We pull in wednesday night, or possibly very early thursday since we did show up at midnight? Anyways, the day comes and we’re lounging for miss indian world to come through, but instead of sitting through it all, we went to go eat. Nice dinner shot, then it’s back to miss indian world lobby. Not a bad deal, there were all kinds of natives and native supporters around so it was a good spot to check out. Bumped into Ms White too, so it’s always cool to run into folks you haven’t seen in awhile. Checked out the party that night and there were people all around in all 3 rooms, plus the outside where there was a stripper getting her gyration on without the clothes falling.
Friday works it’s way around and we’re set up the walk through the crowded wow. 4-5 dollar fry breads, and the indian tacos ran up to 8 bucks along with regular sized gatorades going for 3 dollars just to show the inflation of eating at the wow. Vendors were out in full force selling anything from beads, jewelry, cds, knives, pictures, comedy/music, college, artwork, clothes, skateboards, furs, quills, drums, rattles, make up, medicine, and whatever else I’m not mentioning that was there. People were out all kinds with cameras (film and stills) too. Crowded, but not so much as saturday’s attendance would show. Ran into Tribe 2 Ent.’s Shade & Mistic and got an interview there with the camera rolling. Missed the Ky-Mani marley spot, but heard he worked it. Took off to down town one mo gin and club 7 was packed with all kinds of folks trying to filter up to v.i.p. to get their swerve on. Wasn’t any fights or anything I saw, so a mello deal that night.
Saturday… the most packed day for the pit. We show up to literally 100’s if not 1000’s of natives waiting to get in. That was just waiting to get in, and when you step into the venue, natives all over in all different ways. Go through the motions of walking around and trying to get footage, but it was decided that our group was going to split so they can check out the kanye’/lupe’ concert that was taking place that night. They go, and I go back to the wow. In the process got some footage of Rez Hogs, Geno, JSK, Nomadic, and Airos Ent. from different places. Got a late start to the party spots, but it was cool seeing the natives fall out in force while the cops were trying to get their horse riding on to clear out the spot, but with too many natives like that, they only had one choice to go with - retreat. So they were on approach and retreat to try and get folks to head out. Not a bad night, no fights again.
Sunday, the All Nations Skate Jam… It as an all day event, but there are some kids who tear it up out there. I know natives get down, but I was taken back by them getting down like they do. Jumping from stuff, sliding on things, kick flips, and everything else I don’t know about they were out trying and sometimes landing. It seemed odd to see another fashion show, let alone at a skate jam, but that was how it went. And the rollers (cops) were there in full force as well. Every angle, outside and in the skate park were covered by at least a duo if not more cops hanging out? There were injuries around too, so it just goes to show that some folks only know how to go one way - hard. Got some shoes by the man himself, Steve Van Doren. Talked to Tony Alva and Jim Murphy, so it was a good day to have a camera rolling. That night got to meet up with some pretty ladies. They were totally unexpected on my part, but in the end it wasn’t a bad deal in talking around with them. The bros hooked it up by giving me a good review to them, so sometimes it pays to be quiet.
Gatherings ‘08 - all kinds of nice… Gatherings - ‘09, who knows?