AllYearGear.com

Category: General

  • Theatre Bizarre

    On the morning of October 27th, 1953, in a home within the grounds of an abandoned amusement park, a gruesome discovery was made.  The bodies of 47 victims lay desecrated in varying stages of decay…

    Edgar Joseph Torrent… spent years in seclusion toiling away at his macabre obsession.  Edgar was able to evade capture by fleeing through the maze of maintenance tunnels connecting to the carnival’s funhouse.

    He was never found.

    And that is the backstory behind Theatre Bizarre, hidden along the south edge of America’s oldest state fair.

    To get into the party, costumed guests must walk through Edgar’s home and workshop before existing through the same tunnels that aided his escape.  The Theatre Bizarre scenery defies description.  It’s scary retro with incredible detail.  It’s obvious that many put a significant effort into making this one of the most unique events one could ever attend.

    Here’s our documentation: 2008 Theatre Bizarre photos

    For more fun, turn out the lights and watch this…

  • Catch the Wind: a Wolverine Documentary

    I was talking with someone last night about how we often fail to document our own history as it’s being made.  We’re too caught up in planning for the future and getting through the present.

    Recently I’ve spent time researching the Detroit Wheelmen and it’s simply fascinating to compare them with Detroit bicyclists today.

    But another great story is the Wolverine Sports Club.  And fortunately a new documentary Catch the Wind has been created that captures their highlights through the years, but especially those under Mike Walden. The movie contains great photos and videos from around Detroit, including Belle Isle and the Dorais Velodrome.

    Catch the Wind premiered last Sunday, but it’s being shown again this Sunday, November 2nd, 6:30PM at  Royal Oak’s Main Art Theater.

  • Losing another Great Detroiter

    Levi Stubbs from the Four Tops passed away this morning.  He was certainly one of my favorite Motown voices.  From Bernadette to Reach Out to Still Water, his personal style was inimitable.  Thank you, Levi, for being such a big part of Motown and for providing a soundtrack to so many positive memories.

    To the right is an interesting photo of the Four Rops riding some sort of motorized (?) four-person bicycle in Amsterdam.

    Link: Tearful Levi performance at the Fox in Detroit

  • The Dominator racing Mountain Bikes?

    Nicklas Lidstrom with the Stanley Cup during the 2008 Red Wings Parade
    Nicklas Lidstrom with the Stanley Cup during the 2008 Red Wings Parade

    The Detroit Free Press is reporting that retired Red Wing Goalie Dominik Hasek might do some mountain bike racing.

    Hasek, 43, lives in the Czech Republic but still figures to spend some time here, where his son, Michael, is a freshman at Michigan State. The two will meet in East Lansing this week, and Hasek also plans to be with the Wings when they visit the White House.

    Hasek said he is happy with his decision to retire.

    For now, he plans to run his business and play beach volleyball with friends. He also hopes to participate in mountain bike races.

    It’s unclear whether he’ll be racing in Michigan or the Czech Republic.

  • Detroit Derby Girls off to Eastern Regionals

    I waved goodbye to Diesel Doll and Del Bomber as they pulled out of the driveway and headed out of town.  They’re on their way to Madison, Wisconsin for the East Regional Championships called Derby in Dairyland.  The top 12 roller derby teams from the east conference will compete for the championship and a chance to play at the nationals.

    Last year Detroit was the cinderella story and finished fourth to earn a spot at nationals.  They’re hoping to do the same this year.

    The home season begins November 1st when the Detroit Pistoffs take on the Devil’s Night Dames.  Diesel’s next game is December 13th when the Pistolwhippers take on the D-Funk Allstars.  All home games are at the Detroit Masonic Temple.  The full derby schedule is on-line.  Tickets are available at TIcketmaster, the Fox Theatre box office, Danny’s Irish Pub (Ferndale) and Detroit Threads (Hamtramck.)

    But to whet your appetite until then, make sure you check out this video of New York taking on Texas.  Beyonslay is one amazing derby player.  She executes a perfect booty block 16 seconds into the video but then completely takes out of Rick Rocket — a hit that is now a part of derby legend.