Who Dat in the Oaks?

Come celebrate the holiday season and The New Orleans' Saints (the city's second-favorite team next to The Big Easy Rollergirls) at Celebration in the Oaks in City Park.

On Saturday, December 19th, cheer The Saints on to their next victory against the Dallas Cowboys. Stroll through the 23rd annual Celebration in the Oaks and then watch the big game at 7PM on two big screen TVs at The Holiday Cafe and Celebration Cafe. Those dressed in Black & Gold get $1 off the $7 admission.

Celebration in the Oaks includes the fabled Carousel and the train, which will take patrons on an enchanted journey highlighted by an electrifying light display along City Park Avenue, and the Botanical Garden decked out in its holiday glory.

New favorites will include exhibits such as the Musical Light Harps, Cone, and Venusian Swamp Lily in the Botanical Garden and the Himalaya in the amusement park.

Open nightly through December 30 Friday and Saturday 6pm-11pm

Sunday-Thursday 6pm-10pm
Closed December 24 and 25

$7 per person, children under 3 and Friends of City Park enter free.

Cocktails for K9s and Felines

Please support The Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) in their annual fundraiser. ARNO is an organization created and dedicated to the rescue and aid of abandoned and homeless animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi, including responding to the immediate needs of those animals in need of medical care, or who have been neglected, abused and deprived of love. ARNO promotes the foster, adoption and reunion of pets with caretakers, as well as spaying/neutering of all companion animals.

This Friday, December 18th from 6 to 9PM they are hosting a Cocktails for K9s and Felines at the Creole Gardens Guest House located at 1415 Prytania.

Tickets are $20 at the door and they include some wonderful edibles, one free drink, a chance at a grand prize, and music by Jumpin' Johnny Sansone.

There will also be a raffle for many fabulous prizes, and a cash bar. All of the proceeds will benefit ARNO.

For more information, please call 504-289-2777

Roller Derby Clinic & Tryouts!

SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROLLERGIRL?

It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it and that someone could be you!

We are offering a skating clinic December 10th at The Westbank Skate Country located at 1100 Terry Parkway from 6:00 to 8:30pm. This clinic will help you get started on the basic skills of derby: falling, stopping, crossovers, maneuvering around objects, and, of course, skating! The cost is only $15.



Our rollergirls will let you use their skates, pads, but please provide your own mouth guard. We will teach you how to skate, you just need to bring your drive and determination.

We are holding our next league tryouts on January 14th from 6:00 - 8:30pm at Skate Country.

So, if you can commit to regular skating practices, monthly participation in bouts, pay dues and get your own gear... Then contact us to reserve your spot for the clinic and tryouts!

That next rock-star on the rink could be you!

Please email: Membership@bigeasyrollergirls.com

Canal Street Krewe of Kringle Parade

Come out for The Canal Street Krewe of Kringle Parade on Saturday, December 5th.

The parade rolls at 11AM from the Convention Center Blvd up Canal Street and past the Roosevelt Hotel Grand Reviewing Stands at Baronne Street.



Aside from your favorite rollergirls on skates, the parade will also include sky-high, stilt walking candy canes, marching bands, mascots from the Hornets, Saints, and Zephyrs, the Honeybees and the pint-sized Stingers, the Rolling Elvi, pageant queens, Muff-A-Lottas, and of course, the most venerable Canal Street character of all, Mr. Bingle!

The outdoor holiday concert will begin at approximately 12:00 noon, directly following the parade.

Jeremy Davenport of the Davenport Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Tim Laughlin of the Roosevelt Hotel will be joined by local female vocalists as well as the gospel music group Shades of Praise.

Kermit Ruffins will also make a special guest appearance!

HAMP FEST!

HAMP FEST is a revolutionary new NOLA music festival geared at raising awareness and funding to help fight HIV in New Orleans.

This first annual benefit music festival will be donating all profits to NOLA HIV agencies.

Regular tickets are $15 online at The Howling Wolf or $20 at the door, VIP tickets are $75 and include free drinks and food on NOLA Brewing, Firefly Vodka, and Maya's restaurant.

The Big Easy Rollergirls will be there with special appearances by KRE of the Rolling Elvi, The Pussyfooters, Zulu, Phat Phat and All That, and Fleur De Tease.

Fashion Show Presented by Rocbottom Clothing and featuring many of The Big Easy Rollergirls!

Raffle and Silent Auction with many fine pieces of artwork from NOLA community artists. Free onsite HIV testing by NO/AIDS Task Force.

Main Stage Schedule - Presented by "NOSIDA" sponsored by Canon Hospice and St. Johns

Hosted by - Two Cent
6:00-6:50 Wisebird
7:00-8:00 Kermit Ruffins
8:05-8:45 Jeff & Vida
8:55-10:00 Rebirth Brass Band
10:05-10:20 Rocbottom Fashion Show
10:20-11:20 Trombone Shorty
11:20-11:25 Raffle Drawings
11:25-11:40 Fleur De Tease
11:45-12:45 Soul Rebels
12:40-1:10 Dee-1
1:15-1:40 5th Ward Weebie
1:45-2:10 The Show

Acoustic Stage Schedule - Presented by "The Rusty Nail"

7:00-8:00 Luke Benson/Maya Soueidi
8:00-9:00 Jon Roniger
9:00-10:00 Mike Wadsworth
10:00-11:00 HG Breland with HG Meyers
11:00-12:00 Jon Hebert and Terrina Russell
12:00-1:00 Adam Hammock

Support a community festival to help fight HIV in New Orleans!

St Andrew's Day

Come celebrate St. Andrew's Day in New Orleans! On Saturday, November 28th 2009 at Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits on 600 Poland Avenue,

Brought to you by our very own Reverend Psych Ward and NolaBulls.

With a bagpipe-led parade, traditional scavenger hunt, fortunetelling, tarot card reading, vodka tasting, and even a kielbasa-eating contest, St. Andrew's Day will transform Bacchanal into a mystical wonderland of infinite delights!

Rising-star chef Stephen Stryjewski of New Orleans' Cochon is catering the event!

Placki Kartoflane: Potato Pancakes

Kielbasa z Rusztu: Grilled Polish Sausage

Romlopsy: Pickled Herring with mustard, onions, and pickles

Paczki: Fruit jam-filled doughnuts

Chrusciki: Fried doug

Pierogi Ruski: Cheese and potato dumplings with sour cream

Bigos: Meat and sauerkraut stew with ham, bacon, sausage, and mushrooms

Golabki: Cabbage rolls with rice and meat braised in tomato gravy

Barszcz Czerwony: Beet soup

Festivities begin at 5pm and continue until after midnight

5: Gates open!

6:30: Bagpipe-led parade with The Big Easy Rollergirls
7:15: Kielbasa-eating contest
7:30: DeBauche (Russian Hooligan Music)
8:30: Scavenger hunt begins and DJ Butterfoot (Balkan Breaks, SissyGypsy)
9:30: Klezmurder (Funky Yiddish Music)
10:30: Dr. Gumbo (Balkan Mashups, Bucovina Dub)
11:15: Mud-wrasslin'!

Participants (that means you) are required to wear any combination of blue and white clothing and accessories.

Tickets are $10 and available at the door.

Free if it is your birthday (must provide valid ID)! A portion of our proceeds will benefit the International High School (IHS) of New Orleans

NEWBIE BOUT RECAP!

On November 14th, sixteen of our newbies skated in their debut bout.
The Wild Turkeys took on Santa’s Slayers.

Captained by Nasty, The Wild Turkeys’ roster included: Ammeaux, Anne GoLA, Herculetta, Megumi Nasty, Rogue Roulet, Roxy Monoxide, Snake, Turbo Doll, and veteran skater lacy underalls with bench coaches Crusty McKnuckle and ChessTosterone.

THE WILD TURKEYS

Captained by Afro, Santa’s Slayers roster included: Afro-F'N-Die-T, Combats Domino, DauFiend, Marilyn Merlot, Menopause Maniac, Quasi-MoFo, Tchouper, Vieux Careen, and veteran skater Beatrix sKiddo with bench coaches MILF Duds and Deb U Taunt.

SANTA'S SLAYERS

With both teams evenly matched, The Turkeys took an early five-point lead. The Slayers fought back with consistent blocking and scoring. Both teams demonstrated excellent pack awareness and strong hitting.

Gola scores the first five points of the bout

Fiend scored 4 points in her first jam

Roxie helps hold back the Slayers

Afro fights her way through the pack

In the end, while the Slayers shut down the Turkeys in the final jam, it was still not enough for them to gain the lead and The Turkeys were victorious with a final score of 31 to 29. As proud bench coach, Chess pointed out “The turkeys didn't let their feathers get too ruffled; the first rule of zen derby!”

Victory!

Rogue from The Turkeys scored the most points per jam with 9 points.

Lead jammer, Rogue

Vieux from The Slayers followed with an 8-point jam.

Vieux moves past lacy to score some points

Vieux also scored the most points overall for a total of 15; almost half of her team’s points! Vieux was also pleased with her debut bout. “I loved being able to play and I had the time of my life! I loved the adrenaline and the competitiveness of the whole event. Afro, our fearless leader, helped build up the confidence of our team, which motivated me to go out and do my best! Afro is a rockstar!”

Congratulations to all of our newbie skaters who broke, shattered, and burst their bout cherries. You played hard and clean, and made us all very proud.

Come out and support your local artists!

For over ten years, ARTDOCS has provided medical care to visual artists, writers and perfomring artists in New Orleans who lack health coverage. Since 1999, ARTDOCS has seen over 2500 artist patients providing routine care and other important medical services.

On Thursday, November 19th they will be holding a live auction at 851 Magazine Street. There will be music, art, fire-eaters, circus performers, and The Big Easy Rollergirls.

DJ Soul Sister starts at 6:30 PM.

The auction starts at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available at the door: $15 individuals/$25 couples.

Preview The Artworks Now!

ARTDOCS provides healthcare services to full-time artists in the New Orleans area who are uninsured or under-insured and whose income falls below 2 times the 2009 federal poverty level of $10,830. This means any uninsured artist in New Orleans currently making under $21,660 now qualifies for the program.

ARTDOCS will cover the costs of office visits with a family physician, including associated lab fees.

For medical appointments or general inquiries, please call: 504.827.2833.

The Last Bout of the Year!

Join The Big Easy Rollergirls for their last bout of the year! We will be Brawling on the Bayou November 14th at UNO's HPC. UNO's Human Performance Center is located on the corner of Leon C. Simon & Elysian Fields. The doors open at 6PM.

Newbie Exhibition Bout at 6:45! Come check out the rollergirl stars of tomorrow!

Our glorious Newbies

At 7pm The Big Easy Rollergirls face off against the Gulf Coast Allstars.

Your Big Easy Rollergirls

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, $6 for children.

Our charity this month is HandsOn New Orleans. HandsOn has evolved from a disaster response project into a thriving resource center for grassroots service project by launching an array of new programs; including a Tool Lending Library, a Youth Engagement Corps, and no-cost Volunteer Leader Trainings. We will be holding a 50/50 raffle to benefit this local organization.

The Krewe of the Rolling Elvi and The Pussyfooters will guest star.

Half-time entertainment by The Tomatoes.

The Tomatoes

Buy your tickets now! Or you can stop by the Freret Market, this Saturday from 12 to 5 to purchase your ticket live from a real rollergirl. You can also enjoy over a hundred vendors and free live music. The Freret Market is located on the corner of Freret Street and Napoleon Ave.

After the bout, party with us at The Kerry Irish Pub in the French Quarter at 331 Decatur.

The Big Easy Rollergirls at Voodoo Fest!

Who do the Voodoo? We do!

The Big Easy Rollergirls will be at the entrance of The Voodoo Experience every day of the festival from 10 to 11am, 1 to 2pm, and 4-5pm. We will be skating in front of the New Orleans Art Museum on 1 Collin Diboll Circle. We will have flyers and tickets to sell. You can also catch us skating around the festival - be careful of our hip checks!

The Big Easy Rollergirls are also proud and pleased that so many of the bands and performers of The Voodoo Experience are part of The BERG family. Please be sure and check out the following acts and show your derby love for them.

Friday, October 30th

Ratty Scurvics: 11am at the Bingo! Parlor

The Vettes: 3pm at the Voodoo Stage

The New Orleans Bingo! Show: 6:45 at the Bingo Parlor

Saturday, October 31st

The White Bitch: 12:15pm at the Bingo! Parlor

Zydepunks: 1:30pm at the Bingo! Parlor

The New Orleans Bingo! Show: 2:45pm at the Bingo! Parlor

Sunday, November 1st

MC Trachiotomy: 10:45am at the Bingo! Parlor

Suplecs: 1:15pm at the Bingo! Parlor

Fleur de Tease: 2:45pm at the Bingo! Parlor

Quintron & Miss Pussycat: 5:45pm at the Bingo! Parlor

And be sure to swing by The Antigravity booth and pick up a copy of their recent magazine for your guide to alternative New Orleans.

October 10th Bout Recap!

On Saturday, October 10th The Big Easy Rollergirls faced off against the Southern Misfits Rollergirls of Petal, MS in our first lagniappe season game at the UNO Human Performance Center.

The Big Easy Rollergirls

The Southern Misfits

Team Captains were Coalminer's Slaughter and Balls-Out Betty.

As usual, we had the lovely and delightful Pussyfooter Cheerleaders and The Krewe of The Rolling Elvi on hand for your enjoyment.

Go, Pussyfooters!

Halftime entertainment was provided by Slack Adjustor.

Slack Adjustor rocks the crowd!

Our charity was HandsOn New Orleans. HandsOn has evolved from a disaster response project into a thriving resource center for grassroots service project by launching an array of new programs; including a Tool Lending Library, a Youth Engagement Corps, and no-cost Volunteer Leader Trainings. We held a 50/50 raffle to benefit this local organization.

The bout action started immediately with Wit Vicious dominating as jammer. She scored 45 points in the first period, almost half of BERG points - and in only 3 jams! Wit had the most points scored in a jam with 20!

Wit keeps her eye on the prize!

Animal, lacy, and Betty kept control of the pack as pivots.

ChessTosterone, Deb, and MILF delivered some powerful hits in the pack.

Crusty stepped in as jammer and scored 17 points in one jam, the second highest for the night.

lacy assists Crusty in her 17-point jam

Animal steps in as jammer

The crowd cheers on The Big Easy Rollergirls

Betty clears the way for Rowdy to get through

The Southern Misfits rallied in the second half scoring 80% of their points, but were still unable to gain enough points for a victory. The final score was 192-48.

Thank you to the wonderful women of The Southern Misfits.

Photos by Scott Stuntz of Scott Stuntz Photography.

October 10th Bout

On Saturday, October 10th The Big Easy Rollergirls face off against the Southern Misfits Rollergirls of Petal, MS in our first lagniappe season game at the UNO Human Performance Center.

The Big Easy Rollergirls

The Southern Misfits

UNO's Human Performance Center is located on the corner of Leon C. Simon & Elysian Fields.

Doors open at 6pm and action starts at 7pm. Tickets are $12 IN ADVANCE, $15 at the door, $6 for children 5 to 12. Children 5 and under are free.

Half-time entertainment from Slack Adjustor.

Our charity this month is HandsOn New Orleans. HandsOn has evolved from a disaster response project into a thriving resource center for grassroots service project by launching an array of new programs; including a Tool Lending Library, a Youth Engagement Corps, and no-cost Volunteer Leader Trainings. We will be holding a 50/50 raffle to benefit this local organization.

The Big Easy Rollergirls, in conjunction with Rhino Records, are sponsoring a Whip It Movie Contest! You can win a new Whip It CD, poster, and two season passes to the Big Easy Rollergirls' 2010 Season!
To enter, all you have to do is buy a ticket to the Big Easy Rollergirls next home bout. Three winners will be selected by random drawing at half-time.

Join us for the afterparty at King Pin located at 1307 Lyons.

Whip It Movie Premiere!

The Big Easy Rollergirls will be guest stars on Wednesday, September 30th for The Whip It Movie Premiere at Elmwood AMC 20 Palace Theatre on 1200 Elmwood Park Blvd.

We will be there at 6:30pm for a meet and greet, and a quick Q&A before the film. The film starts at 7:30pm.

Tonight, some of the rollergirls will pass out premiere movie tickets and Whip It schwag in the CBD at LePhare on 523 Gravier Street starting at 10pm.

If you miss them tonight, you can get your tickets and swag tomorrow night, Saturday, September 26th, when more of the rollergirls will be at Club Voila on 300 Decatur Street from 5pm to 7pm.

One pass admits two. Seating is limited, tickets are not a guarantee of admission. Please come early.

Whip It is released by Fox Searchlight and features the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore (a woman who embodies the rollergirl psyche and substance). It stars Ellen Page (Juno) as Bliss, a rebellious Texas teen who throws in her small-town beauty pageant crown to throw down on the roller rink.

Drew with some rollergirls

Written by Shauna Cross, a former Roller Derby skater with the Los Angeles Derby Dolls. Cross skated under the name Maggie Mayhem with a team of rouge cops called the Sirens. Many of the teams, skaters, names and plot lines were inspired by Cross' time with the Derby Dolls. She was named by Variety Magazine as 10 Screenwriters to Watch! We are so proud of her! Go Shauna!

The film opens nationwide on Friday, October 2nd.

Walk That Extra Mile!

On Saturday, September 26th, members of The Big Easy Rollergirls and The Krewe of The Rolling Elvi are going to walk that Extra Mile in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority.

The walk takes place at Lafreniere Park in Metairie located at 3000 Downs Blvd.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Tent near the Park Center Pavilion.

The Walk Starts at 9 a.m. The track is two miles long.

The Extra Mile is a statewide network of professional staff and volunteers dedicated to enhancing and enriching the quality of life for all persons served by public human services agencies. Since 1991, these non-profit organizations have helped persons served by the Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority, Metropolitan Human Services District, Florida Parishes Human Services District, and the State Offices of Mental Health, Public Health, Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Disorders. The Extra Mile programs across the state provide education, support, advocacy, monetary assistance, and program development to fill needs as determined by individual communities. These resources include the time and talent of many dedicated volunteers and donors working together to provide clothing, food, merchandise, in kind services from individuals and businesses, support for individuals and families, community education, advocacy and cash.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

• Share a special talent or interest you may have…be a friend.
• Advocate for persons who have human services needs.
• Educate your family and friends about mental illness, addictive disorders, and developmental disabilities. Personal experience and stories are the most effective.
• Sponsor an Activity (Consumer Outing, Monthly Birhtday Club Party, Holidays, etc.)
• Donate funds or clothing to help those in need

To make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check to: The Extra Mile; 2332 Severn Ave Suite 100; Metairie, LA 70001.

Calling All Volunteers

The Big Easy Rollergirls are gearing up for their October 10th bout at UNO's Human Performance Center and we want you to be involved!

REQUIREMENTS: Be reliable, punctual, and have a "Viva La Derby" attitude!

Volunteer duties include, but are not limited to the following: track assembly, ticket takers, handing out programs, directing foot-traffic, and merch sales.

In exchange for your awesome derby spirit, you will be able to see part of the action on bout day, get to meet and mingle with the Rollergirls, and receive a free ticket to a future event.

We are holding a Volunteer Seminar with Victoria von Doom, Thursday, October 8th at 7:30 pm at Skate Country, located at 1100 Terry Parkway.

To RSVP to this event, or for more information, please email us at volunteers@bigeasyrollergirls.com

Dog Wash this Saturday!

Calling all sullied Spaniels, grubby Greyhounds, and pig-pen Pomeranians!

On Saturday, September 19th bring all your dirty doggies out to the Crescent City Farmer's Market from 8:30 to 11:30 located at Magazine and Girod Street.

For only $10, your canine companion can get an all-natural, moisturizing wash and dry by The Big Easy Rollergirls!