L.A. Times: Derby Dolls setting the fashion pace

At a recent sold-out roller bout, almost 2,000 Angelenos rallied with beer and high spirits to support their favorite Derby Dolls teams. A long-haired, newbie attendee stood in awe of a skater zipping by.

It wasn't just the skater's athletic prowess that was enviable . . . it was her sporty fishnets and hot-pants "boutfit."

"I want to try it, just to see what I would look like in the outfit," new fan Cassandra McGrath, a 24-year-old teacher, said wistfully.

Photo by Stalkerazzi F/8.

(read full story)

(photo gallery)

Losanjealous.com Spends Spanksgiving at the Doll Factory

Photo by Stalkerazzi/F8.

DF is thankful for tonite’s LADD bout ‘tween the Tough Cookies and the Swarm. If there’s a more mouth-watering matchup, DF hasn’t yet seen it. Both teams are tied for first in the league, both teams are undefeated in 2009, both teams are mortal locks to re-compete in December’s Championship Bout. Tonight’s titular tussle is thus titantic but also tantalizing, as it affords los aficionados de la derby a sneak preview of the carnage that will surely be forthcoming in the title match. The bout’s outcome (boutcome?) may not be strictly relevant to the championship, but it affords strategic possiblities galore, with the need for momentum, and the desire to take psychological advantage, and the possibilities for strategic gameswomanship, and what have you. It’s on, beyatches. Fully.

(read full article here)

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.

Swarm Stings the Cookies, 94-79

Sarkastika vs. Krissy Krash. Photo by Stalkerazzi F/8.In the long-awaited face-off, these two dominant teams did battle for the first time on Nov. 14th. Both went into the game undefeated, but the Swarm emerged victorious. Despite coming back from a 20-point halftime deficit, narrowing the score to 84-79 in the fourth quarter, the Cookies fell apart in the final two minutes of the game, hindered by numerous skater ejections and powerful jamming from the Swarm. Both teams played without their injured captains, Isabelle Ringer (Swarm) and Iron Maiven (Tough Cookies).

The Swarm's Sarkastika scored the most points of the night with 35. Stefcon 1 and Gori Spelling led the Cookies with 23 points apiece.

Ready for a rematch? Buy your tickets for the 2009 season championship bout today!

Interview with Tough Cookies' LEGacy - Tix on sale now for Cookies vs. Swarm 11/14

Photo by Charlie "Shutterthug" ChuAmerica's team, the Tough Cookies, are the reigning champions and continue their impressive run by remaining undefeated this season. They face their biggest challenge against the equally dominate Swarm on Nov. 14. We talked with the Cookies' all-star blocker, LEGacy, about her inspiring journey from injury to becoming one of the best jammer assists in the league, and why she's not afraid of no bees.

See if LEGacy and her Cookies can withstand the Swarm LIVE on Saturday, NOVEMBER 14. Only one team will be left unscathed and retain bragging rights as being undefeated. Get your tickets now at www.derbydolls.com/la

Q:    How long have you been a skater and how did you first become involved with the L.A. Derby Dolls?

LG:   I have been a member of the LADD for 4 years.  My buddy called me and said he had found the perfect hobby for me: ROLLER DERBY. I wasn't too sure how it was played. But I knew skates and hitting other women was the right sport for me.

 

Q:     Your name has some serious origins - tell us a bit about your journey.

LG:    I went to my first practice on 9/25/05 and fell head over heels in love. So, in love I came back the next day...I couldn't wait. I made it through, to the last ten minutes of practice. We were playing freeze tag. I was trying to stop and fell, breaking my left leg, both the Tibia and Fibula in 3 places.  I got surgery 9/27/05 and became the proud owner of 2 plates and 16 screws. We came up with my name at The Derby. Ref Sug said I needed a name that had to do with my injury. We came up with Broken LEGacy.  To keep the injuries at a minimum, I made the Broken silent. I now go by LEGacy these days.

Q:     What did it mean for the team to win championships last year, and how important is it for the Cookies to be the first in LADD history to repeat as champs?

LG:    Winning champs last year was EPIC.The Tough Cookies had not won a championship or a lot of games in the prior years!  We were just the fun team! We rallied for support last year and brought it home!!

 

This year is particularly important to us. We will be facing the Swarm for champs. They too are undefeated and want champs bad!  We want our trophy to stay at home and with the rightful keepers of it...The Tough Cookies.

Q:     You're one of the best jammer assists in the league. What fuels you to protect your Diva Jammers and what advice can you give to aspiring blockers?

LG:    My fuel is being a Bully Blocker. We have a code to uphold. Winning is a big reason to protect Divas. Plus they are pretty awesome!

 

As for aspiring blockers. Hit the biggest blocker that intimidates you and skate away. Face your biggest fears! When you hear that no one wants to be hit by you "because it hurts," come join the Bully Blockers.

Q:     What do you think of how dominant this new, fifth team - the Swarm - have been this season. What will it take to stop their impressive run?

LG:    I believe the Cookies have the skills, the ability to reset, the teamwork and cohesiveness to stop the Swarm. We have 2 opportunities to make it happen.

Q:     What skaters do you admire the most?

LG:    I would say [teammate] Venus D Maul'r. I always considered her my role model. I think she is an amazing skater, with so much talent. I think of her as silent but deadly. She will drop you quick and go get someone else.