Tag Archives: Dallas Bears

TBRU unveils new logo

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The next Texas Bear Round Up isn’t for another six months, but you can already get a peek at its new logo, which appeared this morning on the group’s Facebook page. TBRU 18: Casino Bear Royale combines a little 007 theme with Las Vegas … and. of course, a touch of a Colt Video.

We’ve always been a fan of the cartoon artwork for the Dallas Bears’ big event, which has grown from 100 attendees to last last year’s 1,704. (Last year’s art, below, was based around the theme Bears Gone Wild.)  Next year’s event will take place March 14-17.

—  Arnold Wayne Jones

Saturday night, the Dallas Bears presented community organizations with $58K in donations

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Dallas Bears 2011-12 board

Last Saturday, the Dallas Bears convened for food and fellowship at their anniversary dinner at Celebration restaurant. Through the course of the night, announcements were made about the group’s efforts, the new board for 2012-13 and recognition of various individuals who assisted the group throughout the Texas Bear Round-Up. You can see some of those announcements on Twitter here.

The highlight of the evening, though, was certainly the DB’s donation of $58,000 to local charities. The group doled out the bulk of its donations to Youth First Texas ($26,250), the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund ($13,125), AIDS Interfaith Network ($13,125), AIDS Services of Dallas ($2,125) and the Sharon St. Cyr Fund ($1,500). Check out the photos after the jump.

Continue reading “Saturday night, the Dallas Bears presented community organizations with $58K in donations” »

—  Rich Lopez

BearDance made Dallas Bears president Wayne Davis tear up with their $30k donation on Sunday

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Photos via Facebook.

The guys of BearDance outdid themselves this year. Last year, the nonprofit organization, which hosts its Big D party during Texas Bear Round Up, raised more than $21,000 for Dallas Bears’ beneficiaries. Yesterday, they presented the community group a check for an astounding $30,000 from this year’s March event. The following was posted on the BD’s Facebook page.

Thanks to a great collaboration between the Dallas Bears who put on Texas Bear Round Up and BearDance and all of our volunteers, we were able to make a $30,000 donation to the Dallas Bears which will be passed through 100% to their designated beneficiaries this year including Youth First Texas, the Greg Dollgener Memorial Fund, and AIDS Interfaith Network. And thanks to all the amazing guys who came out to the biggest BearDance we’ve ever had this past March!

Mark Trimble, one of the BD founders (pictured above at far right), said the guys are thrilled at the these level of donations, but had no idea their bear party endeavor would grow to this.

Continue reading “BearDance made Dallas Bears president Wayne Davis tear up with their $30k donation on Sunday” »

—  Rich Lopez

Mac daddy

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BearDance guest DJ Sean Mac keeps the big boys moving

seanmacface_HCB

BEAR NECESSITIES | Atlanta-based DJ Sean Mac mixes movie scores with tribal beats for his Dallas debut at BearDance Friday.

The men at BearDance are building a solid reputation for bringing in marquee DJs for their events, as their inaugural 2012 dance proves. Atlanta DJ Sean Mac comes to Dallas with his mix of house music, classic disco and even movie scores.

For someone who got his first (unofficial) gig at a gentlemen’s club at the age of 15, Mac has come a long way — playing the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, New Year’s Eve in Sydney and even for Lady Gaga for Wonder World weekend at DisneyWorld. He now tells us what Dallas bears can look forward to as he helms the turntables and assures us that he won’t be distracted by his smartphone while spinning — maybe.

— Rich Lopez

The Loft
1135 S. Lamar St. Jan. 13. 9 p.m. $15.
BearDance.org.

Dallas Voice:  Have you played Dallas before?  Mac: No, but I’ve met a lot of wonderful guys from there on Facebook and BigMuscleBears.com and I attended Texas Bear Round Up in 2007, so I have a sneaking suspicion it’s going to be a fun time!

What are you looking forward to here?  I hear they grow ’em big in Texas!  Seriously, though, I’m looking forward to spinning a really good set. The year started off very well in Denver, where I followed Tony Moran with a set on New Year’s Eve. The guys had the energy turned up to 11 and, knowing the guys with BearDance, I’m sure this event will be awesome.

How did you hook up with BearDance?  Through Facebook. BearDance started with me seeing pictures of friends at one of their events and the conversation started.

Werq it! So what can Dallas bears expect from a Sean Mac set?  My goal is to become one with a dancefloor, so I keep the energy up with stuff that we all want to dance to. I’m also pretty animated. It’s kind of a joke, but I have to dance while I’m DJing. Laugh if you must — it works!

Oh we will laugh … but with you, not at you. What’s this about movie scores in your mix?  Vocal, tribal and disco house are my main genres, but my flavor is cinematic. I collected film scores when I was younger and that seeps into my sets literally and figuratively. My latest Podcast opens with a recent remix of “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka, for instance. That’s very much a nerd response, so please print “fun and slutty” instead.

You got it. All right, we have some songs we’ll want you to play…  That’s a tricky one. It’s like flying an airplane with a backseat driver. I take requests under consideration, but I have to worry about keeping everyone happy, not just the person making the request.

Fine. We’ll slip in a phat cash tip. What’s your magic track?  I have a few songs that work particularly well, but it depends on the event as to which one might get played.  There’s a sort of magic associated with the Almighty version of “Perfect Day,” and mine and Bryan Reyes’ remix of Leona Lewis & Avicii’s “Collide” is an audience favorite.

The real question is, do you check your Scruff while DJing?  I try to keep the phone off while DJing. But if you see a hot guy on the floor, there’s that inescapable urge to look him up and message him instantly, so you won’t forget.

You are so right about that.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 13, 2012.

—  Kevin Thomas

Deaths • 11.04.11

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Studer.JohnSpanke

John "Spanke" Studer

John “Spanke” Studer was born in Beattie, Kansas on April 10, 1955 to Ted and Margaret Studer, and died peacefully at his home on Oct. 31, at the age of 56.

Studer was an active member of the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, volunteering his services as a docent as well as in the church’s baking ministry.

He was also well known for his significant contributions to AIDS Services of Dallas.  According ASD’s President and CEO Don Maison, Studer served on the agency’s board for several years and over the past 20 years he catered and hosted  Spanke’s Toilet Paper Parties, collecting thousands and thousands of rolls of toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap and other personal items ASD residents and raising between $2,000 to $5,000 twice each year throughout that time.

Studer also served on the boards of of the Dallas Bears, Texas Bear Association and the Resource Center Dallas. In June, Dallas Bears named him Bear of the Year in recognition of his years of service to the community and his work in this year’s successful Texas Bear Round-Up.

He touched the lives of many friends and all who knew him understood he had a heart as big as the gentle man he was.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road, on Friday Nov. 4 at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to AIDS Services of Dallas

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 4, 2011.

—  Kevin Thomas

John ‘Spanke’ Studer has died

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I got word Monday night, Oct. 31, that John “Spanke” Studer had passed away, apparently of natural causes, at his home in Oak Lawn.

Studer was active in many organizations including Dallas Bears, and was perhaps most well-known for his twice-a-year toilet paper parties through which he gathered donations of toiletries and necessary items to donate to residents at AIDS Services of Dallas.

Watch for more complete obituary information in Friday’s paper. The photo is courtesy of Jesus Chairez.

—  admin

BearDance event during Pride at … Sue Ellen’s?

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When I spoke with BearDance co-founder Mark Trimble for this story, we got to talking about how the normally TBRU dance event will evolve into something bigger. And why not? The guys know how to raise some big bucks for local nonprofits. They made a healthy donation to the Dallas Bears, which in turn, doled out the money to their beneficiaries.

On Facebook last week, the BD guys announced and invited people to the SwitchParty BearDance at, of all places, Sue Ellen’s, during Pride weekend. How are the ladies gonna like that? Don’t worried, they’ve got it covered, according to this explanation on their event post:

BearDance is bringing back DJ Blaine to spin for a hopping dance party on Friday of Dallas Pride Weekend, September 16th. BearDance is partnering with Caven Enterprises to sponsor this SwitchParty, so the bears are getting Sue Ellen’s and the girls get live music back at TMC. Come out, dance, and socialize with all the bears, cubs, otters, daddies, musclebears and friends as we mix things up, take back the dance floor, and trade spaces with the girls! As always, this non-profit event has a charitable component and the $15 cover charge proceeds at the BearDance will be going to AIDS Arms.

You got some time to plan. Mark your calendars for Sept 16. at 9 p.m.

—  Rich Lopez

LOCAL BRIEFS: AIN poker tourney at the Brick; Bates set for Dallas Black Pride

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AIN poker tourney set at the Brick

A charity poker tournament is set for Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Brick, 2525 Wycliff, to benefit AIDS Interfaith Network.

The Dallas Bears and the LGBT poker league Pocket Rockets will co-host the event with the Brick. Miller Lite is the sponsor and play begins at 3 p.m.

It’s free to play but AIN will benefit in a number of ways. The agency will receive a portion of the drink specials sold. Players may buy additional chips, and the Bears will hold a 50/50 raffle.

A cash prize pool of $500 will be awarded and all levels of players are welcome.

Bates set for Dallas Black Pride

Christopher H. Bates will speak at the Dallas Black LGBT Community Summit on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Dallas Marriott City Center Hotel. He is the director of Health and Human Service’s Office of HIV/AIDS Policy.

Bates will discuss the federal government’s response to the high infection rate among young gay African-American men. He has 20 years experience in public health policy and has been with OHAP for more than a decade.

Bates administers funds for the Minority AIDS Initiative and advises the Undersecretary of Health on education, prevention, testing, research, care and treatment strategies. Information is available at DFWPrideMovement.org.

Martin offers program for couples

Randy Martin, LPC, will facilitate an eight-session program for couples, Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout September and October.

The program is based on the theory and practice of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). The first session focuses on the new science of love and what it teaches us. The next seven sessions focus on helping couples shape and use the seven conversations laid out in the book Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson, the developer of EFT.

Couples interested in participating should contact Martin at 214-520-7575. The cost of the program is $500 per couple and includes a copy of the book Hold Me Tight and other necessary materials.

NGPA seeks donations

The National Gay Pilots Association recently awarded $22,000 in scholarships and is seeking donations for future awards to aspiring LGBT aviators.

Since its founding in 1998, the NGPA Education Fund has given 46 awards totaling $139,000. Donations can be made on the group’s website, NGPA.org.

—  John Wright

Ad campaigns we love: The Lawn Whisperer

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Has anyone else noticed that the Lawn Whisperer is one hot bear? You know the guy. His face is on billboards and Facebook and sporadic commercials. The Lawn Whisperer looks like he stepped right out of the Scruff premium profiles or out of Bear magazine and into our hearts. I’m surprised the Dallas Bears haven’t latched onto him for public appearances.

Maybe I’m wrong, but it doesn’t seem too often that a spokesman/model/whatever on TV is rocking the facial hair as opposed to some five o’clock shadow to imply sexiness. Props to whoever put this campaign together. They may not have realized they’d be appealing to the gay community, but they got my attention, I can’t be the only one.

Or maybe they did know. You could say they straddled the line nicely with a non-threatening, outdoorsy guy for the non-gays and a cuddly, well-groomed brawn for the gays. Mostly the ones in Oak Cliff with superbly manicured yards.

I’m figuring with these heat and drought conditions, perhaps we’ll see those commercials more often. The campaign is part of the Save North Texas Water initiative by Dallas Water Utilities. This is the group who educates about saving water, cutting utility bills and also posting watering restrictions for lawns — which is where the Lawn Whisperer comes in to save the day.

According to “his” Facebook page, he can “talk to your lawn. Really, I can….You can have a beautiful, healthy lawn and still save water. When you really listen to your lawn, it can tell you when it needs water and when it doesn’t. Check out my videos to learn how to talk to your lawn, too.”

In this heat, we’ve just given up on our yard of dried-out grass. But we’ll never give up on the Lawn Whisperer! Let’s just hope he still talks to ‘em in the winter.

—  Rich Lopez

LOCAL BRIEFS: RCD receives Walmart grant; Dallas Bears present awards

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RCD receives Walmart grant

Resource Center Dallas has received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation in support of the Center’s nutrition program for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“This gift … will help provide high-protein foods that are important for the nutritional needs of individuals who use our food pantry and hot meals program.” said Cece Cox, executive director and CEO of Resource Center Dallas.

RCD’s nutrition program, established in 1985, serves people living with HIV who lack the financial resources to support their nutritional and medication requirements. The program includes a food pantry that distributes an average of seven tons of milk, meat, fresh vegetables and canned goods every week.

The Center serves more than 600 hot meals to clients each week.

Dallas Bears present awards

In addition to $46,000 distributed to organizations by Dallas Bears at their banquet on June 25, the group presented several awards.
Spanke Studer was named Bear of the Year.

Patrick Sweeney and Rob Meade received the President’s Outstanding Service Award. Partnership Awards were presented to Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dallas Eagle, Round-Up Saloon, Brick & Joe’s, Ben E. Keith Co. and Big D Bear Dance for their continued support and sponsorship.

The fifth annual “I Care” Randy Franklin Memorial Award for Community Service was presented to Jeffrey Payne of the Sharon St. Cyr Fund/International Mr. Leather, David Hearn of the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund and the DFW Sisters, a mission of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Oak Lawn Library art show set

The theme of the next Oak Lawn Library art show is Celebration of Animals. Submitted works should depict animals or our relationships with them. The library is also soliciting artists for month-long shows at the library.

This judged show will accept art in the following categories — painting, drawing, print, photography, watercolor and mixed media. Prize ribbons will be awarded for Best of Show and for first, second, and third places, as well as honorable mention in each category.

Artists may submit a maximum of three entries at $15 for the first entry and $10 for each additional work. Entries must be current, new to this event, and prepared by the artist for hanging or for display. Pictures may not exceed 40-by-40 inches.

Artists must be over 18. Intake day is Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 214-382-0202 or email scifi_chick@juno.com for more information.

—  John Wright