SEASON’S BEATINGS: 2009 CHAMPIONSHIP COMES TO DOLL FACTORY

Tickets On Sale For Hotly Anticipated Rematch Between Tough Cookies and Swarm On Saturday, Dec. 5; Last Chance To See Roller Derby In 2009

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la), Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, will close the 2009 season with a crash on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Doll Factory (1910 Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90026).  This championship bout between 2008 titleholders, the Tough Cookies, and the undefeated Swarm, will be a knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish.

Fans received a thrilling sneak preview on Nov. 14 when these two dominant teams faced off for the first time. Both went into the game undefeated, but the Swarm emerged victorious. The Cookies came back from a halftime 20-point deficit, narrowing the score to 84-79 in the fourth quarter. Hindered by numerous skater ejections, however, the Cookies fell apart in the final two minutes of the game, losing 79 to 94.

The Swarm – the L.A. Derby Dolls’ fifth and newest team – is now ranked number one for the season, but as demonstrated in this last match, the championship title is truly up for grabs. Undoubtedly, the veteran Cookies want to save face following their only loss of the season, and repeat their 2008 championship victory. The Swarm, meanwhile, is anxious to see their first championship banner hang inside the Doll Factory. Whatever the outcome, this rematch promises to be the not-to-be-missed battle of the season.

Live karaoke ensemble, The Lemones, will return to the Doll Factory for a set of 80s karaoke. Derby fans will have the opportunity to belt out their favorite 80s hits before a panel of discerning L.A. Derby Dolls’ judges. The Helvins 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. 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.

Tickets are now available to purchase at http://www.derbydolls.com/la. General admission tickets are $20; VIP tickets are $40.00. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and close at half time. The Doll Factory is located at 1910 Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Alvarado and Union). 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.

Photo by Stalkerazzi.

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 25^th Annual AIDSWalk Los Angeles (http://www.aidswalk.net/losangeles) on Sunday, October 18^th. 

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.