[Skate] Sorta Sketchy by Femme Skate

Sorta Sketchy: a ramp jam, art show, and open mic. The day kicked off with a ramp session hosted by Lawrence Quintana, Leo Corleone, and Julio Marcial with the #theminirampproject. A best trick contest judged by Leo Heinert was held, with a separate winner for guys and girls. Ashley O’Gorman travelled all the way from upstate to hold it down for the ladies, winning with a blunt grab to fakie! On the dude side Elijah Douthwick won with a pretty exciting wall plant. Raffles were held throughout the day for fresh skate gear and other merch generously donated by local businesses and skateshops.

As the ramp session wrapped up in the early evening, the event moved across the street to the Bushwick Community Dark Room, a warehouse/workshop temporarily transformed into an art gallery and performance space by Femme Skate. The rest of the night was spent showcasing the artistic endeavors of several of the group’s members, including a series of painted skate decks by artist and Femme Skate Illustrator Lizzie Reid, paintings by Riff Levin, Niki and Chris Culma, shell-based crafts by Jennay Say Qua, a couture dress designed by Femme Skate Founder Raquel Zerbe, photography by Jennifer James, and an installation of graphically designed objects as well as photography by Femme Skate Vice President Coco Corinne Seguin.

Femme Skate member Natalie Limón shared original poetry and hosted an open mic, which was opened with several raps written and performed by fellow-member Jennifer James. A handful of individuals in attendance took to the stage to spontaneously share talents before scheduled performances by M.E.T.A., Mori, Talay, Peter Baldwin, and several other artists. The sets were outrageous fun despite, and perhaps even because of, some technical difficulties, wherein Natalie requested that M.E.T.A. (from Denmark) teach the audience Danish swearwords. Leo Heinert also turned up the audience during a set change with a cover of Sean Paul’s “Fire Burning,” and Toño Rosario’s “Culiquitaca,” which, not surprisingly, had everybody dancing.

Proceeds will be used to further promote female skateboarding in and around NYC and re-launch the Femme Skate website, so stay posted for future Femme Skate events on nyskateboarding.com and @femmeskate on Instagram.

A big thanks from all of Femme Skate to event sponsors: Blue Couch, CD Skateshop, co2designs, East River Skate Shop, Faireweather Skateboards, Gnarmads, Homage, Little Paw, Longboard Loft, Metropolitan City Market Bedford, NYskateboarding, Rock Star Bearings, Skate All Cities, Skate Brooklyn, Skateyogi, SHUT, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Soul Star Clothing, and The Skinny Bar Lounge NYC; to Hoodskateparks for fixing the ramp, Cool Company for letting us borrow their sound system, and Paulie Connor for having us into his warehouse space.

Finally, we are very grateful for the support from Photographer/Filmer Matt Budjunski @MRFUNKYCHILD , Zach Villafana @camerazach @steadyprime, Jose Camargo @josevividphotos.

Filmed and Edited by Stephen McFadden @videoguy80