Bear competition!

[growler_south]

Last night at Urge we held the 3rd annual Mr Urge Bear NZ competition, and I'd have to say it was the most successul ever. We had 7 fantastic contestants, 4 great judges, over the top comperes and a huge crowd who sweatily packed themselves into the bar and watched the contest. Paul and Loren did a great double act presenting the show, with Loren being 'Jenny Tailya' doing a hilarious rendition of the dating game to get the lads loosened up.

The winner was Heath, a handsome strapping lad with a huge... err... stage presence and a clear understanding of what being a bear means. He carried himself well, charmed the judges and put on a show for the crowd, and thoroughly deserved the first place (even if it was close!). There was some one debate about how he "wasn't really a bear" because he's not particularly fat or overly hairy, but after the ex-president of Brisbears had given everyone a history lesson about where bears came from (rejection from mainstream gay society) and why this meant that the primary characteristic of beardom was inclusiveness and a fun-loving attiude, not a list of physical attributes, I think everyone went home satisfied.

The bar was a bombsite. All the fridges are empty, the bar staff were frazzled (but did a great job, I heard many compliments) and the posters once again all peeled from the walls in soggy crumpled heaps. Yay. I get to put it back together. Woo. But still, totally worth it.

At the end of the night we had raised over $1400 for the NZAF, which isnt bad for a tiny little fag bar. We launched a new bear group, the NZ Bears, to take over from the mostly-defunct Auckland Bears group and start some social interaction that isn't just about beer. We had contestants and judges and hosts and a crowd that were thrilled to be making a contribution to their community. Well done everyone! I'm incredibly proud to be working with Alan and Paul to make these kinds of events happen- there will be more in the future!

Comments

[mancerbear.livejournal.com]

Pictures?

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

Pictures will be on the Urge website when we've had more than 4 hours sleep ;-)

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

There ya go.. only a few I'm afraid, as my hands were somewhat... occupied.

It's a hard life, being contestant wrangler*.

Linky here to the post.

*(If you say "fluffer" I'll... have to demonstrate ;-))

[sinnabor.livejournal.com]

Sorry I missed it. :-(

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

You would have had a blast, but there will be more.