Watch the L.A. Derby Dolls on Oprah!

That's right: The Oprah Winfrey Show paid a visit to the Doll Factory a few weeks back. The segment will feature retired Tough Cookie and current LADD trainer Axles of Evil (aka Alex Cohen) as she guides five women, each "stepping outside their box," through the world of roller derby. The women learn Derby 101 and get a chance to scrimmage with several Derby Dolls.

The segment airs tomorrow, 11/4, at 3 p.m. on KABC here in L.A. Set your TIVOs or check your local listings. Watch the preview here.

Props to our Photographers!

Shooting roller derby isn't easy. The game is played at incredible speeds under tricky lighting. When an inexperienced photographer tries to shoot the Dolls, the results are often the same: dark, blurry and/or grainy images. Fortunately, the L.A. Derby Dolls have come to depend on a handful of very talented photographers over the years who know how to shoot our sport well. Not only have they excelled at nailing the action shots everyone loves, but also at capturing the experience of attending L.A. Derby Dolls' events. The Dolls extend a big thanks to some of the photographers who have shown us love over the years: Roger Snider, Boss Hogg, Rink Rat, Marc Campos aka Stalkerazzi and Charlie Chu aka Shutterthug.

There's also a lot of editing involved. The photos that wind up on the Derby Dolls' Flickr Photostream are only a fraction of what gets shot at every game. Here's an illuminating photo montage from Stalkerazzi called "1,048 Frames":

UNDEFEATED POWERHOUSES FACE OFF AT THE DOLL FACTORY IN L.A. DERBY DOLLS’ BANKED TRACK ROLLER DERBY ACTION

Swarm And Tough Cookies Fight for Top Spot On Saturday, Nov. 14;
Tickets Also On Sale For Sunday, Nov. 15 All-Ages Baby Doll Brawl

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la), Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, prepares for one of the most anticipated season showdowns between 2008 champs, the Tough Cookies, and the Swarm, on Saturday, November 14 at the Doll Factory (1910 Temple Street, 90026).  This event pits two very dominant and aggressive teams against one another in a battle to decide who will be the frontrunners of the season championship bout on Dec. 5. Both teams are currently undefeated at 3-0.

The Tough Cookies – hot from a pounding of rookie team Varsity Brawlers – anxiously await the chance to make LADD history and repeat as champions. Featuring fan favorites such as Krissy Krash and Laguna Beyatch, the strategic Cookies balance the brute strength of their blockers with agile jammers. Dominant through the season, the Cookies have the ingredients for a winning recipe.

Also undefeated, the Swarm – LADD’s fifth and newest team – is currently in first place with a greater point spread in their wins as exhibited in their overwhelming victory over the Sirens in September. Expect a full team effort from stealthy blockers like Slamurai and Bo Toxic, along with  superb jammers Bonnie D. Stroir and Sarkastika.  The Swarm is best known for their suffocating defense and packwork that earns their name. 

And if Saturday night’s action leaves you wanting another derby fix, bring the whole family back to the Factory on Sunday for the bi-annual Baby Doll Brawl. This daytime, all-ages event is an exhibition bout for the league’s newest skaters and notorious for the most gruesome hits. Scope out the up-and-comers before they’re drafted – this is your sneak preview of the 2010 season! Don’t miss the half-time mini-bout featuring pint-sized skaters from the L.A. Junior Derby Dolls.

Fans will be rocking and rolling to bass n' drum rock duo Evil Beaver, who will perform at halftime. Derby Dolls events offer a full range of entertainment off the track, with the Vendor Village featuring art, jewelry and clothes, food from Garage Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick; wine from Paso Creek; beer from Tecate and Alex’s Bar.

The L.A. Derby Dolls are one of only five leagues in the U.S. playing roller derby on a banked track. Like most modern female roller derby leagues, the Derby Dolls are volunteer-run and give back to the community that has embraced them.

 

Fight Crew Topple the Sirens, 101-88

Photo by Stalkerazzi.It was a fight to the finish last Saturday night when 2007 champions, the Sirens, faced off against 2006 champs, Fight Crew. For both teams, it was the final bout of the 2009 season. Fight Crew took the lead early in the game and held onto it, but the Sirens remained within striking distance throughout. The Crew never relinquished control, however, and emerged victorious with a final score of 101-88. It was a much-needed triumph for the beleaguered Fight Crew, who hadn’t won a regular season game since 2007.

Blocker-jammer powerhouse, P.I.T.A, was the point leader for the Sirens with 22, while rookie Raven Seaward trailed close behind with 21. Fight Crew co-captain and former Siren, Haught Wheels, led the charge with 38 points for the night though teammate Tough Soles was right on her tail with 36.

Saturday's bout was the last for long-time Siren and all-star skater, Paris Killton, who is retiring. She will be missed!

10/24 Tecate Happy Hour Featuring Live Karaoke!

L.A. Derby Dolls events are more than just the hottest roller derby action - now you can rock along with your roll.

Unleash your inner rock star with the L.A. Derby Dolls for a very special Happy Hour (6 p.m.), featuring the LEMONES, a live band karaoke act.

All aspiring karaoke singers will be backed by the Lemones on bass, guitar and drums. Fans will get to choose from a song list from the Ramones and Green Day so bust our your best Joey Ramone and Billie Joe. Singers get 3 choices of how to sing, option of lyrics and did we mention a REAL rockin' band??

$2 off all Tecate beer from 6-7 p.m. Then stay to watch the Fight Crew battle the Sirens.

Guest judges are some of your LADD favorites. The best singers win some seriously kick-ass prizes.

Come early, stay late, and rock and roll with the Derby Dolls.

Choose from the following songs:

SONG/ARTIST
1 Beat On The Brat, Ramones
2 Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramones
3 Cretin Hop, Ramones
4 Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment, Ramones
5 I Wanna Be Sedated, Ramones
6 Psycho Therapy, Ramones
7 Rock 'n' Roll High School, Ramones
8 Rockaway Beach, Ramones
9 Teenage Lobotomy, Ramones
10 We're A Happy Family, Ramones
11 Do You Remember Rock N Roll, Ramones
12 Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, Ramones

1 Brain Stew, Green Day
2 Geek Stink Breath, Green Day
3 Hitchin' A Ride, Green Day
4 Holiday, Green Day
5 Jaded, Green Day
6 Longview, Green Day
7 Nice Guys Finish Last, Green Day
8 She, Green Day
9 Walking Contradiction, Green Day
10 Welcome To Paradise, Green Day
11 Basket Case, Green Day
12 When I Come Around, Green Day