Considering that, once again, the only local athletes in the X Games are skateboarders, let's focus on those events. This way you can watch skaters do their thing without having to worry about running from police.

Vert skating is ridiculous. It takes so much time and effort to learn just the basics. It's sad that too often watching skate videos, people are prone to hitting the "vert button," or fast-forward, but watching it live is something else. Check out the practice sessions for an idea of what people's contest lines will be like, as well as to see some crazier tricks that riders won't want to risk trying during their run. General vert practice is Thu., Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-noon, followed by the preliminary round until 2:30 p.m.; finalists practice on Fri., Aug. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m., followed by the final until 9 p.m. On Sat., Aug. 17, catch the doubles final 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Last year's best trick contest on the vert ramp brought out some serious PlayStation 2 special moves. See it Sun., Aug. 18, practice from 6 to 7:30 p.m., final from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

The park skating contest is Mon., Aug 19, practice from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the final is from 1 to 3 p.m.

Related Stuff

"Fuck Those Dudes," Fri.-Sat., Aug. 16-17. These are anti-X Games parties thrown by the Larry Flynt-published Big Brother skateboarding magazine at The Horton Gallery. Hip-hoppery types can get down with the get down on Friday, and the dirty rockers can get smashed on Saturday. Parties begin 5 p.m. both days. The Horton Gallery, 237 Market St., www.hortongallery.com.

"Indie vs. Old Skool," Sat., Aug. 17, 1616 Locust, with Rainer Maria, Prince Paul, the Lost City Angels and Jai Alai Savant. The latter is a new band from Ralph Darden, who'll pull double duty and DJ downstairs with Arrakis' LowBudget. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., all ages, 21 to drink, $10 before 11, $15 after, 1616 Locust St., 215-413-7143.

Post X Games Blow Out, featuring DJ Brendan, Elevation, and The Collective DJing, as well as X Theory, The Freakin Cads, Sweetie and Full Court Press. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., $15, 1616 Locust St.

Bams CKY4 preview party. The area's own Jackass sneak-peeks the fourth installment of his own stunts video, Camp Kill Yourself. Sat., Aug. 17, 7 p.m., $20, 16+, with Clutch and CKY (the band), The Trocadero, 10th and Arch sts., 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Philthy: The X Games Edition, with Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Meez and Sat-One, Rob Paine, Zacharijah and Dave Pianka. OK, this thing is hosted by X Games announcer and skateboard industry head Sal Masakela, has Jazzy Jeff spinning in celebration of his ludicrously good, soon-to-be-released CD The Magnificent (BBE), and it’s got $2 Stoli drinks from 9-11 p.m. Thu., Aug. 15, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Shampoo, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-922-7500.

Natural Selection. Find an invite to this thing. This is the Sobe-Maxim jawn, which might’ve been the sickest party last year. Fri., Aug. 17, Transit, Sixth and Spring Garden sts., 215-925-8878.

"Separations: Manufacturing Art/Skateboards." More than 70 of them Disobedient-type artists designed skateboards specifically for this show, which gets its second reception, in honor of the X Games, on Friday. Don’t forget to vote, too. The top five boards will be manufactured. (See preview on p. 66.) 222gallery, 222 Vine St., 215-873-0750, www.222gallery.com.

"Under the New York Influence," through August. Zoo York Skateboards played a big part in Philly skateboard history by sponsoring what became the Illuminati team (and later Silverstar). Check out boards from the company Zoo evolved from, Shut Skates, an NYC company from the late ’80s. Skatenerd, 142 N. Second St., 215-922-2018, www.skatenerd.com.

Space 1026. They were supposed to have a Love Park tribute show. If it doesn’t come off, it’s going to be a show of members’ work, and since they’re the O.G. skate-related gallery in town, it’ll be worth a peep. Space 1026, 1026 Arch St., second floor, 215-574-7630, www.space1026.com.