Detroit Area Rough and Kinkfest Weekend
February 4th, 5th, and 6th
The Leather Institute for Education - Detroit (L.I.F.E. - Detroit) would like to invite you to participate in our annual Detroit Area Rough and Kinkfest Weekend (D.A.R.K. Weekend), taking place February 4th through Sunday, February 6th. The weekend package is $20, which allow access to all events (not including the "Pub Crawl).

Throughout the weekend there will be various speakers and demonstrations in areas of kink, leather, and fetish. We will have a vendor's market open to the public on Saturday from Noon to 6:30 p.m., while speakers will address a variety of subjects in the lifestyle. Saturday night we will be holding the Mr. Leather Cowboy 2005 contest, with the winner going to International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago Memorial Day weekend. Sunday, the weekend will be capped off with a brunch and addressed by our keynote speaker.

Weekend Costs

The weekend Package for all events (not including the "Pub Crawl") is $20.

  • Friday, February 4th "Meet and Greet" $3, with part of the proceeds going to the Leather Archive and Museum. Friday "Pub Crawl" is $5 (not included with the weekend package).

  • Saturday, February 5th Noon to 6:30 p.m. - Vendor Mart. $2 donation will all go to the Leather Archive and Museum. Saturday evening demonstrations and Mr. Leather Cowboy Contest $10, with snacks and demonstrations.

  • Sunday, February 6th, 11:00 am to 4:00 p.m. "Closing Brunch" $8

If you wish to pre-pay the weekend, you may do so by using "PayPal" by Tuesday, February 1. Or you may pay for individual events on Friday, February 4th at the "Meet and Greet".

Pre-pay D.A.R.K. Weekend Total Package (not including Pub Crawl)
(Please print your receipt and bring with you for security purposes)

You can pay for individual events or the weekend package at the door. Cash or money order at the door only. No checks or credit cards.

Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday , February 4

  • 7:30 pm - Meet and Greet weekend "Kick-off". This is a chance for all persons involved with the weekend to mingle and have some good food and drink. Vendors, speakers, club members, and Mr. Leather Cowboy contestants and Judges will all be in attendance. A shuttle will leave DJS at 9 pm. to take those interested persons on a Bar Crawl. Tickets for the shuttle are $5. Possible demonstrations by C.L.A.W. and N.A.I.L. We ask all members of leather clubs and of titleholders to please sign-in at the Cobalt table and to please, wear your colours proudly all weekend.

Saturday, February 5

  • Noon - 6:30 p.m. - Vendor's Market - Come see vendors  from Michigan and neighboring states who will be brining items for all tastes to purchase. Vendors wishing to sell items, please click here.
  • 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Speakers and Demonstrations - there will be various speakers and demonstrations in areas of kink, leather, and fetish throughout the afternoon. After the speakers are finished, guests will have a chance to meet and ask questions.
  • 8:00 p.m. to Close - Demonstrations - Throughout the night, local Detroit Groups will be conducting demonstrations while others will be showing off other techniques as well.
  • 9:00 p.m. to Close - Mr. Leather Cowboy Contest 2005 - This is our annual contest , with the winner going to the International Mr. Leather Contest in May 2005. Applications are available on line here or by stopping by Diamond Jim's Saloon.

Sunday, February 6

  • 11:00 am - 3:00 p.m. - DARK Brunch. We will be having food for the brunch which will cap off a great weekend. We will have a keynote speaker at 1:00 p/m. to address those in attendance.

Mr. Leather Cowboy - what it's about and details

Hotels - There isn't a host hotel for this year's event. We have listed a number of hotels within a short distance from where most activities will be hosted, here.