austin skate notes

After a months-long hiatus, as of February 17, 2009, Austin Skate Notes is back with a higher definition digital signal thanks to the national change-over required by federal regulation. While we agree that the result of this switch is going to provide a better viewing experience for Austin Skate Notes readers, it is regrettable that skaters still depending on analog rabbit ear antennas will be left behind. In order to help those skaters receive premium ASN digital content, we have partnered with the FCC to provide these coupons that can be used to purchase digital signal conversion hardware to enable older browsers to work with the new system.

In anticipation of the national signal switch-over, ASN staffers have been hard at work behind the scenes upgrading the website to the new digital format. During this effort, we’ve been editing and reviewing content for the maiden digital broadcast and have selected some real gems to share as we step across this exciting threshold together.

A few weeks ago, Micah Shapiro of Grindline’s skatepark design staff visited with some friends from Seattle. Chris, Scott, and Micah ripped several concrete spots in the Austin area and were captured in these photos. After one session, we visited some drinking establishments downtown on a Saturday night. As we were ordering food at a roadside stand, a man ran away from the ordering window and Chris set off in pursuit. The rest of us had no clue what had transpired until Chris returned a few minutes later with the tip jar and all the money it contained. Chris chased the culprit only a dozen or so yards before he surrendered the loot to the leather-jacketted Seattle crime fighter.

We also hit up the Alien Pod where condo construction inspires everyone to skate like it might be the last session.

Sometime Austin resident, Quentin Tarantino, has completed principal photography of his ‘guys-on-a-mission-flick’: Inglourious Basterds. Here’s a trailer for the movie, which seems to draw more inspiration from the Last Rambo than the original Italian movie of the same name. (more…)

It was a kick in the gut to read that Gallery Lombardi is going to shut its doors in January. With the current economic recession, I might as well copy this text to my clipboard to paste into a long series of ASN blurbs about local businesses closing. For those unfamiliar, Gallery Lombardi is an excellent local gallery that has featured dozens of local skateboarders’ art in thoughtful exhibits. People like Andy Rihn, Michael P, Lee Brooks, and Michael Sieben are obvious examples that come to mind. Curator, Rachel Koeper was one of he panelists who selected the artist to create the public art for the upcoming skatepark in House Park.

Speaking of Chris Levack, during the recent East Austin Studio Tour, he displayed some drawings and scale models of the work he’s putting together for the House Park skatepark.

Leander is hosting its second public input meeting on its upcoming public skatepark next wednesday at 7:00 PM. There will be three conceptual designs presented at the meeting for attendees to discuss and vote on. Here’s a flyer for the meeting with location, date, and time.

After the meeting on Wednesday, a movie will open at select theaters starring Mickey Rourke and an academy award-winning actress. It’s called, “The Wrestler,” and also features a theme song crafted by Bruce Springsteen. Oh, and comedian, Todd Barry.

Michael Sieben’s print, ‘Hang Five‘ can be seen in the R-comedy, “Role Models.” There were some laughs in addition to the fine art in that movie, but I had a better time watching ex-Madonna husband, Guy Ritchie’s, “Rocknrolla” this weekend. It’s a welcome return to gangsters and razor-sharp dialogue.

Independent has some more footage posted online from their 30th Anniversary Tour.

Working people lost an advocate two weeks ago when Studs Terkel passed away at the age of 96. Meanwhile, the Austin Museum of Art is hosting an exhibit containing some of Sebastião Salgado worker photos.

Leander skateboarders will want to attend the public input meeting to be held on Nov. 22nd. It’s the first meeting in the design process of that city’s first public skatepark.
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The guys behind shot-on-film gems ‘Northwest,’ ‘Fruit of the Vine,’ and ‘Tent City’ have another one in the can. This weekend at the Alamo Drafthouse, you can see Nichols & Charnowski’s newest skate doc, ‘Deathbowl to Downtown.’ It’s about the New York skate scene, which I actually have experienced first hand, and have little respect for or interest in. But Nichols and Charnowski are talented cinemakers, so perhaps they captured something of note in that steaming craphole of a city. I guess there’ll be some shit about Harold Hunter partying and dying. Brooklyn Banks’ evolution into an ‘approved’ skate park. Zoo York, woot. woot. Oh, and maybe there’ll be some graffiti crap.

I’m probably jaded. I grew up skating in Tokyo. It kind of takes something more than NYC to get me going about big city shit.

Trailer.

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The band list has been announced for Fun Fun Fun Fest! Although last year was amazing, this new roster looks like the result of a strain to collect cool bands willing to perform. Last year, I purchased a full-on pass without any more consideration after hearing that the Angry Samoans were playing along with Neurosis. This year’s FFF Fest lacked any over-the-top bookings for me, but if they would have had the bands Graham Williams booked at Red 7 on October 3rd, it would have affected me like last year’s band listing. Dayglo Abortions and the Accussed. Damn. Why couldn’t they have been included in FFF Fest?!?! Well, guess I’ll save some money and just go see them in a club setting.

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Yeah, Patterson looks like it’s surrounded by grass… Almost ready to ride, but not quite yet. Please stop screwing around with the telephone poles.

The Broken Neck Ramp broke Dave Watigny’s spleen, and this Friday it has the opportunity to make amends by hosting a fundraising event planned to help defray his overwhelming medical debt stemming from the injury. Last I checked, it has exceeded $70,000.

On the roster for this Friday:

7:00 art auction
9:00 Video Premiere- Pray For Me: Jason Jessee

This is the first public screening of the Jason Jessee documentary in Austin. It’s a very interesting glimpse into the life of an colorful character. Many questions are answered. Many more are begging to be asked. Here’s the trailer. And here’s an odd follow-up interview with Jessee where he complains about a falling-out he’s had with the guy who made Pray for Me.

Broken Neck, 4701 Redbluff

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Patterson Park Mini Ramp is currently on lock-down in order to provide an opportunity for the grass to grow on the dirt berms and other disturbed areas. It’s doing well in spite of the heat. Trespassing on the site doesn’t help get the ramp opened any faster and in fact creates a real problem for the volunteers working to get the project completed and turned over to the city.

No Comply has completed its move to its new location at 12th & Lamar anticipating the construction of a new public skatepark. Well, that’s still going to be several months away, but in the meantime, Jake Nunn & friends are hosting a party celebrating the release of Michael Sieben’s new signature Addidas shoe model. If you visit this link to the Addidas site supplied by Brete Anderson, you can watch the movie Michael shot in San Francisco about his shoes. (more…)