Ladies' Arm Wrestling Charity Fundraiser Supports Art Programming

Lewd women are usually not talked about in polite company.  In Durham, it's encouraged. LUEWWD women, that is.

The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham (LUEWWD - pronounced “lewd”) is teaming up with Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange Saturday, April 20th for LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength, a ladies arm-wrestling charity fundraiser to provide scholarship funds for women and girls interested in taking select courses at either organization.

The LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength event will take place at 7:30 PM on April 20, 2013 at Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio, 923 Franklin St. Durham, NC 27701. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. You can also purchase ringside tickets in advance for $25 by contacting luewwd@gmail.com.  All proceeds will benefit Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange. Food Trucks and beverages will be available (Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Liv’s).

Representatives from Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange want to expand art programming to reach girls and women who may have an interest in such skills like welding, glass blowing, or sculpture. Such resource intensive classes can be expensive and cost-prohibitive for many and the two organizations were looking for a way to broaden opportunity. That’s when Mike Lupa, an artist with Liberty Arts contacted LUEWWD.

Lupa had attended women’s arm wrestling fundraisers in upstate New York and knew that there were several leagues across the country, one of which was right here in Durham.  LUEWWD uses theatrical arm wrestling as a means of raising funds for projects and initiatives that benefit women and girls in the Durham community.  Lupa contacted LUEWWD organizers and submitted an application to become LUEWWD’s next beneficiary along with the Scrap Exchange. The application was accepted in October of last year and the three organizations (Liberty Arts, Scrap Exchange, and LUEWWD) have been planning this unique event since then.

Unlike previous LUEWWD events, this one will take place outside behind Liberty Arts in a space donated by the Cordoba Center for the Arts. This change in venue is an exciting one for the LUEWWD organizers and they are thankful for the support from local sponsors to make this event happen.

The April 20th event LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength will feature 8 new wrestlers such as Pippi Strongstockings, Betty Rumble, and Alotta Doe. The doors will open at 7:30 for pre-game activities featuring 2 food trucks (Chirba Chirba Dumpling and Liv’s) cornhole, and beverages. The event is sponsored by The Boston Beer Company - Twisted Tea, Cordoba Center for the Arts, ReUse Warehouse, Morgan Imports,  The Casbah, Phunco, and MAYDNEW DJ & Event Planning.

For more information about LUEWWD: www.luewwd.com
For more information about the Scrap Exchange: www.scrapexchange.org
For more information about Liberty Arts: www.liberty-arts.org

About Liberty Arts
Liberty Arts is a nonprofit arts community whose collaborative practice reflects the dynamic personality of Durham, North Carolina. Our mission is to expand access to three-dimensional art and share the skills required to make it.  All are welcome to take part through hands-on classes, public events, mentorships, and commissions.

About the Scrap Exchange
The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit creative reuse arts center in Durham, North Carolina whose mission is to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.

For more information on the arts in Durham, click here.