“One for the ages”
The scene was Reading, Pennsylvania for the Berks County barber battle 3 and Kick jam 2018 hosted by Eric Rodriguez and Dj. Junior R. Barbers and Stylist with many onlookers filled the Crowne Plaza in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania to capacity to view the spectacle that is the barber battle. “It was one of those things that just makes you want to be a better barber once you see the talent pool on stage competing” said Gilbert “Guilty Handz” Nazario. Vendors throughout the east coast attended selling and educating the crowd with the many products they were displaying. With food being provided and sold by Reading Pennsylvania’s premiere restaurant Mi casa Su casa the smell of the ball room at the Crowne Plaza was pure intoxication of latin cuisine. “It is an added twist to the show it gives those who pay to come view the battle an opportunity to make a day of it… it truly is a dinner and a show” said Eric Rodriguez (host) when asked about the importance of having food during the barber battle. There were winners and more winners it was a humbling experience for a lot of the barbers who competed. Looking out in the crowd during the trophy presentation I not only saw faces of joy and accomplishment I saw disappointment as well but it wasn’t for too long that it changed to determination as if to say “I’ll get it next year”.
The Berks County barber battle was an event filled with drama a great novelist could write from the tension, the suspense, the thrill of victory it truly had all the aspects of excitement. Judges thought long and hard paying close attention the haircuts that were brought forth to them as they judged on cleanliness, sharpness, creativity and execution it was a tough job but judges like Manny “Godblessedmyhandstv” Montanez (Pa) , Gino Maggio (Fl), Andre Gonzalez (Pa) , Joel “ The hair surgeon” Sharp (Pa), Chris “Colekutz” Foreman (Md) were up for the challenge and completed a job well done. “It was a great experience I met a lot of family members because at the end of the day we are family brothers in barbering and I will never forget these group of guys I call my brothers” –Gino Maggio (judge). I myself took a step back and soaked it all in and from my perspective it was truly a great display of competition and fellowship among barbers in an industry sometimes filled with more “hate” than “love” yet on that day the Berks County barber battle set an standard with having the very 1st pre-cut competition where barbers could bring a model they’ve pre-cut and the crowd had the opportunity to choose it’s favorite haircut with no one knowing who their barber was until they chose a winner with Reading barber “Platano Gucci” taking the prize. I saw passion and the will to win and prove not only to those in attendance but to themselves that they belonged from the student barbers in the student competition it was a breath of fresh air because you can be taught to cut hair but passion is never in the curriculum. Speaking with some of the night’s winners we had the chance to speak with Juan Saenz (barber) on his 1st place finish “Taking first place was a huge honor and a great accomplishment. It made me feel extremely proud and humbled with the judges choosing my haircut out of all of the great haircuts done by the other talented barbers on stage” Jesus Alvalle (student barber) was the 1st place winner in the student competition said “It was a great experience… I didn’t know to feel when I won it was truly the best feeling I’ve had in a long time. If it wasn’t for my friends and family I have no idea where I’d be” The Berks County barber battle 3 and Kick Jam 2018 will go down as an event for the ages and to think it is only on it’s 3rd here is to the Berks County barber battle and to it’s future.
