The long running Bear soup in Montreal has a new location. BearJacq (profile) informed me that they have now moved their Bear Soup over to Sauna Ste-Cath on Ste-Catherine street from 5PM until midnight the very first Saturday of each month. The first soup will be tomorrow - July 4th - so hop into the soup and let the slurping begin.

Run... it's  Bears in Space ... yes, run after the Bears, not from the Bears!... This is a new monthly Bear dance party run by Chris Bowen at Akbar on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, CA. The event is going to start off during the Gay Pride LA Weekend - June 14th, and then they will be gathering every 2nd Sunday of the month. There is no cover this time and they have a 'Beer for a Beard' at the door ~ if you have a beard, well the first beer is on them (hint - stop shaving now).

Last weekend, the Montreal based 'Woof Bar & Bistro' (website - articles) had their very first 'Party Bearotica', and TubeBear was there to capture the whole thing on digital celluloid.

The place was packed with some truly incredible good looking men, and since Woof bar is catering to the Bear community, there were some really really hot guys there that night. Alongside all the goodness, there were some pretty neat shows. They had an underwear modeling show and an S&M show. There was also a vernissage and there was a booth in which people could get free tattoos.

I (Bob Forrest - profile) had a corner by the DJ booth and my partner Roger (galleries - profile) was there to help me for the evening. The biggest surprise for me was seeing Frank aka aBearLover2 (galleries - profile) who came up from New Jersey (Frank was one of the first guys I photographed). Frank whooped it up like it was the end of ages, dancing away in his red jockstrap. I was livestreaming the event for TubeBear so all those who were logged in got to see Frank's super freaky disco moves.

There was also Jacques aka PandaMontreal (galleries - profile) who got himself a tattoo, and altho I didn't see them for very long, I saw Eric Z. (galleries - profile) and his buddy Dave aka Cumalotts (galleries - profile). However, I didn't get to talk to anyone for too long as I was also filming the event alongside the livestreaming. I still have to sort thru the video yet I should hopefully have some footage online soon.

Click here to see some pictures from the event. I didn't have the time to take pictures myself, so some of the credit goes to Jacques and some to Eric for sending in these photos. However, if you would like to see more photos from this event, check out photographer Ryan Lee's website for plenty of photos from Party Bearotica.

Owner of the bar Paul Blouin (profile) is informing us that he plans on hosting 'Party Bearotica' twice a month - every other Saturday. One of the Saturdays will be opened to the public while the other will be a private party (to get coupons, email Paul or pick them up at the bar).

Tomorrow - Sunday, March 29th - the UpBear (website - articles - profile) guys will be getting together for their annual sugaring off, and it will also make their 6th anniversary as a group. This is going to take place at the Érablière Jacques Grégoire (outside of Montreal, Quebec) at 11:30AM. I, Bob Forrest (profile) will be there snapping pictures, so make sure to come by and say hello. Should be a great day.

Is that Joe Mannetti aka Joe Falconi (articles - profile) sporting some bunny rabbit ears...? Why yes it is...! Actually, you can actually meet up with Joe as he will be attending the BearsLA's fundraising event Bears & Bunnies which will be taking place at the Pistons Bar in Long Beach, California on April 4th. They have some contests lined up such as 'Best Easter Bonnet' and 'Ms. & Mr. Easter Bear'.

The following is from Bearracuda (website - articles - profile): "For the first time ever, we're having dueling parties tonight, Saturday, March 21st! While the guys in San Francisco are shaking their furry asses, there will be a few hundred guys doing the same thing in Seattle. In San Francisco ~ resident DJ Pete 'Jester' Savas is flying in from Salt Lake City to spin for our guys all night! At the moment, Pete is in the top 5 of the Gay Days Orlando Contest. Vote and give positive feedback for Pete here to better his chances of winning. The lucky DJ who wins will spin their very own Gay Days 2009 pool party in June. In Seattle: Even through the snow, the last Bearracuda Seattle was a huge hit!  This Saturday, we're expecting 'no' snow and an even better crowd. DJ Boyshapedbox and Fifty Pound Note are flying up from San Francisco to spin for the Northwest crowd".

The following is from CyberBears about their Bear Party Productions: "Come on out on March 29th to join Bear Party Productions and the San Francisco Bear community at The Stud in San Francisco, at a dance to benefit the BadBoys Softball Team. It's been a few months since our last Bear Party here in San Francisco. But everyone had such a great time at the last one, we wanted to make sure we kept the party going for the local Bears and their friends. This time, we'll be enjoying dance beats supplied by DJ Byron. We'll have a nice supply of snacks and treats to munch on while taking a break from shaking your booty on the dance floor - just as the folks who were at our last Bear Party! There will also be go-go Bears to entertain you, and representative hotties from the Badboys Softball Team on hand".

Événours Montréal (Bearevent Montreal) are planning a Bear Fashion Show (Défilé de Mode Bear) on March 27th at Bain Mathieu. This is their 4th edition of the event and they state that this year to expect something new, shorter and completely modified. Also keep an eye out on their site as they mention that they are working on a gallery for their events. The Bear Fashion Show is in conjunction with SugarBear Weekend (March 26th thru the 29th).

Woof Bar & Bistro (website - articles - profile) are inviting you to a wild evening as they are planning a Party Bearotica on March 28th. The Woof Bar is located on 1661 Ste Catherine street in the Gay Village of Montreal. They are planning erotic dancers, an S&M show, a vernissage. You can even get a tattoo (and just a reminder - click here to see some pics from the Monsieur Bear Montreal contest which took place at Woof back in August).

It's time to get your tickets for UpBear's 'Sugar Shack for Bears' (website - articles - profile) which will be taking place at the Érablière Jacques Grégoire (outside of Montreal, Quebec) on March 29th. The tickets are sold up until March 15th at the Woof Bar and Bistro (website - articles - profile). UpBear will also be celebrating their 6th anniversary. Come visit Canada and take in a bit of tradition while your hanging out with cute French Canadian Bears...

The UpBear (website - articles - profile) bunch from Montreal are celebrating their 6th anniversary by getting together for a Sugar Shack outing. The event will be taking place at the Érablière Jacques Grégoire and as they mention "the place is rustic and friendly oriented, known for its good food and its maple products". All this will be taking place on March 29th and tickets will be sold until March 15th and you can pick them up at the Bistro Bar Woof (website - articles - profile).

 On Saturday, January 31st, Bearracuda (website - articles - profile) are having their very first UnderBear party.

From Bearracuda: "This is also the long awaited return of our beloved friend, DJ Sam Storicks, to Bearracuda's decks.  Along with Boyshapedbox, they'll be tearing up the dance floor in their undies. IBR Weekend is a mere 2 weeks away and we have a triple threat of parties for your pleasure. Check out the details here. Bearracuda is located inside Deco at 510 Larkin @ Turk in San Francisco. Free Massages upstairs; smoking on the patio; Hot and Cold snacks in the pool room".

Make your plans to head on over to the Eagle LA (website - profile) on February 13th as they are planning a 'Gar Night with the guys who run Maximus (website - profile). There will be cigars available. Come in your fetish and layered leather gear. The Eagle LA bar is located on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles, CA.

The extremely Bear friendly leather bar Eagle LA (website - articles - profile) is going to hold their Mr. Eagle LA contest tomorrow evening ~ on January 10th. However things are starting off tonight - Friday, January 9th - with Maximus (website - articles - profile) having their cigar social, then on Sunday they are having their brunch. Looks like a good time, I'll be looking out for the photos. The bar is located on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles, CA.

This is not Bear related. It does, however, have to deal with the 'Polar Bear plunge' which is "event held during the winter where participants enter a body of water despite the low temperature. Polar bear plunges are usually held to raise money for a charitable organization" (Wiki).

All that being said, take a look at Plungapalooza. This event has participants plunge into the Chesapeake Bay to raise funds for Special Olympics Maryland. It's going to take place on January 24th. For more, check out their blog. On a personal note, I've dived into incredibly cold water before. You really need to prepare yourself because the cold feels like it grips your heart. These are brave souls doing a good job for charity.

Now back to Bearish issues... whatever happened to the Chesapeake Bay Bears?

Leather men and Bears smoking cigars at the Eagle LA (website - articles). Does that sound like something that could turn you on? The cigar social group Maximus (website - articles - profile) are going to be part of the Mr. Eagle LA Contest with their 'Cigar Smokers and their Admirer's' event. All this will be taking place on January 9th and the Eagle LA is located on Santa Monica Blvd, in Los Angeles, CA.

Seattle Eagle in conjunction with BigMuscleBears are inviting you to join them for the 'BMB Goes Bare' (poster) which will be taking place on December 27th. All drinks are $1 if you take your shirt off and if you're a member with BMB, then there's no cover. Looks like a good time and they are giving away prizes as well (like an iPod... I can use one of those). The Seattle Eagle is located at Pike Street.

I can't seem to get enough of Eric Nielson's work (website - blog - Flickr - articles). I keep mentioning him here in the news. I guess I'm becoming a fan or something. Eric is now beginning to make regular trips to Bearracuda San Francisco party which takes place every 1st and 3rd of the month at Deco. If you get a chance, swing by his photo booth which is located upstairs and have your photo taken. And check his latest photo set entitled Dirty Santa (password bearracuda).

The following is from James of the Bear Albany (website - articles - profile) group. James has modeled for me in the past (galleries) and he was also in Dan Hunt's 'Bear Run' movie (website - articles - profile):

From James: "The 'other' fat guy in red. For the 3rd year in a row, I will be donning my Speedo to run down Lark Street in Albany, NY. Running from the police? No, the 3rd annual Santa Speedo Sprint (logo), part of the magic that is Winter WonderLark! Race begins at 2pm, courage begins at 12 noon. It is 800m of bone chilling good times. Once again we race for the Albany Damien Center, a Living Room for people with HIV/AIDS. If you can run, please do, but if you can't, I would love to have you sponsor me. I know it is a very difficult year for a lot of folks but every little bit helps, and remember, someone is always worse off than you. In the last 2 years we have raised $17,000 making fools of ourselves, help us continue our success in both accounts! PayPal the money to this email address. Jim".

Tonight is Bear Party night. Bear Party features some of today's best DJs, Big and Burly Go-Go dancers, Drink Specials, Raffles, Door Prizes and great food. It's $5 at the door and a portion of the profit from the dance benefits will go to selected local not-for-profit groups such as Magnet San Francisco and Stop AIDS Project. The party will begin at 6PM on tonight ~ Sunday, November 30th in San Francisco at The Stud which is located at 399 9th Street at Harrison.