Derby Lovers... here we finally are in 2009. This is my first column for the new year. After I released the last episode of REAL Derby, I kind of took a little vacation from derby but now the vacation is over and it's time to get down with it. The 2009 Derby Love Tour is getting ready to kick up this year. Let's take our look around the leagues and see what's going on:
AZRD
Coming up this Saturday is going to be a very interesting bout. The Tent City Terrors of Arizona Roller Derby are going to take on the San Diego Derby Dolls' Wildfires in a fun bout. This is the return on Trish The Dish and Ivanna S. Pankin to Phoenix for this one-nighter. We had heard that there was going to be a second bout of shuffle teams the same night but AZRD has confirmed that it's going to be strictly the TCTs vs. San Diego. There will be some additional fun events for the fans and the skaters. (Pink Cheek Alley please! And please make it Trish. LOL) This Saturday, January 24. Doors open at 6:30 and the fun begins at 7. Castle Sports Club, 19th Avenue & Cholla in Phoenix. For more information and advance ticket sales, azrollerderby.com.
AZRD will resume the regulation season on February 7 when the Bad News Beaters will play the Bruisers. It looks like bouts going forward will be single-headers.
RENEGADES
Also the same weekend but on Friday night, the Arizona Renegade Rollergirls will take on the Renegade Rollergirls from Bend, Oregon. The last time I saw these skaters was early last year for the by invitation only bout that was being recorded for ESPN. I have also received some RSVPs from the So Cal girls so look out, it's going to be a good time. 5th & Madison Event Center on Friday, January 23. Doors open at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10 at the door. Remember, you can take the light rail to and from the bout. See michichan.com for more details on that!
AZDD AND AZDD
Well, we seem to have two organizations out there using the "AZDD" acronym. In addition to the Arizona Derby Dames, we also have the Arizona Devil Dolls. This AZDD is a group of pin-up and rockabilly inspired models. So if you are browsing Myspace and you see someone with an "AZDD" in their name, they may not always be derby. As some of you know, I am a fan of this art form. For more information on the Arizona Devil Dolls, check out:
http://www.myspace.com/arizonadevildolls
And back to the other AZDD, the Arizona Derby Dames will be having their season opener bout on Saturday, January 31 at the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. Admission is still $10 at the door, $8 in advance and $15 for VIP seating. However, before you go in, you will get wanked $7 for parking. Afterparty will be at the George & Dragon, 4240 N. Central Av. Did Hazelwoods get pushed out of the picture now? Maybe the karaoke was getting on everyone's nerves. But then again, now that Rope Me Rhonda is no longer skating, karaoke at afterparties or actually, just karaoke in general is no longer fun.
TUCSON
There are some events coming up to kick off the 2009 Tucson Roller Derby season. First, there will be a Season Six Kickoff Party on Saturday, January 31 at the Surly Wench. There will be some fun and music from The Lemon Drop Gang and Wasted Aces, a tribute to Kiss. $5 at the door. Then for something a little more fun, a skate party! On Monday, February 2, TRD will have a skate party from 6-9PM at Skate Country. Dan and I will try to be there. Keep in mind, I have not skated in a very long time. I really need to get out there.
The Derby Brats will be bouting on Saturday, February 7 against the Los Angeles Junior Dolls. These kids have banked track experience, so look out! At first, we thought the bout was going to be held in conjunction with the TRD Season Opener bout that night but now we are hearing that the Brats bout will be earlier in the day. Doors open at Bladeworld at 4PM and the game starts at 4:30PM.
SAN DIEGO
Apparently, San Diego has a new league forming. This league once called the San Diego Derby Starlettes is now calling themselves San Diego Roller Derby or SDRD. I have not had a chance to really communicate with anyone in the league but I will say this, they are already scoring points with the Michi. How?. The fact that they are getting along with their neighbor leagues including the San Diego Renegade Rollergirls. The Renegades are a serious league and must be taken seriously. The fact that SDRD, a league aspiring to be WFTDA does that makes me feel like there's a good future in derby for 2009. If SDRD becomes a WFTDA member, I will welcome them with open arms. Regardless of affilliation, please welcome SDRD to derby and to our roadtrip coverage area.
FOR THE RECORD
The last episode of REAL Derby reported in the "Top Arizona Derby Stories of 2008" segment that the Arizona Brusiers lost both of their scrimmages. That is not correct. The Arizona Brusiers were beaten by Duke City Derby in the Derby Love Weekend but in the bout against the TRD Copper Queens, the game ended at a 68-68 tie. The game had to be called due to the fact that AZRD needed to use the rink since their original bout date was rained out and the scoreboard operator making errors in the first half (stopping the game clock between jams).
DERBY LOVE TOUR
Please show your derby love by visiting any of the following events and supporting your local derby league:
- 1/23: Renegade Rollergirls vs. Oregon (5th & Madison)
- 1/24: AZRD: Tent City Terrors vs. San Diego (Castle)
- 2/2: TRD: Slate Party (Skate Country) -technically not a DLT visit
- 2/7: AZRD: Bruisers vs. Beaters (Castle)
FACEBOOK
Are you on Facebook? If so, feel free to friend the Michi. Just look for Michelle A. Eyre. You can also become a fan of Michi-chan.
Thanks again everyone for your support. We'll see you out there.
Skate Hard/Skate Safe/Derby Love
=m
