Upcoming Fetish Events

Smokeout - Vegas  (April 1 - 4  2010)
Gathering of leather-clad, levi-clad cigar and pipemen.  A hit-or-miss annual event.  Lots of bear types.  Cigarbikerman is attending.
CLAW - Cleveland  (April 22 - 25  2010)
Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend is a bit more down-to-earth and smaller.  Those midwestern types are a bit more friendly than at other leather events.
IML - Chicago  (May 28 - 31  2010)
International Mr. Leather is massive.  The last time I went the Leather Mart took of up 2 large convention type rooms.  If you look in the right places you can find pretty much anything here all mixed with socializing, posing and attitude.  Cigarbikerman is attending
L. A. Leather Nights - Feeder contests in Los Angeles for IML.

Cruising Online

Let's face it, there's not much of a public (bar) leather scene in the U.S. any longer.  Occasionally you'll find certain nights and events that cater to a leather crowd, but for the most part, the instinctive cruising that used to take place in atmospheric masculine bars is now about posting photos, instant messaging, chatting dirty and surfing the net to find the connections you're looking for.  There are no keys to the kingdom, you have to approach everyone not knowing what you'll get - it's part of the fun.  Here are the sites I use most often to cruise.  If I find other good sites, I will post them here.

Recon   Manhunt   Gay.com

MAL

Midatlantic Leather takes place every January in Washington DC.  It’s very similar to IML in terms of the large gathering of fetish men from all over the world.  Like IML, the host hotel is jam-packed with men in gear.  There are private parties, events, contests, cruising and so on.  Basically it’s a bit smaller version of IML and depending on the weather can be very cold.  If not too frigid, the sightseeing nearby is great and the over-flow hotels are conveniently located near the host hotel.

Smokeout

Smokeout is probably the largest event dedicated to leatherclad and bear, cigar, pipe, and smokemen.  This event happens each April in Las Vegas, so there’s always fun to be had.  The event is hit or miss, depending on what you like and your expectations and the crowd is not massive.  I suggest going with someone you will have fun with, but if that’s not possible, there's always Vegas baby. 

CLAW

Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend occurs in April / May annually.  It’s a smaller mid-western version of MAL or IML and a bit less sophisticated, and all the more fun for that.  The overflow hotels are usually near the host hotel, though the area is not as nice as at MAL, and the sightseeing not as interesting.

IML

International Mr. Leather happens every May in Chicago and is the King of U.S. and perhaps world leather events.  I’m not saying it’s the best, but there’s certainly enough going on here for all interests, types and motivations.  It can be overwhelming if you are not into constant on-going fetish eye candy.  You may purposely not want to stay at the host hotel, but somewhere nearby.  And you may not want to do the main events either.  I suggest a little bit of planning, but you can’t really go wrong in terms of a lively crowd no matter where you end up for this event.

Folsom East

This is New York City’s version of Folsom and takes place in June.  I have not attended and it has not been going on for too long, so I have no comments yet, other than I'd like to check it out.

Folsom Berlin

I have not attended Folsom Berlin / Europe in September, but I hear it is very good.  And if you like real LEATHERMEN with the very good potential for club and hotel action, this is by hearsay quite the place.  I'd love to check out this event.

Palm Springs Leather Pride

This November event is also hit-and-miss, and small-scale even compared to CLAW.  But if you have never been to Palm Springs and plan it as a Palm Springs tour combined with Leather Pride Weekend, you’ll likely have a lot of fun.  The momentum and energy just need a good kick in the ass to make this a kick-ass weekend, and I’ll be glad to oblige.

IMR

International Mr. Rubber is a few-years-old LATEX version of IML.  It’s also in Chicago but in November.  I have not attended but hear it’s good overall and likely very good if you a true rubber fiend.

Provincetown Mates Leather Weekend

Every October Provincetown is invaded by leathermen, rubbermen and uniformed men, and this is a good thing.  Typically the weather is quite nice at this time of year.  If you have never been to P-town and are into fetish gear, this is a great weekend.  It’s a quaint town and everything is conveniently located no matter where you stay.  The area is historical and the ocean is always nearby, as are the restaurants, shopping, and friendly vacationers.  This area feels more gay than San Francisco, in a functional way.  As one restaurant owner said to me, 'this is not the real world'. 

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