Although the days when skateboarders were viewed as non-conforming hooligans/destroyers of public property are not that far behind us -- it would be hard to find any skater who hasn't been harassed at some point by police or security officers -- the sport has been a suburban phenomenon and established itself as a legitimate career path. Since its inception in the 1950s, it spawned an entire subculture (albeit that subculture has been somewhat diluted and totally corporatized).
Thursday, October 22, The Bubble will hold GRIPTAPE, an event put on by Blair Hess celebrating the generation that brought skateboarding to the street. GRIPTAPE will include a live screen printing by Paul Gnu, "Grind Life 1987" (a photo exhibit chronicling skateboarding in South Florida), and works by 20 artists such as skate icons Lance Mountain, the infamous druggy-turned-born-again Christian Hosoi, Ray Barbee, Steve Caballero, Mark Lake, and Kris Markovich. Margate punk band The Shakers, a group that fuses early '90s punk with hardcore, are scheduled to perform.
Check next week for updates on other bands booked to perform.
