Sat 9/11
Last January, then-Express staff writer Susan Goldsmith wrote about the death — in the ring, during training — of a student at Hayward’s All Pro Wrestling Boot Camp (“Mortal Combat,” 1/14/2004). That tragedy doesn’t seem to have slowed activities at the “wrestling academy.” APW students recently competed at Hokuto Pro Wrestling in Narita, Japan, and there’s a full slate of Saturday-night Gym Wars exhibition matches this fall, including one this Saturday (bell time 6 p.m.). Fame, fortune, and all-important TV exposure draw hopefuls to APW’s wrestling camps, despite the omnipresent threat of mortal mayhem and a $6,000 fee for the Pro Wrestler Camp. For those “who have what it takes,” APW can be contacted at AllProWrestling.com. For those who want only to watch, the Gym Wars events are the way to go: Sept. 11 and 25, Oct. 9, plus Halloween Hell VII on October 30, at APW’s Garage, 21063 Cabot Blvd., Suite #1, Hayward. For more info, call 510-785-6396. — Kelly Vance
Hayward’s Pro Wrestling Boot Camp is open for business. Credits: Al Cameron
Sat 9/11
Path-ology
Taking Steps
The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is, in its own words, “a grassroots volunteer group of community members who have come together to increase public awareness of the city of Berkeley’s pathways.” Which is undoubtedly why they’re sponsoring A Stroll in Miller/Knox Regional Park this Saturday. Wanderers will meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the park, off Dornan Drive, and then proceed to admire the views of the bay and Ferry Point. The BPWA has other activities and aims, including restoration and mapping of footpaths. Learn more about it at BerkeleyPaths.org — Kelly Vance
9/11 – 9/12
Joust Because
In days of old/When knights were bold … they couldn’t jump in their cars and drive up to the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora for the International Jousting Competition . But lucky for you, the Sonora Jousting Championships and Renaissance Faire organizers care enough about the medieval combat sport to invite competitors from as far away as Norway, the UK, France, Australia, and Canada, as well as the United States, to display their prowess at the art of charging at full speed on horseback, armed with a lance, toward another determined jouster doing the same. Gadzooks! For those not militaristically inclined, there’s plenty of other entertainment in Sonora this weekend: costumed re-enactments of splendiferous pageantry, an archery competition, music by the Wicked Tinkers and the Black Irish Band, and more. Info: JoustingChampionships.com — Kelly Vance
