Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2011 Judges!!!

Rawhide-NYC and LEATHERFirst-NYC Are pleased to announce the judges for the 2011 Mr. Rawhide-NYC Competition. We are honored to have them involved in this event. Stay tuned for additions, and updates.

The Judges for the Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2011 Competition are as follows:

1. DARRELL. B. PERRY, Judge Emeritus



Darrell B. Perry (Darrellblackandblue) has been active in the New York Leather scene since 1990. He has been a member of GMSMA and has been co-founder or founding member of some of the New York area's most influential leatherclubs including Brothers In Leather and Masters & slaves Together, NY. He was a Secretary for the NY Panthers Leatherclub. He was an on-air host of WBAI-NY's OutFM and was a co-president of the station's Local Area Board. He has served as an editor on the magazine Black Leather in Color and worked in various capacities for New York's all-club charity, Leather Pride Night. Darrell also produces a leather-themed play-party called Darrell’s Dungeon; a daytime sex party called Hot Lunch, NY and is building a network of interconnected web-based businesses to serve the leather and gay communities at DarrellsDungeon.com.


2. STEVE RANGER



Steve Ranger, President of the Centaur Motorcycle Club, chair of the Mid-Atlantic Leather contest for the past 5 years, Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2005 and Mr. Double L 2004, has been involved in the leather community for 19 years. He usually can be found as a patron, volunteer, den daddy or judge at leather community events. A firm believer that we must speak together to be heard, Steve is a member of these organizations which advocate for the leather and broader GLBT community: the Leather Archives & Museum, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the Human Rights Campaign. Steve's community involvement extends beyond leather and politics. He actively supports the efforts of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association, the Sussex County (Delaware) HIV/AIDS Wellness Clinic, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, and the outreach program of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC. He enjoys scuba diving (he is a Dive Master and Master Diver), working out, the beach, camping, hiking, whitewater rafting, and traveling. Steve and his husband, Dan Patton, have made a home in DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood for 18 years.

3. DOC. HOSKINS JR.



“Doc” Hoskins Jr. is the Leatherman of Color for 2007, a Founder of ONYX New York , a board member of Folsom Street East and a member of NY’s Leather Pride Night. He has and continues to participate in a multitude of fund raising events for the LGBT community at large, C.L.A.W. Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend and wherever his volunteer services can be most useful around the country. He is the Producer of the Leatherman of Color contest and a recipient of the Mufasa Lion’s award, one of the highest awards that can be given to an ONYX member for outstanding achievement for exemplifying the epitome of a man of color in the ONYX ranks.

He is also a Master’s Division boxer, trainer, poet, computer technician by trade and a self published author of THE PUGILIST: Erotic Boxing Adventures. He is currently working on his next three novels simultaneously and is a spokes model for Rubio Leather in New York .



4. DAME AMANDA

BIO and PIC COMING SOON!

5. JOE ZASO, Celebrity Guest Judge!



Joe Zaso has been producing and acting in horror films to the point where he has been crowned "Horror Himbo," "Scream King," and "Gore Male."  He has acted in the States and in Europe in such movies as "BARRICADE," "BEAST," "BRAINCELL," "DARKNESS SURROUNDS ROBERTA," "DEMONIUM," "NIKOS THE IMPALER," and "5 DEAD ON THE CRIMSON CANVAS."  He has acted on episodes of "ALL MY CHILDREN" and has appeared as The New Jersey Devil in promos for the famed New Jersey hockey team.  He has also done print work for Legal Seafood.  He is also known for his modeling work.  On February 1, Lions Gate released on DVD "VIRUS X" starring Joe along with the legendary Sybil Danning. Joe is also in preproduction to star in the upcoming "AMONGST THE LIVING"

6. ERIC PRIDE




Sir Eric Pride heads, together with his wife Lady Christie, a structured lifestyle household in New York. The primary focus of the household is on integrating healthy power-exchange dynamics into daily life and to provide guidance, training, and support for its individuals. He enjoys consensual S&M, blogs on different aspects of the lifestyle, and gives presentations on structured living and S&M.

Sir Eric is a founding member and an instructor at the Master/slave Development Center, an educational group for Masters and slaves.

He is the founder of NYC Kinky Living (NYCKL) and the producer of the workshop series “Creating and Living Positive BDSM Lifestyle Relationships.”

Sir Eric is a member of MAsT: Metro NY, TES, and NCSF.

His blog is available at: http://ericpride.blogspot.com

For more information, please contact Sir Eric directly at eric.pride@gmail.com or on FetLife at http://fetlife.com/users/87910

7. Renard Latour

Renard is an Old Guard leatherman who's been around since Rawhide-NYC first opened its doors in 1979. He wears his leather with pride.

Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2011 Applications Now Available!

Are you Man enough? Then prove it! Email rawhidenyc@yahoo.com and request an application to compete to be Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2011!



Not only will the titleholder be the spokesman for NYC's Original Leather/Levi bar, but he will also receive an amazing prize package!

So come on, fill out the application!

First Announcement! Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2011!

That's right folks! On March 11th-13th, the Mr. Rawhide-NYC competition returns to rip up the strip and leave the masses begging for more! After last years zany craziness, we are working hard to outdo ourselves yet again! Judges and staff are being solidified, and contestant applications will be available in November! As an added bonus, this year participants will be involved with an internet web series chronicling the entire event! So check back here regularly for updates.

Mr. Rawhde-NYC Colin Steele!!!

Please join me in welcoming Colin Steele as Mr. Rawhide-NYC 2010. Originally first runner up for the title, Colin is gracious enough to take the reigns after unfortunate events led the original winner to step down.

On behalf of Rawhide-NYC, I am excited and pleased to be working with Colin to make this year a fun and memorable one. Check back here for updates, including info on Colin's celebration party which will be announced soon.

Reflections on The First- From The Producer

It is now a week since the weekend of the First Ever Mr. Rawhide-NYC Competition took place in New York City, and now, that the dust has settled, it is with fond memories that I write this.

When I first began to formulate the contest itself, I wanted, most definitely, to be true to both Rawhide, my favorite Leather bar, Anywhere, (The first one I actually ever entered), as well as enhance and bring something new to the New York City Leather scene. Sounds simple enough, no? Not quite, but the result was something I am very proud of. This was the first time that anything on the scale of the contest was ever attempted or completed at Rawhide, and I realized that I was bringing in a breed and look to the bar that has been away from the bar in force for too long. I also realize that many of the bar patrons had no idea what was coming to them. Several thought that the simple funny on-stage question served double duty as the interviews themselves.

The Four Contestants were and are all amazing individuals, representing a great cross-section of the Leather Community. The each have an enormous heart, and were put through the ringer by our judging panel. (The interviews themselves held Sat am and into the early afternoon were crazy, I know, having been in them myself several times as both a judge and contestant.) I can not say anything negative about any of the contestants. Ryan, Colin, Jason and Paul are each awesome men, and did an amazing job!

For the judging panel of the event, I wanted a cross-section of the NYC Leather Community as well. Along the theme of "going back to basics" I chose carefully, individuals who I felt had an impact on the City's Leather History. Hence the inclusion of MAsT NY Coordinator and Iron Guard (The Longest Running Leather Patch Club) President Master Tip, Former President of the now defunct GMSMA Grant Anderson, Panthers founder Head Judge Darrell Perry, and The LeatherMan Inc's own Cirr Tone. For the remaining judges I went to last years Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Kip Hollar, whom I know would be a tough sell for the contestants and keep them on their toes, Morgaine, representing the female Leather Community, and to add a kick and flair I wanted a porn star, whom I found in Mike Dreyden. All of these judges come from different perspectives and are on their own journies, but all had one thing in mind: To pick the First ever Mr. Rawhide-NYC. In fact two of the judges, Grant and Darrell, are in face regulars at the bar itself, and it was great to have them included. For the rest of the staff I wrangled Spanky and Damian, from NJ to serve as TallyMasters, Fenix to be the Judgesboy (and he ROcked), and Hilary, who is the ultimate Den Daddy. Spinning tunes was NYC famed DJ Baker.

Of course, an event like this, in a bar like Rawhide, needs its ringmaster, and who better in NYC than Will Clark himself? It was a no brainer.

As is always the case, especially when you do a first time event, sometimes Shite happens, and you just have to deal with it, the best that you can. On Saturday, the heavens opened and the monsoonal winds and rain pelted 8th Avenue. It didn't look good. But what can you do? You just move on. While setting up the staging area and the bar the event had its first Streaker Stripper Dancer lol (How I wish there was a picture, and no, it wasn't pretty lol) but we moved on. The Sound system's speakers began failing and the Singer, unhappy with the sound equipment, opted to not sing. Sad, but we move on, and it was awesome that Chicago GoGo Star Ray Daniels was there to step right on in. I have always said that Rawhide would be great with Hairy Strippers and Dancers, and Ray Daniels proved me Right! Again, we just moved on right ahead.

The crowd that came to the event was nothing short of exhilerating. Titleholders from The Eagle and even THE LURE were on hand, along with NJ Titleholders, and LeatherMen from the Eastern Coast. It was such an amazing thing to experience, and I was honored that they all came and had a fun time.

Of course, I need to mention the bar itself, and the workers there. One of the most amazing aspect of Rawhide is that, yes, it's a very intimidating looking place. The One Way Windows, the layers of Leather that must be passed through to enter the bar itself, the lighting, are all typical Leather, but what sets, in my opinion, the bar itself from other Leather bars, are the people behind the bar itself. For those who dare enter Rawhide (often times in spite of rumblings from the Chelsea gays and other Leather folk themselves, the people who are behind the bar go out of their way to make you feel at home. I was so delighted that Mike, Cliff, and Helen were behind the bar. They were simply awesome. Anytime you hear Mike's laugh, or see Cliff smile, or Helen grin, you can't help but feel uplifted, and the three of them went out of their way to make sure that ALL felt welcome. And it showed!!!

Now, onto the sponsors. It was an honor to have The LeatherMan, Inc. create such a classic design for the sash and patch. They are a work of Art. Steel Gym, with their amazing donation of a year membership (over $1000), was nothing less than spectacular. The Black Party, Nasty Pig,Darrell's Dungeon, The NY Bondage Club, Rainbows and Triangles, MyLady's Toys, each of these sponsors must be thanked over and over again for their generous contribution to our little event, and I hope that they will be involved in the years to come, as already, things are underway for next year's contest.

As for the near future of the bar itself, many exciting things are happening SOON! There is going to be a New Web Blog for the bar itself, right here on Blogger, as well as a Facebook Page. Tuesday Nights will be Harness Night, with Drink Specials to those who don their Harnesses (with Cliff Behind the bar), Rawhide will hopefully be making their first appearance in the Annual Pride Parade in June, and Coming in MAY, the first of the new monthly Leather/Fetish Parties (name still being settled upon) will kick off the new era of the bar itself.

I will be working with Jay, the amazing owner, closely on all of these events and activities. I will also be working closely with our first Titleholder, Ryan, to make sure he has a successful year as the first Mr. Rawhide NYC.

In Peace and Leather

Justin John Costello
Producer, Mr. Rawhide-NYC.

PS. STOP BY THE BAR AND GET A DRINK OR TWO.

One Day More!!!! Last Minute Details and The Contestant Deadline has been extended!

Hey everyone, it's just one more day until the first ever Mr. Rawhide Competition!!!! I can't wait to see you all at this crazy event. Just a reminder of the who's who and what's what...also, we are opening the doors for contestant applications until 8:45pm TOMORROW NIGHT!!!! So if you want to compete for the amazing prize package below, and the chance to be the FIRST ever Leather titleholder for NYC's OLDEST Leather/Levi Bar, you can stop at the bar and fill out the application right there!

The event itself consists of a Meet and Greet on Friday Night beginning at 9:00pm at the bar. The Contest itself is from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, again at the bar. Food will be served, and the event is FREE!!!! Also, stick around for the Victory Party Sat night beginning at 9:00pm Sharp! And be a part of History in the making!

The judging panel for the event is as follows:

Darrell Perry (Head Judge), of Darrell's Dungeon
Grant Anderson, former president of GMSMA
Sir Tone, of Onyx NYC and The LeatherMan, Inc..
Master Tip, President of Iron Guard MC and MAsT NY
Kip Hollar, Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2009
Morgaine, Ms. New Jersey Leather 2010
and special Guest Judge Mike Dreyden!

Tallying the scores will be Spanky, Mr. New Jersey Leather 2008 and Damian, Mr. New Jersey Leather 2010.

The event is Emceed by Special Guest Host Will Clark.

The event will feature Special Entertainment by Billboard Dance Chart singer Ron Perkov!

And special GoGo performance will be performed by the exceedingly delicious, Chicago's own Ray Daniels!

The Winning Titleholder, the first ever Mr. Rawhide NYC will receive the amazing following Prize Package from our esteemed sponsors:

1. Patch and Sash from The LeatherMan, Inc.
2. 1 Year Full Membership at Steel Gym, NYC (Main Sponsor)
3. 1 Handmade flogger from Andre's Whips
4. Specially Designed Rubber Shirt from Nasty Pig
5. 1 Free 90 Min full body Energy Massage by "A Boy's Touch"
6. 1 gift certificate from Rainbows and Triangles
7. Gift basket from My Lady's Toys
8. Free Year Membership with the New York Bondage Club
9. Leather Wallet Wrist Bands from Steve's Leather
10. 2 Tickets to the Saint at Large Black Party
11. Guest spot at Will Clark's Porno Bingo
12. Sponsorship and Mentorship to IML 2011!

Again, Contestant Registration has been extended to Tomorrow (Friday, at 8:45pm. Applications are available at the bar!
Can't wait to see everyone there. I will make sure it is as Debaucherous as Rawhide can be

In Peace and Leather

One Month Away!!!

With Just One Month Away, things are kicking into high gear. The contestants are beginning to come in (And we are always seeking more!), the last minute details are being finalized, the excitement is building! The prize package filling up!

So do you have what it takes to be the first Ever Mr. Rawhide-NYC? Then get your application today!