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The weekend started with a meet and greet at the Cell Block on Friday night. Mr. Cell Block Leather 1999 and IML 1999 top 20 finalist Kevin Powers was there, in latex and was sizzling hot. About 20 blocks away the Chicago Hellfire Club was holding the first of two dungeon parties during their Associates Applicant Weekend which had another 200 men in town adding to the fun. Touche hosted after hours parties in the wee hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Those who had their eyes still open and were hoping to score had a blast. Touche is only a couple blocks from the Leather Archives and Museum (remember that for IML).
The weekend package included brunch at Buddies which is only about four blocks from the Cell Block. A wide time frame allowed about 100 people to take advantage of the brunch coupon good for almost any breakfast entree and some of the best bloody marys on the planet (only rivaled by those at the Cell Block). While the contestants were being simmered in their latex in the interview session there was a small vendor market in the Cell Block's main stage area. A couple from Indiana brought a large bed where consenting adults could lie down, have plastic wrap placed over them then be vacuum sealed. One man commented it is 10 times more restrictive than regular full body bondage. The device was being used on Saturday night after the contest and on Sunday, too. It was the hit of the weekend and it is hoped that it will appear at Chicago Hellfire Club's Inferno and at Delta 2000 next September.
Cell Block owner Roger Hickey, his lover John, managers Patti Brown and David Boyer hosted the judges Saturday night dinner at Gennessee Depot. This is one eatery to consider when visiting Chicago.
Sunday was a free day to do whatever one wanted until 5 PM when the Chicago Hellfire Club hosted a beer bust/buffet and raffle to benefit its McAdory Fund. The beer bust was well attended, but the buffet only consisted of lukewarm chili and beans with condiments. Even though the food was not terrific, some of the raffle prizes were, including four tickets to a Chicago Bulls basketball game.
God could not have come up with better weather for the weekend. Imagine 75 degrees on Saturday afternoon, November 13 in the Windy City. Imagine over a thousand people walking up and down Halsted Street at 2 AM wearing T-shirts. It was clear all weekend.
It was also good to see that the community in Chicago is sports-minded. Every bar and restaurant had TV sets on with the Bears game on Sunday. Chicago fans were disappointed to see their beloved miss a field goal in overtime and then see Minnesota;s kicker hit one to win the game for the Vikings a few minutes later. Most of them knew who "Sweetness" is and revered his contribution to the people of Chicago. Those of us who are sports fans also relished the opportunity to see the hallowed baseball temple better known as Wrigley Field. Wrigley just adds the touch that tells people that Chicago sports are part of the community, not on some plane three or four levels above everyone else.
Another thing that tells visitors that Chicago is in touch with its citizens are the "missiles" placed along both sides of about seven blocks of Halsted Street. These iron pieces of modern art bear the rainbow gay and lesbian community colors recognizing the community. They were placed there by the city. A couple of years ago some in Chicago protested the placement of them, but only because of design. It turned out that the current design was the third attempt (successful) in the process.
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