The Derby Strikes Back
Seven years ago in a galaxy not terribly far, far away (Stone Mountain, actually) Atlanta Roller Derby was created. Now, four warring factions meet on the track for playoffs, which will ultimately set the stage for the final battle for Atlanta derby supremacy. A season of intense training and smart play has brought the Atlanta home teams here for rematches between passionate rivals: second-ranked and third-ranked Apocalypstix vs. Toxic Shocks, and first-ranked and fourth-ranked Sake Tuyas vs. Denim Demons. The winner of each of these games meet next month for the Championship Bout, leaving the remaining two teams to duel for third and fourth place in the Grudge Match. Grab your lightsaber and get ready for the night that will bring balance to the 2011 season.
 On August 12th, the Toxic Shocks strike back against the Apocalypstix in a rematch of their March bout, in which the Stix grasped a narrow win. The Shocks are coming off a loss to the Sakes, but the force is strong in this team, and they're ready to prove themselves as true derby masters. But the Stix, with their fleet of jammers whose speed rivals that of the Millennium Falcon, hope to blow through the Shocks' tight defense. With a spot in the Champ Bout up for grabs, this is guaranteed to be a bout of epic proportions.
Afterward, the Denim Demons get another shot at the undefeated Sake Tuyas. The Sakes have been a powerful force in the ARG empire all season, but the Demons have redoubled their training efforts in preparation for this game (rumors of a team retreat to Dagobah have not been independently verified) and have their sights set on the Champ Bout. Can the Sakes shut down this new hope, or will the Demons emerge triumphant? There is only one way to find out...buy your tickets now!
5:00 pm Apocalypstix vs. Toxic Shocks
7:30 pm Sake Tuyas vs. Denim Demons
Yaarab Shrine Center
400 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Interested in VIP seating?
Contact tickets [at] atlantarollergirls [dot] com
DSDG vs. Brew City Bruisers
 During July's bout, Atlanta’s All-Star Dirty South Derby Girls brought the pain to Milwaukee’s Brewcity Bruisers. This game had fans on the edge of their seats as the lead seemed to change with each jam. Brewcity started out strong, pulling ahead early in the game. But a power jam by captain The Merchant of Menace threw Atlanta back into the lead. Brewcity’s strong defensive plays helped to hold the Atlanta jammers back, effectively helping Brewcity to take the reigns once again. Much too close for comfort, fans were left with a score of 67 - 64 at the half, in favor of Brewcity.
The second half showed fans an even fiercer side of DSDG. Fans were on their feet as Atlanta once again took the lead, only to be shot back down by Brewcity soon after. Jammers on both sides were spending hefty time in the box, while Atlanta blockers moved in heavy defense. Well into the second half, a 25-point power jam thanks to DSDG Rookie, The Ruffian, gave Atlanta more of an advantage on the track. Brewcity pulled into the lead yet again with mere minutes left on the clock. A final power jam by Hollicidal gave Atlanta the one extra point they needed for victory leaving the final score at 129 - 128.
Photo Credit: Website Dave
Watch awesome highlight video here.
Video by Kevin Borke
Apocalypstix vs. Denim Demons
 The Apocalypstix hit the track against the Denim Demons during July's home team bout. This is the first time that these two teams have been on the track together since last year's heated championship battle. With old rivalries and vengeance still brewing, this was a long overdue rematch. Both teams held the score down well into the first few jams with only a handful of points each. After many effective offensive plays, the Apocalypstix were able to creep up the point differential. The Demons held steady, however, throwing in veteran jammers and heavy blockers to pull them up by their skate straps. The Stix were not willing to give up so easily, and kept their lead at the half with a score of 59 - 35.
In the second half, the Demons pulled out all the stops and set up heavy defensive walls to prevent Stix jammers from getting through. Demon jammers PixelHated and Lez Dispenser gained more ground and tried ferociously to tighten the score. They were no match for veteran Apocalypstix jammers Nora Gretz and Cherry Blox’em who shut down any hope for the Demons to win this rematch. The Apocalypstix took a win back from the Demons with a final score of 122 - 63. Players of the game were Thunder Enlightenin' for the Stix and Jen D. Monic for the Demons.
Photo Credit: Website Dave
Watch the awesome highlight video here.
Video by Kevin Borke
Sake Tuyas vs. Gainesville Roller Rebels
In July, the Atlanta Rollergirls home team, the Sake Tuyas, went head-to-head against the Gainesville (FL) Roller Rebels. After a great start for the Roller Rebels, Hollicidal scored a 19-point jam, bringing the Sakes within two points, at 45 to 43. However, even Bella deRink's long legs controlling the track during the first half couldn't stop the the Rebels ending the half in the lead. InSINerator, Regretta Garbo, and Edna Vendetta returned to the track with fire while Agent Maulder and Ruby Chaos played some well-executed jams, bringing the Sakes to 87 points against Gainesville's 96. At the end of the day, in spite of a beautiful 10-point jam in the second half by Ruby Chaos, the Sakes left Gainesville defeated, 151 to 124.
Apocalypstix vs. Soul City Sirens
 On July 24, ARG's home team, the Apocalypstix, packed up their cars and headed over to Augusta to take on the Soul City Sirens. The Sirens held the Stix to below 10 points for the first 6 jams, and then.....Thunderdome. It was a hard fought battle with multiple Stix and Sirens making frequent trips to the box. However, the Sirens just could not hold back the jammers in black and pink. Strong Stix defense and grand slams by Cherry Blox'em and The Ruffian widened the gap substantially, with a 75-29 score at the half. Then, two 20+ point power jams by Thunder Enlightenin increased the Stix lead. Rookies Emma Wantsome and Kellacious X (in her debut bout) took the jammer line and both earned grand slams. When all was said and done, the Stix brought home a 198-61 victory.
Denim Demons vs. Hard Knox Rollergirls
 On July 30, Atlanta Home Team the Denim Demons, (with a little help from some Toxic Shocks friends), faced off against the Hard Knox all-star team at the Knoxville Civic Center. Hard Knox jumped out to an early lead in the first half, aided by a strong defense and spectacular jamming by their all-star players. The Demons fought back with aggressively defensive packs and some amazing walls, but Hard Knox jammers Goblynn and Drop Dead... Gorgeous kept wiggling through, putting up the points for Knoxville and increasing their lead. Knoxville’s defense kept the Demon jammers in check, limiting Atlanta scoring to a mere trickle, in spite of the extraordinary efforts of World Cup contender Switchblade Siouxsie. A highlight of the evening was the debut of Atlanta’s own Juggs Judy, a.k.a. Canna Whoopass, who added a few points to the Demon column in the second half. The final score was 149 to 46.
Photo Credit: Website Dave
Rollergirl Tryouts!
 We’re looking for experienced skaters ages 21+. If you think you might have what it takes, why not try? We have pads you can borrow (and rink skates you can use) if you don’t have any equipment, however, you must bring your own mouthguard. Safety equipment: Helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, mouthguards. This is it! Be prepared to show us what you got! We’re all anxiously awaiting to see your smiling faces.
Saturday, August 20, 8-11 am
All American Skating Center
5400 Bermuda Road
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087
Workout Like a Rollergirl
 Ever wondered how we get as strong/fast/awesome as we are? We workout! A LOT. Now you too can workout like a rollergirl. Open to all women ages 18+, join your favorite rollergirls for a 3-hour workout featuring derby-style aerobics, fitness, plyometrics, sport snacks, and a glimpse into actual game play. All exercise is off skates, and no experience necessary. Just bring yourself, your sneakers, and a water bottle. Cost is $25, and advance registration is required. Please register in advance here.
Saturday, August 6 · 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
X3 Sports
240 N. Highland Ave Building 3
Atlanta, Georgia
Spirit Day at Twain's, Decatur
 Come out and eat and drink in support of ARG! The league gets a percentage of all food and drink sales while you get the benefit of consuming the food and drinks. Come socialize with your favorite derby girls, play some darts, or shoot some pool, and don't miss this good time! There will be a rollergirl scavenger hunt at 3pm!
Sunday, August 7th from 1-6 pm
Twain's Billiards and Taps
211 East Trinity Place
Decatur, Georgia 30030
Piedmont Park Summer Arts and Crafts Festival
Come celebrate summer at the Piedmont Park Summer Arts and Crafts Festival. You'll meet painters, sculptors, photographers, crafters, metalworkers, and rollergirls! Stop by our booth to pick up a season schedule, buy an "I <3 ARG" shirt, or simply talk some trash.
August 20 - 21
Piedmont Park
Alassin Sane and Switchblade Siouxsie Bring some Dirty South Derby to World Cup Tryouts
 
This December, the city of Toronto, Ontario, will be the site of a historic event: The first roller derby world cup! Blood & Thunder, an independent derby magazine, will be hosting the Blood & Thunder World Cup, December 2-4, 2011. This tournament, not affiliated with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), will host national teams from thirteen countries who will compete for an international flat track derby title. And the most exciting part? Two amazing Atlanta Skaters---Alassin Sane and Switchblade Siouxsie--made it to the last round of try outs, and could potentially represent Team USA!
The final round of try outs for Team USA concluded in mid-July in Tampa, Florida. Soon, a twenty-skater roster will be chosen by Head Coach Buster Cheatin’ (affiliated with Gotham Girls Roller Derby) and Assistant Coach Bonnie D. Stroir (founder of the flat and banked track hybrid team, the San Diego Derby Dolls). Alassin Sane and Switchblade Siouxsie both traveled to the Sunshine State for the final round of tryouts, that included an epic scrimmage in which both Atlanta players were invited to participate.
Switchblade Siouxsie, who’s been skating with the Atlanta Rollergirls since 2006, knew that trying out for the B&T World Cup was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and no matter the outcome, it would be worth trying. She also credits DSDG teammate Juju with inspiring her to finally go for it. Siouxsie notes that, if chosen, her solid blocking and attention to the importance of teamwork would make her a valuable asset to the team. Alassin Sane, who also began skating with ARG in 2007, recognized the world cup tryout as a unique opportunity--both to showcase her skill as an individual skater, and to represent the Atlanta Rollergirls on a national level. Lass notes that her favorite part of the tryout was its concluding scrimmage: “Hearing my name among a list of skaters I have admired and aspired to be like for years was thrilling."
Both skaters are excited about the event, and what it means for the sport. Siouxsie believes this tournament will continue to advance the sport of roller derby, allowing the diffusion of skills and knowledge from established teams to smaller teams in countries where roller derby has not yet gained the momentum it has in the U.S. Lass adds that she’s excited about the tournament because it “offers something different than other organized tournaments…They get the best in the country together for a limited time, and see how they work together against the rest of the world.”
Big Brothers, Big (Derby) Sisters
For the past four years, derby girl Regreta Garbo has been a big sister to her little brother, Rene. The two meet up about every other week to go to the movies or museum, play sports, go swimming, or go out to eat. Last month, Regreta and Rene had a pizza and movie night, where they were spotted at Transformers 3. If you were wondering, this is how we slowly recruit future ARG refs!
Lucimar's Brazilian Waxing
 It’s waxing – plain and simple like we do it in Brazil. Lucimar has been serving clients’ beauty needs for over 20 years and her team is well trained to take care of your needs, whether it’s a simple cleanup, a facial hair touch-up, all the way up to and including “the Brazilian.”
We know that when you come to our salon to get “down there” cleaned up, you want to know that your clinician knows what she’s doing and how comfortable she can make you. We offer simple waxing services at affordable prices with clinicians who know what they are doing.
It's simple, no-frills, just great wax. Call (678) 760.3749 to schedule your appointment today!
1360 Powers Ferry Road #A-110
Marietta, Georgia 30067
Derby Referees
 Basketball and roller derby both have ten players on the track at a time, but basketball is played with three refs, where derby has seven. So what gives? Why does derby need over twice as many referees? Well, imagine that basketball was played with one hoop and each team had their own ball. Now imagine that the hoop is eight people (four people from each team) holding hands in a big circle and constantly pulling on each other, adjusting the shape and location of the hoop. And they all have jet packs! And lasers! Give me fifty million dollars, and I will make this into the most amazing summer blockbuster you have ever seen. In a world where jetpacks and lasers exist, one man must play the most awesome sport ever imagined to win his freedom. The freedom... to love. Then a lot of things explode, and the bad guy sends in ninja dinosaur commandos with lightsabers, and—wait, I was supposed to be talking about something...
Oh, roller derby referees! Right. So, by doubling the number of focal points (two jammers as opposed to a single ball) derby dramatically increases the amount of the game that needs referees to be watching it. Derby's method of scoring also requires more careful referee attention than basketball's, since there's no chance that the basketball will elbow the hoop on its way through and not score any points. And since the distance around the outside of the track is longer than the inside, refs on the outside have to go almost 160% of the pack's speed to keep up, so the outside refs run the game like a relay race, only reffing a half-lap at a time, which means the three of them basically combine to form one ref. One fifty-story tall ref with a whistle-ray who defends Atlanta from the ever-present threat of alien invasion. Seriously, give me fifty million dollars. My movie will blow your mind.
Ever had a question about roller derby that you wish a pro could answer? Well, now's your chance! Send an email to derby101 [at] atlantarollergirls [dot] com and maybe you'll see your question (and answer) in an upcoming Derby 101 article!
Photo Credit: Ed Selby
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