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Rayko
jams with her band, Dig Jelly, at the female-oriented
Action Girl Expo. Kara Ogushi/Online Forty-Niner
Action
Girl Exposition empowers women
By
Kara Ogushi
Online Forty-Niner
Staff writer
The
sound of wheels rolling onto ramps is almost
deafening at the Long Beach Convention Center,
and with an almost acrobatic grace they
flip and spin on their skateboards. A young
woman clad in pigtails, a black customized
"Powder Girl" halter top with
pink ties, a pink skirt, and black platform
knee-high boots steps onto the stage.
Rayko
is the lead vocalist of Dig Jelly, a high-energy
modern rock band with a huge loyal following.
Their sound is edgy and unique, with a blend
of hip-hop added in. Dig Jelly consists
of Rayko, who provides vocals, guitar and
keyboards, Joey, who plays the drums, Robby
on lead guitar, Rain on the bass and their
DJ, Atley, on turntables.
They
are just one of three bands that performed
at the Action Girl Expo on Aug. 21 at the
Long Beach Convention Center. This was not
their first local event; Dig Jelly rocked
the house at Club Cohiba in Downtown Long
Beach on Aug. 19, closing the night with
their brand new single, "S.L.A.M.,"
which is being played on the radio station
KROQ.
Once
onstage, Dig Jelly's charisma and fusion
of talent is so intoxicating that people
couldn't help but come and listen. Free
CDs, t-shirts and guitar picks were given
away to any fans that were able to catch
them. The frenzy reminded me of bridesmaids
rushing to catch a recently thrown wedding
bouquet.
The
Expo was hosted by Powder Girl and Action
Girl, groups that promote and connect female
athletes and performers. The expo also features
a tradeshow that showcases brand names such
as Black Flys, DC Shoes and Powder Girl,
just to name a few.
Drinks
were provided at the Tiki Lounge so that
attendees could relax while watching the
Concrete Jungle Fashion Show.
Ramps
were set up for skateboarders to try out
their newest stunts. Dig Jelly's Rayko is
also an avid skateboarder and was riding
on the ramps with her their fans before
she went on stage with the band to perform.
A
few extreme bikers were executing stunts
near the stage where Dig Jelly was performing
and some were testing out a new skateboard
that supposedly makes one feel as if the
rider were surfing.
The
highlight of the entire event however, was
Dig Jelly's energetic performance and songs
that completely embodied the spirit of why
the Action Girl Expo was originally created:
to unite and strengthen women who are in
the athletic and musical industry and allow
their voices to be heard.
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