It’s that time of year, time for the bluebirds to sing, the daffodils to sprout and the Blue Ridge Rollergirls to beat the loving hell out of their opponents. To better get to know our local gals, clip and save these handy trading cards and keep ‘em all season long.
Their first ‘09 event (titled “Back in Black”—the Rollergirls give every bout a clever theme) is Saturday, April 4. Look for the full schedule below.
Reasons to love the Blue Ridge Rollergirls, besides their wicked outfits and rad character names:
• The group runs itself. Part of the mission is “For the skaters, by the skaters,” and the girls take on all duties, from accounting to public relations.
• The Rollergirls are working toward nonprofit status, and donate 10 percent of the proceeds from each bout to a different charity.
• The gals are all ages (over 21), shapes and sizes.
Reasons to fear the Blue Ridge Rollergirls:
• This isn’t 70s-era derby. Bouts aren’t staged (a la pro-wrestling), and there’s real sport to it—a brutal and at times bloody sport.
• Each skater can recall their most brutal hit, both given and received, and the injuries sustained. Sugar MagMaulYa seems to inspire particular terror.
Don’t understand quite what’s going on? Here’s your nickel explanation, from a story written by Xpress reporter Brian Postelle: “A quick primer: In the matches, two teams of five rollergirls take to the track. One player from each team—the “jammer”—tries to lap the track and push through the pack of other rollergirls, scoring points along the way. There’s a bit more to it than that, but the real appeal is in the pushing and shoving that takes place to keep jammers from getting through.”
Yeah, you knew we were gonna say this: Let the (bruisin’) good times roll.
Mark your calendars: The home schedule
All bouts at the Asheville Civic Center. Doors at 6 p.m., bouts at 7. Tickets at the box office (no added fees) or www.ticketmaster.com. $10 and $12. Info at www.blueridgerollergirls.com
• April 4 vs. Savannah Derby Demons from Savannah, Ga.
• May 30 vs. Hard Knox Rollergirls from Knoxville, Tenn.
• July 11 vs. Low County Rollers from Charleston, S.C.
• August 22 vs. Greenville Derby Dames from Greenville, S.C.
• September 26 vs. Richland County Regulators from Columbia, S.C.
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