Mike Prater of Evansville, IN, Mr Midwest Leather 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011 Mike Prater of Evansville, Indiana , was named Mr Midwest Leather 2011 at Bad Dog Bar & Grill in St. Louis, Missouri.
Shown above Mike (above left), with first runner-up Aaron Laxton from St. Louis (above center) and second runner-up Rick Hulvey from St. Louis (above right).
Contest producer Charlie Schoenherr (left, placing medallion on Mike Prater) reports the event was a big success, drawing a crowd of 300 with many visitors from surrounding states.
The prestigious judging panel said it was a hard decision between the candidates, all of whom were very well qualified and well-representative of the community.
Masters of ceremony Tyger Roth and DJ Kaiser kept the evening moving smoothly. Tally Master Mark Bozif and judge runner Pup Tron kept the judges scores in order, while Den Daddy O. John Groebl and Bootblack Sparkie made certain the contestants performed at their best.
Philip Hitchcock, Mr Midwest Leather 2010 was a judge, and also made his step-down speech. Chester Munro of The Leather Archives, Chicago, was on hand to receive the original Mr Midwest Leather sash, donated for the Archives Collections. Chester was also presented the 2011 Mr Midwest Leather Honorary Award for his work on behalf of the Leather Community.
Intermission included pole dancing by Ricky Phoenix and a demo of fire flogging by Bo. In addition, a silent auction, jello shots and a raffle raised money.
For a complete report on the evening, check out this article in the Vital Voice Magazine.
Visit the 2011 Contest Photos page to see everything.
Shown above Mike (above left), with first runner-up Aaron Laxton from St. Louis (above center) and second runner-up Rick Hulvey from St. Louis (above right).
Contest producer Charlie Schoenherr (left, placing medallion on Mike Prater) reports the event was a big success, drawing a crowd of 300 with many visitors from surrounding states.
The prestigious judging panel said it was a hard decision between the candidates, all of whom were very well qualified and well-representative of the community.
Masters of ceremony Tyger Roth and DJ Kaiser kept the evening moving smoothly. Tally Master Mark Bozif and judge runner Pup Tron kept the judges scores in order, while Den Daddy O. John Groebl and Bootblack Sparkie made certain the contestants performed at their best.
Philip Hitchcock, Mr Midwest Leather 2010 was a judge, and also made his step-down speech. Chester Munro of The Leather Archives, Chicago, was on hand to receive the original Mr Midwest Leather sash, donated for the Archives Collections. Chester was also presented the 2011 Mr Midwest Leather Honorary Award for his work on behalf of the Leather Community.
Intermission included pole dancing by Ricky Phoenix and a demo of fire flogging by Bo. In addition, a silent auction, jello shots and a raffle raised money.
For a complete report on the evening, check out this article in the Vital Voice Magazine.
Visit the 2011 Contest Photos page to see everything.
Masters of Ceremony
Christopher Tyger Roth, MC
Christopher Roth or Tyger or Papa Wolf as he is known by those close
to him, has been active in the community since the early 80’s. Growing
up in Dayton OH, then moving to Houston TX and finally landing in
Saint Louis in 1999 where he took his activity in the community to all
new levels. Active in and worked with such groups as the Texas Gay
Rodeo Association where he was an officer at both the local and state
level. National Leather Association, PFLAG, Pride Saint Louis, and a
regular volunteer for events with Saint Louis Effort For AIDS,
MPowerment, PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) among others. He also
enjoys riding his 2 motorcycles and takes his love for biking to the
level of being a motorcycle medic in the Rescue Riders and Road
Guardians Motorcycle Groups. He also runs the Memphis Fur Meet, a Furry
Science Fiction Convention in Memphis TN Labor Day weekend.
Tyger and his partner and pup Tron are the happy parents of 3 monster
dogs and is part of the management team at the Bad Dog Bar & Grill in
Saint Louis, MO where he handles the event coordination and also
oversees daily operation of the Bad Dog Grill. He and Tron most
recently started the Saint Louis Puppy Patrol for those who are puppy
and pet at heart.
to him, has been active in the community since the early 80’s. Growing
up in Dayton OH, then moving to Houston TX and finally landing in
Saint Louis in 1999 where he took his activity in the community to all
new levels. Active in and worked with such groups as the Texas Gay
Rodeo Association where he was an officer at both the local and state
level. National Leather Association, PFLAG, Pride Saint Louis, and a
regular volunteer for events with Saint Louis Effort For AIDS,
MPowerment, PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) among others. He also
enjoys riding his 2 motorcycles and takes his love for biking to the
level of being a motorcycle medic in the Rescue Riders and Road
Guardians Motorcycle Groups. He also runs the Memphis Fur Meet, a Furry
Science Fiction Convention in Memphis TN Labor Day weekend.
Tyger and his partner and pup Tron are the happy parents of 3 monster
dogs and is part of the management team at the Bad Dog Bar & Grill in
Saint Louis, MO where he handles the event coordination and also
oversees daily operation of the Bad Dog Grill. He and Tron most
recently started the Saint Louis Puppy Patrol for those who are puppy
and pet at heart.
DJ Kaiser, MC
DJ Kaiser is the current Mr. Missouri Leather (2011) and at International Mr. Leather XXXIII (2011) he placed 9th out of 53 competitors.
He is currently an Assistant Professor at Webster University in the School of Education and is finishing his doctorate in Comparative Literature and Drama at Washington University in St. Louis. Under his penname DJ Sanders, he is active in the St. Louis theatre community as a Kevin Kline judge, is a playwright and translator, and recently was on stage in The Baltimore Waltz with Muddy Waters Theatre.
He is the founder of the Bad Boys of St. Louis, which promotes healthy exploration of sexuality for men interested in other men. Kaiser has also been very involved in the pansexual BDSM community and advocates for building bridges between different communities and promoting Trans inclusion. He is perhaps best known for his rope skills and that devilish look in his eyes.
He is currently an Assistant Professor at Webster University in the School of Education and is finishing his doctorate in Comparative Literature and Drama at Washington University in St. Louis. Under his penname DJ Sanders, he is active in the St. Louis theatre community as a Kevin Kline judge, is a playwright and translator, and recently was on stage in The Baltimore Waltz with Muddy Waters Theatre.
He is the founder of the Bad Boys of St. Louis, which promotes healthy exploration of sexuality for men interested in other men. Kaiser has also been very involved in the pansexual BDSM community and advocates for building bridges between different communities and promoting Trans inclusion. He is perhaps best known for his rope skills and that devilish look in his eyes.
Judges for the Mr Midwest Leather Contest 2011
The Mr Midwest Leather Contest would like to thank our judges for volunteering their valuable time for this event.
Mama
"Mama " Sandy Reinhardt has been in the Leather community for 20 years & very active in the fundraising arena for most of those, including her annual Breast Cancer Emergency Fund Dinner's, Leather Walk for The Aids Emergency Fund & Breast Cancer, & her toy drives for Camp Sunburst "Kid's living with HIV-AIDS." She has judged countless local, regional, and international contests from every walk of the LGBT community. Her accolades include SF Pride Grand Marshal, proclamations from City, Counties & State officials, The John Stephen Bassett Leather Pride Award and The Harvey Milk Award. Mama is respected and revered most for her ability to galvanize and motivate her international Family with her best known philosophies of " We are Family" and "Manner's respect." Mama's Family has over 1000 Family Members across the US, Canada, France, and Germany who together help raise over $2,000,000 annually for non-profit organizations.
Karen Crecelius
The illegitimate love child of Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker, Karen Crecelius was first runner up to Ms World Leather 2004. She has traveled extensively with her boy Michael; talking incessantly to anyone and everyone about the HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials. They’ve traveled coast to coast; and attended many events and runs; presenting at some, speaking at others, and recruiting for the vaccine trials at ALL of them.
She is a founding member of NLA-I Philadelphia, an Associate Member of The Men of Onyx as well as a member of Mama’s Family and the “Middle Aged Guard( thanks to Laura Antoniou). She was honored to be a part of the illustrious contestant wrangler crew at IML. She received the Pantheon of Leather President’s Choice Award in February of 06. Last year she was Judge’s Coordinator for IML. This year she was the MC at IML.
She has judged at Great Plains Olympus, Mr. Cleveland Leather, OLA, and SouthEast Leatherfest, ICBB 06, Southwest Bootblack 07 and Mr. Missouri Leather 07 and is Head Judge Emeritus for Mr. Ohio Leather. Having had the privilege of MCing MLT for two years she was thrilled to be asked to judge.
The loves of her life are her partner boy and spouse Michael; The Best Boy in the Whole Wide World, and her daughter.
She heads a Leather Family founded on the traditions of Honor and Service; Responsibility and Duty.
She is a founding member of NLA-I Philadelphia, an Associate Member of The Men of Onyx as well as a member of Mama’s Family and the “Middle Aged Guard( thanks to Laura Antoniou). She was honored to be a part of the illustrious contestant wrangler crew at IML. She received the Pantheon of Leather President’s Choice Award in February of 06. Last year she was Judge’s Coordinator for IML. This year she was the MC at IML.
She has judged at Great Plains Olympus, Mr. Cleveland Leather, OLA, and SouthEast Leatherfest, ICBB 06, Southwest Bootblack 07 and Mr. Missouri Leather 07 and is Head Judge Emeritus for Mr. Ohio Leather. Having had the privilege of MCing MLT for two years she was thrilled to be asked to judge.
The loves of her life are her partner boy and spouse Michael; The Best Boy in the Whole Wide World, and her daughter.
She heads a Leather Family founded on the traditions of Honor and Service; Responsibility and Duty.
Terry Laupp, Mr. Missouri Leather 2010
Terry has been involved in the leather community since 2005. His introduction was his inclusion in the Men of Freddie’s Calendar. Since that experience he had the desire to give back and serve the LGBT community. He competed in Mr. Midwest Leather 2008 and went on to enter Mr. Missouri Leather were he won the title in 2010. He went on to compete at International Mr. Leather 2010, were he represented the men of Missouri with Pride and Honor. Since winning the title he has been involved in fundraising efforts, Judging and emceeing leather events and traveling around the state of Missouri promoting the leather lifestyle. He is a co-founder of The Black and Lou Pride Fetish Ball that made its debut this past June and looks to be a yearly event kicking off St. Louis Pridefest.
For the 2009 Pridefest Parade Terry and Chad, his husband, created the “St. Louis Balloon Brigade”, a fundraising effort benefiting PAWS. That first year included over 1200 balloons, this past Pridefest the Brigade boasted over 10,000 balloons. He is a volunteer for EFA’s Dining Out For Life, Food Outreach’s “A Tasteful Affair”, the Susan G Komen for the Cure and Circus Flora – St. Louis’ beloved one-ring European-style circus.
Terry is a native Saint Louisian and is a graphic designer for a local advertising agency. The answer to the infamous St. Louis question is he went to Lutheran High School North. On February 18th, 2011 Terry and Chad took the Marriage Bus to Iowa were they officially tied the knot. They currently reside in southwest city with their two cats, Tillie and O’Malley, and their bird, Ricky.
For the 2009 Pridefest Parade Terry and Chad, his husband, created the “St. Louis Balloon Brigade”, a fundraising effort benefiting PAWS. That first year included over 1200 balloons, this past Pridefest the Brigade boasted over 10,000 balloons. He is a volunteer for EFA’s Dining Out For Life, Food Outreach’s “A Tasteful Affair”, the Susan G Komen for the Cure and Circus Flora – St. Louis’ beloved one-ring European-style circus.
Terry is a native Saint Louisian and is a graphic designer for a local advertising agency. The answer to the infamous St. Louis question is he went to Lutheran High School North. On February 18th, 2011 Terry and Chad took the Marriage Bus to Iowa were they officially tied the knot. They currently reside in southwest city with their two cats, Tillie and O’Malley, and their bird, Ricky.
Philip Hitchcock, Mr Midwest Leather 2010
Philip Hitchcock began his journey in the leather community in 1993. As an artist living in Los Angeles, he was making lifesize, male erotic sculpture depicting kink, crucifixion, and bondage. When Durk Dehner, founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation, invited him to exhibit at the annual erotic arts weekend, Hitchcock found the audience and fellowship he had been looking for.
In 2012, Hitchcock's work will be featured in a solo exhibition at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. His work is part of the permanent collection at Saint Louis University Museum of Art and may also be seen at http://www.philiphitchcock.com or in the book he authored Dark Impressions: The Art of Philip Hitchcock
Hitchcock opened PHD Gallery in St. Louis in 2007. He established it not only as a progressive visual arts venue, but as one which bolstered the visibility of the LGBT community. Past exhibitions have highlighted the broad diversity of the queer community featuring national artists including Tom Bianchi (Memories of Fire Island), Loren Rex Cameron (Transgender Photography), Jeff Palmer and David Vance (male nudes), Tom of Finland (Original Drawings) and his own life-size, male erotic sculpture. The gallery has received numerous accolades from various media including New York Times, Post Dispatch, Riverfront Times, St. Louis Magazine and Vital Voice
As this year's Mr. Midwest Leather, Hitchcock used his title to raise money for local charities including the Metropolitan Community Church, Project Ark, Growing American Youth, and the Tom of Finland Foundation. In collaboration with local businesses, he demonstrated "live" on stage bodycasting to create erotic art for auction. He is also the "pin up" model for the 18 month Mr. Midwest Calendar produced as a benefit for the Tom of Finland Foundation. In February of 2011 he was named by THE ADVOCATE MAGAZINE by occupation & leather title as a primary reason for St. Louis being named among America’s 10 Gayest Cities. Hitchcock competed in Chicago's 33rd International Mr. Leather Contest in May, 2011 and placed in the top 20 with an overall ranking of 15. He is a member of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights Campaign.
In 2012, Hitchcock's work will be featured in a solo exhibition at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago. His work is part of the permanent collection at Saint Louis University Museum of Art and may also be seen at http://www.philiphitchcock.com or in the book he authored Dark Impressions: The Art of Philip Hitchcock
Hitchcock opened PHD Gallery in St. Louis in 2007. He established it not only as a progressive visual arts venue, but as one which bolstered the visibility of the LGBT community. Past exhibitions have highlighted the broad diversity of the queer community featuring national artists including Tom Bianchi (Memories of Fire Island), Loren Rex Cameron (Transgender Photography), Jeff Palmer and David Vance (male nudes), Tom of Finland (Original Drawings) and his own life-size, male erotic sculpture. The gallery has received numerous accolades from various media including New York Times, Post Dispatch, Riverfront Times, St. Louis Magazine and Vital Voice
As this year's Mr. Midwest Leather, Hitchcock used his title to raise money for local charities including the Metropolitan Community Church, Project Ark, Growing American Youth, and the Tom of Finland Foundation. In collaboration with local businesses, he demonstrated "live" on stage bodycasting to create erotic art for auction. He is also the "pin up" model for the 18 month Mr. Midwest Calendar produced as a benefit for the Tom of Finland Foundation. In February of 2011 he was named by THE ADVOCATE MAGAZINE by occupation & leather title as a primary reason for St. Louis being named among America’s 10 Gayest Cities. Hitchcock competed in Chicago's 33rd International Mr. Leather Contest in May, 2011 and placed in the top 20 with an overall ranking of 15. He is a member of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights Campaign.
Mike Pagano, Mr. Iowa Leather 2011
Mike Pagano, Mr. Iowa Leather 2011, is a Southern boy who found himself transplanted to the glorious Midwest eight years ago. A Des Moines resident, Mike works as a marketing manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, where one of his jobs is creating national campaigns to support Wells Fargo’s LGBT outreach efforts. When not at work, Mike devotes much of his time to fundraising for his favorite charities, especially One Iowa, the organization at the forefront of the marriage equality initiative in the state. Thanks to One Iowa’s efforts, Mike was able to legally marry his partner Allyn Dixon on July 3, 2010.
During his title year, Mike is working to raise general awareness about the leather/fetish community, especially among people in their 20’s and 30’s who represent leather’s future. To meet this end, he has traveled the state speaking to young people interested in leather. In November 2010, he conducted a live fetish demo onstage in Des Moines with his idol, leather porn icon Michael Brandon. Mike also donned his full leather to host Des Moines’ Sweet Equality benefit which brought the gay and straight communities together to raise over $25,000 for One Iowa’s ongoing fight for gay marriage.
Mike is honored to be one of 7 contestants from the Midwest to make the Top 20 at International Mr. Leather 2011, eventually placing 6th overall. He is proud to be judging Mr. Midwest Leather this year, and he strongly believes that fellowship between Midwestern leather communities plays an essential part in keeping leather alive and well here in the Heartland.
During his title year, Mike is working to raise general awareness about the leather/fetish community, especially among people in their 20’s and 30’s who represent leather’s future. To meet this end, he has traveled the state speaking to young people interested in leather. In November 2010, he conducted a live fetish demo onstage in Des Moines with his idol, leather porn icon Michael Brandon. Mike also donned his full leather to host Des Moines’ Sweet Equality benefit which brought the gay and straight communities together to raise over $25,000 for One Iowa’s ongoing fight for gay marriage.
Mike is honored to be one of 7 contestants from the Midwest to make the Top 20 at International Mr. Leather 2011, eventually placing 6th overall. He is proud to be judging Mr. Midwest Leather this year, and he strongly believes that fellowship between Midwestern leather communities plays an essential part in keeping leather alive and well here in the Heartland.
Mr Midwest Leather Contest 2011 Volunteer Staff
Mark Bozif, Talley Master
Mark Bozif, is a recipient of the 2006 Washington State Leather Emerald Award , the 2005 Midwest Pantheon Leather Award, and was Mr. Missouri Leather 2003.
He resides in St. Louis, Missouri, but travels throughout the country with work and play. Mark teaches classes on the subjects of: S&M 101/102, Bondage, Electric Pay, Fire Play, and Impact play. He is a member of the Seattle Men in Leather, Hellfire Club (Chicago), Fetish Lifestyle Open Group (FLOG), an Honorary Member of Gateway MC (St. Louis), and a voting member of the Leather Archives and Museum. He has judged numerous feeder contests throughout the years for Mr. International Leather, International Leather Sir/boy, and American Brotherhood Weekend.
He resides in St. Louis, Missouri, but travels throughout the country with work and play. Mark teaches classes on the subjects of: S&M 101/102, Bondage, Electric Pay, Fire Play, and Impact play. He is a member of the Seattle Men in Leather, Hellfire Club (Chicago), Fetish Lifestyle Open Group (FLOG), an Honorary Member of Gateway MC (St. Louis), and a voting member of the Leather Archives and Museum. He has judged numerous feeder contests throughout the years for Mr. International Leather, International Leather Sir/boy, and American Brotherhood Weekend.
Tron Carner, Judges Runner
Tron Carner or Bunnypup is new to the community. Growing up abroad,
then moving to Newport News VA and finally landing in Saint Louis in
2011 to be with his partner and alpha Christopher "Tyger" Roth. He
also enjoys riding with his partner on his motorcycles and volunteers
as staff for the Mephit Fur Meet, a Furry Science Fiction Convention
in Memphis TN Labor Day weekend. Tron and his partner and alpha Tyger
are the happy parents of 3 monster dogs and is part of the management
team at the Bad Dog Bar & Grill in Saint Louis, MO where he handles
the clean up and daily operation of the Bad Dog Grill. He and Tyger
most recently started the Saint Louis Puppy Patrol for those who are
puppy and pet at heart.
then moving to Newport News VA and finally landing in Saint Louis in
2011 to be with his partner and alpha Christopher "Tyger" Roth. He
also enjoys riding with his partner on his motorcycles and volunteers
as staff for the Mephit Fur Meet, a Furry Science Fiction Convention
in Memphis TN Labor Day weekend. Tron and his partner and alpha Tyger
are the happy parents of 3 monster dogs and is part of the management
team at the Bad Dog Bar & Grill in Saint Louis, MO where he handles
the clean up and daily operation of the Bad Dog Grill. He and Tyger
most recently started the Saint Louis Puppy Patrol for those who are
puppy and pet at heart.
O. John Groebl, Den Daddy
This is O. John's second year to serve as Den Daddy. He is a native St. Lousian, but spent 14 years in San Francisco and was active in community service and leather community in the Bay Area. He is a founding member of the Castro Lions Club, the first openly LGBT Lions club in the world. Upon returning to St. Louis in 1997 he was active in the South Grand neighborhoods and house tours and restored a historic home in the Tower Grove East neighborhood.
Now living on four acres of land in Jefferson County, he enjoys more privacy and is active in the nudist community in St. Louis. He is an avid collector of nude male art. O. John is heavily tattooed and always looking for new ink ideas to add to his skin. O. John is pleased to have donated the spanking bench in the event's silent auction. He built the bench himself and it has been lovingly used. OUCH!!!!!!
Now living on four acres of land in Jefferson County, he enjoys more privacy and is active in the nudist community in St. Louis. He is an avid collector of nude male art. O. John is heavily tattooed and always looking for new ink ideas to add to his skin. O. John is pleased to have donated the spanking bench in the event's silent auction. He built the bench himself and it has been lovingly used. OUCH!!!!!!
Sparkie, Bootblack
Sparkies' love of Bootblacking began with a love of leather and watching the shoeshine's in airports while he traveled with Americorps. At age 21 he went to the Triangle in Denver and met his first leatherman bootblack, Paksten (IMrBB01), and in SF he got his hands dirty by learning the basics from and did his first public practice of the art with "Driller" (IMrBB07) at Dore Ally 01. Bootblacking and learning different styles of the work is his passion .
In 2005 he settled in St Louis Mo, and has been the bootblack for multiple contests bars, events, and organizations. In 2008 he was first runner up for IMrBB and plans to run again in 2012. Sparkie is a proud member of the BootBlack Brigade and of Mama's Family! He is proud to be the Bootblack at the Mr Midwest Leather Contest 2011!
In 2005 he settled in St Louis Mo, and has been the bootblack for multiple contests bars, events, and organizations. In 2008 he was first runner up for IMrBB and plans to run again in 2012. Sparkie is a proud member of the BootBlack Brigade and of Mama's Family! He is proud to be the Bootblack at the Mr Midwest Leather Contest 2011!
Thank you to our sponsors:
We'd like to again thank the sponsors for the 2011 Mr Midwest Leather Contest, without whose support this would not have been such a successful event.
Our Premier Sponsor, Recon
Bad Dog Bar and Grill
www.baddogstl.com
Bo & tink
Le Chateau Exotique
www.FetishWear.com
Cheap Trx
www.cheaptrx.com
Fran Ann Ingraving
www.franann.com
Gringo Jones Imports
www.GringoJonesImports.org
Van Goghz Martini Bar and Bistro
www.vangoghz.com
