November is here and where it comes to derby in Arizona, there are definitely no turkeys.
Why not start of the month even before it begins with some classic derby love. Episode 7 of Michi-chan's RAW Derby is now online. In this episode, we go to the old Castle Sports Club and bring you another flat track gem. From June 14, 2008, we bring you the Arizona Derby Dames and a bout between the Coffin Draggers and the Bombshells. This was during a great time for the Draggers. Ann Thrash had already gotten her own team, the Runaway Brides (which we will see in Episode 9), but the prettiest girls in the morgue are still a powerful team with Dr. Mary Lu Botomy, Ginger Mortis, Dolly De Los Muertos and the invincible Suzy Homewrecker. They will be taking on the Bombshells, a team that has been struggling though significant roster changes since the end of the second season. Hippie's Revenge is on the jammer line and we have the return of Prima Donna. Look for this episode at the Michi-chan Sports channel on YouTube. While you are there, please subscribe to the channel.
Now that you are prepared and all charged up. On November 1, all roads lead to derby.
From Phoenix, you can take I-10 east and head down to Tucson for the first Tucson Roller Derby bout in the Old Pueblo in quite awhile. TRD's (A) travel team, the Javelina Havoc will take on Arizona Roller Derby's heritage home team, the Bad News Beaters. TRD will introduce their (B) team for the first time. This is something that the league has been working on for the past few months as TRD has made one of the slowest (and most cautious) recoveries from the 2020 Crud. We don't know what the team's name is yet. Perhaps they will announce it at the bout. Myself, I still would love to see the return of the Furious Truckstop Watiresses. FTW was the true heritage team for TRD. The bout will be at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5PM.
You can also take I-17 north to Flagstaff and check out our friends at High Altitude Roller Derby. They will be holding a home team mashup bout (Hocus Pocus vs. Beetlejuice) along with a costume contest for the fans. I would love to see HARD go back to home team bouts when there's time in the schedule and please bring back the Belladonnas. I love that name and their wordmark logo. Anyway, doors open at 5:30 at Mount Elden Middle School.
We were going to suggest that you could have made a big roadtrip out I-10 west and head to Los Angeles to the home of Angel City Derby for Calaveras Clash. A full day of WFTDA Derby Love featuring two Angel City teams, the Shore Shots and the Rocket Queens; two teams from San Diego's So Cal Derby, the Cuttlefish and the Kraken, Calsquad and our very own Northern Arizona Roller Derby. NAZRD will be taking on both the Shore Shots and the Cuttlefish. Unfortunately, within the past 24 hours of this writing, Angel City has announced that the day has been cancelled due to reasons beyond their control. So if you are reading this from the passenger seat while reaching Buckeye or something, turn around and check out one of these other derby destinations.
Fire damages roof of Angel City warehouse, cancels tournament
You can also stay in town and head over the Broadway Recreation Center (or take the light rail and walk a half mile) and check out some USARS scrimmage action with the Arizona Skate Club. Other than the "pivot break", I love the USARS ruleset.
For the following week....
Start off the weekend early with the premiere of Episode 8 of Michi-chan's RAW Derby, featuring a no-penalties Renegade Rollergirls Bout, Arizona vs. San Diego from 2008.
Our friends at Arizona Rollergirls will be skating the Broadway Rec on Saturday, November 8. AZRG is definitely the closest to the classic game. Doors open at 6:30.
However, at the same time, we have banked track action taking place at the Hall of Dames. The Coffin Draggers, playing their first bout of the season will take on the 0-1 Brutal Beauties. Following this bout, check out the Minor Assaults, the Arizona Derby Dames junior roster. Don't underestimate these kids. They are awesome. Doors open at the Hall of Dames (2517 E. McDowell Rd.) at 4:30 PM.
Then the following week...
RAW Derby gets you going with Episode 9, Arizona Derby Dames from 2008 featuring the School Yard Scrappers vs. Ann Thrash, Dirty Martini and the rest of the Runaway Brides. That will premiere Thursday November 13 at 7:30PM Arizona time.
On Saturday, Arizona Roller Derby will have their Season 22 closer at the Broadway Recreation Center with a final game between the Bad News Beaters and Skate RIot Project. There will also be a second mashup bout on the card.
There you go.. a month loaded with derby love. December will be a lighter load and the in January, Phoenix Roller Derby starts their new season up in Peoria.
For now, skate hard, skate safe (even if you don't skate), derby love!
