You many have gotten in trouble for pencil fighting in school, but on Saturday at Hooch and Hive, whipping sticks is encouraged. Pencil Fights 6:The Street Fight welcomes anyone to join the free event—all ages, backgrounds, genders, and abilities are able to compete.
Saturday’s fight at the West River venue is the sixth of its kind. Previously held at New World Brewery’s Ybor City location, the competition is the brain-child of comedian/local celebrity Steve Miller and Hooch and Hive General Manager Dean Rosenberger who was spiritual janitor at New World during its transition from Ybor City to its new location near Sulphur Springs. (Though they both agree that is more Dean’s baby, Miller is just the stepdad.)
“Pencil fights might not be as well attended as the Super Bowl, but it will undoubtedly surpass it in what matters—ridiculousness,” Miller, who also acts as the event’s referee said. There are rules, it's Miller’s job to enforce them.
Even local artists got into the action—John Morgan of Morgan Design Build built the ring, and Charles Doan created the backdrop. Artist Amy Wells will be the ring person. If you’ve never experienced the magic that is Pencil Fights, you don’t know what you’re missing. Many competitors create altar-egos, like in professional wrestling. Costumes are encouraged, and pencils are provided.
“People can expect to see WWE style gimmicks, mixed with the passion and excitement inherent to the regal sport of pencil fighting,” Miller said, “It is a silly, sophomoric outdoor, masked up distraction from the perils of late stage capitalism.”
If that still doesn’t entice you, yours truly will be providing the jock jams soundtrack. And you get to choose your walk-up song. The fight will take place in the parking lot, where social distancing can take place. Masks are required when not sitting.
If you want to compete, send an email to tampapencilfights@gmail.com.
Pencil Fights 6:The Street Fight, Sat. Feb. 20, 4 p.m. Free. Hooch and Hive, Tampa. INFO
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This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2021.