The thing that keeps leather men and women coming back to Washington D.C. during one of its coldest months is the Centaurs’ ability to be consistent year after year with the production of Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL). Actually, this year was warmer than usual and only rained one day with no snow. I guess we can credit one of the nation’s top gay motorcycle clubs for negotiating the weather with the leather gods.

MAL has been one of the best leather weekends since its inception way back in 1985 when Jeff Vertis was awarded the title. Everything about this event flows like clockwork whether it’s the leather vending market, the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest, the bar nights or the Reaction Dance Party. What I absolutely love about MAL is that the Centaur Motorcycle Club treats each attendee as if you were a guest in their home…which you are. Never, and I mean never are attendees subject to any backstage drama as one might find at other leather events. They understand that we are there to have a great time and they bend over backwards (and frontward, if asked) to make sure this happens.

The weekend also draws a list of quality contestants for the title of Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather. This year, Matt “Bam Bam” Bamford was chosen to represent the Centaur Motorcycle Club at International Mr. Leather (IML) in a few months. The moment “Bam Bam” hit the stage it was evident he would be a front-runner in the contest. Throughout the evening his popularity was confirmed by the roar of the crowd and the approval of the other contestants. If this is any indication of things to come then Matt will be a strong force in Chicago this May. The only disappointing moment of the entire weekend came when the Centaurs announced that Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend would be moving from the Washington Plaza to the Hyatt at Capitol Hill. I don’t know D.C. well enough to care what hotel we are in but there were grumbles from some of the locals that this was not a good move. Personally, I trust the Centaurs have their reasons for the change and I’m sure wherever they put us we will still be treated as if we are guests in their home.

In a few weeks, bears from all over the globe will migrate to the Bay Area for the 16TH Annual International Bear Rendezvous (IBR). This year’s theme is “Barbary Coast Bears…Sin, Fire & Gold”. I don’t know what any of that means, really, but I’m sure we’ll find out the weekend of Feb. 11 through Feb. 15 when it all takes place. IBR hosts the International Bear Competition and the titles of International Bear Cub, International Daddy Bear, International Grizzly Bear and the overall title of International Mr. Bear are awarded. Like most event weekends the schedule is packed with way too many events each day. Bears, cubs, wolves, otters, foxes and their admirers will have to choose between “Bears, the Baths and Beyond” which is held at the Steamworks Bath House in Berkeley or “Bingo” hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Both events are very popular and there are buses that will transport the bears to the baths and back again. Of course, there is food involved in most of these activities (we are talking about bears) but if you don’t like to mix your fur with food and frolicking then stick to the bingo. Then there’s a SWEAT dance that same night just in case you didn’t work off enough calories at the baths. Saturday is another day of fur, food and frolicking and so is Sunday which includes the famous Dim Sum Gobble, the popular Blow Buddies Play Party and the International Bear Rendezvous Contest. Like the Centaurs, the Bears of San Francisco have changed locations and this year’s event will take place at the Parc 55 Hotel at Union Square. For more information or a complete list of events, visit www.bosf.org.

If you decide to stay local just remember the first Saturday of every month is Bear Night at Bacchus House. The next one will be Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 p.m. There will be a $5 cover. You can get your fur flying with DJ Jon Williams on the dance floor or if you’re in the mood to cruise just hang out with the VJ in the front bar. Drink specials include Miller Lite or Coors Lite so you won’t feel bloated while bumping and grinding in the back. So here’s another reason to get out the chat room and into the streets where you can actually meet people face to face and have a furry good time.

See ya in the pit…