Natalie on Her New Book and Antisocial’s New Home
Photo by Tim McLeod
I’ve heard that publishing your first book is like introducing the world to your new baby. The parent / author is hopeful that the response will be kind and encouraging, but hesitant to expose one’s baby to criticism and harsh reality. There’s also an expectation to offer a book launch (not unlike a baby shower!) and for someone who has been in hermit-mode researching and writing, it can be a surreal experience. Fortunately, for the release of Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders (ECW Press) on September 21st, I was surrounded by friends, including Michelle Pezel, co-owner of Antisocial Skateshop in Vancouver, who hosted the event.
It was a huge relief that the book launch party happened in the soon-to-be new location of Antisocial (1965 Main Street), considering that Michelle and co-owner Rick McCrank had been rudely ejected from their long-standing location a few months prior. It was a shock for all, and I couldn’t kick that sense of loss and concern for their well-being. Michelle has practically given her lifeblood (time, money, sweat and tears, probably blood, too!) for Antisocial and you would like to imagine that she would be treated with respect as a business owner. I’m so glad that Michelle persevered and didn’t allow the shutdown of one space to end the 23 plus years of Antisocial’s operation.
Ever since the book deal was confirmed I thought Antisocial would be the perfect place to celebrate since my friendship with Michelle goes back to 1997 when we had our own skateboarding girl gang that occupied the Confederation skatepark in Burnaby, BC. Antisocial would also become the site of all-girls skate sessions at the shop mini-ramp, the launch of Getting Nowhere Faster in 2004, which was the iconic film created by Lisa Whitaker and the Villa Villa Cola crew (thanks to 411VM and Element), and our zine-making gatherings for six issues of Idlewood (2009-2014). As someone with introverted tendencies, I always felt like I could be myself at Antisocial.
A skateboarder’s relationship with their local skateshop can be a game changer, especially for a beginner who tentatively buys their first set-up and is treated with encouragement or an oddball youth who discovers there’s a space to lurk, flip through some magazines and banter with friends when it’s too cold or rainy to skate. These kinds of affirming experiences are becoming fewer and far between with the convenience of online shopping and exorbitant rent, which means that being a skateshop owner is a dicey undertaking.
For someone like Michelle who cultivated a community hub through Antisocial by hosting bands, board launch parties, film screenings, art exhibits, fundraisers, craft fairs, and protest-organizing, she takes her role seriously. It’s impressive that Antisocial has lasted this long on Main Street since the neighborhood has gentrified. They weathered a change in address back in 2007 which meant a reduction in square footage (no more indoor mini-ramp) but access to an alley parking-lot for outdoor film screenings and bigger parties!
The new Antisocial is within the Red Gate Arts Society building, which includes an all-ages venue and artists’ studios. While it’s reduced in square footage, I’m confident that Michelle and Rick will utilize every inch and continue making magic in the community. In some ways, the upheaval was a little shake-up for Vancouver to recognize what a privilege it is to have Antisocial in their midst. The situation of landlords flipping tenants and greedy developers scheming their next condo takeover continues, but it’s up to us as consumers to be strategic with our financial support.
I was fortunate that Michelle pulled some strings to host the book launch before their official opening, which should be early October, so check it out when you can. There’s a few signed copies of the book available in store and remember to load up on some Antisocial swag. Happy reading!
Photo by Jen Sookfong Lee
Natalie Porter is the founder of the Womxn Skate History archive and Instagram account. She writes a column for Closer Skateboarding magazine and her new book, Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders is now available to purchase.