November 21, 2014
The 9th Annual Leather Masked Ball
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The Leather Masked Ball is a very popular event on the south Florida social calendar, and it is one of the largest charity events organized by the leather/BDSM community in the state of Florida. The theme this year is "Cellblock 9 - Leather Lockdown," and the DJ for this year's event is Brian Norwood, who has made a name for himself spinning at parties in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Fire Island, and beyond. The Leather Masked Ball will open its doors to hundreds of revelers at 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 29 at Bill's Filling Station (2209 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors).
The event organizers, Lambda Men's Brotherhood, describes this year's theme in very exciting, explicit terms: "There will be throbbing beats; edgy, erotic entertainment; and red-hot leathermen with some serious search and seizure in mind - SURRENDER NOW!" DJ Brian Norwood will be playing some of his hottest mixes for the ever-popular dance party, and there will also be live BDSM demonstrations for the initiated or simply interested.
As a fundraiser, the Lambda Men's Brotherhood donates proceeds raised by the Leather Masked Ball to national and local charities. Since 2006, $140,000 has been raised in the name of charity. The designated national beneficiary is the Leather Archives and Museum. This national organization maintains a museum in Chicago as well as online and traveling exhibits. This year's local beneficiaries are The Pet Project for Pets, The Pantry of Broward, and Tuesday's Angels.
Tickets are available for purchase online ($35), at various local businesses ($35), and at the door on the night of the event ($40). The prices quoted are for the all-access pass, which gives the ticketholder admission into the Leather Masked Ball, two complimentary drinks, and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased by going to leathermaskedball.org or by visiting My Tropixxx (1514 NE 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale), LeatherWerks (1226 NE 4th Ave.), or J. Miles Clothing Company (831 N. Federal Hwy.).
Hotspots Media Group is proud to be a media sponsor of the Leather Masked Ball. Ketel One Vodka is the official liquor sponsor of this event. For more information, visit leathermaskedball.org
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
