Bringing it back: Roller Derby barrels into Berdoo
Ok, it's a break from the bruising politics we all swarm to here at SBNOW, but it's just as fast-paced and rough.
Classic, 1970's-style Roller Derby, with those unforgiving banked oval tracks and snarling skate-warriors, is returning to the National Orange Show Events Center after a 12-year hiatus.
This reporter took a timid walk into the Citrus Arena Thursday night to peek in on a mixed Los Angeles Firebirds practice session and public skate practice. Anybody can come skate on this track seven days a week and get pointers.
The first Roller Derby game since 1995 is slated to roll at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Another game will be played same time, Saturday, Oct. 27, both in the Citrus building at the NOS Center.
We'll have a story about this return of Jimmy Carter-era culture in Saturday's Sun.
For now, Click below for some more info, pics and video clips of the scary fun.
The bank-track, an oval, masonite track that clacks with energy when the skates scream around it. Watch for yourself:
Roller Derby, this reporter learned Thursday, is steeped in familial ties as much as it is infused with a love of speed and skates.
Many of the Firebirds team members I spoke with are the descendents of Disco-era Roller Derby legends.
Two lady-Firebirds I spoke with, Gina Valladares and Debbie Van Dorn, proudly proclaimed to be the daughter and cousin of bank-track speed legend Ralphie Valladares, who was a hero to Roller-crazed fans in the 1960s and 1970s.
These are the ladies, while taking a breather Thursday. Valladares is in the foreground:
Below is a brief video of the bubbly Van Dorn showing just how hyped she is about Roller Derby:
Both Valladares and Van Dorn sported old-school, four-wheel skates, just like all the other players on the coed Firebirds. But theirs were older - both sets of skates were broken-in circa 1990, when G.H.W. Bush was in the White House and Iraq was just another country we sold weapons to.
Check out these skates:
The Firebirds will face off with the Brooklyn Red Devils this Saturday at 8 p.m. at the NOS Center. Both teams are coed, but the girls and boys (who range in age from 20s to 50s) take the track at different times.
Here is the track, at the NOS Center's Citrus building:
Dan Ferrari, the owner of the Roller Derby League, said more is at stake for the next two weekend's games than wins and losses.
If all goes well - meaning they put a lot of fannies into the roughly 1,000 seat arena - the Firebirds might lose the Los Angeles part of their name.
"We're hoping that San Bernardino can become the home of the Firebirds," Ferrari said.
The San Bernardino Firebirds? Our own Roller Derby squad? Groovy.
***
For info on games and practices, including times and ticket prices, call (760) 532-0823 or visit www.firebirds-rollerderby.com
Comments
If you're a Bay City Bomber, or whatever, you may want to skip this post.
I wasn't happy about the wrestling Doc Curlin had in town.
I don't understand the attraction for crash 'em smash 'em by NOS.
I don't appreciate the wrestlers in the ring at Operation Phoenix events, though I must say, these events have quite a consistent draw!
Who is going to them?
What kind of person pays to see violence & destruction for entertainment?
Think of the good that money could do in constructive venues!
Now, we've got the roller derby.
Imagine that sound of an anemic blow of air halfheartedly going through a party noise maker.
There.
NOW can we please have Arts Colony downtown, near the City Hall & Sports University?
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 19, 2007 9:47 PM
Roller Derby, like wrestling, is a stage show. I remember going to Roller Derby with my parents in the 70ies. There is a team of heroes; there is a team of villains. You "cheer" for the good guys and have a good time - like Medieval Times. I even attended a few wrestling events in my 20ies. These types of events are less violent than the video games and movies that most children watch now days. Boxing is more violent, yet considered an Olympic sport. Look at football – there is more real violence going on in a Friday night high school football game than a Roller Derby match.
Susana – you ask who would attend these events but state that the wrestling events draw a crowd. Look around – this is San Bernardino, not Redlands. Obviously the populace would rather attend events that are a little less “sophisticated”; depending on your point of view, a little more fun. I respect your position as a Fine Arts Commissioner however you can not drag the residents of this city where they do not want to go. How many “regular” citizens attend the symphony?
If this city can’t support an Ethan Allen furniture store how do you figure that an “Arts Colony” will survive? An arts colony will equate (eventually) to boarded up buildings funded by grant money. Look at “Arts on 5th”. While an art colony would be a great addition to San Bernardino eventually, now is not the time.
If Roller Derby entertains the residents, keeps the NOS solvent and NOT hosting rap concerts (and the riots that go with them), I am all for it. Harmless, blue-collar fun.
CJ
Posted by: Cal Johnson | October 20, 2007 3:56 PM
Cal,
You're right.
You just know I'll walk with a limp if I don't interject here, yesterday, Rialto Playhouse began Dracula, a perennial favorite not really suited to younger children, or the easily frightened. Season tickets are available for $40.00 ~ quite a bargain! ~ and the venue's conveniently located, parking's good, it's accessible to all abilities and just a fine community theater! One-time tickets are about $10.00 each (many tiers apply)
I had to add SOMETHING to your commentary, "Obviously the populace would rather attend events that are a little less “sophisticated”; depending on your point of view, a little more fun".
Full details on Rialto Playhouse may be found at:
http://www.rialtocommunityplayers.org/rcp_theatre.html
Just to be sure there is no doubt I'm all for ALL forms of performing art, here's the schedule at NOS:
Nation Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino
---------------------
October 21st
4:00pm 5:00pm Beginning Class
October 21st
5:00pm-7:30pm Advanced Class
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October - 22nd 7:00pm-8:00pm Beginning Class
October - 22nd
8:00pm 10:30pm Advanced Class
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October - 23rd 7:00pm 8:00pm Beginning Class
October - 23rd
8:00pm-10:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
October 24th
7:00pm-8:00pm Beginning Class
October 24th
8:00pm-10:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
October 25th
7:00pm-8:00pm Beginning Class
October 25th
8:00pm-10:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
October 26th
7:00pm-8:00pm Beginning Class
October 26th
8:00pm-10:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
October 27th
1:00pm-2:00pm Beginning Class
October 27th
2:00pm-4:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
October 28st
4:00pm 5:00pm Beginning Class
October 28st
5:00pm-7:30pm Advanced Class
---------------------
NOTE: Classes will be taught by the Best Banked track skaters in the world including: Gwen Miller, Larry Lewis, Dave Martinez, and Ms. Georgia Hase.
There was also an event today, and another on 10.27
Here are those details:
Firebirds -VS- BROOKLYN Red Devils
October 20th and 27th
ARSD-American Roller Skating Derby Banked Track Training At the National Orange Show Fair Grounds Citrus Building in San Bernardino
Save $$$ with Advance Ticket Purchase
Tickets at the Door will be
V.I.P. - $25.00 / Adults - $20.00 / Child 6 to 12 - $10.00
Remembering When Skates Came With "Keys",
Your Friend & Neighbor,
Susana Atanasova ~ understanding what you mean about staged sporting events being a variety of staged theatrical productions.
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 21, 2007 3:40 AM
YEA!!!!!!!!!
It's about time that we see TRUE roller derby again.
They tried (more than once) to bring it back in other fashions, but they ALL failed. "Why did it fail?" people may ask. Simple...it was not TRUE roller derby.
Tell the teams that I will be one of the 1,000 needed to make it happen. Just let me know when they are going to start!
I used to sit in my room as a kid and watch the T-Birds, Kansas City Bombers and such. I would be whopping and yealling and bouncing on my bed so much that my mother would come in and ask "What are you watching?" and I would turn to her, with a GREAT BIG smile on my face and say "ROLLER DERBY!!!!!" She would just shake her head and walk away.
Again....tell the teams that I WILL be there to support them in their efforts to bring back this almost lost and certainly forgotten sport.
Sing my as...
Rusty "Savage Bear" Gipson
Posted by: Rusty Gipson | October 21, 2007 10:26 AM
Rusty,
Are you the Rusty from Home Depot? If so, I'm the gal that picked up the tab for you and your mom at lunch a while back. I would LOVE the opportunity to provide you ( and your mom, if she's interested), with a pair of tickets to enjoy the roller derby. You can reach me through Robert Rogers, leader of this "pack" (that IS a roller derby term, isn't it?)...
Posted by: Susana Atanasova | October 21, 2007 10:44 PM