Get Back in the Saddle: 'Guitar Hero: Aerosmith' Tournament

IN THE KINGDOM OF ALL THINGS ROCK, the fleet-fingered ax-master is king. This weekend, Hard Rock International is giving local guitar — or let's call it "guitar" — prodigies the chance to put their mad skillz up against those of proven arena dinosaurs with its "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Rocks the Hard Rock" tourney, coming to D.C. on Saturday.

If the chance to compete against 15 other guitar heroes from across the nation in Boston, Mass., and to win Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler's custom-designed Red Wing motorcycle aren't good enough incentives, then know that it's all for charity, too. Proceeds go to FORGE, a nonprofit group that works to alleviate poverty and violence in Africa.

Sadly, even with insane skills, you won't get a chance to hold the controller at this tournament unless you can also legally drink a beer. But you can watch — spectators might get lucky with a giveaway or two while watching gameplay on an LCD projection screen.

Registration for the 32 competition slots opens two hours before, but radio partner Clear Channel Big 100 will dole out some promotional spots, but it's not clear how many yet. And participation is free but you must be at least 21 to play.

"Guitar Hero: Aerosmith," which hit shelves last month, is a pretty cool interactive take on VH1's "Behind the Music." The game adds band interviews while playing the classics that made it famous. Let's just hope that D.C. competitors can do Tyler & Co. justice.

» Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St. NW; Sun., 9 p.m.; 202-737-7625. (Metro Center)

Written by Express contributor Adaora Otiji

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images