News & Updates

  • The group of folks who turned out for the December 2024 Kickback pinball event

    December Kickback Recap

    Hello Belles!,

    The group of folks who turned out for the December 2024 Kickback pinball event

    What a fantastic turnout at our latest meetup! We had 16 participants, including a new face, Kami, and a returning Belle all the way from Minnesota, Ann! Thanks to everyone who joined us for a night of pinball and fun. Thank you to The Kickback for hosting another event for the Belles & Chimes – Madison Chapter.ย  And for those who participated in our fundraiser for WayForward Food Pantry, be sure to read below for more details on how your generosity made a difference and who took home the sparkly rubber ducky!

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    We played six rounds of group match play with Jacque and Donelle duking it out on Deadpool to determine the 4th person of the finals on Godzilla. Congrats to the top winners of the night:

    The top four winners at the December Kickback event

    ๐Ÿ† 1st: Lainy

    ๐Ÿฅˆ 2nd: Donelle

    ๐Ÿฅ‰ 3rd: Cora

    ๐ŸŽ– 4th: Mary

    For the other groups, Jacque, Alley, and Brooke won 1st place for their respective groups.

    Fundraiser for WayForward Food Pantry

    Thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraiser for WayForward Food Pantry! Your generous donations will go a long way in supporting a cause that is making a real difference in our community. We collected 47 items in total, with Mary Owen bringing in an impressive 22 of those items, earning her the coveted sparkly rubber ducky! ๐Ÿฆ†

    Mary holding her prize for most donations in December

    WayForward Food Pantry has seen a dramatic increase in need over the past two years, with food pantry visits tripling and 13,133 people benefiting from their programs last year. They provide essential support to 729 households annually, helping ensure that families can maintain housing stability and avoid eviction.

    However, the need continues to grow. Food insecurity remains a significant issue in Dane County, with 9.2% of residents affected, and the disparity is even more striking among communities of colorโ€”22% of Latino residents and 28% of Black residents face food insecurity, one of the largest racial gaps in the country. (All stats come directly from WayForwardโ€™s Impact Page.)

    Weโ€™re grateful to be part of an effort that shines a light on these important issues and supports those who are working hard to address them.

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    Weโ€™ve got some exciting events lined up for the new year!

    • January 8: Casual meetup at Nerdhaven
    • January 29: Metallica Remastered launch party at The Kickback

    Stay tuned for more details as we finalize our 2025 calendar. It’s going to be an amazing year ahead! ๐ŸŽ‰ Remember there are a handful of other events in town hosted by other Tournament Directors. You can see them all on our calendar.

    ๐Ÿ“ข Tournament Announcements and Reminders

    2024 Madison Championship Trophies
    Image from The Madison Championship Facebook event page

    As we approach the end of 2024, excitement is building for the upcoming tournaments!

    IFPA-Certified Tournaments: There are two big events coming upโ€”the State Tournament for Wisconsin and the Women’s State Tournament. We have a handful of Belles who are already qualified, with a few others still in the running depending on if current qualifiers drop out.

    Check out this cool speculator tool to see the standings and see what would happen if people drop out. There are a number of non-Wisconsinites who qualify so the standings could shake up significantly if folks drop out. 

    The weekend of January 4th, join us for two co-ed tournaments to help raise money for the Women’s State Tournament:

    Both are $20 buy-in + coin drop, with half of the entry fee going to the Women’s State Tournament fund and the other half as a cash prize for the winners.

    IFPA State Championships will take place January 18th, and the Women’s State Championships will be on January 19th, both at District 82 in De Pere, Wisconsin. Be sure to register before the end of the year if you qualify!

    Madison Pinball Tournament: Thereโ€™s also the Madison Pinball Championship, where the top 16 in the Madison-area will compete. No specific women’s division, but itโ€™s an exciting opportunity for our local players. The tournament is set for January 11th at I/O Arcade Bar. You can follow the current standings on the custom ranking view. Let’s keep cheering for Mary, who is currently qualifying!

    December 2024 Belles and chimes trophies

    As we close out the year, weโ€™re gearing up for something funโ€”a 2024 Belles Wrapped! Weโ€™ll be looking back at the year with some cool stats highlighting our venues of the year, players, and more. Keep an eye out for this lighthearted recap coming soon!

    Thanks for being such an amazing part of the Belles community. We canโ€™t wait to see what 2025 has in store!

  • November Belles and Chimes turnout at Aftershock Arcade

    Aftershock Classic Arcade Recap

    Hello Belles!

    We had an amazing turnout for our November meetup Wednesday at Aftershock Classic Arcade! With 20 participants, including five first-timers, it was an exciting night filled with competitive energy and new faces. A huge thank-you to Aftershock for hosting us and providing those delicious hot pretzels!

    November Belles and Chimes turnout at Aftershock Arcade

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    Belles and Chimes November Trophy Winners

    We played six rounds of group match play, wrapping up with a thrilling final on Monster Bash. Congratulations to our top players:

    ๐Ÿ† 1st: Erin

    ๐Ÿฅˆ 2nd: Cora (welcome to the group!)

    ๐Ÿฅ‰ 3rd: Alley

    ๐ŸŽ– 4th: Brooke

    Alley, if you’d like your trophy before the next meetup, please reach out!

    Aftershock Prize Winners

    A special shoutout to Donelle, Stacie, Shay, and Joanne (not pictured), who each won $5 worth of tokens, thanks to Aftershock’s generosity!

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    Mark your calendars for our final event of the year on Wednesday, December 11th! Weโ€™re finalizing the location and working with John and Adam at NerdHaven, who are balancing family commitments and currently open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Keep an eye out for updates, and please support NerdHaven when you can!

    ๐Ÿ“ข News, Announcements, and Reminders ๐Ÿ“ข

    International Flipper Pinball Association

    IFPA Tournament Reminder – If you’re interested in participating in the IFPA tournaments (both Open and Womenโ€™s), please remember to register on their page. Unregistered players will not be able to enter, even if they qualify. Several Belles currently qualify, and a few more are just below the line that may get invited, so donโ€™t miss out!

    Madison Youth Pinball – The Madison Youth Pinball group will hold its second meetup on Saturday, November 23, at 11 AM at Kickback. You may even see some friendly faces for Belles helping out. If youโ€™d like to help with the event, please reach out, and weโ€™ll connect you with the right contacts.

    Check out what Andreas has created!  Belles & Chimes uses MatchPlay for our platform to run our tournaments.  Now you can adorn your Match Play profile with a collection of pride flags! ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ Andreas finally found a nice set of pride flags to offer in addition to the national flags. You’ll find the pride flag section after the national flags, but before the US state flags.  Yeah for adding flare to the pinball community!!  ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ

    Looking forward to seeing everyone for a fantastic December meetup!

    November 2024 Belles Trophies

    Cheers,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

  • Attendees at the X-Men Launch party

    X-Men Launch Party Recap

    Hello Belles!

    First, we (Tiffany and Jacque) want to express how deeply grateful we are for each of you and for the Belles & Chimes community, which has become such a meaningful part of our lives. Now, more than ever, spaces like ours are vital. Our community is here with open arms, offering a safe and welcoming place for women, LGBTQ+ members, BIPOC, those with disabilities, and all who find themselves underrepresented.

    Despite the recent election outcome, which has been tough for many of us, Belles & Chimes remains a sanctuary for anyone who feels marginalized or “different.” Together, we can continue to create a safe and supportive space. Let’s channel our energy toward what we can control, starting with our community and extending to actions that strengthen our local presence and work toward positive change.

    Thank you for being here, for embracing each other, and for making Belles a beacon of love and acceptance. Let’s not let this overshadow the joy and connection we shareโ€”starting with a look back at our latest pingolf tournament!

    After our Pingolf and X-Men Launch Party at Kickback, weโ€™re still buzzing from excitement! ๐Ÿ‚ For those who missed it, we had an amazing time with a 9-hole Pingolf challenge and a fierce X-Men playoff. Check out the recap below!

    For our next meetup, weโ€™ll be gathering at Aftershock Classic Arcade for another fun night of flippers, friends, and competition. Bring a friend, and donโ€™t hesitate to invite new faces to join the fun! 

    Event Details

    Date: November 13, 2024

    Location: Aftershock Classic Arcade

    Time: Registration opens at 6PM, gameplay start at 6:30PM

    Cost: $5 Entry Fee + coin drop

    Theme: The 13th is World Kindness Day. If you have a shirt that has a kind message on it, wear it!

    You can find Aftershockโ€™s list of games on their website or check the Pinball Map.

    Nov 3rd Event Recap โ€“ X-Men Launch & Pingolf Fun!

    Attendees at the X-Men Launch party

    For those who joined us at the Kickback for our first pingolf tournament, thank you! We had a fantastic evening trying out a 9-hole pingolf course and celebrating the X-Men launch. Special shoutouts to our top players in the X-Men playoff:

    X-Men Launch Party Winners

    ๐Ÿ† X-Men Plaque Winner: Mary

    ๐Ÿฅˆ 2nd Place: Courtney, who snagged the translate

    ๐Ÿฅ‰ 3rd Place: Erin, who scored a comic

    ๐Ÿ’ฅ 4th Place: Sara, who we thank her for helping us during the event!

    Congratulations to Lainy and Aimee for winning free vouchers from Kickback. And a big roar for Godzillaโ€™s 70th birthday that night. ๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿ‘‘

    ๐Ÿ“ŒPinball Tips – Theater of Magic – Skill Shot Basics

    For a skill shot on the first plunge, watch the display and plunge when your desired award appears. Awards include:

    • 10M or 20M points
    • 2x Bonus
    • Advance Clock (2 hours)
    • Begin Illusion (if not already lit) or 2x Combo (if Illusion is lit)

    Aim for the trunkโ€™s hole to complete the skill shot, get the reward, and add to your end-of-ball bonus.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News & Announcements ๐ŸŽ‰

    Madison Youth Pinball League Memebers

    Image from Madison Youth Pinball Facebook Page

    • Madison Youth Pinball Group is launching! Meeting 1-2 times a month, this group will encourage children 7-17 to learn the basics of pinball. They had over 20 kids during their first event!
    • New Monthly Pingolf at Kickback! Kickback will be hosting open (co-ed) pingolf tournaments on the last Sunday of each month. Perfect chance to get a group and play with them the whole day.
    • New Tournaments at Aftershock! Erin will soon be hosting regular pinball tournaments at Aftershockโ€“stay tuned for more details on dates and formats.
    • Kickbackโ€™s Grand Opening Celebration on November 16 will feature a full day of events including a pinball tournament! Swing by to check out the festivities and support this great local spot.ย 

    Looking forward to seeing you all at Aftershock November 13th. Letโ€™s make it a night to remember with good company, great games, and lots of laughs.

    Cheers,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

    Godzilla Hair Accessories
  • All the belles who came out for the October night at The Kickback

    The Kickback Bar – Save the Date for a Sunday Tee Time!

    The Kickback Bar – Save the Date for a Sunday Tee Time!

    Hey Belles,

    We had an awesome time at The Kickback for the first time, with 17 players, including 2 new faces! A big shout out to The Kickback for being such fantastic hosts and to Hidden Cave for providing us with some great prizes. The Kickback even had the brand-new Uncanny X-Men release, which we hope you all got to try at least once!

    All the belles who came out for the October night at The Kickback

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    Belles top three holding ghost trophies at The Kickback
    All the winners from the October Belles night at The Kickback

    Our top 4 playersโ€”Mary, Lauren, Brooke, and Alleyโ€”battled it out on X-Men, and after some epic flipper action, the final standings were:
    ๐Ÿฅ‡ Mary
    ๐Ÿฅˆ Lauren
    ๐Ÿฅ‰ Brooke

    Only the top 3 received trophies, but great job to Alley for making it to the final round!

    In the other groups, congratulations to Donelle, Elise, Melissa, and Stacie, who each won a Hidden Cave Cidery gift card. ๐ŸปEnjoy those delicious prizes!

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    We’ve got two events coming up next month that you wonโ€™t want to miss!

    • Sunday, November 3rd: Weโ€™re hosting a special Uncanny X-Men Release Party at The Kickback, featuring Pin-Golf Qualifying! โ›ณ Weโ€™ll likely kick things off around 12 PM, but stay tuned for more details. If youโ€™re new to Pin-Golf, the goal is to hit a target score within your three balls. The number of โ€œstrokesโ€ you get depends on which ball you hit the target or your final score if you donโ€™t reach it. List of games here.
    • Wednesday, November 13th: Weโ€™ll be back at Aftershock Classic Arcade for our regularly scheduled monthly event. Be sure to check out their game list on their website for some pinball practice beforehand!

    You can find other pinball events in the Madison area by subscribing to our Google Calendar or visiting our website.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News – Halloween Kickback Nine, Pinball Expo, State Championships๐ŸŽ‰

    The Kickback Nine pin golf flyer

    Canโ€™t get enough pinball at The Kickback. Our dear Sara is going to be in town with her fiancรฉ Ryan to host a co-ed (Open) Pingolf event that also serves as an X-Men Release Party. Costumes encouraged! ๐ŸŽ‰ You donโ€™t want to miss this event as there will be some great Stern prizes up for grabs.

    Pinball Expo Reminder – Also a quick reminder that the Pinball Expo and Video Game Summit is this weekend near Chicago! They have multiple tournaments happening including a Women’s Division. You can find the expo schedule on their website and register yourself on the Drain Tournament Manager if you plan on participating in any of the tournaments. Good luck to anyone who is participating! ๐ŸŽฎ

    Championships Reminder – Speaking of tournaments, weโ€™re getting really close to the end of the year when itโ€™s time to prepare for Championship season. As one of the few womenโ€™s events in Wisconsin, it is likely there will be multiple Madison Belleโ€™s participants eligible to play in the IFPA Womenโ€™s State Championships. For this year, the top 8 women of open tournaments  and the top 8 of the womenโ€™s only tournaments will be qualified to play the state championships. If you qualify, you MUST register with IFPA here if you want to participate. You can find more information on the Womenโ€™s North America Championship Series here.

    Announcement – Roller Derby

    Madison Roller Derby Flyer

    Roller derby fans, rejoice! The Madison Roller Derby (MRD) winter season is here, and their next event is on Saturday, October 19th. Make sure to follow MRD to stay up to date on their events this season. And donโ€™t forget to cheer on our very own Jo out on the field!

    Thanks for reading, Belles! Keep flippinโ€™ and weโ€™ll see you at the next event! ๐ŸŽฏ

  • The group that attended Belles and Chimes at Double Tap Bar and Arcade

    Flipping Out at Double Tap โ€“ What a Night!

    Hey Belles!,

    Just a quick follow-up on our epic night at Double Tap Madison! We had 9 players in total, including 3 awesome newbies who jumped right into the action. Huge shoutout to Dori and Tiffany for getting everyone setup with tap cards and covering the games. ๐ŸŽฎ

    If you havenโ€™t been to Double Tap Madison yet, we suggest you take a look. Not only were their nerdy-themed drinks tasty, the pinball setup was pretty cozy. Machines were in their own corner with tables and chairs nearby, making it easy to relax between rounds. While some machines had tight tilt bobbers, we all enjoyed the space and felt the layout was perfect for our group. Definitely recommend checking it out! ๐Ÿน๐ŸŽฎ

    The group that attended Belles and Chimes at Double Tap Bar and Arcade

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    Belles and Chimes September 2024 Trophies

    Congrats to our top 4: Alley, Dori, Leah, and Tiffany! They battled it out on Jaws with 3 intense rounds to crown the nightโ€™s champ. And letโ€™s not forget another highlightโ€“Dori absolutely crushed it on Star Wars, scoring over a billion points on ball 1 and claiming Grand Champion on the machine. ๐ŸŽฏ๐Ÿ’ฅ

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    For our next event on October 19th, weโ€™ll be playing at The Kickbar Bar for the first time! There are over 40 machines and they come from the Craft Beer Pinball League router. Youโ€™re sure to find one of your favorites there! Canโ€™t wait to see you all there!

    You can find other pinball events in the Madison area by subscribing to our Google Calendar or visiting our website.

    Announcement

    Walk to end lupus now facebook event banner
    Image from Walk to End Lupus Now – Madison 2024 main event page

    One last reminder that Tiffany is participating in Madison (technically Middleton) Walk to End Lupus Now on September 28th. Feel free to join her walking team โ€œFlippinโ€™ Lupus!โ€ or donate by using this link!

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News – Pinball Expo + Video Game Summit๐ŸŽ‰

    Pinball Expo 2024 Logo
    Video Game Summit 2024 logo

    Images from pinballexpo.com

    The Pinball Expo in Chicago is returning from October 15-19 and itโ€™s combining forces with the Video Game Summit for an unforgettable retro arcade experience.๐Ÿ•น๏ธ๐ŸŽฒ

    For those unfamiliar with the Pinball Expo, it is one of the largest and most celebrated pinball events globally. Itโ€™s a haven for pinball fans, featuring an incredible array of pinball machines, seminars, and opportunities to meet other enthusiasts. This year, the event is even more exciting with a retro arcade theme, promising a blast from the past with plenty of games to play.

    In addition to the vast selection of machines, there will be various tournaments, including a  womenโ€™s division. Whether youโ€™re a seasoned player or just looking to have some fun, thereโ€™s something for everyone at this amazing event.

    Donโ€™t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the world of pinball and video games! Itโ€™s going to be an epic celebration of all things arcade!

    By the way, there is a Belles & Chimes Worldwide t-shirt you can pre-order. You can either have it shipped to you or pick it up at the expo. Find the t-shirt here.

    Thanks again to everyone who came out. Looking forward to seeing you all at the next meeting โ€“ letโ€™s keep the good times rolling!

    Belles and chimes members playing pinball at Double Tap in Madison

    Flip on,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

  • Belles August 2024 Group Photo

    Olympic Trophies, Pinball Victories, and Milestone Celebrations!

    Hey Belles!,

    We had a flippinโ€™ fantastic time at NerdHaven Arcade and with 18 of you awesome people showing up (including one fresh face), it was a night to remember! ๐ŸŽ‰

    We were all about celebrating milestones this timeโ€“congrats to our newest PhD (you know who you are), the Belle who just tied the knot (Donelle), and the one who saved the day by rescuing a pup (Nichole)! Talk about leveling up in life!

    A massive shoutout to Mary for the grate cheese and summer sausages which paired nicely with the wine provided to us from our pals John and Adam. Additional thanks to John and Adam for providing three gift cards to NerdHaven for our winners! Be sure to check out Grab N Grocery on 1511 Williamson Street if you want more of the delicious goods Mary provided us. We know you can get some bomb spring rolls and homebrewed kombucha as well.

    Belles August 2024 Group Photo

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    Nerdhaven August 2024 winners
    Belles and Chimes August Trophies

    In our main final, our Belles duked it out on Black Knight 2000. Sharkey got the gold at the end. Donelle with silver, Erin with bronze, and Jacque withโ€ฆ Copper? In our other groups, Alley, Aimee, and Nia won NerdHaven gift cards.

    Our Olympic-themed trophies really brought out the competitive spiritโ€“thanks to everyone who played with such heart and skill! ๐Ÿ†

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    For our next event on September 11th, weโ€™re still deciding between a few options, but Double Tap might just be our next stop. Stay tuned for detailsโ€“itโ€™s going to be a blast either way! 

    You can find other pinball events in the Madison area by subscribing to our Google Calendar or visiting our website.

    Announcement

    Walk to end lupus now facebook event banner
    Image from Walk to End Lupus Now – Madison 2024 main event page

    During our meet up, Tiffany shared that she is participating in Madison (technically Middleton) Walk to End Lupus Now on September 28th. Feel free to join her walking team โ€œFlippinโ€™ Lupus!โ€ or donate by using this link!

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News – New Venue Kickback๐ŸŽ‰

    The Kickback Bar Logo
    Image from The Kickbackโ€™s Facebook profile

    If you havenโ€™t heard the buzz yet, a brand-new bar is about to flip into Middleton, boasting over 30 pinball machines! ๐ŸŽ‰ It will be the new home of the Craft Beer Pinball League. The list of pins and other arcade games is already up on their website.

    But thatโ€™s not all! Theyโ€™re planning to host even more fun events like a Skee-Ball League and NBA JAM nights, so youโ€™ll definitely want to stay in the loop. Be sure to click the icons at the bottom of their website to follow their social media pagesโ€“you wonโ€™t want to miss out on any of the action!

    Thanks for making NerdHaven a night full of fun, fantastic flips, and gold-medal moments! Canโ€™t wait to see you all again sooner

    Cheers and High Scores,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

  • Having a blast at Aftershock Classic Arcade

    Belles, you all are sparkles!

    What a blast of a night we had at Aftershock Classic Arcade for our monthly IFPA tournament during their Shark Week! This was our first time hosting an IFPA tournament at Aftershock, and it was a memorable experience. We had 17 enthusiastic players, including one returning Belles and a brand-new Belles, who brought along a cheering squad with a supportive poster!

    Aftershock went above and beyond spoiling us with gift certificates for free tokens and a beer for a future visit. If you missed out on getting a gift certificate, please reach out to us and weโ€™ll make sure you get one.

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    We played 6 rounds with a finals on Game of Thrones. Mary was on fire throughout the final, but in the end, Erin emerged victorious. Mary secured a close second, with Stacie taking third and Brooke fourth. Besides the coveted homemade trophies, they won a $15 gift card, $10 gift card, and tokens (with a cup) respectively.

    A special shoutout to Allison who managed to snag the Grand Champion title on Tales of Arabian Nights.

    Way to go everyone!

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    Looking ahead, next monthโ€™s tournament will be held at NerdHaven Arcade on Aug 14, 2024 6:00โ€ฏPM. Cost is $5 plus coin drop.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News ๐ŸŽ‰

    Have you been checking in on your monthly Stern Insider Connected quests? The Bastille Day badge deadline is fast approaching! Get the Bastille Day badge by logging into any Stern machine and getting at least 30 million points in a single game. You have until the 14th of July to get it. The Brian Eddy badge is also available until the end of the month. And for those who are fans of John Wick, there are contracts to complete. Log into your Insider Connected account to see more information about quests and contracts.

    Cheers,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

  • Belles and Chimes at Hidden Cave Cidery

    Wind, Ciders, and Pinball Magic at Hidden Cave!

    Hey Belles!

    What a wild and windy adventure we had at Hidden Cave Cidery in Middleton! Despite the stormy skies (it was almost tornado weather!) 14 of us braved the elements for a night of pinball, cider, and great vibes.

    Our first-time meetup at this location was a hit! We had the space all to ourselves, delicious ciders (maybe too many), and a pinball lineup that kept us flipping all night. Special shoutout to our new and returning Belles who joined us from Beaver Dam, Milwaukee, and even Minnesota. Your dedication is legendy! 

    In the spirit of Pride Month, it was fantastic to see some of you sporting your pride gear. Our community thrives on diversity and inclusion, and itโ€™s heartwarming to see everyone feeling welcome and celebrated in our space.

    Belles and Chimes at Hidden Cave Cidery

    โ€The serious pictureโ€ฆ

    Belles and Chimes at Hidden Cave Cidery "Goofy" photo

    โ€ฆand the goofy pictureโ€  

    Huge thanks to Walker, the owner of Hidden Cave, for opening up on his day off and treating us to free Ms. Pac-Man quarters. His hospitality made the night even more special. 

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    June Belles and Chimes Winners
    Belles and Chimes June 2024 Trophies

    We originally planned for 4 rounds, but the pinball fever was strong, and we extended it to 6 rounds by popular demand. Godzilla was the game of choice for the finals. After a few nail-biting games, Donelle took the gold! She was followed by Erin with the silver, Lauren with the bronze, and Alex with the choice of cider. Extra cheers to Donelle for dominating Attack from Mars โ€“ you were on fire!

    Donelle blowing up Attack from Mars!

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    Our next meet up will be at Aftershock Arcade on Jul 10, 2024 6:00โ€ฏPM. We flip at 6:30 PM. There is a $5 cash entry fee. Coin drop is needed for the pinball tables. (It is also Shark Weekโ€ฆAftershock has a lot of fun things to go along with Shark Week.)

    You can find other pinball events in the Madison area by subscribing to our Google Calendar or visiting our new website.

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News – Links by the Lake โ€œBelle Bountyโ€๐ŸŽ‰

    Image from Links by the Lakeโ€™s Facebook Event Page

    Since late 2023, our very own Sara Bradley has been co-hosting a fantastic pingolf tournament every 3rd Sunday of the month at NerdHaven Arcade. And guess what? This month theyโ€™re introducing an exciting new twist โ€“ the โ€œBelle Bountyโ€. ๐Ÿ†

    For each event, Links by the Lake will be rewarding 10% of the prize pool to the top qualifying score among women competitors. How cool is that?! The last tournament in April only had a couple of women-identifying folx, and weโ€™d love to see more Belles out there showing their pinball prowess in these open tournaments.

    Not familiar with Links by the Lakeโ€™s format? Their pinball format offers a unique opportunity to enjoy pinball with chosen friends. Why? Unlike traditional matchplay scoring of 7/5/3/1 relative to scores, pingolf is all about achieving specific target scores on each machine. Itโ€™s you against the machine! However, if you make it to the playoffs, youโ€™re back to playing the traditional match play format.

    Get the full scoop by checking out the Official Rulebook here, and join them for an afternoon of thrilling pingolf at NerdHaven. Find the event on facebook here.

    Until next time, keep those flippers flippinโ€™ and those ciders sippinโ€™! ๐ŸŒŸ

    Cheers,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

  • Godzilla Game Over Screen

    A New Chapter for Our Pinball Community

    For over three years, our group has thrived on providing a safe and welcoming environment for women and gender non-conforming individuals to enjoy pinball on the second Wednesday of each month. Our goal has always been to create an inclusive space where everyone feels comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, recent developments with one of our long-time venues, I/O Arcade Bar, have necessitated a change in our plans.

    Conflict with I/O Arcade Bar and Madison Pinball

    Many of you may have noticed that I/O Arcade Bar, in collaboration with Madison Pinball, has scheduled a new open (co-ed) pinball tournament on the same nights as our events. This decision was made without consulting us first. Additionally, they planned a John Wick launch party on one of our event days in July. This conflicts with our mission to provide a dedicated space away from the male-dominated pinball community.

    While Mitch at I/O Arcade Bar has offered to reschedule the launch party and provide us with additional deals, he is unwilling to change the new tournament schedule. This poses a risk of fragmenting our pinball community and undermines our efforts to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.

    Moving Forward: Seeking New Venues

    Due to these conflicts, we have decided to stop hosting and promoting events at Madison Pinball locations, including I/O Arcade Bar, Schwoegglerโ€™s, and Pooleyโ€™s. We are actively seeking other venues in Madison that will respect our league and work collaboratively with the larger pinball community.

    How You Can Help

    We urge you to make your voices heard. Please consider commenting on the following platforms:

    Additionally, you can contact Hilton Jones and Sean Spindler directly at Madison Pinball to express your concerns.

    Continued Support and Participation

    We understand that some of you may still want to participate in the 2nd Wednesday tournaments hosted by I/O Arcade Bar and Madison Pinball. We encourage you to also join us for our Belles & Chimes events. Remember, I/O Arcade Bar continues to host their 4th Wednesday of the month events as well.

    Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this transition. We are committed to finding a new venue that aligns with our values and mission. Stay tuned for updates on our new locations and upcoming events.

  • Belles at Underground Pinball

    Underground Pinball Recap

    Happy Motherโ€™s Day Belles!

    Thank you to all that were able to make it out to โ€œThe Underground Pinballโ€ evening at Laurenโ€™s place. We had an impressive 18 sign up. 1 cheered us on. Thanks Tiffany! We had 3 newbies! Welcome, Jen A, Mary S, and Bridget to Belles and Chimes of Madison! We all were entertained by shiny pinball and 2 cute pitbulls: Bolt and Simba.ย  Another thank you to Lauren and the others for bringing snacks for all of us to munch on throughout the evening. It was a great variety.ย ย 

    Belles At Underground Pinball
    Dogs at Pinball

    ๐Ÿ† Winners’ Circle ๐Ÿ†

    May Pinball Trophies
    Top Three Players This Month

    After six rounds of pinball we had to have a tie breaker for 4th place.  Kathryn, Meghan, and Melissa played one ball on Elviria to see who would battle off with the top 3 winners of the night.  Melissa flipped her way in with Allison, Mary O, and Sharkey and battled it out on Batman 66. Allison came in first place.  Mary O in second place.  Sharkey in third place.  Melissa in fourth place

    Congrats Belles!

    ๐Ÿ“… Save the Date! ๐Ÿ“…

    Our next meet up will be at Hidden Cave Cidery on Jun 12, 2024 6:00โ€ฏPM.  There is a $5 cash entry fee.  Coin drop is needed for the pinball tables.

    You can find other pinball events in the Madison area by subscribing to our Google Calendar or visiting our new website.

    Announcement

    You might have noticed that our final round was different from what we have done in the past. For the top four players, they played 3 additional games to determine the final winner. This will help make our tournament have more points for those that are interested in ranking higher in the International Flipper Association.

    With that being said, going forward we will no longer be playing Extra Balls. This will allow us to play one more machine per tournament better contributing to these IFPA scores. 

    ๐ŸŽ‰ Pinball News ๐ŸŽ‰

    John Wick Pinball Playfield

    The big news this week is that a new John Wick pinball game from Stern is heading our way.ย  Craft Beer Pinball League will be adding this game to NerdHaven Arcade in the next few days and we can assume Madison Pinball will also get one out at I/O Arcade Bar. We try to keep our emails to a minimum of upcoming Belles meetups and event recaps so be sure to keep your eyes out for John Wick updates from Craft Beer Pinball League or Madison Pinball on their websites or social media.

    Keep those flippers flipping and the silver balls rolling! ๐ŸŒŸ

    Cheers,

    The Belles & Chimes Madison Planning Team

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