Food & Drink
Seattle’s Only Luchador Wrestling School Offers Hands-on Lessons in a Mexican Tradition
Netflix’s 'GLOW' may have put professional wrestling in the zeitgeist again, but it has nothing on Seattle-based Lucha Libre Volcánica.
By Danny Sullivan December 5, 2017
This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
For more than 25 years, José Gómez was a professional luchador—a wrestler in the beloved Mexican art of lucha libre, in which masked, extravagantly costumed wrestlers perform high-flying stunts. Seeing a need for a training facility after moving to Seattle from Mexico City, Gómez opened his luchador training school, Lucha Libre Volcánica, in 2010. The school, the only one of its kind in the state, instructs about 30 aspiring wrestlers at any given time, including the Northwest’s only luchadora, or female wrestler, who goes by the name of La Avispa, or The Wasp. (Most students are men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.)
Once “El Profesor Gómez,” as their instructor is known in the ring, determines they’re ready, students join their more seasoned classmates in a monthly public match, complete with costumes, stunts and storylines.
“Lucha is my life,” Gómez says of the spectacle of swagger and spandex; for his students and assembled spectators, lucha is also a whole lot of fun. See for yourself at Lucha Libre Volcánica’s A Very Lucha Christmas exhibition Saturday at Evolv Fitness.
Lucha Libre Volcánica
December 9. 8:30 p.m. Free, $10 suggested donation.
Evolv Fitness, South Lake Union, 1317 Republican St.; 206.371.9568.
Follow Us
Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing
Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege
In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…
Glacial Expressions
Local scientist and painter Jill Pelto spotlights climate change in a multi-artist show at Slip Gallery
The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…
How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis
Theatre is planning for its 50th birthday next year
Karen Lund vividly remembers that sinking feeling she had in the fall of 2023. That was when Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre Co., first realized that the financially strapped, midsized professional theatre in the Greenwood neighborhood might not survive. The theatre had already weathered the worst of the pandemic, but costs were mounting….
Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts
Nonprofit loses previously approved federal grants with little warning
The letter came without warning, like a slap in the face from an invisible hand. Humanities Washington CEO and Executive Director Julie Ziegler had already been talking with peers in other states, and she readied herself for the blow. The National Endowment for the Humanities (think DOGE) had terminated her nonprofit’s previously awarded federal grant…