Monday
Oct192009

LA Observed: Derby Dolls Land their Book

L.A. media types who also skate — Alex Cohen of KPCC and Jennifer Barbee of Blood & Thunder magazine — have written "Down and Derby: the Insiders Guide to Roller Derby," forthcoming from Soft Skull Press. 

(read full article)

Friday
Oct162009

Ri-Ettes Hit the Road: Next Stop, Tucson!

Photo by StalkerazziOn Saturday, October 17, LADD's all-star team, the Ri-Ettes, face-off against Tucson Roller Derby's Saddletramps -- flat track style.

The skinny:

$8 at door, $5 w/ Whip It ticket stub (no advance ticket sales)
2009 season passes honored! 6:30 doors open
7:00 derby brat 15 minute bout
7:20 LADD vs. SaddleTramps, Period 1
7:50 DHD vs. TRD 20 minute bout during half time
8:15 LADD vs. SaddleTramps, Period 2

More info here.

It's gonna be 100 degrees in the desert this weekend. Will our spoiled SoCal gals survive the flat track? We'll keep you posted!

Monday
Oct122009

LA Weekly: Nightranger, Drew at the Doll Factory

Photo by Lina Lecaro.The Dolls HQ in Filipinotown was the site for a pre-premiere party last week, featuring a Q&A with the cast including Barrymore, Ellen Page (who’s cute as a button in person — but, we gotta say it, she’s too munchkin-y small to be a real derby gal), Juliette Lewis, Eve and Har Mar Superstar. Page’s love interest in the film, rocker Landon Pigg, was also on hand, and his band also played in between the bouts.

(read full story here)

(watch slideshow here)

Monday
Oct122009

Fight Crew Plot Their Assault on the Sirens: Tix on Sale for 10/24 event

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la), Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, are still spinning from the release of Drew Barrymore’s love letter to roller derby, WHIP IT. Two of the league’s most experienced teams – the bulletproof Sirens vs. a fearless Fight Crew – promise a tremendous bout on Sat., Oct. 24 at the Doll Factory (1910 Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90026). These veteran skaters will demonstrate why roller derby has become the fastest growing women’s sport in the country.

It’s been a rough season for the Fight Crew, who go into their final game of 2009 with an 0-3 record. The Crew is determined to skate away with a win, taking some cops along for the ride. The red and black attack is led by Captain Janis Choplin and Co-Captain Haught Wheels. Expect stalwarts Tara Armov, Trixie Biscuit and Broadzilla to take their opponents to the rail and make ‘em squeal.

The Sirens are 1-2 for the season and no doubt want to remind long-time rivals, the Fight Crew, which team calls the shots inside the Doll Factory. Captain Amber Alert! and Co-Captain Roxy Cotton will lead the raid alongside fan favorites P.I.T.A., Killo Kitty and Paris Killton.

If you’ve seen FOX Searchlight’s WHIP IT and are ready for real roller derby action, this is your chance. The Doll Factory is the only place to witness this fantastic sport on a banked track in California – and the venue where Drew Barrymore watched her first-ever derby bout.

Derby Dolls events offer a full range of entertainment off the track, including live music from the Failures and a Vendor Village featuring art, jewelry and clothes, food from Garage Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick, and beer from Tecate, who also sponsor a special Happy Hour beginning at 6 p.m.

 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. Honored as a Treasure of Los Angeles by the Central City Association, the Derby Dolls also operate a Junior Derby League for girls ages 8-17. Currently the L.A. Derby Dolls are raising money for the 25th Annual AIDSWalk Los Angeles (http://www.aidswalk.net/losangeles) on Sunday, October 18th. 

Tickets are now available to purchase at http://www.derbydolls.com/la. General admission tickets are $17 online and $20.00 at the door; VIP tickets are $40.00. The Doll Factory is located at 1910 Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Alvarado and Union). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and close at half time. General parking is available for $8 at Silver Lake Medical Center, 1711 West Temple (near the intersection of Temple and Union), one block east of the Doll Factory. This is a 21 and over event, featuring beer and wine. Please have your ID, leave your cameras/recording devices at home, and note that all concessions and most vendors accept cash only.

To receive your press pass, please contact pr@derbydolls.com; photography is restricted at events and must be cleared prior to arrival. No cameras or recording devices will be allowed without approval.

About the L.A. Derby Dolls:

Founded in 2003, the L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la) are Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked-track, quad-skating, roller derby league. Within the league, five fierce teams battle for dominance: The Fight Crew, The Sirens, The Tough Cookies, The Varsity Brawlers and The Swarm. While their uniforms may be stylish and their names playful, do not be fooled by appearances – the L.A. Derby Dolls are athletes who skate a sport that is unscripted and real. Honored as a Treasure of L.A. by the Central City Association, the L.A. Derby Dolls embody the do-it-yourself, “for the skaters, by the skaters” ethos of modern women’s roller derby.

Thursday
Oct082009

Iron Maiven on Last Call with Carson Daly

Rachel Piplica? Whodat?! Looks like Tough Cookies' Captain, Iron Maiven, to us. Check out Maiv dishing about "Whip It," roller derby and her life off the track.