by Melissa Brandenburg
Daily Lobo
Nicole Montes, owner of Silver Board Shop, said the Silver Skate Jam will attract a diverse group of people.
"Doctors, lawyers, students, grandparents and grandkids - these days there isn't a stereotypical skateboarder anymore," she said. "So there is no set example of who is coming."
Albuquerque's avid skateboarders and seven local bands will show up for Silver Skate Jam on Saturday.
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"We wanted to have a free all-ages event where everything was local, combining skateboarding, good music and a good atmosphere," she said.
Montes said Skate Jam is a way of saying thanks to local people and businesses for their support of the board shop and the skateboarding scene.
"We just want to make it fun and give back to the community that supports us and show them that they have made us who we are today," she said.
Montes opened the shop in December 2003.
"We started with only five skateboards, a handful of T-shirts and a mini-ramp," she said.
She said after all the local support the board shop received, it expanded immensely - especially in the last several months. Businesses like the restaurant El Patio de Albuquerque will be sponsoring Skate Jam by donating gift certificates and products. Both Anodyne Pool Hall and Cocktails and the Launchpad will be sponsoring ramps this year.
From noon to dark, skateboarding ramps will be set up for public use. Various competitions will be held, including longest ollie, highest ollie, a long-board competition and a prize for worst fall.
Alfred Flores, a UNM freshman, said he plans to help organize and participate in the events on Saturday. Flores is sponsored by Silver Board Shop.
Montes said Flores is one of the best skateboarders in town. Flores said he looks forward to competing and watching local hip-hop artist Zack Freeman perform.
The main competition will be a game of skate - the skateboard version of the basketball game, horse. At the end of the day, the winners from each hour will compete in the finals for a grand prize.
Brendon Slattery, a Silver Board Shop employee, said he will be taking part in the competition.
"This is one of those things that skateboarders don't get," Slattery said. "So to have our own event gets us pretty stoked."
Until 10 p.m., local bands such as With These Weapons, Man About a Horse, All She Wrote, Proletariat, Jenny Gamble Trio and Zack Freeman will be performing. All the music was selected by Montes and colleagues. Montes said she wanted to provide a diversity in musical genres and give talented locals exposure.
There will be a silent auction for ramps, booths for local art, raffles and prize giveaways throughout the day.
"Everyone should support their local scene," Montes said. "Skateboarding is becoming pretty mainstream, and we should be educating the youth on how to support our local businesses instead."
