New 2012 Membership Packages - NOW AVAILABLE!

It's now time to renew your VicBears membership and grab a brand spanking new 2012 VicBears Membership key ring and all the goodness that it comes with!!

It's new, shiny, and made just for you!

Everyone's membership ends on 31 December and the new membership year begins on 1 January, 2012.

New and Renewal Memberships are available NOW ONLINE via the "Join" page above and at the Club Desk @ Den Nights.

Keep your VicBears commitment going strong into 2012 - it's going to be a huge year!

RENEW & JOIN UP NOW!

Summer BearFest 2012

VicBears Summer BearFest 2012

15 January - 5 February, 2012

A summer filled with furry fun for everyone!

Midsumma Carnival / Man Boobs / BEAST

UnderBear / BearSoup / Bearaoke

Lazy Sunday Brunch / Pride March

Visit the "What's On" page for more event information.

Boxing Day Bears Den Night - Monday, 26 December

Lazy Sunday Afternoon Lunch @ The Fox Hotel: 18 December

Foxxy Luurrrrve…

Hankering for an International Boutique Beer?
Hanging out for some decent food?
Need a dose of natural Vitamin D?
You Free this coming Sunday the 18th December?

Then come join us at the The Fox Hotel, Collingwood from 1pm, December 18th, for the last VicBears Lazy Sunday Afternoon of the year.

We've booked the entire rooftop deck, the chef's been warned, the beer's been ordered, and the staff are all ready for an invasion of hungry, thirsty bears.

What: The Fox Hotel

Where: 351 Wellington St, Collingwood, Melbourne, VIC 3066
(Cnr Wellington St and Alexandra Pde)
When: Sunday 18th December at 1:00pm

Remember to bring your sunnies and sunscreen… :)

More details and who's coming on our Facebook event page [click the "Facebook" button on the right]

The Fox Hotel website;
http://thefoxhotel.com.au/pub

A BEAST is BORN !!

VicBears is very excited to present a very sexy dance party at Melbourne's notorious CLUB80, launching a week of fantastically fun and furry events hosted by VicBears during the 2012 Midsumma Festival.

Saturday January 21, 2012 | 7:00pm - 2:30am.

CLICK ON the "BEAST" button at top-right for more event details and how to purchase your BEAST tickets . . .

Bearaoke November Den Night

8:00pm, Saturday, 26 November, 2011

BEARAOKE
by ShannoBear

Our next Den Night will be one of the biggest of the year, when the highly popular and fiercely fun ‘Bearaoke’ returns to the stage. This month is all about celebrating music and surrendering to your inner Diva. Will a star be born? Who will take the crown as the Prince of bleeding eardrums? What are you going to wear to go with your Lady Gaga meets Burly Bear moment?

Don’t miss this great night where there will be plenty of laughs and some eye watering showstoppers on offer. And it's a totally FREE event!

It all kicks off at 8pm with a delicious BBQ, beers being pulled and DJ Nick Shepherd pumping out sexy fat beats. There will be raffle prizes and giveaways galore, and some very exciting news about a major VicBears event being promoted during Midsumma 2012.

Come along and hear about that and all the other exciting and enticing events we are staging for our community. Sing to your hearts content or just revel in the boogie.
Woof!

BEARY SCARY! Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour

Haunted Tour of Melbourne

Thursday, 17th November, 8:30pm sharp
15 Mckillop St, Melbourne CBD

$20 each - collected upon arrival.

In the spirit of Halloween, VicBears will be coming face to face with the city's haunted past on Melbourne's oldest and most famous ghost tour, conducted by Haunted Bookshop founder and Haunted Australia TV presenter, Drew Sinton.

http://www.haunted.com.au/ghosttour.html

On Thursday, 17th November at 8:30pm the VicBears boys will be meeting at 15 Mckillop St, Melbourne CBD, for a two hour walking tour winding their way through the back alleys, lost lanes, and darkened doorways in search of ghosts of Melbourne past.

This is a special "VicBears only" version of this award-winning ghost tour.

Soo… bring warm clothes, and someone to cling to in fright! It'll be a hoot for sure.

Please RSVP by sending an email to: drew@vicbears.org.au to confirm your participation.

Grrrampians Camping Weekend 2011

Friday 28 - Monday 31 October, 2011

LAST CHANGE to register for our annual Camping Weekend to the beautiful Grampians, VIC.

Click on the "Grrrampians Retreat" button on the top-right for all the details!

Leather Bears Den Night - Saturday 22nd October

Den Nights get bigger and better every month, packing the Laird Hotel with a tribe of fun, friendly, fury fellas out for a good time in a relaxed and uplifting space.

It's a chance to catch up with mates and make new ones, learn about upcoming events, win prizes, eat, drink and contribute to the growth and visibility of the Victorian Bear Community.

To heat things up a little, Den Nights take on a monthly theme, and on 22 October it's time to polish your boots, sling on your harness, snap on your chaps and tilt your cap as we celebrate a night of bears and buddies in leather. Woof!

There is absolutely NO enforced dress code and it's all as casual and relaxed as ever, but if you're up for it, we encourage you to embrace the chance to set your fetish free!

- Mannhaus leather raffle prizes
- Mannhaus Members Draw $25
- Gourmet BBQ from 8:00pm
- Club Desk 8:00pm - 11:00pm

TUPPERBEAR - FUNdraising event! Sunday, 9 October

TupperBear is destined to be the grrreatest and most outrageous Tupperware party, ever!

We’re combining the latest must-have kitchen and lifestyle goodies with a bunch of burly Bears at our favourite Bear pub, The Laird Hotel; Sunday October 9th from 1:00pm.

We have one of the wildest Tupperware distributors around to demonstrate the wonders of these amazing homeware products (and yes, he's a big bear!) Gone are the days of your Mother’s boring burping plastic containers – the latest Tupperware is practical, colourful and fun!

Tupperware has generously donated tons of current-season products and gadgets for our cause, so expect lots of give-aways, raffles and fantastic plastic fun! It’s going to be a hoot!

Our Gourmet BBQ kicks off at 1:00pm, so come early to grab some lunch with a tasty gourmet sausage or wrap, for just a few gold coins.

This is an event for all ages and just a gold coin donation will get you in!

VicBears is proud to be hosting TupperBear as a FUNdraising event for PLWHA (People Living With HIV/AIDS) Victoria. 100% of the door, BBQ and raffle proceeds will be donated to this wonderful, local charity.

See who else is coming to TupperBear - click the Facebook button on the right, select Events/TupperBear

And take a peek at the 'just released' Spring Tupperware collection right here: http://www.tupperware.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/aus/website/

Lazy Sunday Afternoon Lunch @ Kyrenia Cafe - Sunday 17 November, 2011

Get off Facebook!

Twitter will go on without you!
You never get lucky from Scruff anyway!!

Do some real life “social networking” at VicBears monthly eating out event “Lazy Sunday Afternoon”.

Join us on Sunday, 13 November at 1:00pm.
Kerynia Cafe, 354 Smith Street, Fitzroy.

VicBears are going Greek this November to say thank-you to Kerynia Cafe for allowing VicBears the use of their upstairs studio space for our upcoming Midsumma production of J. Julian Christopher’s drama “Man Boobs”.

Offering a wide variety of menu options including all-day breakfast, burgers, souvlakis and a comprehensive tapas menu, Kerynia Cafe prides itself in offering the very best in both freshness and taste, all at sensible prices.

http://www.kerynia.com.au/

This Lazy Sunday Afternoon also spells the return of Jack’s Mystery Box - will you play it safe and take the money or will you risk it all for what is in Jack’s Box? Tickets are $1 per entry.

New to VicBears? Lazy Sunday Afternoon is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the guys from VicBears outside of the bar environment.

Sporties Den Night @ The Laird

VicBears Den Night @ The Laird Hotel.
Saturday, 24 September, 2011 from 8:00pm.

On the Saturday before the big AFL Grand Final, we get our sports gear on to have a Sporties-themed Den Night.

PRIZES FOR THE BEST SPORTS GEAR

Rock up in your fave Sports Gear and you could win some great prizes and give-aways – Titan Video & Toy Packs, VicBears Bags & T-Shirts and lots more. So get ya’ gear on and celebrate the footy finals with us!

GOURMET BBQ IS BACK!

We’ll have the Barbie fired up from 8:00pm with gourmet sausages in rolls, sautéed onions, shredded cheese with all the trimmings. $3 will get you an awesome hot snag!

MANNHAUS MEMBER DRAW IS $175

The Mannhaus Member-draw jackpots again this month and is now sitting on $175... so if your name is called and you’re with us this Den Night, it yours to spend on anything you want at Mannhaus. Anything ;-)

PLUG-A-BEAR

Where club members can plug a cause, business or event - you’ll hear from fellow members as they share an event or activity they are passionate about and get you excited too!

OFF-PEAK MEMBERSHIP ONLY $10

What a great time to join VicBears if you aren’t a member already. Our Off-Peak membership is now available for $10 until December 2011. You’ll get all the benefits of club membership, discount drinks at The Laird AND receive your VicBears membership metal key ring on the spot! All just for 10 bucks!

Our Club Desk will be open from 8:00pm – 11:00pm, where you can;
- purchase new club membership
- book for Grrrampians 2011 Camping Weekend
- purchase VicBears merchandise
- speak with any of your Committeemen

Finally, don't forget that VicBears members get 15% discount off all drinks on Den Nights over the bar at The Laird – the best Bear Pub on the Planet!

See you all at our Sporties Den Night! Grab a beer with some bear friends or make some new ones!

NEW Open Season Community Event - R U OK?

7:30pm, Thursday 15 September, 2011

Seraphim Restaurant - upstairs

123 Smith St, Fitzroy

FREE and Open to Everyone!

Our first Open Season Community Forum . . .

VicBears is planning to start some life-changing conversations this September 15, hosting a discussion evening on mental wellbeing and how to look after your mates.

The evening is being held to coincide with R U OK Day, a national day of awareness that aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to have open and honest conversations and stay connected with people in their lives. www.ruokday.com.au

These conversations are particularly important for gay men, who have higher rates of depression and are at increased risk of suicide when compared to heterosexual men.

The evening will be hosted by our very own Kevin Reader and Jack Chapman (JOY 94.9’s “The Cubby House”) and features special guests Dr George Forgan-Smith (The Healthy Bear Blog), Christopher Banks (The Bipolar Bear Blog, NZ) and clinical psychologist Ryan Teuma.

“It’s going to be fun and informative, but also a safe place for guys to raise their own questions and share their own experiences of mental wellbeing,” says Jack, event co-ordinator and VicBears Committeeman.

“We bears pride ourselves in the inclusive community that we share. However, when one of our own is going through a hard time it can be difficult to know what to do.”

A literature review carried out by national depression initiative Beyond Blue found that gay men are three times more likely to experience major depression, when compared to heterosexual men.

“RUOK day is a celebration of living. It is about equipping ourselves and others with the skills and the confidence to look out for each other effectively. It’s about preventing little problems from escalating to big problems.”

We'd love you to join us for this special Community Forum - the first of many from VicBears in 2011/2012.

THIS SUNDAY, Sept. 11 . . . Lazy Sunday Afternoon Lunch @ The Retreat Hotel

Sunday September 11, 2011.
1:00pm
Retreat Hotel
280 Sydney Road, Brunswick, (next door to the Mechanic’s Institute).
[Trams at the door]

- We've booked the beer garden for 30+ bears - join us!
- Relaxing Sunday afternoon lunch under the trees, in the sun
- Great meals, big menu, reasonable prices for everyone!

This big, old corner hotel on Sydney Road just about manages to be all things to all people. You’ll find Brunswick's cool types perched at the front windows or sunning out on the pavement, while in the public bar, there's still something of the classic Australian watering-hole feel.

So on Sunday September 11, VicBears will hit the relaxed and grungy streets of Brunswick to sit under the trees and enjoy the ambience of the Retreat’s beer garden.

Our popular Lazy Sunday Afternoon lunches provide the Bear community and their mates a great opportunity to relax and share a good meal and conversation. It also offers an excellent opportunity to make new friends and speak directly to the club’s committee about upcoming events and ideas that you might have.

No expectations, No pressure. Just come along as you are and enjoy!

THIS SUNDAY 21/8/11: Lazy Sunday Afternoon Lunch @ Abesha

1:00pm, Sunday - 21 August, 2011

This coming Sunday, the guys from Vicbears are crossing the final frontier and ‘going west’ for their monthly eating-out event “Lazy Sunday Afternoon”.

We’ve done Chinese, we’ve done North American, this month the guys from Vicbears are going Ethiopian at Abesha in Footscray.

Specialising in authentic Etheopian cuisine, Abesha utilises a variety of freshly ground, warm aromatic spices, delivering a wide number of menu options served by friendly staff in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Keeping within Ethiopian tradition, Abesha does away with knives and forks in favor of using injera bread, a flat sourdough, to scoop up the food.

Abesha will satisfy the budget conscious Bear, with most main courses priced at $10-$13 and beers selling for $5. Please be aware that Abesha is a cash-only restaurant.

Once again, This Lazy Sunday feature’s our monthly game of “Money or The Box?”. Will you play it safe and take the money or will you risk it all for what is in Jack’s mystery box? Past Boxes have contained premium movie tickets, knitted scarves, gaming consoles and champagne. The only way to win is to play the game. Gold coin entry.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon is your opportunity to relax and share a good meal and conversation with friends. No expectations, no pressure. Just come along as you are.

New to Vicbears? Lazy Sunday Afternoon an excellent opportunity to meet up with the bears and speak directly to the club’s organisers and get information about coming events and offer feedback.

Abesha is located at 327 Barkley Street Footscray, a few minutes walk north of Middle Footscray train station. Ample parking is available locally.

RSVP : If you plan on joining us at our Lazy Sunday Afternoon Lunch, please RSVP on the VicBears Facebook page - event listing, or email jack@vicbears.org.au.

August Den Night - Saturday, 27/8/11 from 8:00pm

Meet the down to Earth masculine men of Melbourne, that are totally out of this World. . .

VicBears Den Night @ The Laird Hotel. Saturday, 27 August, 2011 from 8:00pm.

Our monthly social get-together at The Laird Hotel is on once again . . .

Your new Club President, Rob Camm, takes the mic this month to welcome your new Club Committee for 2011/2012 - where you’ll get to meet the guys up close and personal! Hear more about the year ahead for VicBears and some of the exciting events planned in the coming months; Grrrampians camping trip, Midsumma Bear Events and monthly lunches and socials.

AWESOME FUNDRAISING RAFFLES

We’ve got some great Titan Video packs and VicBears merchandise to give away this month PLUS some great Lazy Bear Weekend merchandise bought back especially for us to give-away this month!

MANNHAUS MEMBER DRAW IS $150

The Mannhaus Member-draw Jackpot continues to grow and is now sitting on $150... so if your name is called and you’re with us this Den Night, it yours to spend on anything you want at Mannhaus.

PLUG-A-BEAR

Where club members can plug a cause, business or event - you’ll hear from fellow members as they share an event or activity they are passionate about and get you excited too!

OFF-PEAK MEMBERSHIP ONLY $10

What a great time to join VicBears if you aren’t a member already. Our Off-Peak membership is now available for $10 until December 2011. You’ll get all the benefits of club membership, discount drinks at The Laird AND receive your VicBears membership metal key ring on the spot! All just for 10 bucks!

Finally, we couldn’t have an out of this world Den Night, without the stellar support of the best Bear Pub on the Planet - The Laird Hotel!

See you all at Den Night – May the Bears be with you!