The Renegade!

The Official Website of the Southern Renegades     

Memorial Day Weekend.Pensacola.May 23-26  

        Mobile, AL             Pensacola, FL                  Mississippi Gulf Coast          

 

               TODAY ON PAGE ONE:         (See Stories Below)

Newer than Newest!   Midtown House Party, P'cola Weekend Make May Busy for Skulls

Newest!                 "Sordid Lives" Star Coming to Mobile

New!             American Brotherhood Weekend  Coming to New Orleans

Coming!                SOUTHERN RENEGADES TO HOST SUMMER LEATHER CONTESTS

So Much More:    NEW Letters & A Note from Your Webmaster: "Are You a SEX Club?"

 

New!  

House Party, Memorial Day Weekend Will Make May a Busy Month for Skulls & Friends

   Southern Renegades will have their pick of fun events, as May is proving to be a full month for Skulls and their quests. It begins with a "Sordid" guest to the Port City and ends with a weekend beach bash on the hot sands of Northwest Florida!

   Saturday, May 10th, fans of the movie "Sordid Lives" will get a unique preview of the Logo cable network series of the same name and disposition when series star Jason Dottley, comes to B-Bob's. Dottley plays character "Ty Williamson" in the new series. (For more, see the story below.)

   Renegades Brian and John have been holed up in their Midtown Mobile home for a couple of months, studying hard. But on Saturday, May 17th, they put down the books and pick up a cocktail as they welcome the Skulls into their home for the second time. "Skulls Beach Party" will help put the Southern Renegades and their guests in the right frame of mind for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend! But you'd better get your fill of John and Brian at the party, cause Memorial Day Weekend, they won't be in P'cola... they'll be in Chicago, talking up the club at the International Mr. Leather Contest and Weekend! The party starts at 6:30 at their home on Glenwood Avenue.

   What follows the next weekend (May 23-26) is the Gulf Coast's traditional start to Summer- Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola! The Southern Renegades will be whipping up a batch of complementary cocktails (featuring Absolut 100) for a very casual Welcome to the Beach Party at The Roundup... Friday at 6 pm on the patio. We'll unveil our poster promoting our upcoming Mr. Southern Renegade/Pensacola Contest (set for July 5th) and get everybody in the mood for a fun weekend. Saturday the Skulls plan to gather at the beach in close proximity to Renegade Ed's sailboat. Word has it you'll be able to identify the boat because of the large "skull" flag. (all of this is subject to weather, of course... and if it doesn't cooperate, well, there's always the big tent at The Roundup...)   

 (Below) Skulls & Friends at The Roundup tent, MDW 2007  ( Pic from www.theroundup.net)

 

  Sunday, Renegades Tad and Rick will host their second annual Skull Grill Out and Yard Party for Skulls, their guests and new friends made during the weekend. The guys live on 61st Street off of Mobile HIghway. It'll happen around dinner, between beach and bar time. We'll post additonal details RIGHT HERE very soon. And one more thing... Artist and Renegade Scott Brady has donated one of his original "Leatherman" works to the Southern Renegades to raffle off during the weekend. The money raised will help with expenses with the upcoming contest.

   Can't make it to everything? No problem! Remember, we schedule events so everyone has the option to fit some fun and "The Company of Men" into their lives. So have a great May! It's going to be a long HOT summer! Just make sure you put some lotion on that skull...

(Editor's note: Visit The Roundup's website and click on "photos." There you'll see pics from last year's Memorial Day Weekend  bar activity. You'll recognize some of the faces. You may also mistake the gathering as a convention for boiled lobsters...)

 

New!

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide:             (Posted: April 13, 2008)

Skull's PRIDE PHOTO PAGES Posted for Your Inspection!

   With an event as big as Mobile Pridefest, you can bet the Southern Renegade paparazzi were busy, and they didn't disappoint! From Friday night's Biker, Bear, Leather & Uniform Party at B-Bob's to Saturday's Pride Parade, Renegade Grill OUr and "Rear Entry" party, the flashes were blinding and the evidence incriminating! Even members of the New Orleans Lords of Leather offered up their own images... and were definately on their game! Wanna see? Visit the Photo Page Menu at the top of this page... or, better yet, just follow these leads:

PRIDE New! Mobile Pride Parade 2008! PRIDE New! Renegades at Mobile Pride 2008 PRIDE NEW! Lords of Leather

 

First time visiting our site?  Check the Photo Pages Link near the top of this page to see who we are and what we're up to!

 

 

Renegades Enjoy Their 1st Mobile Pridefest(Posted: April 7, 2008)

Parties, Parade and Backyard BBQ Mark Skull's First Participation in Mobile Pride 2008

 (Above) Hitmaker Kristine W. lets 'em have it Sunday in Bienville Square!

   Sure it was ambitious!

   This year's Mobile Pridefest was packed with events for the entire LGBT community, starting with gatherings and parties even before the weekend began. And from attendance reports from bar owners and organizers, the fourth official Mobile Pridefest was the biggest and best yet. Even the parade, which was preceeded by more than 8 inches of rain, had plenty of revelers stationed in Bienville Square. And among the long list of events were several designed with our own Southern Renegades in mind.

Friday Night: Mr. Leather & Stormy Weather

   Pride Friday saw a full house at B-Bob's, upstairs for the official Dance Party of Pride, and again downstairs for the club's "Biker, Bear, Leather & Uniform Night". And when the skies opened with tropical storm force, everyone stayed put and partied! About a dozen members of New Orleans' "Lords of Leather" krewe joined The Renegades for the fun. Michael Albracht, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2008, took part in the Renegades' custom of selling raffle tickets, using our popular "inseam measurement" method. Micheal approached his task with enthusiasm and netted himself a haul of cash to support his upcoming trip to Chicago. That's where he'll compete for Mr. International Leather come Memorial Day Weekend. Our thanks to B-Bobs for hosting another great event, and for their donations to our raffles.

Saturday: In the Street, In the Back Yard, In the Rear!

   After nearly ten hours of downpour, more than 8 inches of rain, and lots of street flooding, something magical happened.

   The rain stopped- just in time for the Mobile Pride Parade!  

  (Below) Beads, Love and Pride from Biloxi's "Just Us" Lounge Float                     (Bee-low) B-Bob's "Bees"      

   Even with rumors running rampant to the contrary, parade entries began lining up at the Mobile Civic Center shortly after one p.m. Then promptly at 2:30, Mobile police led the procession through the heart of downtown and around Bienville Square, where several hundred people lined the streets, waving at friends and competing for beads and a variety of curious throws... (Shower curtain rings?... Huh?... Oh, THAT'S what they're for!) Among the entries? The B-Bob's "Bees", Bay Area Inclusion's unique "sign" procession, P-FLAG, Biloxi's Just Us Lounge Mega Float, Order of Osiris, and Mr. Lousiaiana Leather to name a few. The parade was covered by the Mobile Press-Register and NBC 15 News, letting the region know Mobile Pride is alive and well!

   Just before dark, the Renegades, the Lords and their guests flocked to Midtown for the Southern Renegades' Pride Grill Out. It was a great chance for the two clubs to get to know each other better and enjoy some beer and burgers. Renegade Tad did the cooking, Rick, Rafael, Roman and Lee helped prep for the event, and everybody brought beer! Kudos to Renegade John for that great carrot cake and "ball of cheese". Thanks, guys! 

 (Above)  Lord Doug and Lord George suck a cocktail at the Skull's Grill Out in Midtown.                               

 (Below) Skulls, Lords and Mr. LA Leather mix at Visions' "Rear Entry" Party, Saturday Night on Dauphin St.   

   The evening brought the crowd back to downtown Mobile, this time to Dauphin Street and Vision's "Backside" Patio for "Rear Entry", the Official Men's Party of Pride. The party was co-sponsored by Visions and the Southern Renegades. The patio quickly filled with club members, locals, and many out-of-town guests. The party was illuminated by lights focused on the masculine artwork of club member Scott Brady, who created seven new pieces for the event.  Many of you were asking about purchasing Scott's work, and he invites you to contact him through his website (see the link on our LINKS page) 

   The Southern Renegades would like thank Visions, (Bob, Rex and Sonia), the Lords, and all of those who attended our events. And here's a shout out to those who donated items for our raffle Saturday night: Larry with Club Sun, B-Bobs, The Phoenix in New Orleans and Visions... and anyone else your editor my have omitted by mistake during his long and arduious road to recovery. Happy Pride, Skulls!

 

From The Renegade's Community Unity Calendar:

 

 

New!    

Series Coming to Logo This Fall                 (Posted: April 15, 2008)

"Sordid Lives" Actor Coming to Mobile

 

   Didn't get enough of "Sordid Lives" the movie?

   Well, you're in luck! (if you get the Logo Network). "Sordid Lives: The Series" is set to premiere this fall on MTV's LOGO Network. (You can watch certain LOGO programs with Comcast's On-Demand" service in Mobile, but wouldn't it be nice to convince them to carry the entire channel?)

   How do we know this? Because one of the stars of the series is coming to Mobile to promote the show. Jason Dottley will play the role of "Ty Williamson", the grandson of Peggy Ingram, who will be played by no other than Golden Girl Rue McClanahan. (Yes, I know Peggy was dead at the beginning of the movie, but who cares? Hollywood resurrects people all the time, except for Faye Dunaway.)

   But, wait, let me continue.

   According to Jerry at B-Bob's, Jason is scheduled to be the centerpiece of a "Sordid Lives" Party at B-Bobs in downtown Mobile Saturday, May 10th. You're encouraged to costume as your favorite character and display your own personal nervous habit. You might even win a door! We could also answer the age old question, how many Tammy Wynettes can fit into a men's room stall?

   Twelve.

   By the way, if you're a fan of the movie, you'll be glad to know Olivia Newton-John will return, as will Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram and many others. You know, I could go on, but why don't you just watch the series trailer on YouTube?

   You know you love trailers.

Sordid Lives Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSLtYzQU72M

Jason Dottley

http://www.jasondottley.com/live/

B-Bobs

www.b-bobs.com

 

   

 

    

A Note from Your Webmaster:

People Are Asking:                   "Are You a SEX Club?"

   "Who are you?"

   Here's another question I've been getting lately: "WHAT are you?"

   "Who" we are is an easier question- The Southern Renegades are the people scattered throughout this website- men who simply enjoy the camaraderie of other, like minded men. You know, "The Company of Men."  There is a genuine effort to represent all of the faces of the men who attend our events. And, generally, all of those faces are smiling, laughing. THAT is our goal... leasure time spent with good friends, friendships that have been cultivated by the group.

   THAT is WHO we are.

   WHAT we are is a more difficult question- not because we don't know, but because the Southern Renegades group is designed to be many things to many people. The lack of dues, officers and club requirements allow those who wish to attend events the freedom to simply take part with their own schedule and agenda. The website is our engine. Suggestions and comments influence our activities. Because I sit at this keyboard, the chore falls on me to distribute and cultivate these ideas. What charities do we support? What kind of events should we have? If you continue to show up, that means I must be doing a good job. Should you choose not to, then I need to listen, adjust, and make the club more relevent to those of you who are enthusiastic about the Southern Renegades.

   This week, people have approached me with two comments that I have found interesting. The first (not a new one) is-

   "Are you a SEX club?"

   No.                                                  "Well, Freddie said they ain't nothin' but a big ole-"

   We are NOT a sex club. No doubt, some Skulls DO meet people they continue to pursue for more intimate reasons. That's great! Getting to know someone face-to-face before sharing more personal moments is a different experience than a blind internet date. But for those experiences, you're on your own! (Advice, of course, is always free...)

   Backyard BBQ's, bar nights, charity raffles, cocktail parties and holiday events, yes.

   Invitations to Friday night orgies in ole man Jenkins' barn?

   No.

   We don't even KNOW ole man Jenkins. (But if you do, let us know...)

   I've also heard this:

   "I don't get into the leather thing."

   Some of us wear leather because we like the way it looks. After all, the gay leather subculture was inspired by the motorcycle/biker scene. For others, leather influences our lifestyle, both physically and psychologically. Right now, most of our members fit the first catagory. And many simply lean toward the casual Levi side of the club... you know, regular guys in jeans and t-shirts who don't get bent out of shape cause the bar ran out of Bud Light. Levi/leather serves to define the more masculine bend that dominates the Southern Renegades. Less drama, more fun. This is who we are- The Company of Men. Hope you like us.

   I hope this little ramble helps answer questions by the curious. The wonderful part of this is that people ARE asking questions. And as the Skulls celebrate a mere year of existance, that ain't bad...

...even if people think WE are!

  

 

 

LEATHER 'N LETTERS:  e-mails welcomed @  Sorenegades@comcast.net

Going to IML? Then Don't Miss LA&M!                                                                   (Posted April 2008)

Renegades,

   When was the last time you or a member of your club dropped by the Leather Archives & Museum? We would like to invite you and any member of your club that is attending IML weekend to take the shuttle from the Hyatt to the LA&M. The clubs in the leather community have built the LA&M, so come see what you have made possible.  We also encourage you or any member of your club, during IML weekend to drop by our booth at the vendor fair

   The past few years have been exciting ones at the Leather Archives & Museum.  We have added new exhibits here at the museum; where once the boiler room for the museum was is now the Dungeon exhibit. We have begun our Oral History Project and have on file, for your listening pleasure, many recorded oral histories of the early contributors to the leather movement. In addition, our archives continues to expand and we are busily preparing for new exhibits here at the Museum.

   If you have questions please do not hesitate to call me at Leather Archives & Museum and we hope to meet you and get acquainted with you and your club members at IML.

Sincerely,

Dave Clements

Development Director

Leather Archives & Museum

6418 N. Greenview Ave.

Chicago,  IL.  60613

(773) 761-9200

www.leatherarchives.org

 

Can't Wait to Come Back                                                                        (Posted April 2008)

Had A Great Time                                                                                 (Posted April 2008) 

Chorus Has Successful Fund Raiser                                                          (Posted Aptil 2008)

 

Having a Party?

   Did you know you can hire Appetite4Life in Pensacola to cater your next party or event? Profits go into funding the agency. And during the open house, you can sample some of their offerings! www.appetite4life.org

 

                                                                                           (Appetite For Life, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 organization)

 

 

Southern Renegade and Local Artist's Latest Works Set Mood at Pride Party! 

(7 new works from Southern Renegade Scott Brady were on display at Saturday Night's "Rear Entry" Party, the official Men's Party of Mobile Pride. The following is a profile of Scott posted earlier on The Renegade.)

 

   Meet Southern Renegade Scott Brady over a beer at the bar, and you'll immediately be taken by his good looks and friendly smile. But if you bother to look closer at this Mississippi son, you'll discover his talent for catching your eye extends well beyond his smile. It comes to rest on canvas stretched across a wooden frame. For this is where Scott Brady lets another side of himself be known.

  

                 (Above) Four of seven new Scott Brady artworks  featured during Mobile Pride. Scott is donating one of these original works to be raffled by the Southern Renegades during Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola. Proceeds will help support this summer's Mr. Southern Renegade contests in Pensacola and Mobile.

   After studying art and design at Mississippi State, a stint as art director in television, and working closely with promotions at Mississippi's coastal casinos, Scott has found time to create art that is true to himself. "You should always paint what you know!", he jokes. But when you see what Scott paints, and how he plays with his images, you realize he's serious about his work.      In one work, called "Bourbon Cowboy", a western hat dips down over the brow of a shirtless, lean and lanky man, his thumb casually hooked in his beltloop.

      A Bourbon Street character, to be sure. The pose is enough, but Scott takes a stab at a signature effect... fusing what he calls a "rustic organic" background into the work. The result? A rugged, raw feel that is decidedly masculine. It's a method Scott repeats in other pieces, ping-ponging between gatherings of men in football jerseys or no shirts at all, to tail-wagging pooches who seem to grin from the canvas. They're the kind of images Southern men seek when they're truely honest with themselves.

   To see Scott Brady and his work, visit his website. And should you see him in Pensacola at The Roundup, or at a Southern Renegade event, let him know what you think.  

  You might even get that smile in return! 

 To visit Scott Brady's webpage, click HERE: http://www.scottcbrady.com

    

 

Leathers or Feathers?                             (Posted: March 24, 2008)

Easter in the French Quarter:

Just What One Would Expect!

                                                                                      (Below) Members of the Lords of Leather

                                                                                      prepare  for "hoppin down the bunny trail".

   The cause makes it respectable. The attire makes it a true French Quarter event. On Easter Sunday, the bold and beautiful in New

Orleans topped themselves with their finest bonnets and took to the streets for the 9th Annual New Orleans Gay Easter Parade! The colorful (and decidedly pastel) event is a fund raiser for Food For Friends, a vital service of the city's NO/AIDS Task Force.

   There was a good number of Southern Renegades on hand, with Eric and Bubba even leading the parade on their bikes. The Renegade would LOVE to show  you those photos... HOWEVER- the official website camera was left behind, and it was later learned that the substitute device used was lacking a memory card! Isn't that hilarious? Especially after your editor ran full speed for 5 blocks to take photos with said camera? Yep, we're professionals here at The Renegade! 

   Perhaps we were mesmerized by all of the holiday finery. Well never know. But we DO know the Lords of Leather had a camera, and were kind enough to send us a few pics from their collection.

   So enjoy these pics. You're likely to see some of these faces during Mobile Pride... without the bonnets.

   Maybe.  

"Peeps" in Leather...

 

(Above, left) A few of the Lords of Leather, waiting for something magical to happen on Bourbon Street. (Above, right) Something "magical". 

 

 

New! 

 

Pensacola Contest Set for July 5th     (Posted March 18, 2008)

Mr. Southern Renegade Contests to be Preliminaries for Mr. Louisiana Leather

  

   With a year of existance under our belt, the Southern Renegades are about to introduce the Gulf Coast to two new leather events... to be held over the summer in both Mobile and Pensacola.

   Mr. Southern Renegade/Pensacola will be held Friday, July 5th at The Roundup. Mr. Southern Renegade/Mobile will be hosted by B-Bob's in the middle of August, the Friday night before the Mr. Gulf Coast Bear contest. The Southern Renegades and the participating bar will send the winner of each contest to compete in the Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest in New Orleans in October.

   The idea is to further the "skulls'" efforts to build the Leather/Levi community along the Gulf Coast (and to have, duh, FUN!) The Southern Renegades will officially announce the Pensacola event Memorial Day Weekend at a "Welcome to the Beach" cocktail party on The Roundup patio Friday evening, May 23rd at 6 pm.

   At that time, contestant forms will be available for the first time. A similar announcement party will be held prior to the Mobile event.

   Among the prizes received by the winner of each contest will be accomodations for a weekend in New Orleans to participate in the Mr. Louisiana Leather contest. MLL is set for October 18th, and is a preliminary event for International Mr. Leather in Chicago in the Spring of 2009. (More details will be posted as dates approach. Questions? Suggestions? E-mail us at sorenegades@comcast.net)

  So polish up your leather, whether you plan to be a contestant, or a supporter, cause it promises to be a long, HOT SUMMER on the Renegade Coast!

 

Here's a line up of events for the Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest, to be held in October. Additional events to be announced soon:

          Mr. Louisiana Leather is officially scheduled for October 18, 2008

Friday 10/17     - Beer Bust and meet the contestants at the Phoenix

Saturday 10/18 - Afternoon:  Contestant Interviews & possibly BDSM demos, Southern Renegades host patio party at The Phoenix.
                       - Evening:  Contest at Marigny Theatre (Cowpokes)
Sunday 10/19   - Mr. Louisiana Leather 2009 Celebration Brunch at JohnPaul's

 

   Michael Albracht

     New Orleans LA

Mr. Louisiana Leather 2008

   To learn more about Mr. Louisana Leather and it's sponsor organization, New Orleans' "Lords of Leather" visit them by clicking here: LORDS OF LEATHER

 

The Southern Renegades are now posted in the club section of BEARGUIDE.NET            

 

 

 

American Brotherhood Weekend            (Posted March 27, 2008)

Major National Leather Event Coming to New Orleans

   If you're just getting into the leather community you may be unfamiliar with American Brotherhood Weekend. The organization and the event have been out of sight for a year. But this year, new organizers promise it's coming back with a vengence, and have moved the event from Washington D.C. to New Orleans to prove it!

   Event dates are July 11, 12 & 13.

  What is ABW? According to the event's website, "American Brotherhood Weekend (ABW) is a celebration of the bond of Leather families. It is a weekend filled with great energy and camaraderie which surround the four contests that comprise ABW and the American Leatherfamily..." (see more by visiting their website www.americanbrotherhood.com )

   The organization and weekend feature seperate contest events for both men and women. Several hundred participants are expect, with many already booked into the event's official hotel and headquarters, the Omni Royal Orleans. The Phoenix will play host to an ABW block party Saturday Night July 12th.