Hostile Takeover II

I fully expect to start seeing these dudes hanging out on the driveway very soon, because spring is almost here. And warm weather around here brings the buzz of the scooters. It's not springtime unless there's a tiny fleet of Vespas in front of our house.

These guys – and by 'these guys,' I mean our local scooter club, The Corporation – are planning the Hostile Takeover II Scooter Rally, happening Memorial Day weekend. It's going to be insane.

You might remember seeing this story about Hostile Takeover last year in Juice (yup, there's Bo on the left.) And this year, the rally is going to be even bigger and better.

The weekend kicks off with an Iowa Pork chop dinner and a night out at local dive, The Fremont, where you can check out Omaha ska legends, The Bishops. Saturday will start off with brunch, followed by a 'top secret scooter ride.' Yes, top secret. (Too many details would give it away, but this ride will be something. If the Scooter Cannonball Run and the World Series of Gymkhana shacked up in Iowa, this would be their unholy love child. Throw in some geocaching with a pinch of jackassery and you have a pretty sweet afternoon.)

Saturday night is Pressure Drop! An all vinyl dance party and music celebration with DJ Eight Ten spinning the finest in Motown, Jamaica Ska, Northern Soul, Rare Funk, Roots Rock, Raw Rhythm n Blues and Reggae. Sunday starts off with an optional brunch at The Fremont and then a scooter show, slow race, raffle and time to check out the vendors. (Or just ride.)

And finally, the weekend will end with the Corporate Retreat. This is going to be big. You'll get to check out several area and regional bands, including: Spin Spin Coupling, EGO, Moon Chaplin and the Magic Men, Rumble Seat Riot, Pinebox Rhythm, The Muck Savages, The Prizefighters and more, TBA.

Scooter clubs from several surrounding states are making the trip to lovely Des Moines, so if you're within riding distance, you really need to hit up this rally. Check out all of the details and register here. (It's only $30, and you get a rally shirt, rally pin, scooter badge, patch, swag bag, admission to both The Bishops and the 'big' show, plus two brunches and the Iowa pork chop dinner. Umm, awesome.)

Pressure Drop III from yellowsandwichstudios on Vimeo.
To give you a taste of what you're in for, here's a rad little video made at the last Pressure Drop by some of the dudes. Fun times ahead! Don't miss this.