New York City-based Excelsior Motorcycle Club held its 44th Lust for Life run, billed as “Battle for the Bulge,” in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, from May 17 to 19, attended by more than 70 Leathermen and one Leatherwoman, from all over the Northeast, and the centerpiece of the event was the 19th annual Mr. Fire Island Leather contest, in which Excelsior’s Bruce Michael II (to distinguish him from this writer) beat two other contenders, Jon Makay and Santiago Olevo, for the title of Mr. Fire Island Leather 2019. Events were held at the Ice Palace, just reopened after Fire Department inspections; Belvedere Guesthouse for Men, the host hotel; and Island Breeze restaurant, and attendees also patronized Dune Point; Grove Hotel; Floyd’s restaurant; Cherry Grove Pizza; Sweet Licks Ice Cream; and the Fire Island Market during the busy weekend.
The Mr. Fire Island Leather contest took place on May 18 at the Ice Palace disco and nightclub. Hosts for the competition were singer Porsche, who graced us with Tom Jones songs “She’s a Lady” and “It’s Not Unusual,” as well as “Little Bitty Pissant Country Place,” from “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” and Mr. FI Leather 2015 Edd Clark, also Excelsior President, who addressed his song, by Rodney Harrington, to “Dear Penis (I don’t like you anymore).” Contest judges were past Messrs FI Leather 2001 yours truly (the First), 2007 Diego Vargas, 2012 Mark Nayden, 2013 Candido Soares, 2017, current Northeast [Puppy] Handler, and Excelsior Vice-President Sir Joseph, and 2018 CB Kirby, stepping down that night, and custom leatherwear designer David Samuel Menkes, maker of all of our sashes and many of our vests, on hand to sash Bruce Michael II with the newest creation. Serving as tally judge was Richard Kennedy, AKA DJ RDK, co-owner, with spouse Mark Nayden, of Park Slope, Brooklyn’s Excelsior Bar.
The contest was preceded, for the first time in many years, by a Parade of Colors, accompanied by your correspondent, singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and backed by a display of the American, Leather Pride, Rainbow, and Puppy Pride flags. Clubs participating were Northeast Puppies and Handlers, Philadelphians, Boston Ducks, Bucks Motorcycle Club, Harbor Masters of Portland, Maine, Massachusetts’ Bay State Marauders, Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council (AMCC), DC Bear Club, and Excelsior MC.
Bruce Michael II, a Fire Island virgin, returning to the Leather scene after the passing of his partner of 43 years last year, made a first appearance in black leather shirt, pants, and boots. His raunchwear consisted of black leather harness and jockstrap. On being an FI virgin no longer, he remarked, “I’ve gotten here with the right people.” In his precisely-choreographed fantasy scene, assuring his victory, he became Daddy to Excelsior’s Mike, as the Spirit of the Meatrack, kissing, spanking, and fucking him.
First runner-up Jon, in black leather shirt, kilt, and boots, and orange leather bowtie, lives in Harlem and was a founding member of the Nashville Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. His raunchwear consisted of a black-and-blue onesie that left his chest bare. He said that, if elected, he would “be a visible, playful, and active member of the community,” and declared “the Leather community … is my spiritual community,” somewhere “to evolve in.” In his fantasy, for which he wore a sarong with a jockstrap beneath, he encountered three nearly-naked, vulnerable men, in the woods on a full moon night—one tied to a tree, one blindfolded with a yellow bandanna, and one gagged, and interacted with them. He warmed the first, treated the second to a golden shower, and spanked the third. Naked himself by the end of the scene, he later found three Park Rangers’ uniforms that belonged to the men he had met.
Much-tattooed Santiago, from Colombia, living in Westchester, New York, and deemed second runner-up, was enjoying his second Excelsior MC Fire Island weekend, and made a first appearance in jeans and leather and studded hardware. His raunchwear was white briefs, with black leather harness, studded armbands, belt, and boots. He was already part of the Leather scene in Colombia, but has become more involved since moving here. Changing to turquoise briefs for his fantasy, he executed a vigorous dance for us.
During a break in the Mr. FI Leather contest, Porsche and Edd hosted a Battle of the Bulge contest, in which, by audience acclaim, Excelsior MC’s Bruce U beat Mr. Ramrod, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2013 Sir Kirk, who had offered a flogging demonstration earlier in the day, and Chris, from Long Island, and won a $50 Amex gift card.
On May 17, at the Ice Palace, Porsche and Mark Nayden hosted a tongue-in-cheek benefit Master and slave auction, which raised $1,700 American for Cherry Grove’s volunteer Fire Department (CGFD). Assisted by DJ Chuck, Porsche sang “Rhythm of the Night” at the start of the evening and, dedicated to this writer, “This Is Me,” from the film “The Greatest Showman.” Bidders made purchases using Daddy Dollars, with $1 American equaling $5 in Daddy Dollars. Auctioned off were: Master/Daddy Bruce Michael II, going to Diego for $150; the Ice Palace’s Nico, a slave, Candido’s purchase for $200; slave Chris, going for $500 to a member of the Philadelphians; Sir Joseph, going for $300; Sir Kirk, to Candido for $500; slave Jared from Cherry Lane Café, to Candido for $200; versatile Jon to Cherry Grove’s Tom for $300; Excelsior’s versatile Ray, to Thom from Massachusetts for $540; the Grove’s Jose, to Candido for $800; and as a package deal, the seven Messrs FI Leather present, Bruce-Michael I, Diego, Mark, Candido, Edd, Sir Joseph, and CB, for $2,000 plus cash, as a collaborative effort by those seated at one of the front tables.
Excelsior MC’s Lust for Life 2020, entitled “An Indelible Mark (45 Years and Counting),” will take place next year from May 15 to 17. Visit www.excelsiormc.com for further information.