It’s that time of year. The leaves are off the trees and the air is getting frosty. Warm up your fingertips by voting for the 2009 Fan’s Choice Awards. Three quick questions to decide the winners in three categories. The skaters do it for you, the fans. Let them know who you pick as your favorite good girl, bad girl and all around most fun to watch. Winners will be announced here, on the official blog of the Carolina Rollergirls, in about a week. Vote before the poll closes this Wednesday, December 2 at midnight.
Bianca O’Blivion and Princess America host Mystery Roach tomorrow AM
Derby fans and music fans… tune in tomorrow morning from 8-10am to listen to Carolina Rollergirls Bianca O’Blivion and Princess America on WKNC 88.1’s Mystery Roach! Bianca and Princess bring their own music and will entertain you with excellent tunes and derby talk for two hours.
You can listen online or tune in on the radio to get pumped for the Charity Bout double header at Dorton Arena tomorrow night at 5pm. Bring two cans of food for our charity partner, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, and receive a free CRG poster!
Bianca O'Blivion and Princess America
Sending Dixie to Beth Row
Carolina Bootlegger and Director of Marketing Beth Row has been involved in roller derby since 2006. Beth Row will be making her Dorton debut this Saturday, November 21st as the Carolina Bootleggers take on the Dixie Derby All-Stars from Huntsville, Alabama.
Q: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?
BR: I was just becoming a Cape Fear Roller Girl and I was laid off. I moved back to Raleigh for a job, so it was a natural move for me to try out for a league that had helped mentor the CFRGs.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of playing roller derby?
BR: Actually playing and not being hurt!
Q: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?
BR: Uh, yes. A bum meniscus, a broken wrist, and a busted bursa. (And a really nasty non-derby related broken leg.)
Q: What challenges have you faced balancing a personal life with the demanding schedule of roller derby?
BR: It’s hard because you want to be involved with everything, but work and life put time restrictions on you too. I often get caught looking like I am procrastinating, but it’s just because I had work or life stuff to attend to.
Q: What do you do to pay the bills and buy the wheels?
BR: I am a one-woman marketing show for DNA Group, Inc.
Q: What is your educational background?
BR: I went to UNCW and have a BS (haha) in Business, concentration in Marketing.
Q: Do you watch other sports?
BR: Yes. I LOVE football! LOVE IT! And UFC and college basketball.
Q: What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on a date?
BR: Does not knowing it was a date count?
Q: What are your favorite places to eat here in the Triangle?
BR: I can’t eat there often because I’d weigh 300 lbs, but I love The Pit. And Sono is good for my sushi fix.
Q: Where are you likely to be found out and about in the Triangle?
BR: Ben’s Place (if there’s football on), at Carter Finely if the Wolfpack are playing, Briar Creek if I need to run errands.
Q: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?
BR: It is important to me to know that I played my absolute best. That at the end of the bout, there is nothing that I regret doing or not doing to help my team win.
Q: Which events in the Triangle do you enjoy attending every year?
BR: The NC State Fair, Spring Red/White Game at Carter Finely, St Pat’s Parade and the Turkey Trot.
Q: What do you like to rock out to while skating at speed practice or cleaning the house?
BR: I listen to it all – classic rock, country, techno, pop, rap, hip hop, 70s, 80s in a large mix that drives most people nuts.
Q: What are your favorite meals to cook at home?
BR: I make very awesome stuffed shells. (I got the recipe from Momma Row and several rollergirls can attest to how good these shells are.)
Q: What is your stupid human trick?
BR: I have an exceptionally long tongue that can do all those weird tongue tricks. (The tongue roll, the clam, flipping it over, etc.)
Come cheer on Beth Row this Saturday, November 21st at 5pm at Dorton Arena! Purchase advance tickets online or game day tickets at the box office.
Steel City gets the Pink Slip
This Saturday, November 21st, the Carolina All-Stars will take on the Steel City Derby Demons from Pittsburgh, PA in our charity bout headliner. Pink Slip, who has served as Carolina’s Director of Marketing on the board of directors, will be helping skate the All-Stars to victory this weekend.
Q: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?
PS: I think the universe was pulling me toward it. Though I was in many ways the least likely person to play a contact sport, I kept “bumping into” roller derby. I felt compelled to tryout.
Q: What do you do to pay the bills and buy the wheels?
PS: I work as a senior designer at a credit union where I get to design print materials and develop campaigns for the organization.
Q: What is your educational background?
PS: I have a BFA in fine arts with a concentration in graphic design.
Photo by Joe Rollerfan
Q: What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on a date?
PS: Even when it happened, one of those horror stories from Seventeen magazine popped into my head. I was on a second date. We went to a pizza place. Things were going well. We were talking and laughing. I opened my mouth to say something and a very audible burp escaped. It took me completely by surprise. I thought my date would be disgusted, but he wasn’t. I think it worked as a sort of an icebreaker. We’re all human, right? A little more than year and a half later, we are still dating. So maybe we should all try this.
Q: What are your favorite places to eat here in the Triangle?
PS: I’ll do almost anything as long as there is a promise of food at the end. Play a bout against angry Amazons? Free burrito afterwards? Okay. I’m there. But when I’m just relaxing, I love sushi and I always enjoy Sushi Thai. I’m always up for North Carolina barbeque, with slaw, please.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
PS: I’ll admit it, I like to watch cheesy movies. Usually they are romantic comedies. But sometimes an unknown drama from the eighties really hits the spot. Overacting is a must!
Photo by a.z. kovacs
Q: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?
PS: When I was in art school, we had to design a board game. In my game there was a card you might draw that would end the game. You would lose on the spot. But as the instructions said, it was really about the journey, not about winning. Having no regrets is winning. I still feel that way.
Q: So you’ve got three free tickets you can give to anyone, living or dead, and they’ll come to the next bout. Who do you invite?
PS: I’d like to see how my paternal grandfather would feel about derby. He died before I was born, but something tells me that he would appreciate it. I’d also invite Conan O’Brien because I think he’d like it, plus I’d like to meet him in person. My last fantasy guest would be Dolly Parton because I think she’s wonderful. And imagine her at Dorton Arena!
Q: What was your first impression of skating at Dorton Arena?
PS: The first time I skated at Dorton was during a scrimmage. There was no audience there yet, but it absolutely took my breath away. It’s a gorgeous venue and it looks so different when you are down there on the track looking up. Just skating at Dorton meant I had passed one of the goals I had set for myself. The first time I jammed and made it through the pack, I felt exhilarated. It was such a rush that for a moment I wasn’t sure where I was. I remember touching my helmet to make sure it was on my head because I couldn’t feel it. There’s nothing like skating on your home track and we are lucky that Dorton is the place we call home.
Photo by G3ntle
Q: Where would you want to travel if given the opportunity?
PS: I really want to go to Japan one day. I find its culture fascinating because it’s so different from ours. It also looks like a beautiful country. I’d also love to go to Australia or New Zealand because those people look like they know how to have fun.
Q: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?
PS: I’ve had lots of scrapes and bruises. The bruised ribs felt the worst, but the injured nose freaked me out the most.
Q: Do you have any pets?
PS: I have a cat named Ruby and I love her sooo much. You would, too if you met her. She already loves you.
Q: What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
PS: I’m not known for being a risk taker, so trying out for roller derby was pretty scary.
Come cheer on Pink Slip and the Carolina All-Stars this Saturday, November 21st, in the Charity Bout double header. Doors open at 5pm and the opening bout begins at 5:15. Purchase advance tickets online and save some money for a drink at the after party!
Inside the track with Tripp N. Dale
The Carolina Rollergirls volunteers are vital to our league’s success. We are hosting an open practice tonight (Thursday, October 22nd) at the Skate Ranch for all potential skaters and volunteers to ask questions and learn more about roller derby and our league structure.
Our head referee, Tripp N. Dale, shares her thoughts on roller derby and life here in the Triangle.
Q: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?
TND: I had been friends with Elka Meano, Daisy Rage and Kali for years. When Elka was trying out, I would go skate with her after Sunday practices. One Sunday the head ref at the time, Voodoo, saw me skate and asked me if I wanted to be a ref. I was hesitant at first, ’cause I thought derby was silly, but once I saw how dedicated the skaters were and how hard they worked, I thought it would be fun. And it is.
Q: How long have you been involved with the sport?
TND: I started in October of 2007.
Photo by Louis Keiner
Q: What is your favorite aspect of volunteering with roller derby?
TND: Probably the camaraderie. You’re all working toward the same outcome, but in different ways. And all the volunteer opportunities are important, so we all have a personal investment in the league.
Q: What challenges have you faced balancing a personal life with the demanding schedule of roller derby?
TND: Well, my last partner HATED derby. When you get involved with derby it can consume you. So when we broke up, one of the reasons she used was she hated derby. I know many husbands, wives or SO’s can become jealous of how much time derby takes, but I think having your partner involved themselves is good. Having a spouse or partner that can accept how much derby means and how many positive things can come out of it is essential.
Q: Who is the biggest supporter in your life of you volunteering with this sport?
TND: The skaters. They are the people who make me strive to be better and to become more involved.
Q: If you could change one thing about how you have trained for roller derby, what would you change?
TND: Well, being a ref you have to been in decent shape. I mean, we skate every jam. No rest. So you have to be able to skate for a hour with about 10 minutes rest. I think I need to go to more speed practices. I was a speed skater when I was in high school and loved it. But I’m quite a bit heavier than I was then, and older, so speed practice takes a certain toll on my knees & back.
Photo by Digital Papercuts
Q: What are your favorite places to eat here in the Triangle?
TND: The Borough, Sadlacks sandwiches RULE, I love Humble Pie and The Pit. And 5 Star is excellent upscale Asian food.
Q: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?
TND: I think both. It’s a sport and the end goal is to win, but in the process you have grow and learn and try your best.
Q: What was your first impression of skating at Dorton Arena?
TND: I was surprised by how loud it gets. When you’re a spectator, you don’t realize what it’s like to be on the floor, having hundreds of people yelling. Some for you, some at you. It’s overwhelming sometimes.
Q: Where have you traveled, and what place did you love the most?
TND: With derby I have been to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tampa, Portland Oregon, Madison Wisconsin, St. Paul & Minneapolis Minnesota. Later this year I get to go to Miami to train refs. Next year I hope to make it to Boston because I’ve never been there. I’d have to say my favorite place would be Minnesota. I really liked the area and the people were very nice. Plus they have that darn Mall which is fascinating!
Q: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?
TND: Just my ego. Bruz took me out my very first bout and sent me flying under the meals for wheels banner. It was totally embarrassing because I couldn’t get out!
Photo by cubbycorduroy
Please visit the Skate Ranch in Raleigh tonight (Thursday, October 22nd) from 6-8pm to meet Tripp and learn about volunteer opportunities with the Carolina Rollergirls!
Carolina All-Stars take the heat up North
The Carolina All-Stars will be leaving behind highs in the 60s and the N.C. State Fair this weekend to head North, taking on the Minnesota RollerGirls in Minneapolis-St. Paul. For more details, check out the WFTDA Preview from DNN.
Carolina would like to give a special shout out to All-Stars Shirley Temper and MC Fyte! Temper will be gearing up for her first game back after the successful delivery of adorable twin Brawlers, I mean boys, in June. MC Fyte tore her ACL in the Bootlegger victory over River City in March, and has successfully recovered and rejoins the All-Star roster for this quarter.
You can watch the bout online if you won’t be leaving fried ho-hos and turkey legs to make the trip to the twin cities.
Bianca O’blivion 83 // Celia Fate 00 // Daisy Rage 66 // Deviled Legs 8 // DVS 131 // Elka Meano 454 // Holly Wanna Crackya 999 // Kitty Crowbar 110 // Maddat U 256 // MC Fyte 12rounds // Pink Slip 224 // Princess America 1492 // Roxxy Slide 1.618 // Shirley Temper 56
Kitty Crowbar gives more hard hits than you can shake a stick at.
Kitty Crowbar, #110, is co-captain of the Carolina All-Stars. Like many skaters, she faces the challenge of juggling her personal training as a skater, setting training goals for the All-stars and the league, and life outside of derby.
Q: How long have you been involved with the sport?
KC: Since December, 2004.
Q: Do you have any children, and do you hope they will play the sport someday?
KC: Yes and yes.
Q: What challenges have you faced balancing a personal life with the demanding schedule of roller derby?
KC: What’s a personal life? Just kidding. It sucks missing time with my daughter, but I want her to see that I do something that’s for me and that makes me a stronger, better person. It’s important to me that she grows up knowing that it’s ok to do things for yourself sometimes. Hell, maybe derby will be that thing for her too… who knows? But yeah, scheduling can suck sometimes… finding family members or babysitters and whatnot. Luckily I have a great support system (both in derby and outside of it) and she is well taken care of.
Photo by Joe Rollerfan
Q: What was your first impression of skating at Dorton Arena?
KC: I was a little afraid of the floor surface (now I love it), but just standing in there is fantastic (and a little scary). It’s so neat.
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration to push yourself and train?
KC: The Carolina Rollergirls.
Q: If you could change one thing about how you have trained for roller derby, what would you change?
KC: I would have traveled more to train with other leagues to learn different things… also, would have trained at the level that I do now from the very beginning. I don’t think you realize what it takes at first. I didn’t anyway.
Q: Who is the biggest supporter in your life of you playing this sport?
KC: DVS.
Photo by Joe Rollerfan
Q: What is one bad habit you wish you could break?
KC: Beating myself up.
Q: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?
KC: It’s important to give it your all and learn something. You can do that win or lose. But winning is nice, too.
Q: Which events in the Triangle do you enjoy attending every year?
KC: Carolina Rollergirls bouts – and those aren’t even just once a year!
Kitty Crowbar will be traveling with the Carolina All-Stars this weekend to take on the Minnesota All-Stars in Minneapolis-St. Paul. You can come cheer her on at the next Dorton home bout when the Carolina All-Stars play the Steel City Derby Demons on Saturday, November 21st.
Carolina Rollergirls Tryouts Saturday at the Skate Ranch
Think you have what it takes to be a hard-hitting, fast skating Carolina Rollergirl? Well, now is the time to find out! The Carolina Rollergirls will have open tryouts this Saturday, October 10th from 8-10 am at the Skate Ranch in Raleigh.
Maybe your current friends are all sore from you hip checking them while walking down the street. Maybe you need a new workout routine that makes you mentally and physically stronger every day. Or maybe, you don’t feel like your normal footwear is fast enough and you think eight wheels will speed things up. Whatever your reasoning, it is time to join us and become a part of this amazing sport!
Please RSVP or send any questions to joinus@carolinarollergirls.com.
Come see Whip It with the Carolina Rollergirls!
As many of you may have heard, Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with the feature film Whip It, set to nationwide release this weekend. The Carolina Rollergirls are thrilled to be attending five theaters over the next two weeks to promote roller derby in conjuction with this theatrical release. Please join us one of these evenings to watch a fun film, talk to the team about roller derby, and learn about ways you can become involved with your local league. We are in need of skaters, refs, and shoe-clad volunteers to bring more talent and excitement to our league!
Skaters and coaches will be at the following theaters for the evening showings of Whip It:
Thursday, October 1st – Mission Valley Raleigh
Friday, October 2nd – Crossroads Cary and Durham Southpoint
Saturday, October 3rd – Raleigh Grande Cinema
Friday, October 9th – North Hills Raleigh
Literary Death Match Tonight!
Free your inner literary geek
Join Big Fish author Daniel Wallace, Internet stars Rhett & Link, and most importantly, Carolina Rollergirl KGBebe as they judge the Literary Death Match tonight, doors at 9pm, at the Pour House. Literary Death Matches have been taking place all over the country and finally one has come to downtown Raleigh. It’s only $5 to witness how literature meets humor meets absurdity. You’ve probably never seen anything quite like it.
The Pour House
224 S. Blount St.
919-821-1120
Map it!
