Culture | September 19th, 2018
by Ryan Janke
ryanjanke@hpr1.com
Photo by Anne Bradley
Valkyries of the Valley will invade the North Dakota Apartment Wrestling Federation (NDAWF) for Brawl-esque, a variety show that will be held at Prairie Brothers Brewing Company in south Fargo this Saturday. Fargo-Moorhead favorites, Ketel Wonder (who will be joined by her fuzzy partner in crime, Furious George), Frisk E. Business, Holly Handful, and Sasha Savage will bring their burlesque performing style to the squared circle for four matches in what is being billed as a body-slamming, booty-shaking spectacular presented by Valkyries of the Valley and Art Riot Promotions.
According to legend, apartment wrestling has been operating in North Dakota for nearly 70 years, though mostly underground. This event will mark a new era for NDAWF, an organization said to have formed a decade ago. The Valkyries of the Valley, who have held performances around the area for some time, will step away from apartment wrestling of old when they leave wicker chairs and shag carpeting behind and trade them for steel chairs and ring ropes. It will be the first time NDAWF will move to a non-apartment venue.
The event will feature burlesque performances as well as wrestling matches by the Valkyries of the Valley. Local celebrity turned apartment wrestling promoter Scotch and his partner Beau D. Fraase have spearheaded the effort to bring this one-of-a-kind show to the area. Scotch sees this as an opportunity to showcase the Valkyries of the Valley and their talented and funny entertainment style. Scotch is also certain this event will be, “a spectacle the likes of which Fargo has never seen.” He even goes so far as to say that while fans will need to purchase a ticket for an entire seat, they will only need the edge.
The ladies of Valkyries of the Valley and the promotion team at Art Riot Promotions began negotiations for Brawl-esque six months ago, but only formally sealed a deal several months ago. While the opportunity to bring this type of wrestling out of the confines of North Dakota apartments and into the limelight only became a reality within recent months, Scotch says this is an event these ladies have been training their entire lives for.
Along with the lovely Valkyries of the Valley, NDAWF arch-nemesis and rival promoter Scotty Rabidowitz will be on hand. Rabidowitz– a greasy, mustachioed fast-talker who appears to have no legitimate roots or ties in North Dakota– has been a thorn in the side of the NDAWF in recent months. Rabidowitz has threatened to sue the NDAWF for copyright violations he claims stem from a recent issue of NDAWF’s North Dakota Apartment Wrestling Illustrated magazine. While Rabidowitz’s claims have no basis in reality, his presence is sure to cause drama and heartburn for Scotch and Fraase.
This 21 and up event will take place at Prairie Brothers Brewing Company, located at 4474 23rd Ave South in Fargo this Saturday, September 22. The Valkyries of the Valley will also be selling merchandise including North Dakota Apartment Wrestling Illustrated magazines, t-shirts, and buttons. The ladies will also be meeting fans and signing autographs. Brawl-esque Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door.
IF YOU GO:
NDAWF: Brawlesque
Saturday, September 22, 8-11pm
Prairie Brothers Brewing Company, 4474 23rd Avenue S, Fargo
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