EVENTS

From Trainee to Master:
The Traditional Leatherman by Master Mike Zuhl

Northbound Leather, 586 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1Z3

Master Mike Zuhl is the founder, past owner and past producer of the International LeatherSIR/boy contests, as well as the International Community Bootblack contest, the first bootblack contest open to contestants from all walks of life. During his tenure as executive producer, DCI Productions and its regional sponsors raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for national and local charities and relief organizations. In 2005, Master Mike founded the Leather Community Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, the first and only natural disaster relief fund targeted specifically for the leather community.

He is currently the Head Judge Emeritus of the ILSb contests, which have been produced by Leather Heritage LLC since 2008. Master Mike previously produced the International Mr. Drummer and Drummerboy contests from 1999 to 2001, and the Pennsylvania Mr. Drummer and Drummerboy contests from 1998 to 2001.

His current passion is the Leather Skills Certification Council, a certification program open to all who wish to obtain different levels of skill certifications within our leather kink lifestyle. This will be an online process with peer review conducted anonymously by certified Leathermen and Leatherwomen. The LSCC is open to tops, bottoms, Masters, slaves, Sirs, boys and others who wish to be certified in their Leather Lifestyle skills.

Master Mike is a dedicated Leatherman who has been teaching his leather skills to others for the past 25 years. He won Pantheon of Leather awards for the 2002 Community Choice Man of the Year, 1999 President’s Award, and 2007 Couple of the Year (with his partner Matt). He is a member of BLUF and a board member of Cleveland Leather Awareness weekend (CLAW). Master Mike is a charter member of Recon.com and hosted the Recon social parties at IML. He has judged leather contests all over North America, including International Mr. Leather 2005, Mr. Mid Atlantic Leather 2002 and Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2004. (He was the “accidental” Tally Master for M. Cuir Montreal in 2006, awarding the title to a man who went on to become International Mr. Leather.) Master Mike has mentored contestants and rallied the leather community for more than 30 years. He is the proprietor of Leather Central Bar located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Master Mike lives with his partner of 12 years, slave and boy, and has nurtured a leather family from coast to coast.

This presentation will discuss Master Mike’s personal leather journey, his leather indoctrination, and what are commonly referred to as “Old Guard” traditions, rules, and values.

Tickets are $20.00 and are only available at Northbound Leather.

Seating is VERY limited, so please do not risk missing out on this very rare and special opportunity.