Sleazy Rider: Hell on Wheels European Premiere and Open Scrimmaging

Rocking up to Stockland Green Leisure centre just before 4pm on Saturday I was met by a load of Roller Girls – ready to roll – all fired up from the first screening of Hell on Wheels at the Electric Cinema earlier that afternoon.

While our amazing team of track monkeys did some last minute adjustments to fit the two tracks round Stockland Green’s obstacles, (thanks guys!) many girls had already got their skate on and were whizzing round.

After a brief welcome from the lovely Kiki Kasplat, Fury and I had the honour of leading all the skaters (newbies and advanced alike) for the warm-up fun. So many skaters meant we had to split over the two tracks for a quick 10 min sprint and stretch before the fun (and pain) really began...

‘Skate till you puke,’ a Bleep Test and Pyramid Sprints saw an awesome effort from all skaters, refs too! Ballistic Whistle kicked ass more than once in STYP and the Beep test! Ladies – we all got some work to do – we know we’re better than boys!

Sweaty and panting the skaters took a quick break before the scrimmages got going. Advanced skaters took to one track while the newbies got some Sleazy action – working on stops, and falls – in the other. The shouts from the advanced track soon filled the hall and newbies couldn’t help but stand and watch while the real action got under way.

Not one to miss out - I joined the advanced girls midway through the first half, while the luscious Mr Chester Drawers took over newbies – getting them skating pack drills.
Scrimmages were timed-out for a quick reshuffling of teams, before Black & White hit the track once more.

Black team dominated in the first half, but in the second they struggled against the onslaught from the Whites. It’s such a great moment in a derby girl’s life when you skate with other leagues, and pull together to KICK SOME ASS! Special mention has to go to my fellow White team members, Dolly Minxture and Rushin’ Doll from the Leeds Roller Dolls– you two were AWESOME!

On the Black team Von Bitch from LRG and our own Ms Bee Sting hit hard and played fast, I’m sure I’m not the only girl going home with bruise or two!

Scores weren’t kept, but no-one cared. When the final whistle blew we all cheered and hi-fived, grinning like idiots just for being part of this beautiful game!

Newbies got some scrimmaging action too, under the watchful eye of Roisin Roulette and The Skatrix they got their game on for the last 30 minutes.

For the final cool down we all came together on one track for a mammoth game of ‘Dodge Ball’ before exhausted roller girls (and refs) collapsed into crumpled heaps across the track.
Only one thing could revive us.

And that one thing was PIZZA!!!

I’ve never seen roller girls get their kit off so quickly. Ok, so maybe I have ;). Finding energy from somewhere we sprinted from the hall and booty blocked our way to the front of the line. Not that we needed to rush, thanks to Rob & Shnafu we had a line of pizzas spreading out before us like a glorious, edible Great Wall of China. I swear you could see it from space!
Stuffed, weak kneed and starting to hum a little, I said my goodbyes. Leeds RD’s were off home having seen HoW earlier that day. Plenty more were sticking around for the after party at Subside and some were still to see the film, me included. I headed home for a wee rest. No time for napping though, I spruced myself up and was straight out the door again, for the 11pm screening of Hell on Wheels.

At the Electric cinema I bagsied myself a sofa, and stretching out my aching limbs I snuggled up to Kiki Kasplat. Just as the lights were going down I’m sure I saw Chester put his best yawn-stretch-arm-round-shoulder moves on Mistress of Merch, Ms LornaTik - in a bid for a free t-shirt me thinks!

The film was ace! Funny, moving, inspiring and even a little familiar! We all cheered at the end when the Blitz Dames appear on the map of the world, showing how Roller Derby has become a Global phenomenon.

This is something that EVERY Roller Girl should see. I was proud that the hard work of Blitz Dames Helen Fury & Bee Sting had bought this to Birmingham for the European premiere.
I was proud too of all Roller Girls and Derby Leagues everywhere! Setting up a league, running a league and being a skater is hard work. Things are never going to run 100% smoothly, but today showed me that we all here for the same reasons – because we love the game!

And beer. We all love Beer.

In Subside we joined the other skaters to party the night away - in the name of LOVE and in the name of ROLLER DERBY!

A ‘tired-and-emotional’ Sleazy Rider
x

Trailer: "Hell on Wheels"

for immediate release: Hell on Wheels European Premiere!

Fresh from Official Selection screenings at festivals across North America and Australasia (including the South by Southwest Film Festival and the San Francisco DocFest), Hell on Wheels is the ass-kicking documentary film telling the story of a group of Texas women who band together to resurrect roller derby for the 21st century. Emerging from the Austin music and arts scene, these women create a rock and roll fuelled version of all-girl roller derby that has spawned the derby craze that's sweeping the nation.

Now the UK own Roller Derby league – the Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames present the first European screening at Britain oldest functioning cinema: The Electric Cinema, Birmingham , UK .

Premiere date: 5th July 2008

Screening times: 1pm and 11pm

Tickets: http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=1324

Screener DVDs available - call Diamondback Belle on 07968 291 625

2001: The birth of an all-girl roller derby revolution begins in Austin , Texas .

Starting a revolution ain't an easy affair. After overcoming countless hurdles to organize, recruit and train, the rowdy rollergirls known as Bad Girl, Good Woman (BGGW) enjoy a smashingly successful first year, only to find a rift forming among the ranks of the 80 women. Polarized by issues of insurance, finances, and the direction the league should take, disenchanted skaters pull together and collectively bring their grievances to management. Accusations fly, and emotions run high as the two camps face off.

Ultimately, 65 of 80 skaters walk and form their own player-run league.. Dealt a near fatal blow, management doesn't give up. Instead, they recruit and rebuild their league to rebound in dramatic fashion. What emerges from the near-disaster are the Lonestar Rollergirls and the Texas Rollergirls. Both leagues pioneer a modern era of roller derby and inspire thousands of women across the US to follow suit.

Shot over a four year period and utilizing both verite footage and interviews, Hell on Wheels documents the creation of modern-era roller derby first two leagues.

The success of the Texas leagues has inspired hundreds of women across the world. Leagues of rollergirls are currently organizing or operating in Los Angeles , New York City, Seattle , Phoenix , North Carolina , Houston , Nevada , Tucson , Kansas City, Dallas , Madison , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Australia , England , New Zealand , Canada and beyond.

For further information, screener DVDs or phone interviews with key cast and crew, please contact Michelle Duffy (skating as Diamondback Belle with the BBDD) on:
T: 07968 291 625
E: michelleduffy77@yahoo.co.uk
www.hellonwheelsthemovie.com www.blitzdames.com
online press kit and links to hi-res images and trailers at: http://www.hellonwheelsthemovie.com/presskit.htm

Hell on Wheels - A day of Derby Madness!

Hosted By: Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames present "Hell on Wheels! the European Premiere!
When: 05 Jul 2008, 14:00
Where The Electric Cinema
47-49 Station Road
Birmingham, B54DY
United Kingdom
Description:
Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames

Click Here To View Event

General admission tickets for the film only are NOW available in limited quantities --- Rollergirls: get your tickets now!

www.blitzdames.com

Friday the HURTeenth! Blitz Dames vs Team Canada

Canadians Coming to Brum for Roller Sporting Event

BIRMINGHAM - History is being made for Birmingham's roller skating history as the best women roller warriors take to the track to bring more fast paced, furious blocks and jams of roller derby to family audiences! Team Canada have come together to compete against local rollers the Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames in what will prove to be the unluckiest day in Team Canada's skating career on Friday 13th June 2008.

The Canadian team has combined the best skaters from leagues across their country to come together to travel thousand of miles to make this the first ever intercontinental roller derby bout in Birmingham ever!

This is the finale of the Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames first season. League founder, Bee Bentley (known on the track as 'Bee Sting') comments: "starting up this league from scratch with just myself and seeing where it is now at the end of our first competitive season, well, I'm very proud of this achievement and for bringing roller derby to Birmingham".

Roller derby has a long and colurful history dating back to the 1930's in America. In the 1950's there was a international roller derby team which traveled and played in London and some European cities, but this is a first for Birmingham.

This all-women roller sport is set to cement it's worldwide popularity when Drew Barrymore's directorial debut 'Whip It' comes out early in 2009 starting 'a-lister' Ellen Page as the star rollergirl.

Tickets are £7.50 in advance available online at http://www.blitzdames.com/ or £8 at the door. Children under 5 are free and children under 14 are half price. Students can receive discounted entry with a valid NUS card at £5.

The event, aptly titled "Friday the HURTeenth" - Blitz Dames vs Team Canada, Friday 13, June 2008, Doors 6.30pm, Bout 7.30pm, Cocks Moors Wood Leisure Centre, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6ER

END:

Editor note: Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames are self managed, self funded, not for profit amateur sports league for women 18+. They practice weekly at Stockland Green Leisure Centre in Erdington. The Blitz Dames formed in October 2006. For more information on the league visit http://www.blitzdames.com/.

Press are invited to attend the event --- please reply with names for a press pass.

Event Round-Up!

We've got some exciting things happening in Central England!

24/05/08 - 2pm

The Blitz Dames will be featured as skaters in this weekend's PRIDE Parade in Birmingham City Centre - from 2pm! Come and cheer us on!

31/05/08 - 7pm onward

Roller Blitz! Old Skool Roller Disco
Aston University Student's Guild Hall.
Aston University

Skaters from around the UK - from all disciplines will be skating to the funky disco beats in this 14+ event to raise funds for the league and Cancer Research UK!

Entry at door £6 / Skate Hire £4

Join Roller Blitz facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12624829210

13/06/08 - 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Friday the HURTeenth! Blitz Dames vs Team Canada!

History is being made for Birmingham's roller skating history as the best women roller warriors take to the track to bring more fast paced, furious blocks and jams of roller derby to family audiences!

Team Canada has come together to compete against Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames in what will prove to be the unluckiest day in Team Canada's skating career... Be there!

Tickets on sale NOW: http://www.blitzdames.com/

The Blitz Dames proudly present:

Friday the HURTeenth!

Blitz Dames vs Team Canada Friday 13, June 2008 Doors 6.30pm Bout 7.30pm
Cocks Moors Wood Leisure Centre Kings Heath, Birmingham

The Canadians are Coming! Friday the HURTeenth: Blitz Dames vs Team Canada!

The Canadians are Coming! Friday the HURTeenth: Blitz Dames vs Team Canada!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! http://www.blitzdames.com/

History is being made for Birmingham's roller skating history as the best women roller warriors take to the track to bring more fast paced, furious blocks and jams of roller derby to family audiences!

Team Canada has come together to compete against Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames in what will prove to be the unluckiest day in Team Canada's skating career... Be there!

The Blitz Dames proudly present:

Friday the HURTeenth!

Blitz Dames vs Team Canada

Friday 13, June 2008

Doors 6.30pm Bout 7.30pm

Cocks Moors Wood Leisure Centre

Kings Heath, Birmingham

Roller Blitz is Coming to Birmingham!

Roller Blitz Attacks Brum’s Weekend Scene to Raise Money for Cancer Research UK

BIRMINGHAM - Crane-framed loves its modern cultural icons, having established an enviable prowess with institutions from a gleamingly extraterrestrial shopping complex to cheerful Christmas markets and emotionally moving Chinese buffets. Now our city at the heart of England is about to revitalize another icon of the retro-modern: the roller disco.

The group behind the mirror ball is the Birmingham Blitz Derby Dames roller derby league. These women typically approach roller-skating with a system of speed and full-contact manoeuvers, often sending opponents flying off their skates and towards the crowd.

But now the motivation is to promote a groovier side of the roller world. Not a group who deal in the subtle, the Blitz Dames are planning an authentic event with some of England's best known jam and freestyle roller skaters, many of whom have been at it since the eighties. All the elements of traditional roller disco will be there: coloured lights, huge wooden floor, raffle, and nonstop beats featuring disco, funk, and dance music.

As the league's Events Director, Helen Fury states, "This disco is run completely by skaters, who know what makes skating a life long passion. Besides, it was time to bring the fun of roller skating to those who might prefer not to be hit."

However, the league is equally keen to make use of their softer aspects - percentage of the profits from the roller disco will be donated to Cancer Research UK whilst also helping towards running costs of the league, which itself is a not-for-profit, volunteer organisation.

Tickets are £6 on the door with £4 for skate hire. With over 200 pairs of skates available for hire, they are sure to have your size!

The event aims to attract a wide age range from 14+, with a curfew-friendly start time of 7:00pm, but continuing long after the kids go home, until 1:00 in the morning.

"The roller disco will be a real alternative to a night in the bars, something for twenty and thirty-somethings who want to enjoy a night with their mates, and a wicked excuse to dust off your vintage clothes." says league member Bee Sting.

So where can you go to get your counterculture roller fix? The Roller Blitz takes place on the 31st of May at Aston University Students' Guild Hall. More information is available at www.myspace.com/rollerblitz.