Uptown Magazine - December 3/09
Cuban Skateboarding Crisis & Mission Skatepossible
Since 1960, Cuba has been under a near total commercial, economic and financial embargo imposed by the United States after businesses and properties were expropriated by Fidel Castro’s communist government. As anyone who has traveled to the island will tell you, the embargo has had a profound effect on the country. Although Central and South American, European and Canadian companies have continued to trade with Cuba (Labatt is involved with Cristal beer, Humpty Dumpty potato chips are everywhere and 11 new Grand Caribe hotels are financed in part by Canucks), there is a constant shortage of everyday consumer goods. After hearing about the passion and dedication of Cuban skaters who had little access to proper equipment and rode makeshift setups, filmmaker Phil Brown traveled to the country to document the impact the embargo has had on skateboarding in Cuba. Hooking into Havana’s skate culture, Brown discovered just how important skateboarding is to these young people, despite the fact the only way they can get a new board is if someone brings one to them - a broken deck can mean months of not being to skate. But what these surprisingly talented skaters lack in equipment, they make up for with unwavering love and dedication for the sport. After seeing Brown’s short documentary, Vice Magazine’s Chris Nieratko organized an illegal trip to the ‘forbidden’ island (U.S. citizens can’t travel to the county and risk huge fines if caught) with a bunch of skate buddies and as many decks, wheels, trucks, shoes and clothes as they could carry. Arriving via Panama, the brash writer/photographer and his crew managed to get into the country and distribute all the equipment and clothes to appreciative Cuban skaters. Watch for video footage of Nieratko’s trip to appear on VBS.tv.
Manalogue
If you are a fan of electronic music and are having one of those days when you to hear something new, local writer/DJ Manalogue has a blog worth checking out. Some artists that have been recently featured include Audion, Sound in Stereo and Housewives. Along with co-hosting The Shake on 92.9 Kick FM with Lotek, Manalogue and his partner are starting up a club night at the recently renovated Pure (423 McMillian Ave.) that kicks off with a two-room, 14-DJ extravaganza on Dec. 3. Special guests include Luis Cardona (tech-house), Nathan Zhan (forward-thinking house), Voules Random (post-rave electro) and a bunch of other talented locals. Visuals by Mr. Ghosty.
Quick Hits
MP3 of the Week: Oldfolks Home
Local lo-fi electro-pop duo Oldfolks Home - aka multi-instrumentalist Ricardo Lopez and drummer Shaun Gibson (The Details) - has recorded some holiday classics and seasonally inspired original songs that will be be given away every week in December. Each MP3 release will include artwork by Canadian artists Garland Lam, Howie Tsui, Julie Fader and Kerri-Lynn Reeves. Sign up by emailing oldfolkshomemusic@gmail.com.
Video of the Week: Bad Brains
Over 20 minutes of video of D.C. hardcore legends Bad Brains, shot at The Temptress in New York City in 2007.
