The Bucks Motorcycle Club’s 39th annual Santa Saturday®—the name of the leather-and-bear, charitable event for which the Bucks have the exclusive registered trademark—took place, as scheduled, at the Paradise nightclub, in the Empress Hotel, a block from the Atlantic Ocean, in Asbury Park, on November 24, the Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend, even though beach and boardwalk had taken a beating from the recent Hurricane Sandy and the host hotel had just reopened. More than 800 people attended the five-hour afternoon event, which raised thousands of dollars for worthy Asbury Park and other Monmouth County, New Jersey, as well as Bucks County, Pennsylvania, organizations. The Bucks also made donations, including $1,500 to the Monmouth County Food Bank, to those who suffered as a result of the hurricane.
Featured at Santa Saturday® were a show, coordinated by Gary Christ, associated with the fundraiser for the entirety of its nearly four decades, and assisted by DJ Anthony Arnone, with all entertainers donating their services and their tips, and an auction of donated items, conducted by barker extraordinaire Jo Arnone.
Gary and Sasha James, as alter egos Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jean, opened the show (“Let me be your star”). Gary also portrayed Liza Minnelli (“City Lights”) and contributed a country song (“If Grandma could see me now”) and Sasha’s additional songs included “Call Me, Maybe” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Bucks treasurer Teyd Jamison sang “I Can See It,” from “The Fantasticks,” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” from “Funny Girl,” and Josh Zuckerman sang “Got Love,” the title song from his CD.
The Paradise’s Lady Marisa’s songs included “Santa Baby” and Adele’s “Rumor Has It,” and reigning Miss Paradise Verona Velour Sky began with a medley enhanced by her energetic dancing. Maxine Chambers dedicated “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to official Santa Saturday® photographer Mike Prestia and continued in theme with “I got what you want for Christmas.” Keith Opperman was Susan Boyle, doing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from “Carousel,” and with Maple Syrup, “I Know Him So Well,” from “Chess.” As ‘the Amish Pie Lady,’ Keith told us that “Nothing could be finer than to be in my vagina in the morning,” and the pumpkin and shoofly pies that were ‘her’ props were auctioned off for $15. Maple Syrup did a parody of country song “Right Now” that concerned a not very successful diet (“Maybe next time I’ll think before I eat.”) Karma Velour Sky did some numbers, and Mary DeNight played Lady Gaga doing “Poker Face” and continued with “I Who Have Nothing.”
Lithe dancer boy marshall, International Leatherboy 2006, stripped off royal robe and crown to reveal a fetching singlet and his “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was augmented by a split and some somersaults. A vigorous dance in a Chinese dragon robe, and then ripped jeans and t-shirt, and a fierce “Edge of Glory,” complete with contortions, were boy marshall’s other numbers. This writer and baritone sang “I Am What I Am,” from “La Cage aux Folles,” and “Impossible Dream,” from “Man of LaMancha.” Sasha James closed the show with “Last Dance.”
Jo began her afternoon by auctioning off a Susan Boyle CD and books “Outburst,” a gay mystery by R.D. Zimmerman, and the hefty “Encyclopedia of the Harley Davidson,” before going on to an aluminum iron plate paddle, nicknamed “Ah, Fuck;” a collection of cigars, which went for $105; and a latex vest, with a boot print pattern, from Passional Leather Boutique, which brought in $70. Handmade Afghans, in rainbow and Leather Pride flag colors, netted the charities $90 apiece. A limited edition black bicycle, emblazed with the Miller Lite logo, went for $230. Pieces of Native American jewelry, donated by artist Judy Tallwing McCarthy, the first International Ms. Leather, and made by her father and grandfather, brought in $120 and $115. A highlight of the auction was the bidding on items of clothing worn by Mr. New Jersey Leather 2013 Paul Maffei and the privilege of taking them off him onstage, like the black leather bottom harness, which went for $95, and offstage, like his cock ring, which cost the buyer $70. Maxine and Ms. New Jersey Leather 2013 assisted.
During the afternoon, MC Mr. New Jersey Leather 2001—the first—John Ramos, of the Bucks, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Paradise and Empress, which was accepted by manager C.J. Gascoyne, and Bucks President David Masters addressed the assembled. One could also have one’s picture taken with leather bear Santa Ron Smith for a donation.