Friday, December 22, 2006
Living History
Check out Vandal O'Riley, aka Josie Arlington, this weekend off skates and in a corset in the French Quarter. Vandal is part of The Louisiana Living History Project that teaches locals and visitors about some of the amazing individuals who helped shape this city's fascinating history. The group gathers at the Hotel Monteleone at 11AM and departs into the French Quarter. A good place to watch for them is in front of the St. Louis Cathedral before and after Mass on Christmas Day. Some of the other characters include Marie Laveau, Andrew Jackson and Baroness Pontalba. Papa Noel also joins the festivities.
Andrew Jackson & Josie Arlington
For more Christmas Events go to
New Orleans Holiday Events
And for last minute Christmas shopping, check out the Mid City Art Market this Saturday at Palmer Park at South Claiborne and Carrollton Aves from 10-4.
Mid City Art Market
Also, don't forget to support your local businesses. For a list of businesses:
Stay Local
AMUSEZ-VOUS BIEN!
For more Christmas Events go to
New Orleans Holiday Events
And for last minute Christmas shopping, check out the Mid City Art Market this Saturday at Palmer Park at South Claiborne and Carrollton Aves from 10-4.
Mid City Art Market
Also, don't forget to support your local businesses. For a list of businesses:
Stay Local
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
THE POWER OF POWER SNATCH, jr.
We are sad to report that during our fabulously festive and fierce December bout, one of our best players went down – Captain Power Snatch, jr. Miss Snatch is well-known for not only her dedication to the admirable sport we call roller derby, but for her kicky fashion sense and wicked yes of humor. During the second half, Power Snatch took an incredibly hard hit. This hit would have sent even the toughest rollergirl into fits of hysteria, but Snatch crawled to the inside of the track and sat quietly. Unbeknownst to everyone around her, Miss Snatch suffered a broken ankle. But Snatch, who exemplifies the very essence of derby, stayed true to her philosophy, “The Game must go on!” None of her teammates knew the true extent of her injury until after Snatch drove herself to the ER and got X-rays!
Power Snatch, you are an inspiration!
Anti Em: Hope you heal fast, Snatch! You’re hardcore and fabulous and a kickass blocker and we love you!
Henry Roll-ins: Snatch, you’re a f@#*ing amazing human being. I’ve never seen anyone in that kind of pain smile as much as you managed to last night – you had me fooled. What a trooper!
Lt. Dan: I HEART Snatch!
Dynamite Dwalin’: Snatch, you are one of my favorite people in the league—I love your no-nonsense irreverent approach to pretty much everything. I am so sorry that your injury turned out to be a break. Here’s hoping you’ll be back on skates (and back in your multiple pairs of truly fabulous shoes) very soon.
The Countess: Snatch, you better be at practices, ‘cause BERG ain’t the same without you. You are a most excellent, strong, awesome lady, and you deserve all the support and all you’re reading here. In other words: I HEART Snatch!
Sophie Nuke ‘Em: You’re a great captain and an incredibly strong skater. From the you held up on Saturday after the bout, I would have guessed you had broken an ankle. Like the t-shirts say, I HEART Snatch!
SmasHer: I don’t know which impresses me most about you – your level-headed attitude or your fabulous costume sense. Either way, you are fantastic! I am proud to be under your leadership! I am ordering my “I HEART Snatch” shirt today!
Kelkat: Power Snatch is my hero!
Pontchartrain BeAtch: Snatch, I’m so sorry you broke your ankle. You are a trooper! Hope Holly didn’t flip out too much.
Mel: Snatch, remind me never to play poker with you… what a poker face! Get well soon, and if you need anything, just ask.
Beatrix sKiddo: Oh captain! My Captain!
Who needs ankles to rollerskate!
Marquee de Squad: You played a killer game, Snatch. It will heal, though – a break is clean and can heal well – I’ve broken the same ankle twice, so you can recover – don’t worry. Get well soon!
little maSCARa: Hope you feel better soon, Snatch.
CHEAP THR!LL: Snatch, you’re so hardcore! You crawled off the track into the other teams’ box and told everyone to keep the jam going… you are amazing. You’ll heal in no time and be back before you know it.
Little Miss Ruffit: Jeez-n-crackers, Snatch! What a stoic derby chick you are! You can count on me as your driver to and from practices, once you’re ready, since we work so close together. I’m sure I speak for all of us that we’re here for you if you need anything (I’m SUCH a mom).
And from the lady herself……
Power Snatch, jr: Thanks guys for all the well wishes and support. It feels great to have so many people care about me.
This sport is truly amazing in the way we come together for our skaters and refs.
I’m really proud to be part of BERG.
VVD, I hope I didn’t hurt your hand while EMS was working on me—I’m sure I squeezed the s@*t out of it. It was very sweet for you to be so supportive.
Thanks to all the people who carried my crap, me, got my car, and everything.
Kelkat, please tell your man thanks for me, too.
Sorry I played it cool and didn’t really tell everyone how bad it was. I didn’t want to stop the jam (I wanted to be sure my team could use all the time possible to try and pull out a few more points) and I didn’t want to rain on the after party. It was a hard played game and celebrations were in order!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Swirl in the City
Join the Big Easy Rollergirls at SWIRL this Friday, from 6:00 to 8:00PM, December 15th for their weekly wine event and pick up some tickets to their Saturday bout. Swirl is located in Mid City at 3143 Ponce de Leon. Their Mid City neighbor, Sylvia is back and they are matching great wines from her portfolio to selections from La Vita’s entrée menu. Free!
Enjoy wine, buy tickets, hang with SmasHer, Crusty McKnuckle, and meet two of our newest rollergirls Beatrix sKiddo and Anti ‘Em. What could be finer?
If you can’t get to Swirl to buy tickets for the bout this Saturday, there is still time at
BERG TICKETS
Or the doors open at 6PM at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World in Algiers Point.
Don’t miss Santa's Little Sleighers and The Tannenbombers vie for the Glory in Excelsis DERBY!
There will be live music from THE VETTES concessions, drinks and throws as BERG mascot, Ruthie the Duck Girl will have her trademark sack of gifts for the crowd.
And check out our fresh meat in their debut bout: Beatrix sKiddo and Ibeatya Amber for Santa's Little Sleighers and Lt. Dan for The Tannenbombers.
Give back to the community this holiday season! Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy or ornament to the bout, and spread cheer to those who need it most during the holidays. Your generosity will benefit The Arabi Wrecking Krewe and The Common Ground. Not only will your donations go to a great cause, but you'll receive a beverage ticket at the bout!
And thank you for all who turned up at Festivus this past Sunday. The Big Easy Rollergirls had a great time supporting the community.
And a special thanks to Scott Stuntz of MUTTSHOTZ PHOTOGRAPHY for the great photographs.
Monday, December 11, 2006
We are legitimized!
Roller Derby is officially legitimized! As fans of the Big Easy Rollergirls and other ass-kicking roller derby leagues, you have known all along the sheer power and indomitability of rollergirls. But now, the world is privy to our energy, athleticism and sheer audacious awesomeness. Because now…. we are on fabric!
Just today, this roller gal opened up her P.O. Box to find a package from her mother. Mind you, this is the same mother, who routinely sends me books on belly dancing or yoga with notes attached “an exercise that doesn’t leave bruises or scrapes.” It’s her subtle attempt to sway me from the finest sport ever invented! But after her recent visit, even she was lured by the passion and resolve of roller derby. So much in fact, that she made me a pillowcase out of this fine roller derby fabric.
Bask in the beauty of this masterpiece.
Enjoy! And live with the knowledge, that you, our dear fans, are ahead of your time!
We will see you this Saturday at the bout!
Just today, this roller gal opened up her P.O. Box to find a package from her mother. Mind you, this is the same mother, who routinely sends me books on belly dancing or yoga with notes attached “an exercise that doesn’t leave bruises or scrapes.” It’s her subtle attempt to sway me from the finest sport ever invented! But after her recent visit, even she was lured by the passion and resolve of roller derby. So much in fact, that she made me a pillowcase out of this fine roller derby fabric.
Bask in the beauty of this masterpiece.
Enjoy! And live with the knowledge, that you, our dear fans, are ahead of your time!
We will see you this Saturday at the bout!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
ADVENTURES IN AUSTIN AND AT HOME
Last weekend, The Big Easy Rollergirls took off for Austin, Texas to participate in a roller derby boot camp. Beatrix sKiddo, Anti ‘Em, Bruise Springsteen, Power Snatch Jr, Victoria von Doom, Ibeatya Amber & Henry Roll-ins all piled into a mini mini-van and headed off to ATX for three days for an unyielding, taxing and strenuous derby education at the hands of the capable, yet merciless Texas Rollergirls. Rollergirls came from all over to participate in a three-day event of hell on skates. Death By Chocolate “DBC,” my number-one Houston rollergirl, guiltily admitted to contributing many bruises and scratches to her own roller derby drill partner.
After a full day Saturday of drills, endurance skates and scrimmages, The Big Easy Rollergirls got a reprise to watch The Desert Rival Revival bout between the Tucson Saddletramp and
The Texecutioners
Dynamite Dwalin’, Diamond Grrrl and SmasHer, who were in town to celebrate Dynamite Dwalin’s birthday, joined their fellow BERG teammates at the bout.
The Birthday Girl, DBC, Diamond Grrrl
It was a momentous match with Texas ranking #1 and Tucson #2. Immediately BERG was impressed with both teams incredible speed. Rice Rocket was a standout with her tenacious spirit and agility. By the end of the first period, The Texecutioners were ahead 15-22.
Many of the Texas girls celebrated by performing with Karaoke Apocalypse. Belle Star quickly became my favorite with her riotous and enthusiastic performance.
Belle Star
By the second period, The Texacutioners had little to celebrate with a tied score of 38-38.
The Saddletramps, with fierce determination and strategic game playing and blocking by Deadlock Doe Holliday, courageously rallied.
At the end of the third period, yet again, the score was tied 59 to 59. A last two-minute jam was established.
Jammers Fisti Cuffs from The Saddletramps and Lucille Brawl from The Texacutioners lined up.
The crowd’s screams were purely corybantic as everyone yelled out their encouragements to their favored team. At the end of the two minutes, the teams huddled, anxiously waiting the refs’ decision. The Saddletramps were victorious! The Texacutioners, the “Godmothers of the roller derby” had been defeated for the first time. The first time in roller derby history!
The Victors
Saddletramps captain, Jezze Jamez, who played with such die-hard dogmatism, could not hold back her emotions as she openly sobbed, “Hard work pays off!”
Jezze Jamez
BERG and every other rollergirl were in awe and impressed with both teams skillful and passionate athletics.
And what did BERG learn at boot camp? Check out the next bout December 16th at Mardi Gras World to find out!
And in New Orleans….
The Big Easy Rollergirls KelKat, Crusty McKnuckle, Little Miss Ruffit & Trixie la Femme were out and spreading goodwill on skates at Festivus! The day was beautiful and clear, but cold. The aroma of freshly popped Kettle Corn and the exquisite fragrances from the lotions, soaps and candles mingled in the air. There were food vendors offering fresh pastries, chocolates, quesadillas, crepes and freshly squeezed Satsuma mimosas and bloody marys. The booths featured wildly diverse arts, crafts and wares of New Orleans’ merchants.
Trixie la Femme made friends with some little girls from “Girls First,” a non-profit that was set up to wrap presents for donations. They decided they wanted to become flatterers, too, and ran around the crowd to pass out tiny slips of paper with affirmative messages.
Kelkat, Crusty McKnuckle, Ruffit, Trixie la Femme
KelKat & Ruffit
Crusty McKnuckle
Galaxy Grrl was also out as a vendor.
Crusty McKnuckle & Galaxy Grrl
You can see her live this weekend at Festivus or
Check out her web sites at
Jeremy the Alien
Craft Mafia
Galaxy Grrl
Come out this weekend to once again catch The Big Easy Rollergirls as guest flatterers at Festivus, the holiday market for locals that features over 40 local artists, live music, food, Office of Homeland Serenity Massage, Flattery Booth and re-gifting station. The rollergirls will also be collecting decoration and toys at that time for families effected by Katrina AND selling tickets to the December bout.
The Big Easy Rollergirls love Vespa!
Festivus is located on 700 Magazine (corner of Gird) from 12-4.
We hope to see everyone out there!
After a full day Saturday of drills, endurance skates and scrimmages, The Big Easy Rollergirls got a reprise to watch The Desert Rival Revival bout between the Tucson Saddletramp and
The Texecutioners
Dynamite Dwalin’, Diamond Grrrl and SmasHer, who were in town to celebrate Dynamite Dwalin’s birthday, joined their fellow BERG teammates at the bout.
It was a momentous match with Texas ranking #1 and Tucson #2. Immediately BERG was impressed with both teams incredible speed. Rice Rocket was a standout with her tenacious spirit and agility. By the end of the first period, The Texecutioners were ahead 15-22.
Many of the Texas girls celebrated by performing with Karaoke Apocalypse. Belle Star quickly became my favorite with her riotous and enthusiastic performance.
By the second period, The Texacutioners had little to celebrate with a tied score of 38-38.
The Saddletramps, with fierce determination and strategic game playing and blocking by Deadlock Doe Holliday, courageously rallied.
At the end of the third period, yet again, the score was tied 59 to 59. A last two-minute jam was established.
Jammers Fisti Cuffs from The Saddletramps and Lucille Brawl from The Texacutioners lined up.
The crowd’s screams were purely corybantic as everyone yelled out their encouragements to their favored team. At the end of the two minutes, the teams huddled, anxiously waiting the refs’ decision. The Saddletramps were victorious! The Texacutioners, the “Godmothers of the roller derby” had been defeated for the first time. The first time in roller derby history!
Saddletramps captain, Jezze Jamez, who played with such die-hard dogmatism, could not hold back her emotions as she openly sobbed, “Hard work pays off!”
BERG and every other rollergirl were in awe and impressed with both teams skillful and passionate athletics.
And what did BERG learn at boot camp? Check out the next bout December 16th at Mardi Gras World to find out!
And in New Orleans….
The Big Easy Rollergirls KelKat, Crusty McKnuckle, Little Miss Ruffit & Trixie la Femme were out and spreading goodwill on skates at Festivus! The day was beautiful and clear, but cold. The aroma of freshly popped Kettle Corn and the exquisite fragrances from the lotions, soaps and candles mingled in the air. There were food vendors offering fresh pastries, chocolates, quesadillas, crepes and freshly squeezed Satsuma mimosas and bloody marys. The booths featured wildly diverse arts, crafts and wares of New Orleans’ merchants.
Trixie la Femme made friends with some little girls from “Girls First,” a non-profit that was set up to wrap presents for donations. They decided they wanted to become flatterers, too, and ran around the crowd to pass out tiny slips of paper with affirmative messages.
Galaxy Grrl was also out as a vendor.
You can see her live this weekend at Festivus or
Check out her web sites at
Jeremy the Alien
Craft Mafia
Galaxy Grrl
Come out this weekend to once again catch The Big Easy Rollergirls as guest flatterers at Festivus, the holiday market for locals that features over 40 local artists, live music, food, Office of Homeland Serenity Massage, Flattery Booth and re-gifting station. The rollergirls will also be collecting decoration and toys at that time for families effected by Katrina AND selling tickets to the December bout.
Festivus is located on 700 Magazine (corner of Gird) from 12-4.
We hope to see everyone out there!
Favorite Moments of the November Bout
Diamond Grrrrl: My fave moment, as a non-ref for this bout, was when the girls entered and Snatch threw out her t-shirts that said, “I heart Snatch” One missed the audience and people literally started clamoring for them like they were made of gold. I actually had to throw the stray one and the audience dove for it. It was a hot moment. I think you actually had to be there. And some of you were!
Crusty McKnuckle: Favorite moment at the after party was to look to the stage to surprisingly see Cherry, Blonde, Mascara, Baby Cakes & CHEAP THR!LL singing on stage with Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. CLASSIC!!!
Victoria von Doom: My favorite moment of the bout was in the bathroom at half time. Wit and I headed to the public restroom because (I can’t speak for Wit, but…) I’m a princess and I couldn’t wait for the portalette. While trying to unpin various costumes parts, a little girl approached us and said, “Y’all are really good” in the cute manner that only kids have. I remember being that little girls years ago (except I was at the theater and not the roller derby) and something about that makes me happy and nostalgic.Also, getting to Rock n Bowl and realizing that we finished breaking down Mardi Gras World so much quicker than before.
And one more, just 3 words: Sophie, Cheap, Shotgun.
Little Miss Ruffit: I got a kick out of seeing my daughter Cassidy’s friend, Jesse collecting hugs from several rollergirls after the bout. He was in heaven!
Sophie Nuke ‘Em: Favorite part of the bout – Babycakes and I were both in the penalty box, and she jokingly hit me with her shoulder, and I gave her a little hug. It was a good reminder that even though the league is split into two teams, and we play really hard against each other, we’re still one league, and I like everyone in it.My favorite part of the post-bout-shotgunning beer with Cheap and how excited Mace and I were at the prospect of drinking Irish car bombs.
Countess: I love the way the volunteers are so hard working, especially at the post-bout clean up. After each bout, they immediately started breaking down the track, chairs, etc. The people in those yellow shirts are everywhere, pulling tape, bringing over a trash can, carrying heavy tables, picking up the nasty left-over beer soaked trash, and always cheerful, always excited about the skaters! I especially have to mention two young men (not more than 10 or 11) who were attacking the tape, without any adult direction (or nagging) and they were doing a great job of it!
CHEAP THR!LL: I think my favorite moment during the bout was the one when I heard the announcer say that the Legion of Zoom jammer (not sure which one) was passing Axles of Evil left and right but, “Can she get past CHEAP THR!LL?” I heard him say that and somehow found it in me to sprint up and slam into her. I think I knocked more people to the ground this month than during either previous bout! Especially during the last jam when it was apparent that we wouldn’t win. Maybe it was the heat of the moment, but during the last jam it felt like every time the jammer came around I took her out! Maybe it’s just delusions of grandeur… either way, it felt good!
Kelkat: My favorite moment was briefly looking over to where my family was sitting to see my son, Riley cheering for me. It was his first bout and he really got into it.
Shay-Bay: I can think of many inappropriate posts, but I would have to say maybe a guy (one of Mace’s friends) came up to me, with Mace, of course, and said he was my new fan. He was shy. It was cute. He gave me a handshake. I told him that maybe next bout, I’ll look for him and send a rollergirl from the other team into his lap to meet. I am now somebody!I also heard the announcer say, “What? She got past the wall of Shay-Bay?” At that moment, I found my feet and took off like lightening towards the jammer and knocked her. The reply in my head was, “No, she’s not getting past me!”
Another great moment was playing trivial pursuit with people at Pal’s.
SmasHer: My favorite moment of the bout was putting on skates for the first time since August. September bout, I was still in a leg brace and hobbled out on the rink. October bout, I walked on the rink. November bout, I actually got to skate my introduction lap. It was only one lap, but it was a start! I hope to be out playing on the rink soon.
Marquee de Squad: My favorite moment – looking at Cherry Pi in the last or second-to-last jam- and she is a front blocker—and she is totally laughing and grinning like a little kid. She seemed to be having a blast! I was laughing myself… and she was taunting the pivot, welcoming the opposing player to “bring it.” It was priceless. Above all else, I remember, and am still in the throes of my overwhelming pride for my team. The game played perfectly as if it came straight from my most optimistic ideas. I am the luckiest captain alive!
Mace m Dixon: The memory of me sliding under the float will stay with me from now on, and creeping out from under there to keep going was a little personal feat of my own. I’d like to see anyone else take about 6 consecutive clear open hits from CHEAP, Snatch, Kelkat and keep coming back for more even if I wearily crawled to my skates at the end.My additional favorite moments also included: Clapping when the new lights and light covers were lit up Saturday morning during set-up. Almost a complete track, yes!
Playing makeup before bout time in the dressing room and gasping at Scabby’s grand entrance in her sparkly special outfit.
Diamond Grrrl yelling “derby girl comin’ through!” as she escorted me through Juan’s line to the dressing room at half-time, what a way to run things!
Having my little rally of friends and family come up after the game after I was just beat down in the last jam, and realizing it was all worth it!
Gabbing in the bathroom at Rock ‘n Bowl while the 80’s class reunion people stared in amazement, dishing with DBC on tops and things and her calling me ‘Mama’ every once in awhile, air hockey, Irish car bombs, and talking into the wee hours at Pal’s and thinking about how I was missing Mod Party with maSCARa in the late-late crew at Circle Bar.
Power Snatch jr: My favorite part was seeing so much improvement in so many skaters on both teams and thinking about how great it will be to surprise Sin City with some killer jammers, blockers and hitters. This league really has amazing talent all over the place, and the costumes were just fabulous! And yes, I am in awe of Von Doom’s rear!My other favorite is that Vandal got to be a pirate…finally!
Cherry Pi: A couple of moments I remember from after the bout: I really enjoyed playing air hockey at Pal’s against CHEAP. She is a dangerous opponent. I suggest wearing a mouthguard when playing her.I also introduced some guy to Beatrix telling her that he wants to be a ref, when really, he just came up to me, pointed at Beatrix and said, “I wanna meet that ref.” I happily obliged. Beatrix started telling him about ref preparation.
Trixie la Femme: After the bout three little boys came up to me and asked if they could take a picture... WITH ME! I happily did so. One of the moms came up to me and said, "My son has his FIRST CRUSH on you!" She was so proud her little boy was growing up. And I said I was proud cuz I finally get to be somebody's first crush!
