This past November the Madroids (Madrid locals) performed the 30th annual He She Bang. The He She Bang originated as a benefit for a local gentleman suffering from HIV and AIDS and has continued as a charity event to support the Madrid medical and dental fund. The theme this year was the “Sordid History of Coal Gulch.”

We attended the final dress rehearsal and it was hilarious. The actors portrayed the original “owner” (Oscar Huber) of the town and how he only paid the coal miners in scripts. No money ever exchanged hands, but the miners were provided with homes and cars. They also took us through the the history of when the hippies and artists moved to Madrid and resurrected the town. Who knew that Madrid had the very first lighted baseball field west of the Mississippi? Well, it turns out that Thomas Edison was a friend of the mine (and town) owner so they lit up the field for the miners.

The reference to David Bowie in the play is because “The Man Who Fell to Earth” was filmed in Madrid, as well as “Wild Hogs” and scenes from “Breaking Bad” and “Longmire.”

Anyway, it was a great event and we can’t wait to see what they put together for next year’s show. Here are a few snapshots from the evening.