Fire Island is playing host to beards and bears for the third annual Fire Island Bear Weekend on June 15th – 18th 2017. The organiser, Shane Tate, is the man behind great NYC parties such as ‘Beers and Bears’, ‘NYC Original Beer Blast’, ‘Furry Fridays’ and now he’s running the Fire Island Bear Weekend I caught up with him to chat about his life, his parties and why Fire Island needs bears! 

David: Hi Shane, great to hang out with you, we love what your parties in NYC. Tell us a bit about you and how you got into what you do?

A lot of people might argue this point but I’m actually a very shy person. I have an irrational fear of microphones and spot lights. I know party promotion might seem an unlikely profession for a shy person but I look at it as a way of confronting my fears.  I’ve been throwing parties off and on since the late 80’s. I love night life and the incredibly creative people that make it happen. I started doing bear parties in 2015 with a traveling party called Beards and Bears Take Over. We would pick a new bar every month and would take it over and would raise money for various charities. 

David: What do you think makes a good party in NYC?

I could talk for hours about this, anyone who’s close to me will tell you I’m obsessed with this subject. There is so much more to making a party successful than Facebook advertisements and showing up and hosting it. First off you need a great venue and a team of creative people. Beers and Bears (every Thursday at the Ritz Bar and Lounge) is the hottest weekly bear party in NYC and it’s because of the team of people I work with that make it happen. Danny Marandola and San Pedro, my business partners at Beers and Bears are always coming up with new and exciting ideas. Having the right DJ is important to a party’s success, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented DJ’s in the business and having a DJ that can read the crowd and control the energy in the room is very important. A party is a living creature that changes constantly throughout the night and you must be able to adjust to those changes or you will lose the crowd.

David: What makes a party fun for you personally?

I love a sexy party, A party with hot men great music and dark corners where you can get in to trouble! 

David: Who are your favorite DJ’s?

Oh, David, don’t get me in to trouble. I have so many favorites. I will say I love Corey Craig. He’s ridiculously talented and so easy to work with. I’m very loyal to him. Ted Bishop and Susan Moribito take me back to my south beach days in the late 90’s with their sets and I can’t help but dance. Jonny Mack is also one of my favs for his good time, sing along sets that always lift my spirits.

David: What made you start Fire Island Bear Weekend?

I love PTown Bear Week but it’s so far away. I wanted to do a bear event in NY to give people a closer option and there is definitely a market for it. 

David: What makes it unique?

Where do I start… Fire Island is a gay paradise! Beautiful beaches, exciting clubs and thriving nightlife. Fire Island is the perfect setting for a summertime bear event. Fire Island Bear Weekend has 3 dance parties, Beards and Bears, the SCRUFF WOOF Party and Daniel Nardicio’s Underwear party (Bear Edition). We have 2 Pool Parties, Bear Ass Tea Dance and Bear Soup and the Mr. Fire Island Bear contest. It’s an incredible line up! You can go to www.fireislandbearweekend.com to see the full line up.

David: Who are the Key Sponsors? And Party Hosts?

We’re sponsored by SCRUFF, The Leather Man, Coors Light and Blue Moon… and of course my favorite sponsor BEAR WORLD MAGAZINE!

David: Is it easy to get accomodation this close?

If you go to www.fireislandbearweekend.com I have a lodging page that lists various hotels, guest houses and Air B&B options. Finding a place to stay can be challenging but there are options out there.

David: Who is welcome at Fire Island Bear Weekend?!

EVERYONE! Fire Island Bear Weekend is for bears and their admirers. It doesn’t matter if your tall, short, thin, heavy, hairy or smooth… Everyone is welcome.

David: Any info we have missed?

To purchase tickets to Fire Island Bear Weekend go to www.fireislandbearweekend.com