Women aren’t supposed to fight. We’re supposed to be nurturing and supportive and nonconfrontational. It’s the way we’re brought up. But there’s something about a catfight that brings out the morbid curiosity in almost everyone. On the rare occasions when a couple of women go at it, it’s hard to look away – and for some guys, it’s even a turn-on. They’ll pay good money to watch women mud-wrestle or trip and elbow each other in a roller derby. Do they go home afterwards, one wonders, thanking their lucky stars that women in our society aren’t routinely trained in the use of lethal weapons?

Irrespective of how prurient the motivation for watching may be, a bunch of tough babes in our region have gotten together to spar in public places for the amusement of the masses and, more importantly, to raise funds for charities that benefit women. “Duking it out in the Hudson Valley for a good cause” is their motto and mission statement. Past beneficiaries have included Planned Parenthood of the Hudson Valley, Family of Woodstock’s domestic violence programs, Rose Women’s Care Services and Ulster County Teen Parent Services.

This formidable organization calls itself Hudson Valley BRAWL, which stands for Broads’ Regional Arm-Wrestling League, and the feisty women who compete call themselves…all manner of bizarre noms de guerre, worthy of the World Wrestling Entertainment mega-franchise. Past champions have gone by such imaginative handles as Jackie O’Nasty, Magenta Delecta, Kiki Yorbut, Pushy Galore, Bunny Bruiser and the Denominator. They come to the competitions equipped with their own theme songs, over-the-top costumes and posses of rabid supporters.

Most of the events put on by BRAWL are tournaments, but next Friday, December 3 at Bridgewater Bar & Grill in Kingston’s Rondout District, the Broads will be putting on the second annual BRAWL Ball, an evening of exhibition matches for the purpose of raising money just to keep the organization going for another year. This “arm-wrestling expo” starts at 8 p.m., and a “suggested donation” of $5 will be collected at the door. (Whether or not this “suggestion” involves any arm-twisting is purely a matter of conjecture, but I personally wouldn’t try to muscle my way in.)

Billed as “a night of 1,000 BRAWL stars,” the action is expected to go on for hours, and spectators as well as competitors are encouraged to attend in costume. “Dress to impress,” says the BRAWL Ball press release. “Dress to instill fear in the hearts. Unhinge your inner arm-wrestler...inspire us and you will be rewarded as only BRAWL can!” After and in between the matches, you can also dance till you drop to the sweet tunes spun by Deejay Wa.

Bridgewater Bar & Grill is located at 50 Abeel Street, a block north of Armadillo and a block south of lower Broadway, just west of the Strand. For more info about the event, visit the BRAWL website at www.hudsonvalleybrawl.com. Contact the Broads at hudsonvalleybrawl@gmail.com if you’d like to “put your elbows down and your hands together” as a competitor. And if you’re a Facebook member and would like to invite friends that way, visit www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=152447864796580.