Frequency Blog: First Annual BellingJAM

See Article At:
http://www.frqncy.com/blogs.php

Bellingham, WA (February 16, 2009) – Downtown Bellingham transformed into a block party on Sunday as hundreds of local shreds, curious citizens and the occasional Railroad St. vagabond were drawn by turntable kicks and halogen lights to the First Annual BellingJAM rail jam. Attracting riders from all corners of the Northwest, The Copper Hog’s parking lot was transformed by a 12-foot scaffolding ramp, straight and kinked rails, hay bails and roughly a dozen truckloads of recycled snow from the Sportsplex ice rink. Inside the Hog were art displays from Monument and Arbor Snowboards with live screen-printing from co-organizers Innate Snow and Skate.

The skiers climbed the ladder and dropped first warming up to the gunshots and Kidz Bop chorus of M.I.A.’s Paper Planes. After feeling out the rails and run-out skiers had a 45-minute winner take all jam. One-upmanship was the word of the day as local Zach Davidson and brothers Tim and Bret McChesney started out light and progressed to switch drops, 270s in and out and front flips until crowd participation became mandatory as hay bails failed to slow down stomping skiers.

A quick maintenance break for packed out landings and it was on to the snowboarders. Riders Yudo Kurita, Seth Kitzke and Bart Patitucci dropped to cheers and Bee Gees tracks, spinning the length of each rail, tip tapping through press combos. Austin Hironaka dropped an obligatory backflip, while Glacier’s own Sean Donkkie Mansfeld pleased the crowd by buttering into the flat bar and spinning in a blur of flannel and denim. Finalist were decided and moved on to a mixed jam in which Tim McChesney was the best two-planker and SnoCon rider Yudo Kurita held it down for the snowboarders.

But the night didn’t end there Seattle’s own hip-hop prophet Common Market took the alleyway stage while the scaffolding came down. Cheers and beats reverberated off Bellingham’s dilapidated brick buildings.

Fueled by Taurine and Zamboni droppings, The First Annual BellingJAM was a long overdue event that brought together riders. See you at the Hog next year.

Many thanks to everyone who made it happen: Dave Goto and the Red Bull crew, Casey and Jens for their planning efforts, Dylan, Corey and friends at Innate Snow and Skate, The Copper Hog, Chad at Monument Snowboards, Byron at Arbor Snowboards, Ally Video and Pyramid Brewery.

Photos: Joe Briggs/jvbriggs.com
posted by: Luke Widtfeldt / added: 2.18.2009 /

Winter BellingJAM 2009

Anna Walters - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM - About 300 onlookers gathered in The Copper Hog's parking lot on Sunday evening, Feb. 15 to watch as skiers and snowboarders whizzed down a 12-foot ramp to ride the rails below in the first BellingJam.

The free event - a rail competition which also featured snowboard and ski art, screen printing demonstrations, film clips and a performance by Seattle hip-hop duo Common Market - was the brainchild of Innate Snow & Skate owners Dylan Warnberg and Corey Warren and Copper Hog owner Aaron Matson.

"We're hoping to bring together all ages and just enlighten and uplift individuals through the use of creative arts, music and recreational activity," Warnberg said of the event.

MORE PHOTOS OF BELLINGJAM 09:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/galleries/gallery/796801.html#http://media.bellinghamherald.com/smedia/2009/02/15/21/474-BELLINGJAM_1.standalone.prod_affiliate.39.jpg


Jam organizers used truckloads of shaved ice from the Sportsplex ice rink in Bellingham to transform the parking lot into a mountain terrain park, complete with a ramp and two rails. The Copper Hog is at the corner of North State Street and East Magnolia Street in downtown.

"It's neat, because you're taking something out of context and putting it in a new venue, which always gives something new appeal," Warren said. "We just like to make people think, take people by surprise, provide entertainment - just kind of show people something they maybe haven't seen before."

About 30 skiers and snowboarders performed tricks on the rails, while judges looked on, rating the competitors on individuality, style and technicality. The participants that scored the highest received cash prizes, which came from an entry fee for contestants.

"I'm just going to try to make it to the end of the rails," said 21-year-old snowboarder Cameron Hamilton of Bellingham before he competed in the event. "There's more pressure on you to try to throw down and please the crowds."

Many high school and college students came to the jam, as well as passers-by lured to the spot by the thumping music.

"We were downtown and heard the concert and saw the posters and decided to come," said Ferndale High School sophomore Crystal Tapia, 16.

BellingJam organizers were happy with the number of people who showed up.

"I'm pretty surprised at the turnout," said Chach Lawley, 27, who helped construct the ramp for the event. "A lot of people heard about it, so it's more of a word of mouth thing."

To Warren and Warnberg, the jam was more about community togetherness than about making a profit. Initially, they purchased 600 tickets to sell at $10 a piece for admission into the event, but later changed their minds given the younger crowd they expected to attend.

"I thought about how hard it was for me as a youth to come up with 10 bucks," Warnberg said. "You line up 100 kids and ask them all for 10 bucks and 10 will show up, but you ask those same 100 kids to come to an event that's free and you'll get 99 of them to come."

Warren and Warnberg hope to organize future BellingJams, including one in the summertime featuring a skateboard competition.

Get your own - Open publication

2009 Baker Banked Slalom Apparel!

Due to a great response and favorable circumstances,we are offering the 2009 Baker Banked Slalom graphic on hoodies and t-shirts for non-competitors and those who didn't get hooked up this year. The color scheme will be slightly altered, but fear not, JUST as handsome. If you're looking to commandeer one for yourself, simply click the BUY NOW button and you will be directed through PayPal to securely process your transaction.

Just indicate your size and style in the 'special notes' section, along with all of the other required information like name, shipping address, etc.

-T-Shirt ($24) or Hoodie ($36)

apparel style

Hooded Fleece $36.00 T-Shirt $24.00

Cheers to a hugely successful weekend on behalf of Mt Baker and their amazing team, all of the competitors, sponsors, and supporters. Hope to see you next year!

Peace!

Know?Show

Capturing a community and carrying a culture.

We left Bellingham, headed north on I-5 for Vancouver. Five imaginative individuals--four mismatched males and a fashionable female. En route searching for ideas, individuals, and inspiration. It didn’t take long for our journey to be put on hold; it was a standstill at the border. The whole situation was uncomfortable, from the buzzing of the malfunctioning alarm and the lights flickering, to the authorities on a power trip. The search for something was quickly reversed and we were nearly undressed. Some tears and anger were shed as we were bird-dogged and controlled, it was as though we were guilty until proven innocent. They turned two of us away, Ms. C and an old friend Tripp headed back to B-ham on foot.

Just because somebody has a slip in past
shouldn’t mean you can’t give ‘em a step towards another chance.

We were all bothered by the situation, but rather than all head back home we found good reason for the three who were 'free' to go ahead and cross. To continue on this journey was important, especially in relation to the ideas and inspiration we were in search for. After crossing, it didn’t take long for the magic to appear. The bald eagles and a breath of fresh air allowed the three of us to reconnect and communicate. The creative thoughts began to blossom. We were no longer being controlled. We were free as the bird.



Cascadia and the Canadian-Counterparts: A diverse and distinct culture.


Considering this was our first trade show, it was an enlightening experience. The sense of trends was tremendous. We had no obligations or appointments. We were there on our own time. Yale, Corey, and I were able to connect, communicate, and collaborate with only those who we desired. And every incident and encounter was just as important as the next in relation to our experience.



State-of-the-Art boxers, bamboo socks, and a brain bucket.
Ideas, inspiration, and connections.






After the trade show, we ventured on through the streets of Vancouver—a mission to strategically place some ‘modern’ art. We scavenged some old phone receivers out of our parking garage as objects. As we were leaving the parking garage, security personnel stopped us. He asked if we we’re with the film crew. He knew we were doing something out of the ‘norm’. It didn’t take much to convince him that we were the movie.



Encounters within the Environment.
Engaging in the Elements.
Floating like a Feather.
Finding a true Stride.
Following Intuition.

The alley of murals contained a multitude of messages.


After meandering through some graffiti gifted back-streets, we found ourselves standing at the gates of v-city’s church of scientology. A chain-link fence separated us from this guy. He spoke highly of his beliefs and stood with confidence. We weren’t there to be misled or converted, rather just another experience. We stood our common ground on searching and seeking for a deeper meaning. We both agreed that each and every person has more Innate ability that they believe or than they are able and allowed to Believe.


The Innate Dynamics.
Knowledge is Power.
Communication is Key.


The evening ended with some conversation over some burgers and beers. It was clear at that point what needed to happen. The development of the Legendary Banked Slalom graphic was well under way. After a few days of dedicated design, the gurus came to a conclusion on a final product.

Luck: when proper preparation meets an unknown opportunity.
An innate ability to see, dream, and believe.
Vancouver first, vegas to follow...