Sport | Red leather booth

Category: Sport
- Ireland – In Real Life: Sue Nally
  
  Posted at 8:10 am by Red leather booth, on March 10, 2016
  While green beer and epic street parties can signify St. Patrick’s Day in Waterloo Region, this year Sue Nally is planning something different. She is hosting the Irish Real Life Festival (IRL) from March 12-19.
  
  “There is more to Irish culture than beer, although we like beer just fine,” says Sue. “The IRL is a chance to showcase a rich array of contemporary and traditional elements of Irish culture, including music, storytelling, dance, cuisine, film, and literature, as well as classic beer and whiskey events.”
  
  Sue, who you will not be surprised to learn is Irish, says the festival was inspired by the feeling of community that often comes with Irish culture and wanting to help repair our community’s relationship with St. Patrick’s Day. “There’s no denying that drinking is part of Irish culture but it’s always been more about the company and building community,” she says. “Pubs are popular because of the social element and that’s what we want to promote – spending time together while appreciating the uniqueness of Irish culture.”
  
  An intrepid team of volunteers – Margaret Nally, Ruth Shushan, Kate Swift, Jamie Cooper, Deirdre Nally, and Margaret O’Shea-Bonner – have pulled this event together quickly and are planning a range of activities for the whiskey-lovin’ citizen to the literature-lovin’ citizen, and lots in between.
  
  Irish Real Life Festival schedule – March 12-19
  
  While hard pressed to pick a most-anticipated event, Sue is excited about the unique events planned. At Over the Rainbow, Bataireacht or Irish stick fighting, will be showcased, something that has never been performed in the region and the beer event, What Ales Ya, will have rare beers to sample. The Irish literary salon, Beyond Brooklyn, will focus on contemporary Irish literature, something many people may not know about, and Whiskey and Whimsy blends storytelling with – yup – whiskey tasting.
  
  “The great programming aside, the businesses willing to open their doors and host events are fundamental to the scope and success of this festival,” says Sue. “Kitchener-Waterloo has an engaged, caring community of businesses that are open to new ideas, and supporting culture and creativity.”
  
  The lovely “Kiss Me I’m Irish” Sue Nally, director of the Irish Real Life Festival
  
  This is year one of the festival and Sue already has big plans for next year, including more contemporary film, theatre, and sports. But what will make this inaugural year a success for her? “Seeing people enjoy themselves and having them learn something new about Irish culture will make it a success,” she says. “However, it’s always a good sign when the event planners are having a good time too.”
  
  You can plan your IRL Festival activities online, and keep up-to-date on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to say hi to Sue as you #Paintthetowngreen.
  
  P.S. Sue’s favourite topic of conversation: new and exciting ideas about anything and everything.
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  Posted in Community, Community building, Culture, Film, Food, Literary culture, Movies, Music, Sport, Uncategorized, Waterloo Region | 2 Comments | Tagged Beer, Irish culture, Irish Real Life Festival, St. Patrick's Day, Whiskey
- One bad axe: Joel Melnichuk
  
  Posted at 8:00 am by Red leather booth, on April 7, 2015
  Joel Melnichuk, owner Bad Axe Throwing
  
  Joel Melnichuk has quickly become a pro at something he never expected: axe throwing. He is the owner of the region’s first axe throwing business: Bad Axe Throwing. Joel opened Bad Axe in Kitchener last month, just six months after opening his first location in Burlington.
  
  People can’t get enough of throwing axes so he just keeps expanding locations and a Mississauga location is up next. “Axe throwing is addictive,” says Joel. “It’s unexpectedly fun and way better than bowling.”
  
  That’s me, getting my axe-throwing lesson from Joel; Photo: Paul Harnack
  
  Joel targets corporate and social groups, as throwing axes has become a fun activity for team building or an alternative for bachelorette or bachelor parties. But he certainly welcomes any group of people who want to hang out, have a couple of drinks and wield some axes at wooden targets for fun.
  
  The Kitchener location is pretty raw – an industrial building with wooden targets along one wall, a bin full of axes, a single sofa, a stereo and a mini fridge to keep your bring-along drinks cold. But that’s all that’s required for this successful recipe. “Add in some beer and the thrill of competition and people are all over it,” Joel says.
  
  Photo: Paul Harnack
  
  There are only two targets set up in the space so when a group comes to throw axes, it’s like their own private party. Joel says that sense of axe-throwing privacy and exclusivity is appealing to people.
  
  “It takes me about 30 seconds to teach people how to throw the axe at the target,” he says. “But it can take a while for them to actually hit the target, and to do it consistently.” In the six months he has been doing this, only six people have never hit the target after a couple of hours of trying, and often it’s because they just aren’t listening to his instructions.
  
  “Women are better listeners so tend to pick it up quicker than the guys, but once you get it, you want to keep trying to best yourself, and beat others,” he says. There is no brute strength required as the axes are 1.5-3 lbs. It’s all about technique (tip: no flicking with the wrists) and practice.
  
  Can you see my axe mid-air? It was so satisfying to hear the thwack of the axe hitting the target ….after 9 tries. I might have released a victory squeal. Photo: Paul Harnack
  
  Despite what you might think about axes and mixing it with alcohol, Joel says there haven’t been any injuries. The axes aren’t very sharp so no real damage would be done if someone accidentally hit themselves with an axe, but the one safety rule he does enforce is to only retrieve your axe from the target at the same time as your competitor. Yup, that’s a good rule.
  
  Social media and word of mouth are building up his local client base quickly. A front page story on The Record and appearances on local media are certainly building the hype too.
  
  If you’re feeling inspired to pick up an axe, you can book an evening with some friends or sign up for a seven-week axe-throwing league. He’s pretty sure you’ll get hooked quickly.
  
  P.S. Joel’s favoruite topic of conversation: movies.
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  Posted in Axe throwing, Kitchener, Sport, Waterloo Region | 0 Comments | Tagged Axe-throwing league, Axes, Bad Axe Throwing
- Delivering the hits on the derby track: Sue Nally
  
  Posted at 7:00 am by Red leather booth, on April 16, 2014
  Suzy Slam in action on the track
  
  Each week you can find Sue Nally in a helmet, tights, mouth guard and roller skates. Sue is a derby girl: a member of the TriCity Roller Girls, a flat-track roller derby league in Waterloo Region.
  
  Sue’s on-track persona, Suzy Slam, is a force to be reckoned with. As one of the original league players, Sue has been delivering body slams on the track and shouting encouragement to her team mates on the home team, Vicious Dishes, or travel teams, Thunder or Plan B, since 2008. Sue loves the league so much, she has volunteered as the president of the board for the last three years. A natural champion for the competitive and entertaining sport of roller derby, Sue was happy to chat about her love of derby.
  
  How long have you been playing roller derby?
  I’ve been playing since the league’s inception in 2008 – but the first while was remembering how to roller skate as I hadn’t done that in about 20 years.
  
  Suzy Slam
  
  What is it about playing derby that you love so much?
  
  I love how strong it makes me feel when I hit someone or take a hit. Honestly I love being on roller skates and adding full contact to that only makes it better.
  
  What drew you to derby in the first place?
  I read an article in Bust magazine years ago about the Gotham Girls league in NYC and thought it sounded like the best thing ever: the gals were strong, sassy and having so much fun. It seemed like the sport was waiting to find me.
  
  What does playing derby bring to your life?
  It’s hard to explain all of the elements derby brings to my life but to start with the basics, it’s a fun way to keep fit and active.
  
  It’s also draws an amazing, diverse group of people who are looking for a unique sense of community. It’s a little bit rock’n’roll, a lot DIY and being part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association means being part of a revolution in sport and culture.
  
  Derby also gives me a chance to get out of my daily life and let loose for awhile, which everyone needs in some form.
  
  Is that initial draw to the sport what keeps you playing?
  I’m nicer after I play or practice. The fact that derby is competitive and still evolving, unlike hockey or soccer which has had established rules for decades, keeps me on the track.
  
  What do you think derby offers its audiences and what do you want people to think or feel after watching their first roller derby game?
  Derby offers good, competitive game play with an element of theatrics. It can be very entertaining and I hope folks see that it’s a thinking game, not just showcasing skating skills and big hits. The strategy is fascinating and it’s one of the only sports that requires you to think, and play defensively and offensively at the same time.
  
  The first time might be a bit confusing but any derby person will be happy to explain things.
  
  How intensive is training?
  Quite intensive. We practice between 2-6 hours per week if you’re on a home team and up to 10 hours per week if you’re on a travel team.
  
  Most skaters do some sort of off-skate activities such as crossfit, yoga, running or rock climbing to get fit for derby as opposed to derby being the thing that makes you fit. Coming up to important games or tournaments, which are important for international rankings, skaters will train and eat as any top level athlete will.
  
  Sue on the track
  
  Playing derby is one thing, but you are president of the TriCity Roller Girls board of directors. What made you want to be part of derby governance?
  I’ve always loved being a part of the dynamic and creative energy of organizational governance so this was a natural fit for me. Being president is great job because I get to work with volunteers that are passionate and dedicated to this sport. The role can be rather time consuming as I’m involved in policy work, media/advertising, sponsorship and networking with other leagues in addition to tearing up the track, but I love it all.
  
  I think of our board of directors as a team off the track: we have to be strategic and work together to succeed. Our board and league governance is a collective model which means more involvement from everybody. There is always a lot of people doing amazing work which makes my job easier. I’ve been involved in many organizations but I’ve found this to be the most dynamic group, encompassing of a variety of talents and personalities.
  
  The culture of roller derby is that the girls are tough as nails and maybe somewhat intimidating in their fierceness. Are you/the other ladies like that off the track, or is that just part of ethos of derby?
  Fierceness is a fantastic trait on the track and derby offers an appropriate outlet for any aggression. I’ve found that many of the women have brought the fearlessness and strength they’ve developed from playing derby into their real lives, both professionally and personally. If you know you can survive someone hitting you down physically, you can take that trait anywhere. I’ve seen our members blossom and do incredible things off the track.
  
  Is there a unifying characteristic for all derby players?
  Determination and courage! It takes a lot of courage to step on the track every time and determination to constantly improve your skills.
  
  team photo: TriCity Thunder, 2013
  
  How can people keep up with the TriCity Roller girls?
  Our website or Facebook, and please join us for our next bout on May 24.
  
  A majorly exciting thing is that we are the first league outside of the United States to host a major divisional WFTDA play-off. This is a huge deal in the derby world and means that hundreds of derby skaters and fans will descend on Waterloo from August 22-24 at the Waterloo Rec Complex to watch top level games. Get your tickets soon.
  
  What other arts and culture things are in you involved in?
  I enjoy the events that Wordsworth Books put on; CAFKA is fantastic; Blue Dot is mind-blowing; Open Ears is one-of-a-kind beautiful and I regularly try to get to see live music by the awesome folks at Starlight and Jane Bond.
  
  I also was involved as a member of Stitch’n’Kitsch for many years and still find that to be one of my favorite events. I think we have a very vibrant arts and culture scene here in K-W and feel like we are so lucky.
  
  Do you have a wish/hope for Waterloo Region?
  My wish for the region is that we continue to support new creative endeavors and see the value in supporting the incredible creative people we have in this area. I’d like to see alternative cultures supported and more green initiatives.
  
  P.S. What is your favourite topic of conversation? New ideas and funny things. And I’m always up for talking derby.
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  Posted in Culture, Roller derby, Sport, Theatre, Waterloo Region | 1 Comment | Tagged derby league, Suzy Slam, TriCity roller girls, Waterloo Region
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