The Albany All Stars Roller Derby Blog

V for Vendetta, Julietta Vendetta that is...

2010-12-16T23:34:00.006-05:00

Vendetta playing for the Manhattan Mayhem. Photo by Darren Mayhem.

*I'd like to preface this by saying that before I ever went to my first practice I went roller skating to try out my new gear. I ran into V there who noticed I had derby skates on and she took it upon herself to help me with stops. She wasn't even part of the league yet. Not only is she an incredible player but she really does love helping her leaguemates improve themselves. I'm honored to have her on my team.~Snuggles

A Providence Roller Derby bout at the Bank of America Rink. Photo by Richard McCaffrey.

A radio ad changed my life. In May of 2005, I heard a radio promo for a roller derby bout on my drive home from work. At the time, I was a quiet 21 year old working as a research assistant in a Sleep Lab at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. I was just married to my high school sweetheart, a medical student at Brown. I drove a Volvo. I had few friends other than my work and my husband’s medical school pals.

On that ride home, I heard an ad for something that sounded pretty awesome: all-female roller derby at the Bank of America Skating Rink in downtown Providence. I had seen roller derby on television when I was a kid, and I remember thinking it looked really fun, although I had no idea what I was watching. I don’t remember comprehending that it was a game, just people skating around trying to knock each other down.

The Bank of America Rink was within walking distance of my apartment, so I dragged my husband down to check it out. It was amazing – roller skating, brawls, crazy uniforms, hilarious announcers, and the penalty box was a toilet. After witnessing Providence Roller Derby’s first bout, I remember thinking, “I could do that.” I had not put on skates for over 10 years. I immediately went home to look up PRD’s website to join. I went to the next practice, and I’ve been playing derby ever since.

Providence Roller Derby circa 2007. Photo by Dr. Vendetta.

What a fun ride this has been. I skated with Providence for four seasons and travelled the country skating for their all-star travel team, the Rhode Island Riveters. Highlights included co-captaining a home team, the Sakonnet River Roller Rats, captaining the Killah Bees B-level travel team, and playing at WFTDA Eastern Regionals. We worked our asses off, not only on the track but also on the business end of the league. I worked on almost every league committee, and that experience has helped me land some great jobs in the real world. Most of all, I made some of the best friends that a girl could ask for.

Guest playing for the Brooklyn Bombshells. Photo by Darren Mayhem.

In July of 2008, we packed up and moved to the middle of Manhattan when my husband landed a job at a hospital there. I immediately transferred to the number one league in the country at that time, Gotham Girls Roller Derby. I probably should have been more intimidated about joining them – I worked my ass off to just keep up! I got to play with some of my derby idols like Beyonslay, Ginger Snap, Suzy Hotrod, and Bonnie Thunders. I was practicing five days a week at one point, playing on three teams: their fresh meat team, The Meatpacking District; their B-level travel team, The Wall Street Traitors; and my home team, The Manhattan Mayhem. I also took on the massive job of Head of Bout Production, which included organizing a support staff of over 100 people for each monthly bout and transporting Gotham’s massive sport-court floor to and from the venue. I must say I learned more there about the sport than in my past four years with Providence combined. However, as my husband’s job was only a one-year contract, we were again off to new adventures…

Winning MVP for the Hellions of Troy. Photo by Ida Feltersnatch.

So here we are in Albany! I first joined the Hellions of Troy, and I continued to grow as a skater by working more on my pivoting and jamming than I ever had, and was able to draw on my experience with my past two leagues to help them with coaching and strategy. My time with them was highlighted by my MVP award that I received when we played against CNY Roller Derby (Utica, NY). However, in June of 2010 after much thought, I made the tough decision that the Albany All-Stars were likely a better fit for me.

As I begin my seventh season with the All-Stars, I am thrilled to be a part of this league. I am constantly learning new things from my teammates and coaches, while also getting to help coach the fresh meat. I’m also back to practicing four days a week, which I really missed from my Gotham days. I can’t wait to play my first bout with my home team, The Department of Public Hurts, at the Armory! Here’s hoping for many more years on the track – I’m just getting started.

A Derby Girl's Letter to Santa

2010-12-13T06:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa,
I've been a pretty good derby girl this year. I've made the majority of practices, trained at the gym on some of my off days, and do my squats at home. I know I may have thrown some elbows, cut the track, and back blocked here and there, but none of it was intentional, I swear. So, since I have been more nice than naughty (I'm saving the naughty for when I am ready to scrimmage and bout, at which time I'm sure I will have NO business asking you for anything), I am submitting to you my wish list of presents.

Thanks in advance,
Crash N Carrie

1. A hot tub.
What derby girl would not like to luxuriate in a hot tub after a long, arduous practice?

2. Unlimited spending at Wicked Skatewear.

3. A case of ibuprofen.
Cuz there are days there would not be functioning without it.

4. Inflatable leg wraps.
OK, this is the most ridiculous looking invention ever... but the more I looked at it, the more my 39-year-old derby girl self thought these might feel really good after practice!

5. Ice packs.
Cuz you can never have too many.

6. A heating pad.
I don't have one, but I imagine it's a good thing.

7. Weekly massages at Back In Balance with Bethany.
(OK, it's a shameless plug, but she is really that good!)

8. New sneakers.
I need something decent for when we do "dry land" exercises.

9. Lots and lots of knee socks.
I especially like these. I find raccoons very pleasing.

10. A year's supply of Biofreeze.
I don't advocate using it too much, but when you need it, man is it good stuff. (Can be purchased at Back In Balance!)

11. Renew my subscription to fiveonfive magazine

12. Speedy recoveries for all the injured players, and cupcakes and beer for all derby girls I love.

Happy Holidays!
Love,
Crash N Carrie

Big Hits, Big Hearts

2010-12-07T00:12:00.002-05:00

Jerry Seltzer (the father of Roller Derby) asked on Facebook, "For those who want to respond, can you comment on what your league is doing for the good of humans and animals this Holiday season? I think the world should know."

Our own Julietta Vendetta put together a list of what various leagues are doing this holiday season:

The Molly Roger RollerGirls is participating in Toys for Tots as an official drop off site.

SACRED is hosting PLACER COUNTY Canned Food Drive in Roseville on Dec 12th! To help fill the food kitchens in Placer!

Tahoe Derby Dames "Adopted a Family" from South Lake Tahoe Woman's Center...granting them things on their Christmas wish list :)

Undead Bettys are skating and reffing/NSO-ing at Red Red! Which benifits the Sacramento, CA Food Banks!

Albany All Stars Roller Derby is running in the Santa Speedo Sprint, which is raising money for a local organization that helps those with/affected by HIV/AIDS.

Omaha Rollergirls is throwing a Black & Blue Ball, proceeds go to the Hefflinger Dog Park.

El Paso roller derby is helping collect toys for tots.

Renegade Rollergirls of San Diego are collecting canned goods for the local food bank.

Central NY Roller Derby is helping to collect toys for a local fundraiser called Jams for Tots.

Burlington, Vermont Bombers (men's and women's teams) donated to the local Food Shelf for Thanksgiving and are collecting food, cash, clothing, and toy donations for local agencies in the area to benefit families in need this holiday season.

Queen City Roller Girls (www.qcrg.net) in Buffalo, NY have helped collect canned goods for the Food Bank, are diving into Lake Erie to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics, and are collecting Toys for Tots at our holiday party.

Pikes Peak Derby Dames recently had our annual skate-a-thon and will be donating a large amount of cash to Big Brothers Big Sisters. and we're also collecting Toys for Tots at our last bout of the season on December 11!

This is the 5th year Sac City Rollers have dedicated December to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. We love what we do.

Jet City Rollergirls' annual Santa Skate 12/12 at the Everett Skate Deck, we will be collecting gift card donations again for the Battered Women's Shelter and canned food for the food bank! Last year we raised over $700 for the women's shelter.

The Camel City Thrashers (Triad Area of NC) are currently collecting new toys to be used as gifts for the children at the Childrens Home Society.

Questionable Meat

2010-12-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

A post by GW Shart. Photos by KD Bang.

I am questionable meat. New girls are often referred to as fresh meat, and we on AASRD have referred to our more seasoned players as rancid meat. I fall somewhere right in the middle; I’m not seasoned but I’m definitely not fresh. Questionable meat: you should probably overcook me.

I joined derby about 11 months ago, I’ve yet to play in a bout but I’m hoping for sometime in our 2011 season to show off everything I’ve learned in the last year.

I’m not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. I am in fact the opposite of an athlete, a couch-lete, if you will. I know some of us in AASRD were never soccer players or softball pitchers in high school. The difference is that I get more competitive with age. I grew up wanting to just be good at something. Now, I want to be the best at everything I do. No lie--there are even board games that exist that my friends WILL not play with me because I just get “too intense”. I want to win, I want to knock you over, I want to send you out of bounds. It’s no longer good enough for me to be just “good enough”. I want to be the best derby player I could possibly be.

But derby for me is more than just the sport; it’s become my other life. I always felt like, in my group of friends, that I was the different one. I was the one that stuck out; I have tattoos and I dye my hair. I’m loud, aggressive and I love gross jokes.

When I joined derby this year, it didn’t take me too long to realize that I had found something really special. My teammates love gross jokes and have tattoos. We stand together as women who enjoy being sent sprawling across the floor, only to get up as fast as possible and do it all again.

My whole “adult” life, I’ve been looking for my person: my partner in crime, someone I could spend the rest of my life with, someone to love and be loved by. But what I’ve found is even more amazing-- I’ve found my people; 65+ women who are my partners in crime, my “let’s go grab a drink, it’s been a rough day” girl friends, my “look at my bruise!” best friends. We’re the people who always stuck out and now we fit in: with each other. Some people spend their whole lives waiting to fit in, waiting to find something, waiting to be entirely accepted. I find myself uncharacteristically lucky that I have found these people who fill in to every corner of my heart, who love me for exactly who I am, who “get” me.

So you could call this my love letter to my derby sisters and wives (I have 3 derby wives, in case you were wondering). That’s really what this is. I have fallen in love with these women: they are strong and amazing. I laugh harder, skate faster and my life is filled to the brim with love.

Derby Can Really Change a Person

2010-11-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Photo by Ann Yoo

By Brass Snuggles

My whole life I have been the opposite of an athlete. I was always one of the last to be picked in gym and I was fine with that. Usually it meant I got to play outfield where nothing much happened or use the tennis court that was the furthest out where my slacker friends and I would just goof off. I hung out with the art and theater crowd, which meant I spent a lot of my free time drinking coffee and chain smoking with other frail people.

Even if I had an inkling of wanting to learn a sport or become more athletic I didn't have the opportunity. I went to a high school that has produced several Olympians and professional athletes. If you hadn't already been playing your chosen sport since you were in Elementary school, you didn't even bother trying out. There was no "learning a sport," instead there was "making you so good at this sport that we can win State and colleges will be falling all over themselves for you."

So I would be competitive in other ways and just sort of let my body go to hell. In fact I never exercised on purpose, and of my own choosing, until I was a Senior in college. I figured somehow a few days a week on the elliptical for a few months would somehow undo the horrors I'd done to my body during the previous 3 years of college.

In my adult life I've had a sporadic relationship with exercise. When I do it, I love it, but it's really easy for me to "fall off the wagon." I also have a hard time pushing myself for my own sake in the way that I do if someone is expecting me to work harder or perform better.

When I joined derby in May I was a hot mess. I could barely skate and I was overweight. All I could think was "Don't fall too much," and "Damn these skates are killing my feet!" Gradually I progressed (and I still am) but once I got comfortable on skates I knew I needed to work on myself more.

One thing I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about derby is that we are so diverse in how we look and how we are. We don't all have athletic bodies. We don't have to fit a "mold" in order to perform well. Oftentimes it's actually the things about us that may seem like the weakest points that are actually our strengths. That butt that you have a hard time finding jeans for can turn you into an incredible booty blocker. Your super tiny, small body can help you become an amazing jammer.

But at the end of the day if you want to help your team, you have to work on yourself. I've started exercising on my own time and eating better to lose weight. The more weight that comes off, the better I perform at practice and the less I have to struggle.

I know I'm not alone either. Derby has caused some of my fellow leaguemates to quit smoking, to start running, to enter 5Ks, to try other sports, and to focus on what they put into their bodies (alcohol doesn't count though, it is ESSENTIAL to our way of life). Yes we do it to have fun and knock other people down, but for a lot of us it really does become something that changes us for the better.

On a side note: I'd been planning to write this all day, and then, on my way home from practice tonight a car in front of me had a license plate that said "NVRGVUP" on it. Perfect, right?

What I did During my Summer

2010-10-14T13:27:00.000-04:00

By: K.D. Bang

I have been riding a motorcycle for the past 13 years. Currently, I have the nicest motorcycle I have ever owned. It is a 2008 1200 Roadster. I have always wanted to go to Sturgis, but being a wedding photographer my summers are pretty booked. This year I finally got to go. I had a two week break in August, and it happened to be when the rally was going on.

I started a list in my head of what I would need, then "Googled" what I should bring on long motorcycle trips. I got some great ideas, like a first aid kit and "fix a flat". I started getting small camping gear that would fit into the saddlebags I still needed to buy at that point.
I started a little pile of what I planned to bring, ordered saddlebags and then made another list.

It looked like this:
tarp, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, map, passport and other important paperwork (I was going through Canada), first aid kit, Leatherman, fix a flat, camping burner with gas, toothbrush and toothpaste, knife, pepper spray, clothes, rain gear, duct tape, lighters, cell phone and charger, food (i.e. soup/granola bars), water container, camping towel, and of course, my wallet.

I let my friends talk me into buying AAA, of course I had to get the primo service because the others didn’t include motorcycle coverage. (This came back to bite me in the a** later.)

Of course I wanted either or both Merry Pain or Liv Dangerously to go, but they both have regular jobs (I am sorry) so it was just me… if was going it was going to be just me.

I had a rough time line, including a date to leave. As I got closer to the date I was leaving, I tried to make sure that everything fit in my saddlebags and back pack, as I would be living on a bike (or "the road") for two weeks. I planned to camp the entire time and had made a reservation in Sturgis, South Dakota for a camp site. I didn’t want to take highways the whole time so planned a 2,100 or so mile trip up and around through Canada; I had high hopes for this leg of my trip.

When the day came to leave I brought my dog over to Katastrophe’s house. She made the trip possible by watching him. I walked away with tears in my eyes and was resolved to leave. I hadn’t practiced packing my bike, (that’s not how I roll), so when it came time to pack, I was in some trouble… nothing seemed to fit right or wanted to stay on. Luckily, I have an anal-retentive roommate who came out to help. It took us about 45 minutes and the sky was getting darker because a storm was rolling in, but I was still planning on leaving. I got my comfy jeans, layered shirts, motorcycle jacket and boots on and off I went.

The plan was: I-87 north to Canada and then at Montreal, cut over to the left to go around Lake Superior. Aside from stopping to get my bags adjusted correctly, the first few hours were uneventful. Customs was fine; the standard stop, "What is your trip for?" Etc., etc..

Things got exciting when I got to Montreal. First of all, the signs are all in French, and as in most cities, are super confusing. I had my trip tick, which is impossible to read while driving a motorcycle. Plus, I couldn’t even read what was east or west, north or south. Coupling this with the nastiest looking clouds rolling in, I started to get a little nervous. After pulling over multiple times to look at my map and put on my rain gear, I appeared to be on a road that would get me where I needed to go.

That’s when it started pouring… outside Montreal… somewhere. If you have ever ridden a motorcycle on the highway in the rain you know it is sketchy at best. I couldn’t see, my feet were getting soaked, and I wasn’t any bit sure as to where I was.

I decided to pull off the highway at what looked like a truck stop. It was raining buckets and I wanted to try and wait it out. (Keep in mind it was my first day around 5pm and I was in a French speaking territory). When I got off the highway, I noticed that there was no cover, but then I spotted what looked like a diner and drove up to it. When I got close I saw it was A STRIP CLUB! I was like "F me! I am dripping, sopping wet, my stuff is soaked, I don’t speak French and it is pouring." Plus, I had just shaved my head and thought I could scare the locals.

Of course I wanted to go in the strip club, but I envisioned how I would look dripping all over their floor and being spoken to and not understanding. It is easy enough to spend all your money in a strip club...top it off with not being able to speak the language! So I hunkered under the side awning and waited for someone to come out and yell at me. I waited about 30 minutes until the rain calmed down and then hopped on my bike, still soaked, but ready to find a campground. No sooner than I got on the bike and hit the throttle, it died on the way out of the parking lot.

"WTF, really? This is a 2008, it should have no problems," I was thinking.

So, on the side of the service road in front of the strip club in a French speaking territory, my bike broke down on my first day. All I was thinking was my roommate saying, “if you break down in Canada I can’t come get you.” Oh shit, I pulled my bike off to the side and thought about Ted Bundy and other serial killers that must have loved strip clubs while I tried to find a loose wire. I know a little about bikes so I fiddled around with it, but then I called triple AAA. I was so happy I bought that the day before.

When I finally got someone, she asked me "Where are you?"
"Uhm," I said, "I don’t really know."
I figured out some markers and she said "be right back," she needed to call my AAA home office to approve a tow.
"Ok, cool. Thanks," I replied.

Hahahaha! She came back and said, "I am sorry. Your home office has a 72 hour minimum as to when they will pay for a tow after you pay triple AAA."
"WHAT WHAT?!? No one told me that!" I was so mad, and stuck. I got super mad said, "nevermind" and resolved to deal with this problem. I had an idea: it was a short and I was going to go after it with my Leatherman.

I ripped the side cover and seat off, took the pig tails off and started touching wires.
I tightened the bolts, and holy s***! After 2 hours of being stuck on the side of the road and thinking my trip was over, she started! I quickly put it back together and needed to find a camp site! I jumped on the highway to find a place to figure out what I was going to do.

...To be continued...

2010 Season Recap, Part 9: The Finale

2010-10-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

Bout number 9 of a sixth month season arrives before the skaters can blink. On June 19th, EST takes on the Lake Effect Furies of the Queen City Roller Girls. The heat and humidity in the Armory are suffocating, but there is still a huge fan turnout. It seems the demand for sweaty bad ass ladies in booty shorts is always high!

The first period begins well and the Troopers manage to hold their own against the Furies. But the heat is close to dangerous and everyone on the track is sloppy, leading to lots of penalty time. A huge hit from Jenny Rotten and another from Isabella Bruisalini keep the opposing team's points relatively low.

Down by only 20 points at the beginning of the second period, low energy and more penalties plague the Troopers. Fancy footwork from Dottie Damage and the feisty attitude of Scarlet O’Hackya keep the crowd cheering the whole way through. But the second period ends with EST down by 45 points, now a substantial difference to be made up.

The third period is full of determination and hard work. Some huge point scoring jams from Dottie Damage, Katastrophe and Black & Blue Jean, each achieving two grand slams, help EST earn back those points but the Furies continue to score points as well throughout the third period, and EST is once again defeated, 142 to 93.

Six months worth of learning and fighting hard leave the Albany All Stars women fiercely anticipating the 2011 season, and we’re sure our fans are excited too!!

Favorite Moment: HUGE, legal hits from Merry Pain, Isabella Bruisalini and KD Bang, all of which get sent to the box anyway in a typical display of penalty profiling.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

Check out this video of us against the Lake Effect Furies

2010-10-11T11:20:00.004-04:00

The Queen City Roller Girls put up this video of our recent bout on their YouTube page. Thanks ladies!

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

2010-10-06T12:49:00.004-04:00

(Outlaw Annie, KD Bang, B-Side Blaze, Brie, Sin & Tonic, Bones, Bruisalini, Patty Larceny, & Shart)

We all know The Albany All-Stars Roller Derby teams favorite nation is DONATION! And we love it when other people feel the same way! So on Sunday October 3rd The Empty Bowls Project was under way.

This is a fundraising effort put forth by a whole community to help the less fortunate in that community. The local potters in the area made bowls; the local restaurants made soup, and for $10 participants received a great lunch of soup and walked away with their hand-picked, hand-made bowl.

Your Albany Allstars were there too on their skates hustling 50/50 raffle tickets in order to increase the total amount of the fundraiser. This year the derby team raised $1100 for the raffle which is $500 more than last year's 50/50.

This past year the total given to the food banks of Troy was $28,700 up an incredible $2,500 from last year and surprisingly enough just 6 years ago, the first empty bowls event raised only $6,000. (a personal "thank you" to everyone that helped, The Collar City Clay Guild loves you!)

(Annie, Patty, Brie, Bruisalini, & Bones)

(Bones, Shart, Patty)

2010 Season Recap, Part 8: The Infamous Fight & Forfeit

2010-10-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

Psyched for the opportunity to get a second win under their belts, EST trained with vigor in the month before the June 5th bout against the Jersey Derby Brigade. With only a 12 person roster, but feeling like a bona fide team, the troopers began this bout with confidence and pride.

Scarlet achieves lead jammer status in the first jam, whips through the pack with ease and calls it off right away scoring 4 points. Next up, Big Headed Honky zips by on the outside aided by the awesome defense of Kat, Betty and BJ. Honky scores a grand slam and calls off the jam. Dottie Damage and BSide Blaze score additional points while Liv, Jenny, Isabella Bruisallini and Merry Pain throw some big hits and form some tight walls, recycling incessantly in order to thwart the opposing jammer.

Our spirits are high and our confidence is growing. Every skater is in perfect sync when Honky steps up to the jammer line for the third time. The opposing jammer is quickly sent to the penalty box due to a huge back block on a Jenny Rotten & BJ wall in the front of the pack. BJ soon follows to the box for engaging a blocker outside of the pack.

Honky has since obtained lead jammer status and scored one grand slam. As she approaches for a third pass her way is impeded by the tackle of a Jersey blocker. Honky hurriedly tries to call off the jam but the blocker pins her to the ground where she is unable to move her arms. As the Jersey blocker finally sets Honky free, she lands a big sucker punch to the side of Honky’s face. Unaware of AASRD’s huge fury and loyalty to their teammates, the Jersey blocker is unaware that there is a Merry Pain steam roller approaching to defend her jammer.

Merry Pain leaps on top of the blocker who scrambles away just as Honky is recovering enough to lay a nice loud smack onto the side of the blockers helmet. All three women are ejected from the bout and after quite a few minutes of conference between refs and captains, the period resumes.

With more vehemence than ever, EST finishes up the next 5 jams getting lead jammer the majority of the time and scoring more than one grand slam. The skaters confer in the locker room, ready to take their huge 56 point lead to a satisfying and well deserved win. Instead when the ladies return to the track they are informed that their opponents have forfeited. And so EST accepts their win over the Jersey Derby Brigade, 69 to 13, in what will feel like a lack luster win and a waste of the potential and energy EST had been so excited to share with their fans.

Favorite Moments: When the opposing jammer spies Merry Pain coming in her direction and skates out of bounds in order to avoid the inevitable pain. When it was clear the bout had come to an end, the cheers and hoots from our fans made up for the disappointment for the disappointing evening.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

LarkFest 2010!

2010-10-04T13:22:00.011-04:00

AASRD LOVES LARKFEST!

Liz S., Smash 2 Pieces, Michelle D., Christine M.

Photo by: Brian Tromans

It's week later and we are still recovering from all the love from our fans. AASRD had a wonderful and successful time at Larkfest. We got some great new team name suggestions, some new fans (yay!) and maybe even some new roller girls!! (Don’t forget, recruitment night is October 5th, 7pm at 28 Thacher St.) We are also happy to announce the winner of our raffle for a ticket to EVERY AASRD GAME for the 2011 season is Darlene Dollar of Albany! Congratulations Darlene!!

Liz S. - Hyping people for the new season.

Thanks to all our girls, guys, and fans for making this event a fun success! We are already looking forward to next year!!!

(Special thanks to Jess Burns for leading AASRD's involvment in this event!)

2010 Season Recap, Part 7: DPH Debut Number 2

2010-09-29T06:31:00.001-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

More than halfway through the 2010 season, some newbie skaters are bout ready when DPH plays the Elm City Derby Damez on May 25th. The entire league is excited to see the debut of Sweet Dee Bacle, Hurts & Kisses, Mil Fee and Kelly Von Black. Joan Jett doesn’t give a damn about her bad reputation and neither do these 14 smoking hot, red blooded women who are itching to do some damage.

The first period is dominated by the jamming skills of BSide Blaze, Black & Blue Jean and KD Bang, all three of which scoring grand slams, backed up by jammers Candy Flip’Her and Bada Bing King, both jamming for the first time. All jammers are able to take the inside line, assisted by a team full of great offensive players, while simultaneously maintaining a strong defense. DPH is awarded lead jammer in every jam and ends the first period with an impressive 74 points, shutting out the fledgling Elm City team.

The second period begins with a phenomenal booty block from Smash to Pieces and some great defense from our 4 rookie skaters. With such a strong lead the DPH bench coaches decide that this is a great opportunity to try out some new jammers. The crowd is enthralled by some big scoring jams from jammers Joan of Arkham, Sweet Dee Bacle, Milfee and Hurts and Kisses. Veteran blockers Smash, Cyndy and Sin also take their turn on the jammer line and with the help of some great assisting blockers like Candy, Kelly and Bing manage to make it through reasonably unscathed. Elm City is able to eke out 14 points in the period, ending our shut out but not threatening our formidable lead.

Again the bench coaches decide that this is the opportunity for fun and in the first jam of the third period we see KD Bang passing the jammer star to Hurts & Kisses. On the first attempt KD Bang is thwarted by a well timed block and she hits the floor with the jammer panty in her hands. Able to keep her hold on the panty and zooming back into the pack, both KD and Hurts break out of the pack and the hand off goes off this time without a hitch. The period ends with DPH scoring another 38 points with Kelly Von Black taking her first opportunity at the jammer line. DPH with a formidable 164 points and Elm City with only 31, the team heads out to celebrate at the after party where they learn that this is only Elm City’s second bout ever and that they were playing with only a roster of 9. The Elm City girls are gracious and express their happiness at the opportunity to learn and grow.

Favorite Moments: Of course the passing of the panty but also hearing Sin’s voice from the bench yelling, “IN! IN! IN!”. Another gem is Scarlet O’Hackya as announcer telling the crowd that to be a roller derby girl, “All you need is an open mind and a good attitude”.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Black & Blue Jean

Come See Us Saturday In Buffalo!

2010-09-27T11:04:00.003-04:00

This Saturday (October 2) the Empire Skate Troopers will be playing against the Lake Effect Furies over in Buffalo, NY.

Head over to the Facebook Event Page for more details. Then get a caravan together and head on out to enjoy some amazing derby action and legit hot wings!

See you there...

Open Recruitment Night!

2010-09-24T10:38:00.001-04:00

AASRD is beginning pre-season training, and would like to share the experience with you.

We will be hosting Open Recruitment Tuesday, October 5th, at our new training facility, The AASRD Warehouse!

Watch a practice! Ask questions! Meet the Roller Girls!

If you'd like to skate, make sure you attend this event. We likely won't be recruiting again until after the start of 2011 Home Season (January).

For more information, email: recruit at albanyallstars dot com.

LOCATION: The AASRD Warehouse is located at 28 Thacher Street in Albany. Coming from downtown, take Broadway past Wolff's Biergarten and make your first right onto Thacher. The facility is in a pink-ish building just a couple hundred feet down the road on the right hand side, before Thacher Street Pub. http://foursquare.com/venue/9410439

2010 LARKFEST

2010-09-23T10:01:00.009-04:00

Who's excited for Larkfest? AASRD IS!!!!!

This Saturday, September 25th, is the Larkfest event in downtown Albany. Your all-time favorite roller derby league will be there with bells on. Some of our lovely ladies will be at the fest ready, willing, and wanting to give you our season dates for next year. Also, you can submit your idea for our new team's name and possibly win a pair of tickets for one of our action packed bouts!! So stop on over, say "Hi" and perhaps buy yourself a new AASRD t-shirt so you can show that you love us in 2011!!!

Larkfest 2009! Glamthrax, Party Fowler, and Trixie Firecracker.

Reflections of Summer By Scarlett O'Hackya

2010-09-22T09:31:00.004-04:00

Well folks, summer is officially gone. We hope it was good to you. Scarlett was kind enough to tell us about her summer vacation. Leave a comment telling us about your vacation. Did you do anything crazy? Did you come to one of our events? If not, we have a bunch lined up for the fall and winter so don't miss a thing!

Photo by Rob Gierthy

So here's what Scarlett did this summer:

July took my soul to West Virginia for the "All Good Musical Festival" I expanded my mind, enjoyed the sweet sounds of the jam band scene and met many free thinking individuals who shared common ideas and ways of life. Obviously I couldn't satisfy my palate and needed more music! August was tormented with the east coast Umphrey's McGee tour . I raged my face off and danced hard all night long!! The Catskill Chill music Festival kicked off the begining of September, reminding me how I long for the fall and love to sleep outside with cool winds blowing me to sleep. Summer fun is oh sooo sweet!

Warrior Dash!

2010-09-21T15:18:00.000-04:00

*Before*

*After*

Isabella Bruisalini, Great White Shart, Anacringe Skywalker, Big Headed Honky & Julietta Vendetta

By: Great White Shart

Jumping over fire, sliding into murky 48-degree water, running through the woods and crawling under barbed wire.

It sounds like we might have been running for our lives but we were just willing participants in the North East version of the Warrior Dash. The Warrior Dash is a crazy 5k that was held at Windham Mountain this past weekend. Isabella Bruisalini, Anacringe Skywalker, Julietta Vendetta, K.D. Bang and I were just a few of the Albany All Stars that participated in this weekends Warrior Dash.

What a challenge! What a rush! The first 1.5 miles of this insane 5k are spent climbing hills that most people have skied down. The 2^nd half of the race was spent running back downhill, sliding in the mud and running through very narrow trails over rocks and streams.

I’ve never done anything this challenging; a year ago, I was a chain smoker whose only physical exertion was walking to the fridge. Now, I’ve finished my first 5k. The most insane 3-mile run one could choose. I’m proud of myself. I was proud of myself at the top of the mountain, only 1.5 miles through the race. I’m proud of my teammates too; Vendetta completed the race with a sprained knee and none of us gave up ever.

I fell many times and bruised my knees, going down the waterslide, I got kicked in the chest (by accident), and there are puncture wounds in my hands from when I fell trying to get out of the way of other runners.

What an amazing race though. Who’s signing up next year???

When B-Train Rolled Into Our Town

2010-09-20T11:39:00.004-04:00

*That's B-Train down in front in pink.

Last night we had the immense pleasure of having B-Train as our coach at the Albany Men's Roller Derby practice. B-Train co-owns Wicked Skatewear and she skates for the Orange County Roller Girls.

She gave us an intense 30 minutes of endurance followed by some great drills. We all learned so much and were very sweaty, sore, and exhausted by the end of it. It was an amazing experience to say the least.

It was very generous of her to give up her own time to come and show us some great derby moves. Thanks again B-Train!

*B-Train was checking our derby stance. She got Merry Pain to get low. This may be the lowest you will ever see her. HA!

*Merry Pain & B-Train

*All of us listening closely as B-Train teaches us.

Albany All Stars Roller Derby Announces 2011 Season Dates

2010-09-16T14:00:00.002-04:00

Fresh off of a second place finish at the inaugural Empire Skate Showdown, a New York roller derby tournament, the Albany All Stars are pleased to announce the 2011 home season at the Washington Avenue Armory. Season plans include nine bouts of inter-league and intra-league play. Bouts are scheduled for: 1/8, 1/29, 2/19, 3/19, 4/2, 4/30, 5/21, 6/11, and 6/25.

Specifics are still in the works, but fans can be assured the All Stars will continue to wow the masses with aggressive play, foxy flair, and jaw dropping talent on eight wheels. As was the case with the All Stars past three seasons, each event will appeal to both young and old, hosting a live local band and a featured charity that will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.

The 2011 Home Season will host the return of fan favorites such as Dottie Damage, Big Headed Honky, and Merry Pain, as well as introducing new skaters like Katherine Zeta Bones, Explosive Daria, and Anacringe Skywalker. Some changes are in store for the All Stars, however. Due to significant growth over the past year, the league will be expanding to three home teams for the 2011 season. As such, they’re hosting a contest to name the team that will accompany the already established Empire Skate Troopers and Department of Public Hurts. The All Stars request fans submit ideas to new_team@albanyallstars.com; each email should include suggested name, uniform theme, and colors. If selected, a fan could win a pair of tickets for a bout during the 2011 season. Entries will be accepted until 11:59PM on Tuesday, September 28th, and a winner will be selected prior to October 4th.

Join the Albany All Stars at the Washington Avenue Armory for another great season of all women’s flat track roller derby. Fans are encouraged to stay informed via the league’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and blog. And for those that crave even more derby – stay posted – recruitment begins next month. For further information, contact the league at info@albanyallstars.com.

Season dates are also posted on the Washington Avenue Armory website: www.thewashingtonavenuearmory.com

We Need a Name for Our 3rd Team!

2010-09-14T15:00:00.007-04:00

The Albany All Stars

would like to present:

????????

Hey folks-

Maybe you’ve heard, maybe you haven’t, we’re going to have a new team!

I grew up in Binghamton, a small city in Broome County, just above Pennsylvania. Back then, Binghamton had a local AHL-affiliated hockey team that played at the Arena (it still does, although it has morphed a few times since this story of my childhood). When I was an impressionable kid, the team was the Whalers. I have no idea how there happened to be “Whalers” in Binghamton; there certainly weren’t whales in the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers.

Even before the Whalers, (and my time) there were the “Dusters.” I remember sitting in Mrs. K’s 4^th grade class and she asked us who knew the name of the local hockey team. Then she asked us if anyone knew the name of the team before the Whalers. I had no clue. She told us it was the Dusters and that she had named them! She said there was a contest and she thought the “Broome Dusters” would be a great name for the team, and to the chagrin of her family, she submitted the name. The powers that were liked it, and for a number of years in the 1970’s, the AHL-affiliated team, which played in the Broome County Arena, was the Broome Dusters.

First of all, here I am 22 years later remembering a silly story from Mrs. K’s class and recounting it to you. So -- Hooray for the silly teachers you remember! Secondly, Mrs. K was very proud her silly-creative streak was appreciated; maybe that’s what stuck with me. I think, however, that this moment in time has stayed with me, because I was taught long division by someone who was so very cool, she named a hockey team.

Here is the point of my rambling: you too could be as cool as Mrs. K. Our new team is going to need a name. So, we are looking to you (our fans) for suggestions. The suggestions could be suggestive, scary, or funny; you name it. Perhaps you can’t come up with a name idea, but you could come up with an awesome theme or a color combination that rocks. Send us your suggestions to new_team@albanyallstars.com by 11:59 pm on September 29. If we pick your name, you could score some free tickets. Not to mention, if you are a 4^th grade teacher, your students will remember you forever. Really, naming a roller derby team is way more rockin’ than naming a hockey team.

Get your thinking helmets on. We’ve got a new team to name!

Polly Morphic, #79

2010 Season Recap Part 6: “Bad Boys, Bad Boys”

2010-09-14T08:51:00.000-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

The 6th part in a series by Black & Blue Jean

Skating out to the tunes of the “Cops” theme song, the Troopers are pumped for this bout against the Long Island Roller Rebels on June 24th. This bout is their first shot at a self run bench, an attempt at keeping the skaters more engaged and aware of the intricacies of the game (i.e. penalties, what strategies are working). Plagued by penalties in the first period, the troopers fortify their defenses with strong walls and great teamwork. A few of my favorites: Merry Pain and Trixie out front and in another jam Deck’em and Jenny Rotten in the back, both times preventing the opponent from achieving lead jammer status. Kat and Scarlet gain points for EST with some impressive jams. The first period ends with Long Island up by 23 points, 35 to 58. More penalties and a lot of taunting and jammer engagement out of the pack take their toll on the team’s morale. Some great jamming by BSide Blaze, Dottie and Honky allows us to gain another 23 points in the second period but this is no competition to Long Islands additional 40 points. But by the third period, we are filled with piss and vinegar, itching to do some serious damage. Long Island uses a few moves we’ve never seen before, like standing on the pivot line after the whistle is blown in order to waste time and allow their players in the penalty box to reenter the pack. But tricks are not enough to deter the Troopers anymore and with one hell of a jam by Honky, scoring 15 points and some great smaller jams from Scarlet, BSide and Dottie, the troopers score a whopping 32 points in the last period. Disappointingly, Long Island scores another 33 points in the third period and EST loses, 131 to 90.

Highest Scoring Jammer: BSide Blaze

A "Fresh Meat" Perspective

2010-09-13T11:12:00.001-04:00

- A piece by Brie Pilgram

(Photo by: Wolfgang Kurth)

I’m fresh meat – cook me quick!

Truth is, I was a skate rat. In the 80s and 90s you could find me at Rollarama nearly three days a week. Skating kept me out of trouble. Most of my friends were partying – bonfire hangouts, underage drinking. I was skating.

In a blink, I was a wife and mother. Everyone seemed to have their hobbies. My husband had fishing, my kids had sports and other interests. I had the privilege of having a wonderful family – that is a lot, really it is. But it’s not enough. Just because we grow up and become adults, doesn’t mean that we have to lose our identity. I suddenly had nothing going on. And my good friends could be counted on one hand. Life simply takes over, family becomes a priority. We go from living for ourselves to living for everyone but ourselves.

Well, my kids finally became old enough to try skating and without hesitation, I took them. Keeping them on their feet killed my back. I wanted to ditch them and skate…Funkytown was on god damn it! They began to skate on their own in no time so…..mama needed a new pair of skates. We were going a few times a month. I wanted to skate more. I looked up the AARSD website and yikes – those chicks looked a bit bad ass for me. I mean, look at their pics and bios – they are a little intimidating. But, I wanted to skate more. Finally, this spring I attended Recruitment and in May, I was at my first practice. There was no kiddie pool that day. For some reason, I was the only fresh meat there and Elle told me I would be practicing with everyone – they were doing SUICIDES. (come again, what?).

The practices in June were extremely difficult. It was bout season for the team and they were hard core practicing three days per week. I had been so inactive in recent years, that my knees would crack upon standing, could I keep up with this? The first three minutes of a typical practice is running around the track. Let’s get this straight, I run on Dunkin – that about all the running I do. I got through the running part (painfully) and then it was high knees and ass kickers. Oh, and then…PLANKS (umm, yeah, need to work on that too). Finally, you can lace up your skates and begin practicing. Around the track without stopping, skating on one foot, down on one knee and up, baseball slides, etc. This went on for a while and I had never been so exhausted. I was sweating, out of breath, dying of thirst, but I kept skating and I finished. Or, I thought I finished. My head was pounding, my helmet was getting tighter – I was thinking…um, brain aneurism? I thought if I removed my helmet, I wouldn’t be able to get it back on. My head felt like it was expanding! This was an endurance drill. After it was done, us “freshies” moved on to the kiddie pool. Thank god, I just couldn’t possibly have done any more or pushed myself any harder. I was willing to just lay down and let them use me as something to practice their jumps! To my amazement, the seasoned girls, after all that endurance, began relay racing. Seriously? How could they keep going? In the last 45 minutes, they scrimmaged!! They had what I didn’t….stamina. I guess this will come after months of practice – you get conditioned. (I hope)

So, I show up in mid-June to begin practice and learn that I would be able to scrimmage. I realized quick that being a good skater only gets you so far. You need strength, you need endurance, you need stamina and almost three months later, I realize most importantly, you need skills….not so much skating skills ---- derby skills. Thankfully, there are many practices before the next season begins. You can read the 46 pages of rules but when you are out there, it is like a hurricane!

Finally, I have to end with the addiction that Derby is. All of us girls have the same feelings about it and I know, we spend way too much time talking, researching and thinking about it. It’s something only a fellow derby girl could relate to. My non-derby friends just think I am crazy. I am happy to be doing something I love and to have an outlet, to have something for ME. Funny, a few years ago, my kids didn’t even know I was a skater. I was just Mom. But I was something more than Mom and I want them to know not only who I am today but what made me who I am today. I hope they will support me, I hope they will come and watch me skate in a bout, I hope they will cheer for me and my team…I hope they will be proud.

2010 Season Recap Part 5: The Challenge

2010-09-11T08:31:00.000-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

The 5th part in a series by Black & Blue Jean

The Empire Skate Troopers prepared long and hard for their April 3rd bout against the Boston B Party, a team they had heard was merciless. We were all sure these ladies would be our most formidable opponents and most likely our biggest challenge of the season. Our roster is rounded out by the addition of “floaters” Betty Blitzkrieg, Bada Bing King, Deck’em Beckham and Joan of Arkham. The bout begins with EST obtaining lead jammer twice in a row, once by Honky and a second time by Dottie, a good sign for our team. The packs are fast and the opponents’ walls are tight. Some impressive footwork by Dottie Damage and aggressive skating by BSide Blaze help force the opposing jammers call off the jams prematurely and the period ends with Boston up by 20 points, 38 to 18. We are already tired but we feel the passion for our sport burning in our chests during the break and we all know we have more to give. The second period begins and our jammer is sent to the box in the first jam for an illegal procedure. BSide Blaze, with help from Glamthrax acting as her personal bull dozer, and Honky, getting low and using her ninja skills to sneak by, score most of the points for EST in this period. A big hit from Merry Pain, as the opposing jammer gets whipped into her blocker, help the EST cause as do a few good walls from Liv and BJ and new EST skaters Deck’em and Betty. At the end of the second, EST was only able to score another 20 points to Boston’s 40, leaving EST trailing 78 to 38. The third period is more of the same, some good attempts at defense and some excellent jams by Honky keep the crowd excited and cheerful. Despite the valiant effort of the Troopers, the skaters are bested by the Boston B Party, 51 to 120.
Favorite Moments: The locker room, seeing the determination in everyone’s eyes and knowing that every skater willingly skated her heart out until the bitter end.
Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

2nd Place at the Empire Skate Showdown!!!

2010-09-09T14:19:00.002-04:00

Although it's a little hard to see in this picture, that's the Albany All Stars in the finals against the Gotham Girls' Wall Street Traitors! In the end they beat us, but we played fast and furious with only 8 girls. To see just how hardcore these ladies are, check out Merry Pain's recap:

Some of us are still on this weekend's high and walking with limps!

Here are some of the highlights:

Liv Dangerously: Threw up in her mouth while jamming and kept skating. You read that right, she swallowed it, AND KEPT SKATING!

Dottie Damage: Jumped a handful of fallen players all at once because she, "was too tired to fall!"

Betty Blitzkrieg: Took a helmet to the face and snapped her head backwards. She was tended to by EMTs and still got back up to play!

Black & Blue Jean: Was voted MVP for the tournament's final bout!

Joan of Arkham: Assist after assist, she kept getting right back into every jam!

Trixie Firecracker: Took a flying toss (initiated by teammate, Katastrophe) into the opposing jammer and literally boomeranged back into action!

Merry Pain: GGRD's Wall Street Traitors commented on how brutal her hits were.

Katastrophe: Was voted MVP by other leagues for the entire tournament!

These girls played like I've never seen them play before. They gave 199% in every jam, pushing through pain and pushing beyond exhaustion.
Every minute was totally worth it!

In this photo: Merry Pain, Liv Dangerously, Black & Blue Jean, Katastrophe, Trixie Firecracker, Dottie Damage, Betty Blitzkrieg & Joan of Arkham.

Here are the full results of the tournament:
Bout 1: AASRD 56 vs Hudson Valley Horrors 50
Bout 2: CNY Roller Derby 63 vs The Hellions of Troy Roller Derby League 43
Bout 3: Long Island Roller Rebels 126 vs Assault City Roller Derby 11
Bout 4: Wall Street Traitors 53 vs Ithaca League of Women Rollers SufferJets 32
Bout 5: AASRD 53 vs CNY Roller Derby 51
Bout 6: Wall Street Traitors 50 vs Long Island Roller Rebels 41
Bout 7: Hudson Valley Horrors 83 vs The Hellions of Troy Roller Derby League 43
Bout 8: Ithaca League of Women Rollers 68 vs Assault City Roller Derby 32
Bout 9 (Championship): Wall Street Traitors 85 vs AASRD 20

Photo by Pete Rodriguez

Photo by Bonnie DiRenzo

Many thanks to the Long Island Roller Rebels for hosting this tournament, and to everyone who came out to play and support. AASRD is thrilled to have participated.

2010 Season Recap Part 4: So Damn Close!

2010-09-08T08:01:00.004-04:00

Photo by Rob Gierthy

The 4th Part of a series written by Black & Blue Jean.

Their third bout in a row, DPH is determined to outperform their competition on March 13th against the Utica Rollergirls. Some impressive jamming by Betty Blitzkrieg, Scarlet O’Hackya, Deck’em Beckham and Black & Blue Jean, makes it a close bout at the end of the first period with DPH down by 5 points. We get lead jammer numerous times in the second period but both teams are plagued by penalties making defense in the pack a struggle. A ten point jam by Betty Blitzkrieg helps heave us forward but DPH is trailing by 22 points at the end of the second period. But that doesn’t matter to these women because they are hell bent on victory. They come barreling back onto the track with a vengeance scoring another 64 points in the last period with two impressive grand slams from Scarlet O’Hackya and Black & Blue Jean. In the very last jam of the period DPH is up by 6 points. With sweat in their eyes and blood surging through their veins the last skaters approach the line. Prevented from taking lead jammer status, the skaters recycle relentlessly trying to prevent the opposing jammer from scoring. In a blur the last jam ends and the entire team stares at the scoreboard in anticipation. But DPH is down by 2 points and suffers their third loss in a row. Undeterred by this fact, the DPH’ers know that they have never skated harder before that night and they feel more like a team than ever before, something almost as good as victory.
Favorite Moment: The after party where every woman in a blue Dickie’s shirt knew she was a winner regardless of points.
Highest Scoring Jammer: Scarlet O’Hackya

Ballston Spa Teacher, Mom, Derby Gal

2010-09-05T21:03:00.003-04:00

Photo by Wolfgang Kurth

Check out this interview with Helen C. in Ballston Spa Life!

2010 Season Recap Part 3

2010-09-01T14:15:00.007-04:00

(Photo by: Glenn Davenport)

Part 3 of the 2010 Season Recap - A multi-part segment by Black and Blue Jean.

The Cooler Incident:

Feeling more cohesive and generally more experienced, the Department of Public Hurts welcomed two more rookie skaters, Cyndylicious and Candy Flip’Her, to their roster on February 20th. Up against the Derby Debutantes from Toronto, the first period began slowly with some clumsy falls. A few good jams and some solid pack work left DPH down by 11 points, a small gap that could easily be closed.

In the second period we were awarded lead jammer quite a few times thanks to the fast footwork of jammers Katastrophe, KD Bang, Betty Blitzkrieg and Jenny Rotten. Some phenomenal three or four person walls in the front of the pack kept the opposing jammer impotent for most of the period. In the last jam of the period, KD Bang stepped up to the jammer line. As she approached the pack she was thwarted in her attempt at lead jammer. A little push from Candy almost saw her through to the front of the pack, but again she was defeated. Then, as the opposing jammer approached, KD switched to a defensive strategy, crashed into the jammer, and sent them both head first into the water coolers at the side of the track. Ice and water flowed everywhere, including onto the track, forcing the refs to call the jam off to create the most memorable ending of a period in the 2010 season.

As the third period began, Toronto had the clear advantage since our jammer was spending time in the penalty box….as if knocking over water bottles is a penalty. Our blockers put up a strong defense long enough for our jammer to reenter, but she was quickly sent back to the box for a track cut and the jam ended. An inauspicious first jam, the small 13 point gap slowly increased. Our ladies continued to fight hard and there were some more staggering walls of four blockers, my favorites being Elle, Molly, Deck’em and Sin and Molly, Bing, Deck’em and Cyndy. But in the end DPH suffered a second loss, albeit less severe than the last, at the hands of the Derby Debutantes, 96 to 60. A valiant attempt, the skaters celebrated their improvement and crowd pleasing charm over many drinks at the after party.

Favorite Moments: Seeing trash talk on the track from both Joan of Arkham and Betty Blitkrieg.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Katastrophe

Recap of Feline Fest ((MEOW))

2010-08-31T17:30:00.000-04:00

Pic by Liz S: Party Fowler, Sara G., Jane Wayne Gacy, Liz S., Glamthrax, Trixie Firecracker, and Anacringe Skywalker

True story: In high school, I wore cat ears as a fashion statement.
I’m a cat person.
It’s safe to say that in a few years’ time, you will find me standing outside my house in a cat pee-stained robe yelling at kids to get off my lawn while a chorus of fifty or so cats meow in the background.
I’m training myself in the ways of being the old crazy cat lady by fostering kittens for the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. Sometimes kittens that come into the shelter need a bit more time to grow before they are ready for adoption, so that’s where I come in. I share my home with a couple little balls of fuzz for a few months, and then it’s time to say goodbye.
Normally I don’t get to see what happens once I say goodbye to my foster kittens. Then I was asked to bring along some roller derby friends to Feline Fest! The shelter is involved in a competition to adopt out 300% more animals over the next three months than they did last year. If they win, they will receive $100,000 from the ASPCA. Feline Fest was the grand kickoff to the Mohawk and Hudson shelter’s adoption push to win the competition. There was face painting, grilling, a rummage sale, and most importantly, roller derby girls! We skated around for awhile (well, some of us did, I’m personally not a fan of outdoor skating) selling tickets to a 50/50 raffle. We also got to talk about one of our favorite topics – our pets!

Glamthrax made a wicked awesome collage of some of the roller derby cats!

We all made several trips inside to pet the kitties and puppies (and bunnies!). Skater Jane Wayne Gacy took home a new friend for her cat. Sara G. found a new possible addition to her family in a dog named Doodle. And I tried several times to get my pair of foster kittens adopted. They didn’t find their forever home today, but I know someone will adopt them soon. Having a derby girl as a foster mom definitely makes them the coolest cats in the room!
The Feline Fest 50/50 raffle made $122 (so the winner got $61). That money, combined with other donations made that day, made the shelter over $425. And 29 kitties found their forever home on Saturday!
A big thanks to Trixie Firecracker, Party Fowler, Jane Wayne Gacy, Glamthrax, Liz S. and Sara G. for making it out today to support the shelter!

May the force (and kitties!) be with you.
-Anacringe Skywalker

5 Questions with Liz S.

2010-08-29T17:23:00.001-04:00

Click here to see "freshie" Liz S. answer some questions for the Troy Record!

2010 Season Recap Part 2

2010-08-23T21:54:00.000-04:00

Photo courtesy of Rob Gierthy

DPH Debut Number 1:

The Department of Public Hurts was pleased to present a new lineup on January 30th with rookies Joan of Arkham, Bada Bing King, Betty Blitzkrieg, Deck’em Beckham and Molly Apocolypse rounding out the roster. Up against the Green Mountain Derby Dames these ladies entered the first period with heart and enthusiasm. As they struggled to find their stride, Vermont was able to garner themselves a large lead, 50 to 9. Ignoring the annoyingly loud vuvuzela brought by our opponent’s fans, our determined jammers, BSide Blaze, Liv Dangerously, KD Bang and Betty Blitzkrieg, managed to squeak out a few more points in the second period thanks to some great walls from Deck’em and Liv as well as Elle Hathnofury and Glamthrax. The fierce hits of Arkham and Bing brought the opposing jammer to her knees more than once, helping to stymie Vermont’s quickly growing lead. Finally, in the third period, a 10 point jam from newcomer Betty Blitzkrieg brought the crowd to their feet. But it was too late and Vermont delivered a crushing defeat, 128 to 40, to some of our newest skaters.

Favorite Moment: Moe Cheezmo announcing the DPH roster as our fans cheered for the now trademark aviator glasses of Bada Bing King and the strange sight of Liv Dangerously in cut-off jean shorts.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Betty Blitzkrieg

Help Us Support Feline Fest!

2010-08-21T14:38:00.000-04:00

Some of the derby girls will be there today. Below is some info from the website. You can click here to learn even more about it. Derby girls will give free hugs to anyone who donates!

Join Us for Feline Fest 2010!
The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society is proud to announce its fourth annual Feline Fest on August 19 through 22. This festival is a four-day celebration of America's most popular pet. The Society's shelter and two PetSmart locations are filled with cats and kittens in urgent need of new homes!

During Feline Fest, adoption fees will be $50 for kittens, $35 for cats aged 6 months up to 3 years, and FREE for cats 3 years and over. The shelter's hours will be extended to 8pm on Thursday, August 19.

In addition, on Saturday, August 21 from 10am to 5pm, the Society will offer:

* Rabies vaccination clinic ($10 each, first-come first-serve)
* Food and beverages
* Rummage sale
* Bake sale
* 50/50 raffle
* Face painting

Scrimmage with CNYRD

2010-08-20T12:12:00.001-04:00

Last night, 8/19, a few of us made it over to Rome, NY to scrimmage with the ladies of Central New York Roller Derby and some gentlemen from the Quadfathers. CNYRD’s Blue Collar Betties are prepping for an August 28th bout with the Jerzey Derby Brigade’s Corporal Punishers.

Four out of the five of us skaters that went are fairly new to scrimmaging other teams, but we held our own and had such an awesome time! Skating with people of varied abilities and styles is a great experience and can be beneficial when preparing for a bout. It’s often hard to anticipate how another team is going to skate or what type of competition they will bring, so being ready for anything is key.

The Betties are looking pretty nifty with strong blockers and speedy jammers. Check them out in Morristown, NJ on the 28th!

Thank you for your hospitality and good luck next Saturday!

2010-08-17T23:07:00.000-04:00

Sponsor the AASRD as we walk for animals!

The AASRD will have a team of walkers participating in the Animal Protective Foundation Fireplug 500, Walk for Animals on Saturday September 11, 2010 in Central Park, Schenectady. If you are interested in sponsoring our team please visit this link and make a donation. All donations received go towards food, shelter, supplies, medical care and low cost spaying and neutering. In addition the funds collected help continue programs and classes that educate the community on animal issues.

The shelter finds permanent homes for hundreds of homeless pets a year. Please help us reach our goal of $1000 so we can help the APF continue their good work. Thank you for your support.

2010 Season Recap Part 1

2010-08-17T22:10:00.000-04:00

****Over the next few weeks we will be doing individual posts recapping the 2010 season. Stay tuned for all the info, especially if you missed any of the bouts. The recap is courtesy of Black and Blue Jean.****

The Season Opener:

On January 9th the Empire Skate Troopers took on the Beasts of the Northeast, a compilation team consisting of players from the Hudson Valley Horrors, Assault City Roller Girls, Roc City Roller Derby, New Hampshire Roller Derby and the Boston Derby Dames. Newly promoted skaters Trixie Firecracker, Liv Dangerously and Black & Blue Jean, were thrilled at their debut as members of EST. Energy flowed from the crowd as their favorite jammers, Dottie Damage, Big Headed Honky, Scarlet O’Hackya, B-Side Blaze and Katastrophe, managed to leave us up by ten points at the end of the first period. In the second period, with big hits from KD Bang and Merry Pain, and great aggressive jamming the ladies found themselves with a 40 point lead (89 to 49). The third period, our jammers exhausted but our lead already so large, the team was rescued by the phenomenal booty blocking of Glamthrax and great defensive strategy as witnessed by tight walls. EST won, 106 to 82, and celebrated the beginning of the 2010 season with pride.

Favorite Moment: A huge whip from KD Bang to jammer Scarlet while simultaneously blocking a threatening opponent.

Highest Scoring Jammer: Dottie Damage

Not So Fresh Meat

2010-08-12T19:58:00.000-04:00

Not So Fresh Meat
(A piece by freshie skater Jessica B.)

June 1st I joined and starting practicing with the Albany All Stars. I am still not quite sure what I was exactly thinking. I do remember having my butt handed to me that first practice - and all I did was some endurance drills and basics!! However, there is an odd sense of satisfaction having survived that AND continued to go back for more

Technically I am about 40 days into my 90 day probation period (we had a month break from mid June to mid July) and while I still have my "what did I get myself into moments" they are just that. Moments. I am 100% in love with roller derby (still). Physically this is the hardest thing I have ever done (having not been athletic to begin with, for some that may not be saying too much), mentally and emotionally it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. More so now that I have started to scrimmage.

Quick definition for fans who may not know....scrimmage is basically a practice jam. We have a pack. We have jammers. We try to score points and knock each other on our asses. At least that is how I see it.

My first scrimmage was the "fresh meat" group divided into black shirts and white shirts with Trixie Firecracker as the jammer for one team (she switched sides so each "team" could have the chance to "kill the jammer" (not her team) or get the jammer through the pack (that's her team!)

What a thrill!!!

There is an amazing rush of thoughts as you jam. Who do I need to hit? Who's gearing up to hit me? Where the eff is the jammer?? OMG!!! Almost fell!! OMG!!!! Just fell!!! GET UP GET UP GET UP!!!!! Rejoin pack! Where the eff is the jammer??? Who the hell is yelling at me and WTF are they telling me to do?!?!? Look back!! Look back again!!!! WHERE THE EFF IS THE JAMMER?!?!?!?!?!

While I didn't knock anyone down, I did get in some good shoves. Oh. And in case you didn't realize from my fairly accurate inner monologue, I fell. Hard. Twice actually. I am told I got back up quick. I personally think they are all liars. I felt like a flailing, flopping fish outta water as I tried to get back up. However, I did get back up. That is just what you have to do. Get up. Derby is life. You try hard. You keep trying. You get knocked down, but you get right back up and keep going.

A week later, scrimmaging again, I got to try being a jammer. Totally different inner monologue.

OMG OMG What was I thinking??? Ok, where are my teammates? Eff! She's gonna hit me! Push back! Grab teammate - get through!! YAY!!!!! Made it! Ok, let's start looping around. LOVE YOU CROSSOVERS!!! Damn.....the pack is moving pretty fast.... Must *gasp* catch *gasp* up *wheeze*!!!!!

I am now in awe and very jealous of those endurance levels of the other girls. More so of those that are jammers more often than not. But, I am glad I tried.

Now that I am not so fresh meat, and I am doing these scrimmages, more and more the reality of myself being able to bout one day is sinking in.....AND I LOVE IT!

I LOVE roller derby. It really does change you....how? Well, let me end with this.....

You know you play derby when.......

- You flash your butt to friends in public places to show them your bruise you got at the last practice/bout

- You are perfectly ok with going to public places in booty shorts, fishnets or tights, knee socks and covered in sweat after practice

- You own more pairs of knee socks and fishnets than you do regular socks and stockings

- You DO own a helmet and are damn proud of all the cool stickers on it

- You drive like you skate. Weaving in and out of traffic. Booty blocking tailgaters and sometimes, you give other drivers the signal for cutting the track when they piss you off as they cut you off.....

Come See Us In Windham NY

2010-08-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

August 26-29 The Windham 2010 Mountain Bike World Cup Festival will take place in Windham, NY.

The night of the 27th there will be a block party in the town. Your very own Albany All Stars will be there to do a demo. Get out of the city for the night, head on out to Windham and see us do our thing.

Click here for more info about the Block Party.

Photographer Sebastien Barre Gives AASRD a Shout Out

2010-08-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

(Photo: They Move - Salt Lake City, UT by Barre)

Click Here to read about him and see more of his work. Amazing stuff, don't miss it!

Learn A Few Things About The Great Merry Pain

2010-08-04T10:39:00.000-04:00

(Photo by Walter Romero)

Check out "5 Questions with Merry Pain" in the Troy Record!

Derby Ladies At The Diamond Dance

2010-08-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

(Erika, Helen, Elle & Mary Pat)

A few weeks ago a small group of us went to the Diamond Dance up in Saratoga. The Diamond Dance is the Northeast's largest monthly swing dance. It's put on by Saratoga Savoy. David Wolf from Saratoga Savoy invited us down and we got to dance the night away with one of our favorite bands...Slick Fitty!

This guy really wanted to teach Mary Pat to Waltz!

After the dance we went out for a drink on Caroline St. and Helen ran into this local man who likes to dress like the Hulk. Seriously! We should've invited him to tryout for men's derby....

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

2010-07-16T19:25:00.000-04:00

Written by Mary Pat Provost

Roller derby is like those cautionary horror stories they told us about drugs when we were kids. How we should never try them- even once!- because you could get hooked the VERY FIRST TIME! (Actually, like the horror stories they told us about sex, too- don’t do it- even once!- because you could get pregnant the VERY FIRST TIME!)

In any case, I started practice a couple of months ago and it happened… I became a roller derby junkie. (Yes, the VERY FIRST TIME!) All of a sudden, everything was derby. Practice three nights a week. Meeting other new girls at the rink on our nights off. Signing up for league-related events. Obsessively checking my Gmail account (exclusively for derby correspondance!). Carrying around a notepad 24-7 to make sure I could record potential derby-name ideas whenever they might come to mind. Shopping for tights and knee socks and underwear (to be worn as outerwear). And, of course, nightly bruise inventory. You know how annoying it is when one of your friends is in a new relationship and every subject- somehow- elicits a reference to the bright shiny new Significant Other? Yeah. I’m that girl. Except it’s my skates I’m snuggling with. (Not really. Okay, just that one time.)

Every moment of my derby life so far seems thrilling and exclamation-point worthy. I went out for a beer after practice! Bought my first pair of fishnets! Went to my first bout and sold raffle tickets! In my skates! And fell down in front of everyone! Got to scrimmage! Got to jam! Left my gear in the car on a hot day! With the windows up! Almost passed out when I got back in! And then… break. The season ended and practice was done for a whole month. Yes, there was still plenty of Google group chatter, and the new girls still got together to skate. There were even invites to practice with the guys’ team and attend speed skating classes. Unfortunately, I was forced to go away on vacation for three whole weeks. And my skates wouldn’t fit in my carry-on.

In Seattle, my BFF and her hubby became a fresh audience for my new passion (haha, “captive”) . They were endlessly indulgent and supportive. He quickly jumped on the derby-name bandwagon, coming up with some worthy submissions to The List. She bragged to her friends about me, watched Whip It, and promised to come visit as soon as I get rostered to bout. (She did, however, express some reservations about my new fashion sensibilities while we were shopping: “What is this new obsession with everything being so SHORT??”) In Utah, I hiked miles and miles through some of the most incredible desert landscapes imaginable, all the while telling myself that at least I was getting a little bit of a workout to make up for the lack of skating. And checking my Gmail whenever I hit a spot with cell service. In the airport during my layover on the way home, I bought a new pair of knee socks.

What did I do on my summer vacation? Jonesed for derby. Of course.

An Ode to Roller Girls

2010-07-16T13:11:00.000-04:00

In honor of I Love Roller Derby Day, a poem by our very own Liz Soranno!

An Ode to Roller Girls

Hardcore disco dolly
"nobody puts Baby in a corner"
punk rock athlete.

Life of the party
will take you out with the flick of her hip
warrior on wheels.

Wears her heart on her tattooed sleeve
Trash talkin', fishnet wearin'
single, girlfriend, (derby) wife.

Short-skirt, mega-flirt
red lipstick-stained
professional, manager, coordinator, director.

Glittered up, Derby Skinzed
Ready to do battle
sister, student, pinup.

Blink and you'll miss her
Crowd pleasin'
Bad ass daughter.

Ass-kickin', tells it like it is
Tough as they come
can't judge a book by its cover girl.

Alter-egoed, super hero
femme fatale
foul-mouthed (Earth) mother rebel.

To all the derby girls everywhere -- Happy I Love Roller Derby Day.

Come See Us Whack Some Balls

2010-07-14T14:23:00.000-04:00

Ever want to see a rollergirl off her skates? Here's your chance!

This Thursday (7/15) the ladies and gents of AASRD are taking on The Bozos in a Pick-up Softball game! The game will be held at Lincoln Park in Albany - the field nearest to the pool and down from the bath house. Game starts at 6pm and goes until 9pm.

Free admission! Bring a lawn chair and some refreshments!

Retro Night!

2010-07-14T14:17:00.001-04:00

Do you live in Cobleskill or anywhere nearby? Like to head out into the countryside for some pie and coffee? Then come to the Cobleskill Diner on Wednesdays to see our very own Misty and Casey dressed in retro attire and their skates.

So if you want some great diner grub served up with a side of sass...head on over!

Wow, We're Everywhere!

2010-07-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

Although it's the off-season right now, there's still a bunch of interesting stuff going on with our team members.

Men's derby saw a handful of guys at tryouts last Sunday. If you think you may be interested, they are still looking for more teammates.

Joan of Arkham (Andrea Becker) was interviewed by the Troy Record.

EST was filmed by Greg Wilson at the final bout for a short film called "Nice and Sugared Up." (Dottie really likes to use the F-word by the way.)

Hey Fellas, Don't Forget....

2010-06-26T16:45:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow night (Sunday) there will be tryouts for men's derby. Don't worry about skates because they will be available there. It's at 7pm at Rollerama.

Even if you are unsure, come down, ask questions, check it out.

Plus, sometimes the guys practice with the girls. This is a pretty decent incentive!

You can find all of the details here.

Photos from the Last Bout

2010-06-23T15:03:00.000-04:00

Dottie Damage as jammer. Photo courtesy of Walter Romero.

So far we have two photostreams of pictures from the final bout of the 2010 season.

Here are some from Walter Romero.

Here are some from the nice people at Albany Alive.

If we get more we will continue to post them.

Game Day by Jenny Rotten

2010-06-19T13:35:00.000-04:00

It is just on the edge of my consciousness, like a fish flashing silver as it jumps out of the sea. I turn away, but it keeps leaping up, teasing me, screaming look at me, look at me. But I can’t. Not yet.

Instead, I eat breakfast, nothing fancy; today’s not the day to try anything new. I hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Something still hovers in my peripheral vision, but I’m not ready yet. It’s too soon. I try to find things to do, anything so I won’t think about what I’m getting ready to do tonight.

I wash my bearings, scrub my wheels, re-tape my skates. Sometimes, I even wash my pads, although there is a school of thought that the smellier they are, the better, in order to poison the opposing team. Any yet that sliver of thought, the game, my performance, skating, is constantly niggling me, but I have yet to look.

The day goes by agonizingly slow. The day goes by quickly. Finally, it’s time. I turn my head and look, allowing my thoughts to go to the night ahead. I imagine myself knocking over other skaters, dodging through the pack, my feet pumping, moving, my body a battering ram, an arrow.

At the Armory I gear up: Knee gaskets, pads, skates, helmet, mouth guard. I take one last breath then step onto the track. I am Jenny Rotten.

Game Day.

We Really Get Around!

2010-06-16T17:54:00.000-04:00

Good news-there are plenty of places to see your favorite derby girls this weekend.

On Friday there's the Cage Wars event at the Armory. No, the ladies won't be kickboxing with each other, but come by and say "hi" anyway.

There is also Art Night Schenectady. Our own Joan of Arkham will be showing some of her prints and watercolors at Proctors that night. Many ladies of the team will be there to show support and to remind you to:

ATTEND THE LAST BOUT OF THE SEASON!!!!

Check out the events page for all the specifics, but basically the first whistle blows at 7pm at the Armory, but we suggesting getting there early to see Slick Fitty. It's going to be amazing and you'll be sad if you miss it, because we won't have another bout at the Armory until January.

If you are a guy and you still need more derby action, you're in luck! A week from Sunday the men will be holding tryouts for the Sons of Sam men's roller derby team. So head out to some local skating rinks to brush up on your skills. Booty shorts are optional.

More Photos From Pride

2010-06-14T22:30:00.001-04:00

Here are some photos of AASRD taken by Sebastien Barre. He's also got some great ones of the rest of the event, here. You can check out more of his works at the Albany Uncommon Grounds until July 13. Click here for more info.

The ladies (and gent) who marched were: Audrey Deathburn, Dottie Damage, Fierce Brosnan, Isabella Bruisalini, Jenny Rotten, Joan of Arkham, Kelly Von Black, Outlaw Annie, Toil 'N' Trouble, Gina Deitz, Katie Dollard, Leslie Morris, and Sarah Sperry.

Ladies working the table: Party Fowler, Christine Miller, Sin & Tonic, Danielle Laurent and Liz Gadomski. Table photo by AASRD's Audrey Deathburn.

Here are some from our own Bada Bing King:
(Check out Sarah's daughter as the flying monkey!)

Fresh Meat Perspective!

2010-06-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

From the F Files... Grade A Top Choice Meat

by: Liz S.

I won't lie, Whip It did have a little something to do with it. It ignited the spark. Watching my first bout fanned the flame. But the story goes back further than that.

Much like Bliss in the movie, I had somewhat of a Barbie roller skating phase. While my skates didn't actually have Barbies on them, I wore them a lot on Sunday afternoons skating in my basement. I was probably around 10 years old when I started skating. I would put my radio on top of the dryer and skate for hours on the concrete floor. This would be a ritual that would continue on and off for years. There would be roller skating parties at school, and we'd skate in the gym while rocking out to everything from Men at Work to Rick Springfield to Def Leppard.

And then the angst ridden teenage years moved in, and I left my skates behind. And then life just happened, and so it goes...

So yeah, I saw Whip It last year. I really liked it. I could identify with Bliss, and when Maggie Mayhem tells her to put on a pair of skates and be her own hero, I won't deny it, it chokes me up. But what really got my blood pumping was the skating and Mz. Juliet Lewis as Iron Maven. Although my outer dork sometimes overshadows my inner rock star, she's alive and well and in there.

On April 24, one day after my 39th birthday, I went to my first bout. My boyfriend suggested it, and it sounded like fun. As I sat in the stands, I knew I wanted to do that. I wanted to go to there. Recruitment day was announced, and my friend and I decided to go. During the period of time between watching my first bout, recruitment night and tryouts, I skated as much as I could -- for the first time in over 20 years. Some of it came back to me, much of it didn't -- like how to stop. I watched videos on You Tube of skaters doing some of the basics. When I'd go skating, I'd try to remember all the things they said. But there is no substitute for actually doing it.

I wasn't going to go to tryouts. I had only been practicing for about two weeks. Then I thought, what the hell, even if I didn't make it, at least I had the courage to try -- and that in itself is an accomplishment. As I sat in the parking lot, I was incredibly nervous. As I walked in the door, the feeling only intensified and I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. And as I looked around and saw many of the girls who I saw skate in the bout, I was admittedly a little star struck. Much like Bliss was with Maven. Right before Maven pushes her into the locker and slams the door!

We were asked to do some basic skating and stopping. My crossovers were very clumsy, especially after a nasty fall I had while practicing them the week before. With no equipment on. Stupid. I fell on my right knee and left arm and scraped my right elbow. Then we skated a while in derby stance. Derby stance is very much like going to the bathroom in a public toilet. After a while, my back was aching and my legs were shaking. Finally, we were told that we made it.

I made it?
I made it.

I think I was in shock. Too dumbfounded to even express how thrilled I was. For the first time in a while, I was pretty proud of myself.

The next day, I began to do some research. I put every movie about roller derby into my Netflix queue. The Rollergirls series. Blood on the Flat Track. Hell on Wheels. Even the Kansas City Bomber. I ordered books on Amazon. I connected with another newbie on Facebook who knew much more than I did and hit her up for information about equipment. I got a subscription to FiveonFive magazine. I started to read the rules. Then it dawned on me fully, this is a sport. I should explain something, I am not athletic. I never played a sport nor have I been on a team. I played piano when I was a kid. I was in band (and dropped out). So this is completely out of my element. All I know is that something has clicked in me, and I am tired of sitting. And the thought of growing stronger, mentally and physically, with the help and along side of other strong women is incredibly empowering.

We Won!!!

2010-06-13T23:42:00.000-04:00

We won Best Walking Group at the Capital Pride Parade. It's kind of funny since many of the girls were skating! Here is a pic of us marching, and the trophy we came home with.

Come See Us March

2010-06-12T16:15:00.000-04:00

Don't forget- tomorrow we will be marching in the Capital Pride Parade.

You know that we live by the motto: Go Big or Go Home! Well we are determined to win at least one category tomorrow, and we hope that you can come out and see us. Our costumes will be awesome, and there may even be a song and dance routine.

Here's the blurb about the parade from the CDGLCC site:

SUNDAY JUNE 13TH
Capital Pride Parade
Downtown Albany (State Street, Lark Street & Madison Avenue) • 11:45 am-SHARP • Free
Come celebrate the Capital District's Great LGBTQ community! This year we are celebrating 40 Years of Pride with the CDGLCC. The parade steps off at noon in Washington Park, at the intersection of State and Sprague Streets. There will be live music, exciting floats, and as always there are sure to be a few surprises! Come and enjoy the parade and then stay with is in Washington park for the annual Capital Pride Festival.

Welcome!

2010-06-10T22:20:00.000-04:00

Soon there will be lots of great stuff on here. Make sure to follow the blog so you don't miss out!