Tattoolapalooza
While working on a magazine story
I received an email from my good
friend Sam at Rolling Thunder. He was
mentioning that he had received an
invitation to a bike & tattoo show that
was being held in Miami, specifically
in South Beach, in July. The show was
called TATTOOLAPALOOZA.
Soon after, I contacted the promoter of
the show, Mickey, to learn more about
the occasion. He gladly sent me the
schedule and the official poster. Surprised
to see the quality of the artists
that were participating I decided to fly
down to Florida and cover the event.
Most media are a little apprehensive
when it comes to reporting on a new
event. They wonder how the logistics
will be handled or if the attendance will
be good. I thought that since the event
was held at South Beach, known for its
nightlife, nightclubs, great restaurants ...
Gastown Show & Shine
Last year during my visit to Trev Deeley
Harley Davidson in Vancouver, I asked
Sherri – who handles events and marketing
at the dealership – what major
motorcycle event could be of interest
for Revolution Magazine? Sherri mentioned
the Gastown Show & Shine.
This occasion is held in the older area
of Vancouver called Gastown which
has a very rustic charm with its early
1900s cobblestone streets, restaurants
and shops. This part of the city
is indeed beautifully historic. For this
event the main street is closed and
dedicated to all motorcyclists. Admission
and parking are free. This year a
very large number of participants were
present with an estimated 50,000
people attending throughout the day.
It must be said that the temperature
was great. In fact the sun was beaming
down on this rendezvous in a cloudless
sky, everything to make the 5th annual
Gastown Show & Shine a success.
Smoke Out 10
While the story of the “Smoke Out” has always been about “Old School”, this year
for its 10th anniversary celebration, the event also acknowledged that it has been
about change and trying out new things to always make the run better. First they changed
the venue (for the fifth time!) to the Rockingham Drag Strip in Rockingham, North Carolina. Then
they moved the “Smoke Out West” event in Cottonwood, Arizona to start on May 8th, the weekend
before the East Coast Run, and then added the first running of the “Long Road” 2,300 mile cross-country
ride to connect the two events.
The “Long Road” run is a name Edge (the Smoke Out organizer) came up with or at least rediscovered. He got it
from a Native American phrase that refers to life as “lungo drome” and he thought how perfect and appropriate
for bikers who share a view...
