The Andy Kessler fundraiser...The Whole Story

We first met Andy Kessler during the Riverside Skate Jam organizational meetings in 2004 and maintained contact into 2005 during the filming of the up-and-coming indie-film, Chronicles of a Skater Girl. Andy acted as consultant and has a cameo appearance in the flick. So when we discovered that Andy had broke himself while skating and we learned that a fund raiser was scheduled, we had to be there!

We traveled to Brooklyn, NY from Connecticut with nothing more than a couple of cross streets in a town called Greenport looking for a place called the Autumn Bowl. We figured we could find the place, after all it was NY. Winding our way through narrow, crowded streets we made several inquiries to passing residents. Although we new we were close no one seemed to know what we were talking about. As we found ourselves in the midst of what appeared to be abandoned mills with dark unlit alleyways, as chance would have it, we noticed the address precariously perched high atop one of the looming brick buildings. We parked the car and ventured down the unlit alleyway. In the complete darkness we recognized the sound of skateboards and music. We continued onward and as we approached what appeared to be an open doorway we discovered it was the entrance to the Autumn Bowl. Once inside we were amazed. The park was packed with skaters and spectators alike, lining the large bowl watching in amazement as live bands and disc jockeys filed the building with pounding music. Sitting high atop the bowl with crutches in hand we caught site of Andy. A couple of girls made their way through the crowd with a birthday cake with candles blazing singing Happy Birthday. The park stood still and joined in. Andy grabbed a bite of the cake and the skating resumed.

A little while later Andy meandered down the steps on his crutches, joining us on the ground floor, exchanging pleasantries. We spoke briefly, gave him a hug and wished him the best. The crowd seemed to be building as skaters and friends walked in and out of the pitch black alleyway hugging the ailing skater. The entrance to the bowl was full of activity as the grill blazed with hamburgers and Red Stripe beer was abundant. Shirts were being sold to raise funds for the effort. A sign behind the table said, “Shirts…$15 good…$20.00 better.”

The highpoint of the night came, when for some unknown reason, the bowl went completely black. All the lights went out. Nevertheless, there was no screaming, no widespread panic and as a matter of fact there appeared to be little or no concern whatsoever. Skaters continued to skate as if they had memorized each inch of the giant bowl. The band broke into a somber rhythmic tune and spectators lining the bowl broke out lighters dimly illuminating the bowl. The skating continued uninterrupted.

We hung around beyond the time the flyer indicated the fundraiser would end as the end was nowhere in sight and we had to get back.

We ventured back into the pitch black alleyway being passed by more skaters arriving, carrying their skateboards. It was an awesome experience. Unfortunately, although we’d like to tell you where the bowl is located, the guys who skate the Autumn Bowl pledge that, “If you don’t know where it is you don’t belong there!” We’ll respect their wishes.