The new Mr. Dallas Eagle will have some big black boots to fill
 |
| JUDGMENT DAY Jeffrey Payne judges Mr. Dallas Eagle, which he won last year. |
This weekend, the new Mr. Dallas Eagle will be named. But don’t think it’s just a title that floats around the community without a lot behind it.
With all the at-larges and U.S. of A’s, it is easy to lose track of the contests happening across the scene. But there is one reason to remember why Mr. Dallas Eagle is a big deal.
Jeffrey Payne.
Last year, Payne, a newcomer to competition, entered the contest and won. He then went and pulled off a perfect record in the leather community contests, in February claiming the Mr. Texas Leather title, then in May winning the Olympics of leather by being named International Mr. Leather.
"The reaction from the Dallas community has been extremely positive. I’m proud to bring the title back to Dallas and Texas. It is an honor and I treat it as such," Payne told the Voice earlier this year.
More than likely, the Dallas leather community wouldn’t mind if the Mr. Texas Leather and IML titles stayed here for 2010. Of course, the first step starts with Mr. Dallas Eagle this weekend. Payne will serve as one of the judges.
Applications can be picked up at the Eagle door. The official contest gets underway Friday with the official meet and greet event at 9 p.m.
All the hopefuls will schmooze their way into people’s hearts as they really begin vying for the title at this point. Don’t anyone kid themselves.
First impressions are crucial.
But Saturday is when it all goes down and all the Dallas leather masters, daddies and pups (apologies to any missed categories, there are so many) will have their act together. The official contest begins also at 9 p.m. and by the end of the evening, this town will have a new Mr. Dallas Eagle.
The victor should take Payne’s approach to the next step.
"I did not worry about Mr. Texas Leather until after Mr. Dallas Eagle, and I didn’t worry about IML until after Mr. Texas Leather. Worrying too much about something that may not come to fruition is not good time management."
Sound advice from the top leather man of 2009. In fact, coming from him, it’s probably more of an order than a suggestion.
Proving that leather guys are big softies, the Dallas Eagle also hosts a canned food drive benefiting the Resource Center Dallas food pantry.
Just take your items with you for UnderGearWednesdays Can Dance with DJ Bruno serving up the music.
Dallas Eagle, 5740 Maple Ave. Meet and greet, Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.; contest Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. DallasEagle.com.
…………………………………………………………
Californian takes U.S. Mr. Gay in Dallas
 |
Last weekend, Dallas hosted for the first time, the U.S. Mr. Gay competition. The contest celebrates and encourages "guy-next-door qualities." The 2009 winner, Stephen Savage, who is from Dallas, handed the title over to Adam Boyles, pictured, from Huntington Beach, Calif.
Weʼre bummed Dallas contestant Trey Maxwell didnʼt place, but Texas still made a showing in the top three.
Congrats to Houstonʼs Alex Martinez who pulled through to take the first runner-up spot. With Texas hosting the event, how would it look if the Lone Star State hadnʼt made it onto the podium?
— R.L.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 4, 2009.