American Brotherhood Weekend

Registration Now OPEN!!

Registration for ABW 2008 is now ready online at EventBright! Register for the event now at Eventbright using your visa, mastercard, american express, discover or PayPal account. Then reserve your room for the weekend at the beautiful Omni Royal Orleans hotel. Don't miss out on the fun, camaradarie and excitement!

A message from
Leslie Anderson
American Leatherwoman 1997

CALLING ALL BOOTBLACKS!

We would love to have you work for our charity bootblacking at ABW. In years past we attempted a schedule, but in keeping with ABW’s commitment to start anew and get back to basics, this year we are allowing those who want to work.....to work! If you are interested and are willing to work at least 6 hours then email Dean Ogren and we can register you for a package at no charge! At the registration area Leslie Anderson will have a list of participating bootblacks and will make contact with you personally. So keep your eyes open for a sign in the registration area for available times and approved areas for bootblacking. We are very glad to have you and we appreciate your interest in helping our worthy charities: NO/AIDS Task Force, and the Leather Archives & Museum. Thanks to everyone for being patient. I cannot email everyone back, but I'll be there with bells on and ready to shine up the Big Easy with style!

The Leather Rack and the Knights of Leather, MN Join ABW Sponsor Family

The Leather Rack, located in Washington D.C., has joined American Brotherhood Weekend (ABW) and the Dallas Eagle as a sponsor of the 2008 event in New Orleans, July 11-13. In addition to pledging sponsorship, proprietor Jim McGlade and vice president Russwin Francisco will donate gift certificates to the 1st and 2nd place winners of the American Leather Family titles.

“The Leather Rack's long history with ABW, from ABW's years in DC to it's move to New Orleans, shows the deep commitment that this team has with ABW,” acknowledges Producer Dean Ogren. “We are pleased that they are joining us as we reconnect with our Leather Family members from across the country.”

As of May 5, the Knights of Leather, a pansexual Leather/SM club located in Minneapolis, MN, also joined the ABW sponsor family. "It's important for clubs, as well as businesses, to support events like ABW," said Jazz Thomas, a charter member of the organization. "The fraternal, familial ties Knights members feel for each other seems a perfect tie-in with what ABW is about. We're proud to be a part of it."

Additional sponsorship packages ranging from $250 to $2500 are available. Go to the ABW website for sponsorship package information, or contact Paula Smith at amleatherwoman00@comcast.net. Ad rates and dimensions for the ABW08 program book also have been posted on the website. Ads are available from $95 for a business card size, to $350 for a full page. To secure ad space, contact Jazz Thomas at abwads@gmail.com.

Judging Panel is Announced

Accepting their posts as judges for the American Leather Family title contest are

Mary Elizabeth Boyd
Mr. Marcus Hernandez
Sarah Humble
Kevin McGraw
Judy Tallwing
Noel J. Twilbeck
Jose Ucles

Check out the judges page to find out more about them!

As you may have noticed, even the make-up and number of judges for ABW has been revamped! ABW '08 has reduced the number of judges. To allow the current Leather Family titleholders full, unencumbered enjoyment of their step-aside weekend, the producers of ABW no longer require them to bear the responsibility of judging the contest. Rather, they will participate in the interview portion and score the contestants for that, leaving them time during the rest of the weekend to celebrate their accomplishments with friends.

Look for ABW's new logo
at leather events
around the country

ABW 2008 is ON! Announcement made at International Leather Sir/boy in October 2007

Producers Dean Ogren and Paula Smith, with ABW owner Frank Nowicki at ILS/b.
(photo courtesy of Dave Rhodes and the Leather Journal)