or soon to be porn stars in a couple of cases) dancing ON the DJ booth in their very tight, very small underwear is only a small glimpse of how amazing the night is for me. It literally takes an army to get me to that booth on that night. Between DJ's Pete Crow, Ranny, Hector Fonseca, Plez, VanCronkhite, Billy Steele and Gordon John giving me their production work, to Michael Andrews printing Circuit MOM banners to hang everywhere and Craig Soltis-my right hand guy all weekend- making sure I was on time and organized, I am able to offer my best in a musical and visual journey. To all the well wishers stopping by the booth, thank you for helping me AMP that party UP!

A couple shout outs- ANDY BELL!!! What an amazing, professional, fun and drama free artist! He could not have been any more welcoming and accommodating to work with. Sharing his talent and gracious class, Andy not only won over legions of new fans, but I have gained a true friend in the industry. "Thank you, love. Kisses" as he would say! Please support his efforts whether through Erasure or his solo career. GARY IRIZA (Palm Springs), the new "Mr. International Leather 2008. Handsome, charming, a little dirty and such a sweet boy. I had a great time with you at Excalibur and hanging on Tuesday at Starbucks before you left. Thanks for YOUR support and best wishes for a very successful coming year for you. Don't forget to send me that little something you promised…unless of course you want to deliver in person, which is preferred. Porn hottie ROMAN HART. Announcing that you are my groupie defies all logic, but I am not one to turn down a beautiful man with a big heart. Come back and sit on my booth for hours anytime you want.

So, onward now to Chicago Gay Pride (June 28-29) and Market Days (August 8,9,10)here in Chicago. If you liked the visuals and/or music over the weekend, tell your local clubs to contact me and let's bring some Circuit MOM fun to your city! Visit the all new www.circuitmom.com for contact information.

See you soon!
DJ/Event Producer Matthew Harvat