April is one of the quietest months for derby here in Arizona. However, there are some things that are going on.
Friday 4/4 & Saturday 4/5 - AZDD at AZ Bike Week
After coming off of two great bouts including the 150+ point blowout by the Runaway Brides over the Bombshells, the Arizona Derby Dames will be skating demo bouts at Arizona Bike Week. The bouts will pit the Dames' all star team The Lady Lux against a second squad of skaters from AZDD. This appearance was originally going to be by the now defunct Arizona Bruisers/Phoenix City Rollers. The demo bouts will be held on Friday and Saturday at 4PM. Admission to the Cyclefest is required.
After these bouts, the Dames will be able to relax (yeah right Michi, there's practice, lot's of practice) until their next doubleheader bout date on May 10.
Friday 4/4 - First Friday
The First-Friday tradition goes on. While the Lux are recovering from their awesome workout earlier in the day, the Bake Sale honors go to the Fresh Meat of the Arizona Derby Dames. Help out the Fresh Meaties raise money for the Dames tonight at the Anti-Space (Monroe St, between 3rd and 4th St. in Central PHX).
Friday 4/11 - Bowl With A Derby Dame
The Arizona Derby Dames will be holding a fundraiser, Bowl with a Derby Dame. This event will take place at the Sunset Bowl (12th Street & Dunlap in PHX). A night of fun is only $20 ($10 for the brats).
Saturday 4/12 - Phoenix Pride Parade
In its annual tradition, the Arizona Derby Dames will have a float in this year's Phoenix Pride Parade. Last year's float was a killer one, I can't wait to see what the Dames have conjured up for this year. This league is known for outdoing themselves. It's worth the wait.
In the month that the Castle is used for indoor hockey tournaments, the Dames have been pretty busy with other stuff but we do have action from the other leagues.
Saturday 4/19 - Arizona Roller Derby
Derby fans, are you ready? This is the final bout of Arizona Roller Derby's 2007/2008 regulation season. In this bout, the #1 Bad News Beaters (2-0-203-143) take on the #4 Brawlarinas (1-1-116-124). The last time the Brawlies played was the infamous postponed bout where in the extreme cold, they beat the "eight is great" Surly Gurlies 77-65. The Beaters' last bout had them beat the Bruisers by 6 points in AZRD's closest margin this year. The weather at Casey's should be beautiful this time. Last month's bout there had over 450+ paid attendance on a great night for outdoor derby. Some may question of whether the Brawlies are ready to take on the Beaters considering now with the departure of the original Bruisers, the only powerhouse in AZRD right now is the Beaters. Despite all of the turmoil that has scarred this season and other events, the Beaters have been very consistent throughout it all. I do digress that the Brawlas were pretty consistent too and with the new adds earlier in this season such as Goldie Fingered and Junkyard Barbie, you can definitely see Fran Arky doing what she can to get her Brawlies back out of the cellar.
Now here's the deal. If the Beaters win, they will clinch first place with an undefeated 3-0 record, the Brawlarinas will have to score at least 91 points to get them out of the cellar and into position to play in the semi finals. A Brawla loss with a score of less than 91 takes them out of the running. Now if the Brawlarinas win, This will give them a 2-1 record and unless they beat the Beaters by the margins that AZDD's Bombhsells have been beaten by this year, they will move up to second place by points. At that point, they will have to take on the semi-finals against the Surlys in May and the Bruisers will be knocked out.
Based on their hard playing and their consistency throughout the season, I am going to say BEATERS BY 40 and the May semi-final will be between the Surly Gurlies and the Bruisers.
Casey At the Bat is located at 40th Street & Union Hills. Doors open at 6:30PM, bout starts at 7PM.
Saturday 4/19 - Tucson Roller Derby
Down in the Old Pueblo, get ready for some exciting Tucson Roller Derby action. First, we will see the Iron Curtain (#4, 0-2-155-215) with newly named captain Kassi Nova and co-captain Kamanda taking the team against Tucson's most deadliest force, the Furious Truckstop Waitresses (#1, 2-0-199-121), who also just announced that Sunni Sideup has been named co-captain. While I have very close friends who are vary close to the IC, I have to look at the stats and you just can't beat Sloppy Flo and Peaches. Based on last month's bout, I will make a more outlandish prediction, so here we go (I am now putting my mouthguard on).. FTW BY 60. There I said it. In the second bout, the Copper Queens (#3, 1-1-162-173) will take on the Vice Squad (#2, 1-1-174-181). Vice took a nice win over the IC last month but what are their chances against the Queens? I think we have two pretty evenly matched teams. I am not sure if Cheap Ore will be skating (I have not heard anything official yet) but I will have to give it to them but not by much. COPPER QUEENS BY LESS THAN 10. Doors open at 6:30PM at Bladeworld just off Grant St. in Tucson. I will be in Tucson to see this one!
Saturday 4/26 - AZRD Demo Bout
We have received word of a demo bout that Arizona Roller Derby will be skating in the parking lot of Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley Davidson. Grab some free food, check out the bikes, play the 50/50 raffle and check out the best of AZRD. I will try to be there. Hell, I may actually bring the family! Bring yours too!
Wherever you go, please support your local roller derby. We thank you.
THE ARIZONA DERBY REPORT
Michelle A. Eyre/Michi-chan
http://www.michichan.com
