News - May 21, 2009
We've had a busy two weeks since our big announcement getting things ready for you.
Read on rubber lovers!
In This Issue
- MIR2010 Hotel Block Is Now Open!
- MIR Moves to the Center on Halsted!
- MIR2010 Schedule Changes
- Volunteers Wanted!
- IML: The Rubber Agenda 2009, May 22 - 24
- Eagle LA Mr. Rubber Contest
- Pup Kevin is Mr. Rubber Cleveland 2009!
- Jean-Philippe is the Mr. MEC Rubber France 2009!
- MIR2008 On The Move!
- International Rubber Calendar
MIR2010 Hotel Block Is Now Open!
MIR is changing and so is our host hotel!
Although our host hotel the past few years has been great to us, we've sold out the entire hotel in under 15 days for two years in a row. Clearly, we need a bigger hotel, and we've think we've found the perfect size hotel for this year.
The Days Inn Chicago is an award-winning boutique hotel located in the heart of bustling Lakeview / Lincoln Park area. A variety of room choices are available among their 133 rooms, including suites & business class rooms. A complimentary continental breakfast buffet is available to hotel guests from 6:30 - 11:00 am daily and valet parking is available with in and out privileges.
The hotel was known for many years as the "Rock and Rolls Days Inn" due to the numerous rock bands who have lodged here during Chicago gigs. We think Mr. International Rubber is a natural fit for the Rock and Roll Days Inn...don't you?
Room rates for MIR2010 are as follows:
- Standard rooms with one full bed ~ $132/per night
- Standard rooms with two full beds ~ $152/per night
- Executive rooms with two queen beds ~ $181/per night
To reserve your room for MIR2010 you must call 1-888-LPN-DAYS (or 1-888-576-3297) and reference "Mister International Rubber." A one night deposit is required via credit card or check.
MIR Moves to the Center on Halsted!
We are pleased to announce that all official MIR2010 events will be held at the Center on Halsted, Chicago's 65,000 sq ft GLBT Community Center!
You will recall that Center on Halsted Executive Director Modesto Tico Valle was a judge at MIR2009.
Valle emphasizes that the Center on Halsted is a resource for the entire GLBT community, and that includes the leather and rubber communities as well. The Center has hosted several "Leather 101 events" and has provided contestant interview space to MIR for the past two years. So what does this mean to you as a weekend attendee? We'll here's some of what is in the works.
All MIR events will be held on the 3rd floor of the Center on Halsted.
The MIR Vendor's Market will be held in the Billie Jean King Recreation Center. This gymnasium allows us to accommodate a significantly larger number of vendors than before, which means more shopping and gear for you! For vendors this eliminates the need to set-up and tear down each day which is a much needed change!
Although the Center on Halsted is a non-smoking facility, there is a designated smoking area in the Richard M. Daley Roof Garden. The roof top garden is located on the third floor and is named after the much beloved Mayor of Chicago.
The Friday Night Meet and Greet Cocktail Party will be held in the Harris Family Foundation Reception Hall. This reception area includes cloak rooms, ample space to mix and mingle, and stunning views of the Boystown strip via the the windows which overlook the Halsted Street.
The Mr. International Rubber 2010 contest will be held in the Hoover-Leppen Theater. This black box theater space, adjacent to the reception hall, provides modern stage lighting and sound technology, dressing rooms for contestants and emcees, flexible seating and standing room for audience members with excellent sight lines for all.
Beverage service will be available throughout the weekend to those 21 and up, and the weekend will be open to attendees 18 years or older for the first time in our 13 year history!
MIR2010 Schedule Changes
At it's heart, we realize that Mr. International Rubber is an opportunity for like minded individuals to gather for a weekend of fun and friendship in one of the greatest cities in the world. To help facilitate that, MIR2010 will be streamlined for your enjoyment!
All contest events will occur on Friday and Saturday with the winner being announced on the evening of Saturday, November 7, 2009. We understand that some individuals will need to travel on Sunday, therefore we hope this change will increase attendance at the contest itself by eliminating schedule conflicts on Sunday. This also allows contestants, judges and staff a more compact weekend.
Additionally, a few weekend events and one judged category will be removed from the schedule beginning this year to provide weekend attendees with more free time and opportunity to enjoy all that Chicago has to offer. This will also allow us to focus on the core experience of the Mr. International Rubber contest which serves as your jumping off point for the weekend.
The complete schedule of events for MIR2010 will be posted on the website in the coming days.
Volunteers Wanted!
Mr. International Rubber is seeking individuals to help lead critical aspects of the contest weekend moving forward. Specifically we seek individuals with the skills and experience to tackle the following volunteer leadership positions:
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Vendor Market Coordinator
- Marketing & Communications Coordinator
- Sales and Package Coordinator
- Sponsorship and Prize Package Coordinator
If you believe you have skills to fill one of these positions, please send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and the specific position applied for to info@mirubber.com.
Please note: You need not live in the Chicago area to be eligible for a volunteer leadership position.
IML: The Rubber Agenda 2009, May 22 - 24
Each year a compilation of rubbery events is pulled together for International Mr. Leather called "The Rubber Agenda." Below are the events that comprise this year's Rubber Agenda.
VISIT THE MR. INTERNATIONAL RUBBER BOOTH
Friday - Monday, Chicago Hilton
[Lower Level Exhibit Hall - Booth 3509]
Stop by for information about MIR2010, The Rubber Agenda, and many other international rubber events.
Friday 5.22
THE CHICAGO RUBBERMEN MEET & GREET
7:30-9pm Chicago Hilton [2nd Floor, Boulevard Rooms A&B]
Get your weekend off to a rubbery start at the Chicago
Rubbermen's 2nd Annual Meet and Greet!
Meet horny men from around the globe including MIR2009 Stephane Donaldson, and bid on rubbery items in the MIR Silent Auction. All proceeds of the Silent Auction benefit the Center on Halsted and Mr. International Rubber travel fund.
RECON FULL FETISH PARTY
10pm-4am The Jackhammer Bar [6406 N. Clark Street]
Tickets $10 at the door, includes one drink.
Join the men of RECON's 31 unique themed websites for their annual gear party. Full access to the Jackhammer and steamy caverns of The Hole.
Saturday 5.23
STRICT RUBBER DRESS CODE PARTY
10pm-5am $25 admission / door pass required
Private, invitation only party, exclusive to members, on shuttle bus route.
Sunday 5.24
INTERNATIONAL MR. LEATHER CONTEST
5-9pm, Chicago Hilton [International Ballroom]
Cheer on the contestants of IMLas they dash for the sash, including Mr. Atlanta Eagle, Alan Penrod, co-founder of the Hotlanta Rubber Group! Tickets Required.
Visit the IML website for full details about official IML events.
Eagle LA Mr. Rubber Contest
The Eagle L.A. hosts their annual Mr. Rubber contest on Friday May 29, 2009.
Hosted in conjunction with West Coast Rubber and LA Rubber producer Syren, their motto is "Only Nasty Pigs Need Apply."
The winner of the Eagle L.A. Mr. Rubber Contest goes on to compete at West Coast Rubber Weekend.
Pup Kevin is Mr. Rubber Cleveland 2009!
Kevin Henderson (aka: Pup Kevin) was named Mr. Rubber Cleveland 2009 on March 28, 2009. The contest was hosted by Cocktails / Daddy's Levi and Leather Bar and produced by RNJ Productions.
Kevin is a college student in the Cleveland area pursuing his bachelors degree. He has been interested in and exploring rubber and BDSM since he was 18 looks forward to the opportunities that this year will bring him.
You can meet Kevin at IML where he will be working in the MIR booth. Stop by and say hello!
Jean-Philippe is the Mr. MEC Rubber France 2009!
Mec En Caoutchouc, the French Rubber Club, hosted their third annual Mr. MEC contest on March 28, 2009 at the Full Metal Bar.
The contest day began at the LGBT Center of Paris with a presentation of the candidates to the public and the evaluation of the contestants by the jury. The Paris Convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were in attendance and hosted the days events, including the contest later that evening.
Three men competed for the title, and when the contest concluded, Jean-Philippe (center above) was declared the winner. Matthieu (above left) is the first runner up and and Nicolas (above right) is the second runner-up. Jean-Philippe is 31 years old and 5'4" tall. He lists among his fetishes: rubber, sports gear, boots, sneakers, uniforms and workers gear.
(Yes, if you are keeping track, this is the 2nd Jean-Philippe competing for MIR2010. Jean-Philippe Marion will compete at MIR2010 as Mr. Montreal Rubber 2009.)
MIR2009 (Contestants) On The Move
MIR2009 Stephane Donaldson is traveling and making rubbery connections around the globe.
He recently attended the Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (aka: CLAW) and made quite a few connections and new travel plans there.
He is also enlisting the assistance of some of his MIR2009 colleagues.
When Stephane had a schedule conflict and could not attend Rubbout in Vancouver, he called up MIR2009 1st Runner-Up, Rubberbuck, and asked if he could take his place. From what we hear, Rubberbuck made quite the impression on the Vancouver-ites, and vice versa!
If you would like to extend an invitation for Stephane to attend your rubbery event, you may send him an email at MIR2009@mirubber.com.
In the meantime here are the places you can see Stephane in the coming months:
- May 21-25: IML31, Chicago, United States
- October 31- November 1: ILSb/ICBB 2009, San Francisco, Unites States.
The International Rubber Calendar
This is a listing of the rubber events & events with strong rubber followings happening around the world which are predominantly gay or gay friendly. So get to googling, then gear up, grab some lube and make some new friends around the globe!
2009 Events
5/21-25 : Chicago - IML 31
5/23 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub
5/23 : Amsterdam - Black Body Party at Club Church
5/29 : Los Angeles - Eagle L.A. Mr. Rubber 2009 Contest (NEW)
5/30 : Cologne - Rubclub
5/30 : London - Hard On Club
5/30-6/1 : Bonneuil - MEC Rubber Weekend
5/30 : London - Hard On Club
6/6 : Amsterdam - RSG party
6/11-14 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub Rubber Pride
6/12-14 : New Orleans - LSRB Present "Gulf Coast Gumm-Balaya"
6/13 : San Francisco - RMSF Rubber Night at Chaps (NEW)
6/14 : London - Gummi : "Red Hanky"
6/19 : Munich - MLC Underground - 100% Rubber & Neoprene
6/26 : Los Angeles - Rub Out at the Eagle L.A.
6/26-29 : Paris - MEC at Paris Gay Pride
6/27 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub
6/27 : London - Hard On Club
7/4-5 : Los Angeles - West Coast Rubber 2009
7/11 : San Francisco - RMSF Rubber Night at Chaps (NEW)
7/11 : Eisendorf - Rubclub Outdoors
7/12 : Paris - MEC Rubber Afternoon @ Transfer
7/12 : London - Gummi " Rubber Skinheads"
7/18 : Liege - Rubclub
7/25 : London - Hard On Club
7/25 : Berlin - Rubclub
7/26 : San Francisco - Up Your Alley Street Fair
2009 Advanced Notice Events
8/1 : Amsterdam - RSG party
8/22 : Amsterdam - Black Body Party at Club Church
8/28-30 : Altanata - Mr. Southeast Rubber 2009
9/2-6 : Berlin - Berlin Rubber Week
9/5 : Berlin - Folsom Europe 2009
9/26 : Paris - MEC Rubber Night @ Full Metal
9/27 : San Francisco - Folsom Street Fair
10/3 : Amsterdam - RSG Party
10/9-11 : BLF & ECMC Rubber Weekend
10/24 : Amsterdam - Black Body Party at Club Church
10/30 : Los Angeles - WCR Rubber Gear Party
10/31 : Lyon - MEC Rubber Evening @ BK69
11/6-8 : Chicago - Mr. International Rubber 2010
11/28 : Paris - 6th Annual Inter
Have an event to add to the International Rubber Calendar? Send us an email including all the pertinant information and we'll do our best to include it!
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