The Juice Box

IML 31 is now over, the vendors are gone, the gear is packed away, and life moves along here in Chicago as if nothing so special as this event even happened. IML is more than just a weekend to cruise around in your best leather, gear, or fetish wear, it is a chance to create new and renew many friendships, joining in the fellowship of leather and gear heads, and get some time on the dance floor.

IML was special for me this year in many ways. This year I got involved in the vendor mart, working some long and hard days loading in, setting up and loading out, what becomes the ultimate leather and gear, clothing and accessory shopping mall. Working behind the scenes gives you a glimpse at the magnitude of this event as people from all over the world come to celebrate. After working the long days it was time to clean up, gear up, and head out to contests, social time, and dance parties. It was also special in that I was hit with several raw eggs, in what is basically a hate crime, standing in front of the Chicago Hilton and Towers, talking to some other guys attending the event. Sadly, the absence of security, who was more worried about corralling all of us into the lobby area, was unable to get the license plate of the vehicle that carried the young white men who had driven by several times that night screaming statements of hate out of the black Land Rover. While this did not really phase me, I think it is important to note that the Hilton really just did not seem to get that this was a big deal and the priorities of security were misplaced.

All that aside, thank you IML and all of the friends I made, reconnected with, and even my buddies in town from San Francisco, for making this a memorable weekend. On with the reviews…

The San Francisco Party

Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles of water

The San Francisco Party is the kick off dance event of the weekend at the host hotel for IML. The Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and Towers was the backdrop for Friday night, a beautiful and ornate room, with large crystal chandeliers and a wrap around balcony. DJ Sean Greene was kicking down some good music when I arrived, with a funky groove and some good energy to get your feet tapping. The crowd came in on a steady stream, and before you knew it the dance floor was relatively full, but never packed so tight you could not enjoy yourself. Sean kept the music pumping into the early morning hours (barring a couple times when the sound system dropped out on him) giving folks a good sound track to dance too. A few flaggers dropped onto the scene as well, adding to the characteristics of what a San Francisco party should be. The only draw back in this room was lighting and keeping the main lighting almost too bright, never gave the party that push to the next level.

The Onyx Dance

Rating: 1 out of 5 bottles of water

Saturday night at the hotel brought me back to the Grand Ballroom for the Onyx Dance, following watching the Pecs and Personality portion of the IML competition. The dance space had the same lighting challenges as the night before, however it was missing the DJ talent, so much so even the web site for IML does not have the name listed. Additionally, for some reason not stated anywhere to be known, they expected even badge holders to pay an additional $10 for this party. Now $10 is not much to pay for a dance, but considering the face that the same space was used the night before and no cost was associated with getting in, it was dissappointing to see folks have to shell out additional costs for an already expensive weekend. The music was just OK for the evening, it was not amazing, with only intermissions of soulful groves to get your body shaking, in fact at times I was not sure if we were just not tuning from one satelite radio station to another as the mixing skills were not stellar. Had it not been for the company of a new friend that made it fun, I would likely have left this dance earlier and headed back to my room for the night.

IML Victory Party

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 bottles of water

Sunday night, following the sashing of the new Mr. IML, we headed over to the House of Blues for the Victory Party. Last year I did not go to this event, so I was really looking forward to seeing the space and the party. House of Blues is an amazing space, built more for the concert going experience than a dance, but it works. DJ Matthew Harvat (aka Circuit Mom) had a packed floor, with barely enough room to dance at all. The crowd was definitely more of the circuit variety and less of the gear set, but that was to be expected. Musically, the party was nothing stellar, and more run of the mill circuit music missing much inspiration. I could have done without the Somewhere Over the Rainbow interlude, but overall the party works. It was a big surprise when at 3AM Matthew announced that the party was over and the lights came up, considering the program stated that the event went to 4AM. The crowd however disappointed quickly filed out and into the buses for the ride back to the hotel. The Victory Party is nothing special, and that to me is sad considering this should be the first big celebration for the new kings of leather.

Black and Blue Ball

Rating: 5 out of 5 bottles of water

The Black and Blue Ball, held at the Excalibur club, is the closing event of the IML weekend. This is the last chance to let your hair down, connect, share, and enjoy the weekend of leather, gear and fetish. DJ Ted Eiel dropped down an amazing set of his Chunk House branded style of music to a hot, sexy crowd. The mix of vocals and chunky rhythms kept me from leaving the dance floor much at all, and even when I took a quick break I could not stop my feet from wanting to dance. Dropping in the mixes like “Flash Gordon” added to the sense of fun for the evening, and it was amazing to look around and see hands in the air and smiles everywhere. Yes, I am going to rave about this party, because this is the type of dance party that a weekend like IML really needs to have. Ted is the perfect DJ for this event, with a broad appeal to so many, and it was clear he was the master of this event. The crowd gave him a great cheer at the end of his set, which he then pulled out a great mix of “Alright” and kicked of the end of the night. Finally, when it was over, Ted was cheered again by the large number of people still at the club and the chant for one more song came, even thought the house lights had been brought up, and they were give their wish. With house lights on the crowd got one last chance to dance and call it a night and head out into the cold drizzle and home. Thanks Ted for putting the exclamation to on the IML weekend and sending us all home with smiles and sore feet!