Final Countdown to 26th Annual International Mr. Leather
Tue. May 25, 2004 12:00 AM
IML to be held May 27th - May 31st in Chicago
Chicago, IL -
Following last year’s unprecedented 25th Anniversary Celebration, the world’s hottest leathermen will once again come together to compete for the title of International Mr. Leather, Thursday, May 27 through Monday, May 31, 2004 (Memorial Day Weekend) in Chicago. Rooms are still available at the official host hotel for IML 2004 – The Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. Weekend event packages are also available.
Winners from 2003 pictures above. (From left to right) - Stephen Blackwell (2nd runner up), John Pendal (International Mr. Leather 2003) and Donald Dotson (1st runner up). Photo credit: Ron Volanti Jr.
About 400 gay leathermen gathered in Chicago in 1979 for the first International Mr. Leather contest. Today, the event has grown to be an annual tradition for tens of thousands in the leather community – drawing contestants and attendees from around the globe. Once an event for “hardcore” leathermen, IML has expanded in recent years to include a more diverse crowd – from the experienced to the curious. Last year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration drew more than 10,000 leatherfolk from around the globe.
International Mr. Leather 2004 will include the following events:
26th Annual International Mr. Leather Competition presented by Miller Lite
Sunday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Congress Theatre, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
12th Annual International Mr. Bootblack Competition
Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30
Leather Market, Hyatt Regency Chicago
The Leather Market – the world’s best collection of leather/fetish vendors.
Friday, May 28 from 12 – 7 p.m., Saturday, May 29 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, May 30 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Monday, May 31 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Chicago, Lower Level
IML Opening Ceremonies presented by Leatherpost.com – Introduction of contestants and judges; drawing for contestant numbers.
Thursday, May 27 at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom
Pecs & Personality (Physique Competition) presented by InteractiveMale – IML Contestants are judged on their appearance and stage presence.
Saturday, May 29 at 9 p.m. (door open at 8 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom
Salute! (Post-Contest Celebration) – The IML family welcomes its newest members.
Sunday, May 30 after the IML Contest.
Hyatt Regency Crystal Ballroom
IML Victory Celebration Party
Sunday, May 30 after the IML Contest until 4 a.m.
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago
Black and Blue Ball presented by Leatherwerks.com – The traditional IML final blowout celebration.
Monday, May 31 from 8 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
Win Passes to the Black & Blue Ball
IML will also play host to an unprecedented 20 parties held by various clubs and organizations. Additionally, the Leather Archives & Museum will host its first-ever Casino night – Friday, May 28 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. in the Hyatt Regency Crystal Ballroom. Tickets, which cost $20, can be purchased at the LA&M booth in the Leather Market. All proceeds benefit the LA&M.
International Mr. Leather contestants are judged on a variety of criteria including community involvement, speech, presentation and overall presence. The winner of the IML 2004 Contest will receive a prize package consisting of donations from businesses and organizations supporting the leather community. Complete contestant information, including contestant applications, can be found at www.imrl.com.
John Pendal (Mr. Hoist 2003) was named International Mr. Leather 2003, winning over a field of 58 contestants from 5 countriues. Donald Dotson (Mr. Suncoast Eagle 2003) was named First Runner-up. Stephen Blackwell (Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2003) was the Second Runner-up.
The 2004 International Mr. Leather Judges include: John Pendal (London, UK), David Allen (Abbotsford, Australia), Andy Andersen (Toronto, Canada), Mary Elizabeth Boyd (Arlington, VA), George Hester (New Orleans, LA), Randie Smith (Baltimore, MD), Dan Hughes (San Jose, CA), John Weis (New York, NY) and George Wong (Montebello, CA). The 2004 IML Tally Masters include: Mel Austin (Chicago, IL) and Jeff Wirsig (Chicago, IL).
The 12th Annual International Mr. Bootblack Competition will be held Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30 in the Leather Market at The Hyatt Regency Chicago. The winner will be selected by the vote of IML Weekend Package-holders. Each paid weekend package includes a ballot for the competition that can be cast for the bootblack of the holder’s choice. The winner will be announced at the International Mr. Leather Competition on Sunday, May 30. Richie Chameroy (Daddy’s Bar/Powerhouse Bar of San Francisco, CA) was awarded International Mr. Bootblack 2003.
The Leather Market, located at Hyatt Regency Chicago, will feature the world’s biggest collection of leather/fetish vendors. More than 15,000 people visited the Market in 2003. Admission to the Leather Market is included with all Weekend Packages. For all other visitors, a suggested donation of $2.00 will benefit The Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. The $2.00 Day Pass can be purchased at the Hyatt Regency throughout the weekend. A complete list of 2003 vendors, as well as vendor applications can be found at www.imrl.com.
IML Weekend Event Packages cost $140 and include: admission to the International Mr. Leather 2004 competition, admission to all other official IML events (Opening Ceremonies, Physique Competition, Salute!, IML Victory Celebration Party and the Black and Blue Ball), free admission to the Leather Market, free shuttle bus service, an official IML 2004 t-shirt and poster plus special yearly giveaways.
IML Weekend Packages can be purchased online at www.boxofficetickets.com; by calling (800) 494-TIXS (Intl. (503) 245-0288); or via facsimile at (800) FAX-TIXS (Intl. (503) 245-0290). Weekend Packages should be picked up at the Hyatt Regency Chicago beginning Thursday, May 27 in the afternoon through Sunday, May 30.
Tickets to individual IML 2004 events are available at www.boxofficetickets.com and will be sold at The Hyatt Regency Chicago throughout IML Weekend. Single ticket prices are as follows: International Mr. Leather Competition ($40), IML Opening Ceremonies ($25), Pecs & Personality ($25) and Black and Blue Ball ($25). Please note: Single tickets to the IML Victory Celebration Party are only available through the House of Blues, by calling (312) 923-2000. Admission to Salute! is for package holders only.
The Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E Wacker Dr. in Chicago, is the host hotel for International Mr. Leather 2004. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (312) 565-1234 or (800) 233-1234 or online at www.imrl.com/eventinfo/hotels.asp. (2 night minimum).
International Mr. Leather 2004 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Wet, Folsom Street Events, Leatherpost.com, InteractiveMale and LeatherWerks.com. American Airlines is the Official Airline of IML. For fare discounts, travelers should contact American Airlines at (800) 433-1790 and identify themselves as IML attendees with Star File #A2654AB.
Winners from 2003 pictures above. (From left to right) - Stephen Blackwell (2nd runner up), John Pendal (International Mr. Leather 2003) and Donald Dotson (1st runner up). Photo credit: Ron Volanti Jr.
About 400 gay leathermen gathered in Chicago in 1979 for the first International Mr. Leather contest. Today, the event has grown to be an annual tradition for tens of thousands in the leather community – drawing contestants and attendees from around the globe. Once an event for “hardcore” leathermen, IML has expanded in recent years to include a more diverse crowd – from the experienced to the curious. Last year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration drew more than 10,000 leatherfolk from around the globe.
International Mr. Leather 2004 will include the following events:
26th Annual International Mr. Leather Competition presented by Miller Lite
Sunday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Congress Theatre, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
12th Annual International Mr. Bootblack Competition
Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30
Leather Market, Hyatt Regency Chicago
The Leather Market – the world’s best collection of leather/fetish vendors.
Friday, May 28 from 12 – 7 p.m., Saturday, May 29 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, May 30 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Monday, May 31 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Chicago, Lower Level
IML Opening Ceremonies presented by Leatherpost.com – Introduction of contestants and judges; drawing for contestant numbers.
Thursday, May 27 at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom
Pecs & Personality (Physique Competition) presented by InteractiveMale – IML Contestants are judged on their appearance and stage presence.
Saturday, May 29 at 9 p.m. (door open at 8 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom
Salute! (Post-Contest Celebration) – The IML family welcomes its newest members.
Sunday, May 30 after the IML Contest.
Hyatt Regency Crystal Ballroom
IML Victory Celebration Party
Sunday, May 30 after the IML Contest until 4 a.m.
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago
Black and Blue Ball presented by Leatherwerks.com – The traditional IML final blowout celebration.
Monday, May 31 from 8 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
Win Passes to the Black & Blue Ball
IML will also play host to an unprecedented 20 parties held by various clubs and organizations. Additionally, the Leather Archives & Museum will host its first-ever Casino night – Friday, May 28 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. in the Hyatt Regency Crystal Ballroom. Tickets, which cost $20, can be purchased at the LA&M booth in the Leather Market. All proceeds benefit the LA&M.
International Mr. Leather contestants are judged on a variety of criteria including community involvement, speech, presentation and overall presence. The winner of the IML 2004 Contest will receive a prize package consisting of donations from businesses and organizations supporting the leather community. Complete contestant information, including contestant applications, can be found at www.imrl.com.
John Pendal (Mr. Hoist 2003) was named International Mr. Leather 2003, winning over a field of 58 contestants from 5 countriues. Donald Dotson (Mr. Suncoast Eagle 2003) was named First Runner-up. Stephen Blackwell (Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2003) was the Second Runner-up.
The 2004 International Mr. Leather Judges include: John Pendal (London, UK), David Allen (Abbotsford, Australia), Andy Andersen (Toronto, Canada), Mary Elizabeth Boyd (Arlington, VA), George Hester (New Orleans, LA), Randie Smith (Baltimore, MD), Dan Hughes (San Jose, CA), John Weis (New York, NY) and George Wong (Montebello, CA). The 2004 IML Tally Masters include: Mel Austin (Chicago, IL) and Jeff Wirsig (Chicago, IL).
The 12th Annual International Mr. Bootblack Competition will be held Friday, May 28 through Sunday, May 30 in the Leather Market at The Hyatt Regency Chicago. The winner will be selected by the vote of IML Weekend Package-holders. Each paid weekend package includes a ballot for the competition that can be cast for the bootblack of the holder’s choice. The winner will be announced at the International Mr. Leather Competition on Sunday, May 30. Richie Chameroy (Daddy’s Bar/Powerhouse Bar of San Francisco, CA) was awarded International Mr. Bootblack 2003.
The Leather Market, located at Hyatt Regency Chicago, will feature the world’s biggest collection of leather/fetish vendors. More than 15,000 people visited the Market in 2003. Admission to the Leather Market is included with all Weekend Packages. For all other visitors, a suggested donation of $2.00 will benefit The Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. The $2.00 Day Pass can be purchased at the Hyatt Regency throughout the weekend. A complete list of 2003 vendors, as well as vendor applications can be found at www.imrl.com.
IML Weekend Event Packages cost $140 and include: admission to the International Mr. Leather 2004 competition, admission to all other official IML events (Opening Ceremonies, Physique Competition, Salute!, IML Victory Celebration Party and the Black and Blue Ball), free admission to the Leather Market, free shuttle bus service, an official IML 2004 t-shirt and poster plus special yearly giveaways.
IML Weekend Packages can be purchased online at www.boxofficetickets.com; by calling (800) 494-TIXS (Intl. (503) 245-0288); or via facsimile at (800) FAX-TIXS (Intl. (503) 245-0290). Weekend Packages should be picked up at the Hyatt Regency Chicago beginning Thursday, May 27 in the afternoon through Sunday, May 30.
Tickets to individual IML 2004 events are available at www.boxofficetickets.com and will be sold at The Hyatt Regency Chicago throughout IML Weekend. Single ticket prices are as follows: International Mr. Leather Competition ($40), IML Opening Ceremonies ($25), Pecs & Personality ($25) and Black and Blue Ball ($25). Please note: Single tickets to the IML Victory Celebration Party are only available through the House of Blues, by calling (312) 923-2000. Admission to Salute! is for package holders only.
The Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E Wacker Dr. in Chicago, is the host hotel for International Mr. Leather 2004. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (312) 565-1234 or (800) 233-1234 or online at www.imrl.com/eventinfo/hotels.asp. (2 night minimum).
International Mr. Leather 2004 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Wet, Folsom Street Events, Leatherpost.com, InteractiveMale and LeatherWerks.com. American Airlines is the Official Airline of IML. For fare discounts, travelers should contact American Airlines at (800) 433-1790 and identify themselves as IML attendees with Star File #A2654AB.