Boy-about-town Erik Lopez recently sponsored a fun event at The Edge. It was the 4th Annual Boy Auction, benefiting the Stop AIDS Project. I know some people might think, "So what! Another boy auction, blah-dee-blah." But mix in the one and only Sister Roma as emcee, and the always festive crowd and staff at The Edge, and you have all the makings of a solid Saturday-afternoon good time. Before the boys were auctioned, they had to strip to show off their assets and special features. That was fun. All the boys were amateurs, not Magic Mike professionals. Well, not that I know of. I didn't check RentBoy.com.

Most of the boys were nervous about going up and stripping. Silly boys! They were huddled towards the back of the bar, pacing nervously and exclaiming that they wanted to get it over with fast. "Oh, I hope they call me next, I want to get it done and over with." I told them: "No! You want to wait. The longer you wait, the more the crowd drinks so they won't care what you do!" Sure enough, one of the last boys to go on the block was the beefy Andrew (you can see him in some of the Mr. S Leather product ads). He claimed to have never stripped before, but that boy sure did move like a pro, and obviously had a blast while doing so. He fetched the highest auction price, of about $350. No, I didn't bid. I'm too cheap – and too poor. I did buy plenty of raffle tickets. I didn't get the names of the other "dancers" aside from Erik. My bad. At the time, I wasn't concerned about names. I was concentrating on other, um, aspects of their personalities. 

Coming up: It's hard to believe, but the Folsom Street Fair and Leather Week are a scant four weeks away. Three weeks when you consider that the Leather Walk is on Sunday, Sept. 16. Mama's Leather Walk is the unofficial official kick-off to Leather Week, featuring the raising of the Leather flag over the Castro as well as the actual walk. For details about pledging and registering, go to: www.mamasfamily.or or www.facebook.com/MamasLeatherWalk. For details about the Folsom Street Fair weekend, go to www.folsomstreetevents.org. You can bet I'll be reporting on it in the coming weeks.

2nd LDG Mentoring Program begins Oct. 10. The first round of LDG's (Leathermen's Discussion Group) Mentoring Program comes to a close on Wed., Sept. 5. Mentorship chair Richard Sprott has announced the next six-month round of formal mentor-mentee pairings will commence on Wed., Oct. 10, and will run through April 17, 2013. The LDG is expecting to have approximately 16 openings for mentees. Mentor selection is conducted separately. There is no application form for mentors.

A description of the program and an application to participate can be found at the LDG's website: www.sfldg.org. If you'd like to apply to be potentially matched to a mentor in the October-April mentoring session, please complete and submit the application by Oct. 1.

Last Spring's International Ms. Leather/Bootblack winners celebrate. (Photo: Scott Brogan)

IMsL/IMsBB 2013 call for presenters: The International Ms. Leather/International Ms. Bootblack (IMsL/IMsBB) have put out a call for presenters for next Spring's weekend of events. If you would like to give a class, or simply help out with one, please read the following:

"IMsL's Educational Program provides opportunities for learning through watching, listening, practicing and playing! We've got something for every style of learner at International Ms. Leather Weekend and are looking for presenters to make this year's program the most varied ever!

"Friday Intensives: Our Friday sessions will provide an in-depth look at your choice of topics with an entire day of learning. These classes will go beyond the basics and are three hour intense experiences.

"Saturday Workshops: A day filled completely with 90-minute classes to attend.

"Sunday Make Play Happen! This hands-on, try-it-yourself opportunity is more than your basic exploratorium. Our experienced instructors create and maintain specialized technique stations in the play spaces, where they will act as both mentors and yentas while you practice your new skills."

If you want to present at IMsL 2013, send your bio, class description(s) and photo to: education@IMsL.org. For more details, go to: www.IMsL.org.

SF Men's Spanking Party needs volunteers. The long-running SF Men's Spanking Party is looking for volunteers. They need people to help staff the monthly parties and keep them going. If you're interested, please e-mail: SanFranParty@yahoo.com.

Coming up in leather & kink

Thu., Aug. 23: Daddy Thursdays at Kok Bar. Shot & drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Thu., Aug. 23: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse. Strip down for drink specials. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Thu., Aug. 23: Feel the Steele! Class/ritual community event with Cleo Dubois, Fakir, Dragon, Even Minax & friends at the SF Citadel (181 Eddy St.). Tops, Bottoms, Switches, new adventurers welcome! All supplies, music, and rattles provided. 8 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Fri., Aug. 24: Fridays Underwear at Kok Bar. Boxers, jockstraps, undies and drink specials! 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Fri., Aug. 24: Monthly Strip Party at Kok Bar. Cheap Ass Contest (win $100!) at 1 a.m. $2 cover, includes free clothes check. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Fri., Aug. 24: Truck Wash at Truck (1900 Folsom). 10 p.m.-close. Live shower boys, drink specials! Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Fri., Aug. 24: Monthly Steam party at The Powerhouse. Power-Shower, towel dancers, $1/minute massage. $8 donation for SF LGBT Center. 9 p.m-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sat., Aug. 25: 15 Association Men's Dungeon Party upstairs at the SF Citadel, a male-only event. $15 members, $20 guests. 8 p.m. Go to: www.15sf.org.

Sat., Aug. 25: Leather Beer Bust at Kok Bar. 5-9 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Sat., Aug. 25: All Beef Saturday Nights at The Lone Star (1354 Harrison). 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.facebook.com/lonestarsf.

Sat., Aug. 25: Boot Lickin' at The Powerhouse. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Sat., Aug. 25: Stallion Saturdays at Rebel Bar (1760 Market). Revolving DJs, afterhours fun! 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Go to: www.stallionsaturdays.com.

Sun., Aug. 26: Truck Bust Sundays at Truck. $1 beer bust. 4-8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Sun., Aug. 26: Jockstrap Beer Bust at Kok Bar. 3-7 p.m. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Sun., Aug. 26: PoHo Sundays at The Powerhouse. Dollar drafts all day! Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Mon., Aug. 27: Trivia Night with host Casey Ley at Truck. 8 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Tue., Aug. 28: Busted at Truck.  $5 beer bust. 9-11 p.m. Go to: www.trucksf.com.

Tue., Aug. 28: Safeword: 12-Step Kink Recovery Group at the SF Citadel. 6:30 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org/calendar/.

Tue., Aug. 28: Lock and Load: Extreme Tease at the SF Citadel. Presented by Eve Minaz. 8 p.m. Go to: www.sfcitadel.org.

Tue., Aug. 28: Ink & Metal at The Powerhouse. 9 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.

Tue., Aug. 28: Kok Block at Kok Bar. Happy hour prices all night. Pool tournament. Go to: www.kokbarsf.com.

Wed., Aug. 29: Naked Buddies at Blow Buddies (933 Harrison), a male-only club. Doors open 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Play til late. Go to: www.blowbuddies.com.

Wed., Aug. 29: Underwear Night at The Powerhouse. Free clothes check. 10 p.m.-close. Go to: www.powerhouse-sf.com.