Texas Testosterone Festival announces schedule of events

Texas Testosterone Festival announces schedule of events

By Mark Collins Friday, 05 June 2009

Organizers of The Texas Testosterone Festival Presented by SugarBaby Swimwear announced a lineup of events that are intended to be "the region’s most entertaining and exciting showcase of all things manly, extreme and adrenaline-pumping."

The festival will take place August 15-16, 2009 at the Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. The Testosterone Festival’s Featured Events include UFC Ultimate Fighter Amir Sadollah, a fantasy football mock draft with Ladd Biro of the Dallas Morning News, a spartan 300 challenge based on the movie “300,” legendary Jiu-Jitsu master Relson Gracie, video game and poker tournaments and more. Exhibits include an auto show, motorbikes, tattoos by Southside Tattoos, Home Theatre by Austin Home Systems, boats from South Austin Marine and much more.

“The idea for the Texas Testosterone Festival was born out of a plan for the ultimate guys weekend,” said Paul Phelps of Manifest Productions and Events. “You can’t throw a rock in this town without hitting a music festival or charity run, but there’s been virtually nothing for the typical guy. There is a huge niche for an event that is geared for guys and we’re batting this one out of the park. Every guy in central Texas needs to be at this festival.”

Organizers will host a pre-festival, weeding out the weak event entitled "Come See Grown men Cry" at 3 p.m. August 9 at Bikinis Bar and Grill, 6901 N. IH 35. A sum of $200 will be awarded to the man (or woman) who can consume the most raw onions in five minutes. Austinite and former tamale eating world record holder Levi Oliver will host and judge the event.

Admission to the Texas Testosterone Festival is $6 per person in advance and $9 per person at the door. Tickets go on sale on Father’s Day, June 21, and can be purchased through The Festival website at www.TexasTestosteroneFestival.com.

The following featured events are designed to provide great entertainment and opportunities for hands-on participation.

Scheduled events on Saturday, Aug. 15 are:

• Mixed Martial Arts Seminar Hosted by UFC Ultimate Fighter Amir Sadollah
  • Amir Sadollah will come direct from his maincard Pay-Per-View debut at UFC 101 in Las Vegas for a Mixed Martial Arts Seminar, plus a live interview and Q&A with Steve Sievert of MMAJunkie.com and formerly of the Houston Chronicle. Registration to participate in the seminar is $50 in advance; spectators can watch from the sidelines for the cost of admission to The Festival ($6 in advance, $9 at the door).
• Fantasy Football Mock Draft Presented by Buffalo Billiards
  • Ladd Biro, Fantasy Football columnist for the Dallas Morning News and contributor to Sporting News Radio will lead a panel of media personalities, published authors and other Fantasy Football experts in a Mock Draft for the 2009 NFL Football season. Fantasy Football fans in Central Texas will have access to the most Fantasy Football information ever collected and presented in one place. This will be a deep draft with many sleeper picks and spectators will have the opportunity to query the expert panel. Biro makes his Fantasy Football picks each week for the Dallas Morning News, manages his Fantasy Football blog Fantasy-Fools, and is a favorite among Fantasy Football fans.
• Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Seminar Presented by AT&T
  • Relson Gracie is a 9th-degree Red-Black belt and the second eldest son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, the man credited for innovating Jiu-Jitsu, now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As the Brazilian National Champ in both his weight class and the open weight class for an unprecedented 22 years, Gracie’s instruction is widely sought after worldwide. Registration to participate in the seminar is $50 in advance; spectators can watch the seminar for the cost of admission to the Festival ($6 in advance, $9 at the door).
• The Greatest Bikini Contest in the History of the Great State of Texas
  • The bikini contest, hosted by Bikinis Bar and Grill, will include a star-studded judging panel, including UFC fighter Amir Sadollah, legendary Jiu-Jitsu Master Relson Gracie, WEC fighter Phil Cardella, Ladd Biro of the Dallas Morning News and Steve Sievert, formerly of the Houston Chronicle.
• Zhen Mei Natural Supplements Presents The Spartan 300 Challenge by Crossfit Central
  • Inspired by the ultimate guy movie, “300,” the Spartan 300 Challenge puts athletes through a body-numbing fitness challenge that includes pull ups, dead lifts, box jumps, Kettlebell clean to press, floor wipers and push ups, all totaling a grueling 300 repetitions to test fitness as well as mental fortitude and determination. Nearly $1,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the contestants with the best times. Registration for the contest is $20; spectators can watch the challenge for the cost of admission to the Festival ($6 in advance, $9 at the door).
• Basketball Skills Competition Hosted by the Austin Toros
  • Prizes will be awarded to the winners and the first place competitor will have the opportunity to participate in the Austin Toros free agent camp for the 2009-10 season. The Austin Toros Dance team will be in attendance.
• Chopper Customization Demo by Southern Metal Choppers
  • Southern Metal Choppers will show off their latest customization jobs in progress and demonstrate customization tips for motorbike owners that are sure to inspire.
• Picture Perfect Spa Presents The First Annual Texas Fit Model Search
  • Hosted and produced by WNBF Professional Bodybuilder and Fitness Model David Lee Nall, the fittest and best-looking male and female models in Texas will compete for cash prizes, trophies and modeling opportunities. The Model Search will be covered by Chelo Publishing (Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness, Men’s Exercise, Best Body and Exercise for Men Only magazines). Registration forms are available through the TTF website as well as TexasFitModel.com. The First Annual Texas Fit Model Search will be held on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $20 by calling 512.339.9111.

Scheduled events on Sunday, Aug. 16 are:

• Relson Gracie Texas Jiu-Jitsu Tournament and Team Challenge
  • Master Relson Gracie will host a full day’s worth of Jiu-Jitsu competition pitting athletes from across the state against each other in martial arts competition exciting for competitors and spectators alike. Medals will be awarded to all division winners and cash prizes will be awarded to the Absolute Male and Female Gi and the Absolute Male No-Gi champions. The Tournament will be followed by the Jiu-Jitsu Team Challenge, a chance for Jiu-Jitsu competitors across the state to challenge other academies, individuals or the Texas Jiu-Jitsu community at large.
• Video Game Tournaments by Gamerz
  • Prizes will be awarded to winning competitors of today’s hottest games including Madden 10, UFC Undisputed, Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Need for Speed and more to be announced. The Video Game Tournaments will be held on the Featured Event stage for the audience to take in the action.
• Poker Tournaments by The Fantasy Poker League
  • Texas Hold’em tournaments will run continuously throughout the day on two tables with prizes for participants. The tournaments are open and free to all Festival attendees and prizes will be awarded to the day's most successful players.