News - July 10, 2008

In This Issue

• MIRubber.com Updated
• MIR2009 - Host Hotel Is Sold Out!
• Weekend Packages Now Available
• MIR at IML2008 - A Recap
• TORN in Toronto
• Hotlanta Rubber Group Kicks Off July 12th!
• Chicago Rubbermen 2nd Anniversary Party!
• Adam is Mr. Eagle LA Rubber
• Los Angeles Gears up for West Coast Rubber 2008!
• Midwest Rubber, Kinky Cocktails & Pantheon XVIII
• MIR2008 On The Move!
• International Rubber Calendar

MIRubber.com Updated

Each year we update the look of MIRubber.com to match our advertsing and promotion campaign for the year. This year our theme color is RED...hmmm...and our designers have come up with an exciting look for the website and promotional items this year, as always.

The website updates includes:

• MIR2009 Contestant applications
• MIR2009 Sponsorship applications
• MIR2009 Preliminary weekend schedule
• MIR2009 Dated web banners for your use
• MIR2009 Preliminary contest listings

Much more will be coming in the months ahead as we finalize details for MIR2009.

MIR2009 - Host Hotel Is Sold Out!

We'll you've done it again! The host hotel for MIR2009 is now sold out. 53 rooms reserved in under 15 days is quite an accomplishment and a new record for our event! (Yes, it's been sold out since the end of May!)

MIR is proud to host our events in the heart of Lakeview, Chicago's gay neighborhood (aka: Boystown.)

Because we remain in the Boystown neighborhood, our host hotel is a bit smaller but offers very friendly staff, a conveniant locations near all of the MIR weekend events, and provides easy access to all of the nightlife that makes Chicago one of the premier gay travel destinations of the United States.

Even though the Best Western is now sold out, never fear. There are other options options for you at this time. Check out the alternative accomodations page and book a room at one of the other local hotels.

There seems to be a major conference in town at the same time as MIR2009 and they are booking hotel rooms from downtown all the way through Boystown. You best bet is to reserve a room now to ensure that you have a room for MIR2009!

Most all of the hotels listed are located near major transit stations & all of the accomopdations are stops on the airport shuttle services.

Check out the Hotels page for more info
Check out the Alternative Accomodations page
Check out the Getting Around Chicago page for transportation info

Weekend Packages Now Available

MIR2009 Weekend Packages are now available for purchase online.

This year, we've changed the pricing structure for weekend packages. If you purchase your weekend package during "early registration", your price will be $95.00. After August 31, 2008, the weekend package price goes up to $125.00. So the choice is yours and you'll save when you purchase in advance!

As always, you may purchase your weekend packages online quickly and easily with MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover via online registration. Our electronic registration will provide you with a prompt confirmation email, and no need to mess with postage, international exchange rates, or any other hassles. (Ahh...the miracles of the internet!)

However, if you want to send in your registration by postal mail, you can download the order form at MIRubber.com and send it the old fashioned way.

So what do you get with your MIR2009 weekend package, you ask?

• Admission to all official MIR2009 events
• Meet & Greet Cocktail Party
• Rubber Buddies Brunch
• Wet Rubber Competition
• Strict Rubber Dress Code Party
• Mr. International Rubber 2009 Contest
• MIR2009 T-shirt
• MIR2009 posterMIR2009 program
• Coupons and gifts from MIR2009 supporters and friends
• And so much more!

So get to clicking and save some money on your weekend package...that way you can buy more gear at the vendors market!

Reserve your weekend package for MIR2009 now!

MIR at IML2008 - A Recap

IML Triple X was a resounding success for all involved, be they into leather, rubber, furries, puppies, sports gear or whatever the kink!

The rubbery component of the IML weekend got off to a great start with the Chicago Rubbermen Meet and Great (shown above.) As the first official hotel gathering of the IML weekend schedule, the turnout was larger than expected with both men in rubber & the rubber curious packed into the Acapulco Room of the Hyatt Regency. (Even the hotel's female bartender wore a latex mask for part of the Meet and Greet to help everyone get into the mood!)

In addition to the Meet and Greet, there were boys offering free rubber shines, and door prizes to be given away! The Latex Store from Houston, Texas provided a $50.00 gift certificate AND a weekend package to MIR2009. The RECON Store provided a RECON Rugby Jersey and logo bag, and Mr. International Rubber provided a second MIR2009 weekend package. Four lucky winners walked away with the door prizes, and more than a few men walked away with a new friend and play partner for the weekend!

Special guests at the Meet and Greet included: MIR2008, BJ Turgeon and his partner Eric (aka:rubbermade); MIR2008 1st runner-up, Kai; MIR 2008 2nd runner-up, Duncan; the current Mr. Rubber Montreal, Stephane; and the current and first Mr. Rubber Calgary, Reid.

And, little did we know then, the soon to be sashed IML, Gary Iriza of Palm Springs, was seen in his rubber gear at the Meet and Greet and showing his buff personal trainers body in rubbery gear! (Ah...how quickly they turn to the dark and shiny side....)

The leather market contained both familiar as well as well as several new rubber vendors. There was plenty of gear to be purchased an new designs to be added to collections.

In our next email blast we'll be announcing the winners of the 2 MIR2009 weekend packages for people who entered the giveaway at the MIR booth!

The Strict Rubber Dress Code Party was a huge success with many people stating it was the best IML party they had been to in many years!

Special thanks to all of our MIR Booth Volounteers and all of the sexy men (like those above) who stopped by to say hello, grope a volunteer, register for the giveaways, and find out more about MIR and our preliminary events around the world.

Check out some rubbery pictures from IMLXXX on the MIRubber MySpace page!

T.O.R.N. Launches in Toronto!

Last year at MIR2008 we heard rumblings that a new rubber group was going to be starting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

While TORN might sound like a scary thing to associate with rubber, it actually stands for the Toronto Ontario Rubbermen's Network.

It seems that the boys up north have been doing alot of mobilization. They now have a website, a monthly event and sponsors supporting them already!

The TORN men held their kick off in June and their ongoing events are held on the third Saturday of each month. The next event will held on July 19, 2008 in The Pen at Alibi. Some TORN events are dress code enforced, with at least one piece of rubber gear required for admission. (Hurrah for dress codes!) Each month they take a theme for their events to give it a little twist, July is rubber jockstraps and will feature a gear swap as well!

They've also announced on their webpage the first annual Mr. Rubber Toronto competition will be held on Saturday August 15th as part of TORN Saturday's.

TORN is also dedicated to helping the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, so suppport a good cause in your rubber gear and maybe you'll get lucky along the way!

Check out TORN on the web!

Hotlanta Rubber Group Kicks Off July 12th!

In the picture to the right you see three hot men doing some important rubber work at the MIR Booth at IMLXXX.

They are (l to r) Rubberperv69 of the Chicago Rubbermen; and Daddy Alan & pup Nitro of Atlanta!

It seems our new friends from Atlanta enjoyed their rubber experiences at IML soooooo much that they've gone home and started a new rubber club based in Atlanta (or Hotlanta as the natives like to call it.)

The Hotlanta Rubber Group launches this weekend with an event at the Altanta Eagle on July 12, 2008. Daddy Alan and pup Nitro are two of the nicest and sexiest guys you'll ever meet, and their southern charm and hospitality are sure to make their new rubber group a hit with the kinky crowds in Atlanta and beyond! (They certainly made a great impression with a lot of rubbermen at IML!)

Rumor has it thay are also in the planning stages for a Mr. Southeast Rubber contest as well! We'll be on the look out for that and keep you informed of events happening in Hotlanta! Welcome to the shiny family! (Now somebody needs to check off the boxes for two more converts to the dark and shiny side! Recruit, recruit, recruit!)

Check out the Hotlanta Rubber Group!

Chicago Rubbermen 2nd Anniversary Party!

The Chicago Rubbermen host their 2nd Anniversary Party this weekend on Saturday July 12, 2008 at the Cell Block in Chicago.

This year the club decided to do something different and will be holding a raffle to benefit both the Center on Halsted and the Chicago Rubbermen.

You will remember the Center on Halsted is the GLBT community center that hosted the Kink Education Series and contestant interviews for MIR 2008.

In previous years, the Chicago Rubbermen have used their club funds to help sponsor local rubber events and to help grow the rubber scene in Chicago beyond MIR weekend to a year round attraction!

The Rubbermen have been out gathering prizes from vendors across the United States and there are some great items that you could win! All it takes is subjecting yourself to a head in your crotch as they measure your inseam to buying some tickets. (Horrible to have a head buried in your rubbery crotch isn't it?!?)

Visit the Chicago Rubbermen's website!

Adam is Mr. Eagle LA Rubber

Two men vied for the title of Mr. Eagle LA Rubber, and when when the votes were tallied Adam was declared the winner!

Evidently the weather on the contest night was unseasonably hot for LA, but no one melted and a good time was had by all.

Adam now proceeds on to Mr. West Coast Rubber to represent the Eagle LA and a chance to compete at MIR2009 as WCR2008.

Congratulations to Adam!

Los Angeles Gears up for West Coast Rubber 2008!

The final preparations are under way as West Coast Rubber prepares to penetrate Los Angeles for their first rubber weekend in the city of Angels from July 11-13, 2008.

L8Xdad and L8Xboy have been busy at work with their minions pulling together the last few details for the weekend.

Friday night includes the Rubberzone Meet & Greet party at the LA Eagle, which will then be followed by the "Horndog Play Party" with the SoCal Bondage club.

Saturday includes the "Wet and Wild Slime Party", and the WCR "swap-a-thon" which sounds like an good excuse to get into someone's rubber gear to me! Then there is a full gear dinner and the main event later that evening, the sashing of Mr. West Coast Rubber 2008!

These guys work their butts off to bring you a great event and their weekend is always fun, sexy and full of great experiences for all! Combine that with the perversity that is Los Angeles and it's going to be a great weekend for certain!

Visit the WCR Website for more details on WCR2008!

Midwest Rubber, Kinky Cocktails & Pantheon XVIII

Mr. Midwest Rubber begins it's third year of competition and has become the Saturday night event of Pantheon of Leather XVIII. The weekend will be held July 18 - 20, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Midwest has no defined regional qualifications and contestants are welcomed from all areas. So if you're from Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Tennesee, Kansas, Missouri, Idaho or any other "midwest" state and looking to make your rubbery mark, this is your contest!

MIR2008 BJ Turgeon will be a guest judge and guests from across North America and Europe are expected to join in the festivities of these several events.

Meanwhile, Pantheon of Leather is celebrating it's eighteenth year as the kink community's version of the people's choice awards. This year they have a new weekend and warmer temperatures to lure more visitors. Pantheon of Leather is hosted by The Leather Journal and solicits nominations for award winners for several months each year. While the nominations for this year are now closed, there are several rubbery nominees for the Pantheon Awards. MIR extends is congratulations to all of the Pantheon Nominees for this year, regardless of their fetish affiliations!

The Chicago Leather Kennel Club is also hosting a fundraiser on Friday evening July 18, 2008 at the Leather Archives and Museum during Mr. Midwest Rubber 2008 and Pantheon Weekend.

"Kinky Cocktails 2008" is a formal fetish attire cocktail party and is intended as a showcase of both the collections and spaces of the LA&M as well as it's holdings as a scholarly archives and museum of the "leather" community. (The image at left is one piece from the collection by the artist Joseph Bean.)

The LA&M also has a growing collection of rubber and latex related items, lest you think they are only about leather. These include:

• the sash of MIR2006 Michael Schneider, who made the donation to the Archives as part of his step-down speech;
• an original work of art by international festish artist and Mr. MEC Rubber France 2007 Xavier Gicquel, who donated the artwork at the closing party of MIR2008; and
• a complete collection of the French Rubber Club MEC 's magazine PlanK, which was donated by MEC President Emeritus Michel-Jean Roupert at MIR2002.

All proceeds from "Kinky Cocktails 2008" will be split between the Leather Archives & Museum, and the Chicago Leather Kennel Club. Visit the CLKC website and click on the Kinky Cocktails 2008 link for more details on this fun event!

We look forward to seeing many of you at Mr. Midwest Rubber 2008, Kinky Cocktails 2008, and Pantheon of Leather XVIII in Chicago!

Visit the Mr. Midwest Rubber Website
Visit the Chicago Leather Kennel Club's Kinky Cocktails Website
Visit the Leather Archives & Museum Website
Visit the Pantheon of Leather Website

MIR2008 On The Move Through The Summer!

BJ was at IML XXX in Chicago and has been blogging is and his other exploits in his prizes from MIR2008!

Check out the Rubber Blog at MIRubber.com!

Here's are a few locations where you'll see BJ in the coming months:

• July 18-20, 2008 : Mr. Midwest Rubber in Chicago
• July 28 - August 3 : Divercite in Montreal
• August 7-10: Festival International Kinky de Montreal 2008
• November 7-11: Mr. International Rubber 2009 in Chicago

Would you like to extend an invitation for MIR2008 to attend your event? and drop him a email! Now is the time to get in touch with him to schedule an appearance at your event!

The International Rubber Calendar

Here is a listing of the rubber events & events with strong rubber followings happening around the world through the end of the year and beyond. Get geared up, grab some lube and make some new friends around the globe!

(NEW) = New event listed as of this issue (does not apply to ongoing monthly or bi-monthly events which have been listed previously)

2008 Events
7/11-13 : Los Angeles - Mr. West Coast Rubber
7/12 : Chicago - Chicago Rubbermen 2nd Anniversary Party
7/12: Atlanta - Hotlanta Rubber Group @ Atlanta Eagle (NEW)
7/12 : Fort Lauderdale - Fetish Factory's Alter Ego (NEW)
7/13 : London - Gummi:Rubber Skinheads
7/18-20 : Chicago - Mr. Midwest Rubber2008 & Pantheon Weekend
7/19 : Toronto - TORN Rubbermen - Jockstraps and Gear Swap (NEW)
7/19 : Los Angeles - Eagle LA Rubbout
7/19 : Berlin - Rubclub
7/26: London - Hard On Club (NEW)
7/26 : San Francisco - Rubbermen of San Francisco @ Powerhouse (NEW)
7/27 : San Francisco - Up Your Alley Fair (Dore Alley)
7/27 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub

Advanced Notice Events
(Start planning now!)
8/2 : Amsterdam - RSG Party
8/2 : London - Torture Garden @ Mass (NEW)
8/3 : Frankfurt - Rubclub at The Stall
8/7-10 : Montreal - Fetival International Kinky de Montreal 2008 (NEW)
8/9 : Fort Lauderdale - Fetish Factory's Purgatory (NEW)
8/10 : London - Gummi: Rubber Jocks & Chaps
8/15 : Tampa - Fetish Factory - Intimate Dungeon (NEW)
8/15 : Toronto - Mr. Rubber Toronto Contest (NEW)
8/16 : Toronto - TORN Rubbermen - Slime Pool Party (NEW)
8/16 : Tampa - Fetish Factory's Alter Ego (NEW)
8/16 : Los Angeles - Eagle LA Rubbout
8/22 : Karlsruhe - Rubclub
8/30 : London - Hard On Club (NEW)
9/4-8 : Berlin - Folsom Europe
9/5 : London - Torture Garden - Skin Two Special (NEW)
9/6 : London - The Skin Two Rubber Ball (NEW)
9/6-7 : London - The Skin Two Expo (NEW)
9/10 : London - Gummi: Bondage (NEW)
9/13 : Fort Lauderdale - Fetish Factory's Apocolypse (NEW)
9/20 : Toronto - TORN Rubbermen (NEW)
9/20 : Los Angeles - Eagle LA Rubbout
9/27 : London - Hard On Club 5th Anniversary (NEW)
9/28 : San Francisco - Folsom Street Fair
10/4 : London - Torture Garden @ Mass (NEW)
10/10-12 : Rome - Mr. Rubber Italia 2009 (NEW DATE)
10/11 : Fort Lauderdale - Fetish Factory's Alter Ego (NEW)
10/18 : Toronto - TORN Rubbermen (NEW)
10/18 : Los Angeles - Eagle LA Rubbout
10/25: London - Hard On Club (NEW)
11/1 : London - Torture Garden @ Mass a Halloween Special (NEW)
11/7-9 : Chicago - Mr. International Rubber 2009
11/15 : Liege - Mr. Rubber Belgium
11/29 : London - Hard On Club (NEW)
12/6 : London - Torture Garden @ Mass a Xmax Special (NEW)
12/27 : Karlsruhe - Mr. RubClub 2009
12/31 : London - Torture Garden @ Mass a NYE Special (NEW)

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!