Past Northern California Gathering Themes

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Northern California Mid-Summer Gathering Past Themes

Just for fun, the social hour parties and evening events have a different theme each day. While nudity is still the overall rule, gathering attendees are encouraged (but not required) to wear accessories that correspond to the theme for the social hour and evening. Social hour “costumes” can range from a simple cap or hat to the outlandish.

Themes for the Mid-Summer 2014 gathering were:

• Thursday, August 7: Virgin Party – It’s our first Northern California gathering, wear a white hat or accessories or ???
• Friday, August 8: Leather and Feathers – Is leather or feathers more your style? Wear a cap and accessories to compliment your style.
• Saturday, August 9: Pink Party – Do your prefer a soft pink, a more passionate pink, or a faded bandana red? Wear your favorite shade of pink hat or accessories.

Themes for the Mid-Summer 2015 Gathering were:

• Tuesday, August 4 – Mad Hatter.
• Wednesday, August 5 – Queens for a day.
• Thursday, August 6 – Leather and uniforms.
• Friday, August 7 – Green (with envy).
• Saturday, August 8 – 60s : Summer of Love party.

Mid-summer 2016 Gathering themes were:

• Tuesday, August 2 – Mardi Gras: It’s party time at the Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Wear your beads, feather masks, and other festive accessories.
• Wednesday, August 3 – A day at the Dude Ranch: Imagine yourself riding in from the open prairie after a day out on the trail. Throw on your hat, boots, and other accessories this evening pardner.
• Thursday, August 4 – Leather, Fetishes and Fantasies: The masculine aroma of men in black leather will fill the air, look your best in polished motorcycle boots, black leather cap, harness, and other accessories.
• Friday, August 5 – Satin and Lace: Oh Darling! Dress to sparkle tonight. Perhaps you will find paradise in a luxurious ensemble, in something totally silly, or in the man wearing one….
• Saturday, August 6 – Rainbows Forever: Which is your favorite color in the rainbow? Wear your favorite color cap and accessories this evening. Together, we each add a color to the rainbow.

Mid-summer 2017 themes were:

• Tuesday, July 25 – What’s Your Sign: In the East or in the West, some believe that knowing your sign tells others a lot about you. Wear accessories symbolic of you sign tonight.Wednesday, July 26 – Red Hot: Everything is red hot! Wear your favorite red cap or hat, red sandals or other red accessories this evening.
• Thursday, July 27 – A Night on Folsom St: Yes Sir! The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air. Will tonight be the night of your fantasies? look your best in polished motorcycle boots, black leather cap, harness, and other accessories.
• Friday, July 28 – Glitter and Glamor: Dress to sparkle and shimmer this afternoon. Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one… Who will win our hearts?
• Saturday, July 29 – Viva Mexico: Time to take a fantasy visit South of the Border to old Mexico. Come naturally native with nothing but a sombrero and a colorful poncho from Puebla. Experience the sounds of Mariachi music, Spanish guitars, and erotic dancing!

Themes for the Mid-Summer 2018 Gathering were:

• Tuesday, July 24 – MADD. Hatter: The Madd Hatter has arrived, but can’t decide what hat to wear! What would you suggest? What hat would your friends say is you? Wear your favorite hat, cap, crown, tiara, bonnet or beanie. If you belong to a local club this would be a great evening to wear your local club cap too. If not, perhaps a cap representing the city or state you are from could be worn.
• Wednesday, July 25 – Christmas in July: Santa and his reindeer cannot stand the cold weather at the North Poll all year around, so they decided to join us in sunny California for the evening. Santa knows who has been naughty and nice! Come as one of Santa’s helpers or as an elf. Please bring a gag gift for the exchange which is planned for the social hour.
• Thursday, July 26 – Leather masters and slaves: Yes Sir! The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air. Will tonight be the night of your fantasies? look your best in polished motorcycle boots, black leather cap, harness, and other accessories.
• Friday, July 27 – Diamonds are a girls best friend: Dress to sparkle and shimmer this afternoon. Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one… Who will win our hearts?
• Saturday, July 28 – Lei’d in Paradise: Tonight the romance, music, and foods from the Hawaii will transport our fantasies to a tropical paradise. A beckoning drum and a faint mountain breeze add to the romance. Come natively naked or wear a lei for the evening. Hula anyone?

Themes for the Mid-Summer Gathering 2019 themes were:

• Tuesday, July 23 – Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street: It’s party time at the Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Wear your beads, feather masks, and other festive accessories.
• Wednesday, July 24 – Pirates of the Pacific: Ahoy mate! Tonight we set sail on an adventure to honor the daring sailors on the Pacific Ocean, and the fearless romantic pirates they were always chasing. Grab your sailor hat or your pirates hat if you dare to sail on the dark side.
• Thursday, July 25 – Night on Folsom Street:  Yes Sir!  The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air.  Will tonight be the night of your fantasies?  look your best in polished motorcycle boots, black leather cap, harness, and other accessories.
• Friday, July 26 – Divas in Satin and Lace:  Dress to sparkle and shimmer this afternoon.  Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one…  Who will win our hearts?
• Saturday, July 27 – A day at the Dude Ranch: Howdy Cowboy! Imagine yourself riding in from the open prairie after a day out on the trail. Throw on your hat, boots, and other accessories this evening pardner.

Themes for the Mid-Summer Gathering 2020:

Themes for the Mid-Summer Gathering 2021:

• Tuesday, July 27 – Rainbow of Colors:  Which is your favorite color in the rainbow? Wear your favorite color cap and accessories this evening. Together, we each add a color to form a rainbow.
• Wednesday, July 28 – Men in Uniform:  There’s nothing like the smell of a man in uniform! Do you most admire the men who protect our country, the officers who preserve the peace, the doctors who heal, or the postmen who deliver? Wear your favorite uniform accessories and be prepared to serve!
• Thursday, July 29 – Leather or Knot:  Yes Sir!  The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air.  Will tonight be the night of your fantasies?  look your best in polished motorcycle boots, black leather cap, harness, and other accessories.
• Friday, July 30 – Red Hot!  Everything is red hot! Wear your favorite red cap or hat, red sandals, red wig or other red accessories this evening.
• Saturday, July 31 – Viva Mexico!!  Time to take a fantasy visit South of the Border to old Mexico. Come naturally native with nothing but a sombrero and a colorful poncho from Puebla. Experience the sounds of Mariachi music, Spanish guitars, and erotic dancing!

Themes from the Mid-Summer Gathering 2022 were:

• Tue – July 26 – Purple Party:  In a haze on what to wear?   Go Royal.  Go Professor Plum.  Wear violet.  Drink cabernet sauvignon!  Time to break out that amethyst jewelry, or get creative with a few eggplants!  Get passionate with anything between crimson and blue… and let it RAIN PURPLE!
• Wed – July 27 – Christmas in July:  Ho, Ho, Ho!, who you callin’ a Ho!?!  Santa and his reindeer cannot stand the cold weather at the North Pole all year round.  So they decided to join us in July for the evening.  Santa knows who has been naughty and nice!  Come as one of Santa’s helpers or as an elf, Mrs. Claus or the Grinch, a candy-cane or a snowman.  Santa’s gifts to us will be all of the hot new men arriving for the long weekend!  (Please bring a gag gift for the gift exchange which is planned for the Social Hour.)
• Thu – July 28 – Leathermen in the Mountains:  Yes Sir!  The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air as Leathermen gather in the mountains.  Will tonight be the night of your fantasies?  Look your best in polished motorcycle boots, a black leather cap, armbands, a harness, and/or other leather accessories.
• Fri – July 29 – Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend:  Dress to sparkle and shimmer this afternoon.   Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one…  Who will win our hearts?  Everyone’s a Queen this afternoon whether you’re wearing a tiara, a crown or just wish you had the nerve!
• Sat – July 30 – Hawaiian Luau:  The romance, music and foods from the Pacific Island State will transport our fantasies to a tropical paradise.  A beckoning drum and a faint Pacific Ocean breeze will add to the Hawaiian ambiance.  Come natievely naked or wear a grass skirt.  Feeling piggie?  Come as the Luau pig!  And make sure you get LEI’d at least once this afternoon!  Hula anyone?

The 2024 Themes were:

Monday, July 22: Uniforms and GearWear
Peruse an old International Male Catalog and go NUTS dressing up in your gear-wear!  Any sport will do… Or don your favorite uniform whether it be a worker going postal, military madness, cops, robbers, or cowboys.  Perhaps you’ll be emulating a football or baseball player in your athletic gear?  Strap on that Jock or shoulder pads, and score a touchdown with a new friend! Better yet, give him a wedgie!  If you’re feeling girly, how about an outfit that involves pom-poms, a pig-tailed wig and a teensy skirt with nothin’ underneath! 

Tuesday, July 23: Mellow Yellow (Showers or otherwise!)
Take a Big Yellow Taxi to Social Hour in your Yellow Jacket with a yellow rose of Texas upon your lapel. Come donned in your Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini! They’ll call you Mellow Yellow in your saffron robe or your Big Bird outfit. Need ideas? Check the Yellow Pages, if you can still find them! Tie a yellow ribbon ‘round your old oak “tree.” You’ll be singing “Yellow Submarine” dressed as Snoopy’s pal: Woodstock. You’ll catch Yellow Fever in sulfur-colored fireman’s gear or in a flasher’s raincoat! Choose from a cast of lemon-colored characters: Tweety Bird, Colonel Mustard, Bart Simpson, a scary Ronald McDonald, Pikachu, Pac Man or Curious George’s friend: the man with the yellow hat. Grab your number two pencil and be a Yellow Journalist.  Just don’t have a “code-yellow” in your SpongeBob Squarepants! And remember: yellow showers bring banana boners.

Wednesday, July 24: Animal Instincts / Pup Play

OK all of you Furries… time to don your favorite fur and animal outfits!  Or wear your animal prints today… a leopard, a panther, or how about birds of a feather? Nature is calling this afternoon… it’s Pup Play time… time to put on your mask and start barking, howling, snuggling or joining a puppy pile!

Thursday, July 25: Leather or Knot!
Yes Sir!  The masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air.  Will tonight be the night of your fantasies?  Look your best in polished motorcycle boots, a black leather cap, armbands, a harness, and/or other leather accessories.   Knot into leather?  How about lassoing yourself (or your boy) in ropes?!  Tie the knot tonight with your favorite man!

Friday, July 26: Life’s a Drag
Dress to sparkle and dazzle this afternoon.   Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one… Everyone’s a Queen this afternoon whether you’re wearing a tiara, a crown or just wish you had the nerve!  The highlight of the evening will be the Miss CMEN Queen contest!

Saturday, July 27: Halloween in July
It’s Transylvania.  A coyote howls in the distance butt is it really a coyote?  (Could it be someone sexually moaning in Stiffy Lube?!).  This afternoon you can wear your favorite nightmare… or anything that you’d wear on the Gay National Holiday of HALLOWEEN! Will Jekyl and Hyde transformations engulf you?  Dress in your scariest outfit this evening… if you dare!

Themes for the 2025 Gathering

7/21:   Red Hot!
Everything is red hot today!  Wear your favorite red cap, red sandals, a plaid red kilt, a Santa hat or how about some red-hot Matador tights?!  Dress up as Elmo the muppet, Jessica Rabbit or wear the Cat in the Hat’s red hat!  Instead of dressing up to walk the Red Carpet, WEAR the red carpet!  You don’t belong to the Red Hat Society?  No problem… put on something Fire Engine red and pretend you’re mounting a real Fireman!  And if you aren’t feeling ballsy, keep it simple and wear only a sock on your cock like a Red Hot Chili Pepper!

7/22:   Men in Uniform
Ah, there’s nothing like the smell of a man in uniform! (…except maybe a man OUT of his uniform!)  Who are your favorite uniformed men? Are they the royal red troopers that you dream of mounting or the aces in the sky with which you want to ride off into the sunset? Or maybe it’s the officers who preserve the peace, the doctors who heal, or the postmen who deliver?  Major military madness might be upon us this afternoon. Will you be Dishonorably Discharged for Disorderly Conduct or for going AWOL?  Play Cops and Robbers, or Cowboys and Indians. Come in a Wrestling uniform or as the High-school nurse!  Wear your favorite uniform accessories and serve!

7/23:   Viva Mexico!
Ay Caramba! Time to take a fantasy visit South of the Border. Come naturally native with nothing but a sombrero and a colorful poncho from PUTO Vallarta!  Look for a fiesta of hombres guapos! Be a Papi Chulo in a Pancho Villa mustachio or a festive Vaquero hat. Or how about a scantily-clad whore from the back-alleys of Tijuana? Dust off that Lucha Libre wrestling mask. Dios Mio… Que Culito! Feel free to fling on a Frida Kahlo frock or a red, white and green serape, Señor!

7/24:   Almost Folsom
Do the pheromones of a man in leather whip you into an orgasmic frenzy? If the answer is “Yes Sir!” then tonight is your night to get intoxicated because the masculine aroma of men in black leather fills the air.  Polish your motorcycle boots, muscle into your armbands, tighten your harness, and unsnap your jockstrap. It’s time to wear your favorite leather and chain accessories, and be prepared to smell, lick, whip, suck, fuck, and cum.   

7/25:   Queen for a Day
In the immortal words of Lady Gaga, “Don’t be a Drag, Be a Queen!”  It’s time for YOU to be a drag queen this afternoon!  Time to wear your wig, boa, tiara, sequins and pumps and wear it proudly!  Be the fiercest queen you can be… and choose an appropriate name for your persona:  Will you be: Anita Procedure, Dixie Normous, Eileen Sideways, Wilma Titzgro or Izzy Unkutt?  How about Mimi Furst, Ida Slapter, or Ivy Profen?!  Just remember, “it’s not personal, it’s DRAG!”  Perhaps you’ll find paradise in a glorious ensemble, in a totally silly frock, or in the man wearing one… Everyone’s a Queen this afternoon whether you’re wearing a tiara, a crown or just wish you had the nerve!  

7/26:   Rainbows Forever
Wrap yourself in a Rainbow Flag… or don anything rainbowy!  Today ANY color of the rainbow will do: RED hot, mellow YELLOW, royal PURPLE, BLUE moon, or GREEN with envy!  ORANGE you glad you brought something colorful to the gathering?  You can work the “Over the Rainbow” angle by wearing ANYthing from the Wizard of Oz: the Scarecrow, a hot Tin Man, the Lion, Toto, a Witch, the Wizard, a munchkin or even Dorothy Gale herself!  

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_{Photos by anonymous and Rick B.}