Welcome to the home site for Mr. Midwest Leather, representing the leather community in 13 states across the American Midwest.
Preparing For IML
As the current Mr Midwest Leather, Mike Prater will be competing at IML, International Mr Leather, in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend and representing his title.
We asked Charlie Schoenherr, producer of the contest and former Mr Midwest Midwest Leather himself, about the event.
- What all is involved in preparing for International Mr Leather?
Charlie: There's a lot of preparation work. You need to brush up on your Leather knowledge, familiarize yourself with the Judges, be prepared for questions during the interviews at the contest. For instance, we stage a mock interview for Mike with a panel who ask him the sort of questions we think he can expect. I helped do a similar mock interview for Scott O'Brien, the current Mr Missouri Leather. We have past title holders take the role of judges and they use their experience from when we all were at IML.
- Is it all about history and protocol? What all do you cover in the preparation?
Charlie: Everything from the proper way to wear your leather to making sure it all fits well from head to toe. Workouts and diet come into it as well, cause you want to look your best. And the leather; everything is properly cleaned and conditioned.
- So you study up on the lore, the history, the community. And try to prepare for any sort of question that may be thrown at you. What kind of questions do you remember from your time as a contestant?
Charlie: Much of it is based off your application, such as your activities, hobbies, work for the community. That sort of thing. For instance, one judge said "I see you like to go to flea markets. What's the first question you ask a vendor when you see something you like?"
- What do you think they're trying to get from these questions?
Charlie: How well you can think on your feet, for one thing. Presenting yourself well, knowing Leather, is all important. Really, the number one thing all contestants are told, and should remember is be yourself. That's is the most important thing.
- What all will be going on?
Charlie: You really have to visit the IML site to get the full picture. There's so many events going on. But basically there's the Orientation, the Opening Ceremony, the Interview with the nine judges as a panel, the Pecs & Personality Stage Presence one night - the contestants have to answer a funny question on stage in front of the crowd - then the contest the next night.
- How do they narrow down the field with so many contestants?
Charlie: The Top 20 are announced and required to make a speech to the audience. It's quite an honor to be selected for Top 20. We're very proud of the fact that three Mr Midwest Leather's made the Top 20 in their years.
- What do you remember the most from your experience at IML?
Charlie: The special bond you have with your fellow contestants. Even after four years since I competed, I still stay in touch with my fellow class members from that contest.
We asked Charlie Schoenherr, producer of the contest and former Mr Midwest Midwest Leather himself, about the event.
- What all is involved in preparing for International Mr Leather?
Charlie: There's a lot of preparation work. You need to brush up on your Leather knowledge, familiarize yourself with the Judges, be prepared for questions during the interviews at the contest. For instance, we stage a mock interview for Mike with a panel who ask him the sort of questions we think he can expect. I helped do a similar mock interview for Scott O'Brien, the current Mr Missouri Leather. We have past title holders take the role of judges and they use their experience from when we all were at IML.
- Is it all about history and protocol? What all do you cover in the preparation?
Charlie: Everything from the proper way to wear your leather to making sure it all fits well from head to toe. Workouts and diet come into it as well, cause you want to look your best. And the leather; everything is properly cleaned and conditioned.
- So you study up on the lore, the history, the community. And try to prepare for any sort of question that may be thrown at you. What kind of questions do you remember from your time as a contestant?
Charlie: Much of it is based off your application, such as your activities, hobbies, work for the community. That sort of thing. For instance, one judge said "I see you like to go to flea markets. What's the first question you ask a vendor when you see something you like?"
- What do you think they're trying to get from these questions?
Charlie: How well you can think on your feet, for one thing. Presenting yourself well, knowing Leather, is all important. Really, the number one thing all contestants are told, and should remember is be yourself. That's is the most important thing.
- What all will be going on?
Charlie: You really have to visit the IML site to get the full picture. There's so many events going on. But basically there's the Orientation, the Opening Ceremony, the Interview with the nine judges as a panel, the Pecs & Personality Stage Presence one night - the contestants have to answer a funny question on stage in front of the crowd - then the contest the next night.
- How do they narrow down the field with so many contestants?
Charlie: The Top 20 are announced and required to make a speech to the audience. It's quite an honor to be selected for Top 20. We're very proud of the fact that three Mr Midwest Leather's made the Top 20 in their years.
- What do you remember the most from your experience at IML?
Charlie: The special bond you have with your fellow contestants. Even after four years since I competed, I still stay in touch with my fellow class members from that contest.
CLAW Nation Party : Jock Affair
Saturday, April 14, Mr Midwest Leather 2011 Mike Prater hosted the Jock Affair benefiting The Leather Archives and Doorways. The event drew guests from around the Midwest area. Over a dozen handsome and friendly men volunteered to wear jockstraps and serve drinks, food and sell raffle tickets to raise money for the two charities. Since this was a CLAW Nation event, all money raised goes to local charity.
Organizers report almost $1600 raised that evening.
The event was held at Bad Dog Bar & Grill in St. Louis, which donated the wonderful food and drink for the fundraiser. Chef Tyger Roth kept tons of food coming from the kitchen throughout the evening, including his signature watermelon tropical fruit salsa, potstickers and a host of other goodies. During the evening door prizes were awarded as well as valuable raffle prizes.
Noted pole dancer and aerial artist Ricky Phoenix performed on silks. At the end of the evening seven of the sexy volunteers got up on stage to auction off their jockstraps for charity. The jocks were donated by Bad Dog, but Sir Ryan and his boy - coming in at the last minute to replace two guys who couldn't make it - actually bought their jocks with the intention of donating them.
2012 Mr Midwest Leather Contest Set
Part of the Midwest Leather Weekend
Charlie Schoenherr, Producer of the contest, announced the dates for Mr Midwest Leather Contest 2012: Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6, 2012. The contest will be held in St. Louis, Missouri at Bad Dog Bar & Grill. "Everyone can check out the photos here on the site and hope to see you all there this year." said Charlie.
In addition to the Mr Midwest Leather Contest, there will be the Midwest Puppy Contest, produced by Bad Dog Enterprises, Inc. and Christopher Tyger Roth. The two contests as well as several other planned events will make up the Midwest Leather Weekend.
"This is a first for us and we're really excited about it. The Mr Midwest Leather Contest combined with The Midwest Puppy Contest the same weekend. The Midwest Puppy Contest will be Friday, Mr Midwest Leather Contest is Saturday night. "
In addition to the Mr Midwest Leather Contest, there will be the Midwest Puppy Contest, produced by Bad Dog Enterprises, Inc. and Christopher Tyger Roth. The two contests as well as several other planned events will make up the Midwest Leather Weekend.
"This is a first for us and we're really excited about it. The Mr Midwest Leather Contest combined with The Midwest Puppy Contest the same weekend. The Midwest Puppy Contest will be Friday, Mr Midwest Leather Contest is Saturday night. "
Mike Prater, Mr Midwest Leather 2011 On The Road
Mike Prater has been busy since he was named Mr Midwest Leather last October, 2011. You can read his continuing adventures on his blog.
Meanwhile, here's where he's been and where he's going to be:
Dec 3rd 2011 Kansas City, MO with Mr Iowa Leather and Mr Missouri Leather, playing Dirty Santas at Missie B's.
Dec 17, 2011 St Louis, MO playing Dirty Santa at Bad Dog Bar & Grill
Jan 13-16, 2012 MAL (Mid-Atlantic Leather) at Washington DC
Jan 21-22, 2012 St Louis
Jan 28, 2012 Lexington, KY fundraiser for Mr Bluegrass Leather along with Charlie Schoenherr, Mr Midwest Leather Contest Producer.
March 3-4, 2012 St Louis, MO for the Mr Missouri Leather Contest
March 10, 2012 Leather and Lace in Des Moines, IA
March 16-18, 2012 Nashville, TN for Conductors Leather Run
April 28-29, 2012 CLAW in Cleveland, OH
May 23-28, 2012 IML (International Mister Leather), Chicago, IL
His schedule is constantly updating, so check Mike's Mr Midwest Leather 2011 Blog for info.
Meanwhile, here's where he's been and where he's going to be:
Dec 3rd 2011 Kansas City, MO with Mr Iowa Leather and Mr Missouri Leather, playing Dirty Santas at Missie B's.
Dec 17, 2011 St Louis, MO playing Dirty Santa at Bad Dog Bar & Grill
Jan 13-16, 2012 MAL (Mid-Atlantic Leather) at Washington DC
Jan 21-22, 2012 St Louis
Jan 28, 2012 Lexington, KY fundraiser for Mr Bluegrass Leather along with Charlie Schoenherr, Mr Midwest Leather Contest Producer.
March 3-4, 2012 St Louis, MO for the Mr Missouri Leather Contest
March 10, 2012 Leather and Lace in Des Moines, IA
March 16-18, 2012 Nashville, TN for Conductors Leather Run
April 28-29, 2012 CLAW in Cleveland, OH
May 23-28, 2012 IML (International Mister Leather), Chicago, IL
His schedule is constantly updating, so check Mike's Mr Midwest Leather 2011 Blog for info.
