If you’ve been following the KC Derby Digest Experience on various social media, you know by now that the Rushin’ Rollettes captured the Blacksnake Rollergirls 2014 championship this past weekend at the St. Joseph Civic Arena for the first time in their brief history.
We’d predicted a Danger Dolls win by about a dozen points or so, but the Rollettes surprised us — in a good way! — by taking home the trophy in one of the better games we’ve seen this season, final score 39-30.
The 2014 champion Rushin’ Rollettes
The Venomous Vixens tasted victory Saturday night as well, taking down the Jesse Janes in the pre-championship grudge match 51-38. KC Derby Digest was on hand, of course, to capture the madness, and we’ll let you know the moment the photo album has been published.
Congratulations to everyone in the Blacksnake Rollergirls organization for a phenomenal third season of flat track action in St. Joseph. We couldn’t be more thrilled to see this league take off the way it has. They have an all-star game against the Fountain City travel team coming up, as well as a charity game in St. Joe in mid-September, so we’ll keep you posted on your next opportunity to see these amazing Blacksnake ladies in action.
Our Featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for August is The Kadydid Kid!
Name: The Kadydid Kid Teams: The Danger Dolls Number: R-84 Position(s): Blocker Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3
How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“I discovered BRG through my sister, Lucy Brawler. She always wanted me to play and she asked if I wanted to try it out.”
Explain the origin of your derby name.
“My derby name is originated from The Karate Kid. It was “Cady Did-It” for a week, and obviously it didn’t stick. Lucy suggested this name and it was perfect! The whole league called me Kid anyway since I was the youngest in the league at the time.”
Who inspires you on the track?
“Everyone inspires me on the track. Every woman in this league has a special talent and they all inspire me to learn more and constantly strive to be better. I love every Blacksnake, coach, ref, and skater.”
How has roller derby changed your life?
“Roller derby gave me an outlet to get away from all of the life things that happen. BRG is a big second family that I couldn’t imagine NOT having in my life. They make me laugh, cry, and brighten my day when I’m having a really bad one.”
What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in The Kadydid Kid?
“BRG makes me want to be the best I can be, on the track and off. These girls are nurses, military men and women, computer nerds, and so many greater things than just the ones we come in contact with on a daily basis. It helps me keep going through school and they inspire me to be great in life. They are a great support system and I am so proud to be a Blacksnake!”
To see more of The Kadydid Kid and all the Blacksnake Rollergirls in action, visit our photo albums on Smugmug, like us on Facebook, and check out our newly-launched Pinterest and Instagram pages.
Tonight, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, the Blacksnake Rollergirls take the track for Sith Happens, a Star Wars-themed night of flat track awesomeness that also happens to be their 2014 championship games!
Click for the Facebook event page.
Doors open at the Civic Arena at 5:00. The first game of the night will be a grudge match between the Jesse Janes and the Venomous Vixens. Then, in the championship event, the defending champion Danger Dolls take on the always-threatening Rushin’ Rollettes, who are looking for their first championship in their brief two-year history.
The first whistle is at 6:00, and for the championship game, we’re predicting a Danger Dolls win by a margin of about 12. Both the Dolls and Rollettes have fought some pretty bruising competition to earn a spot in this year’s league champs, and we’re giving the Dolls the edge here based partially on their 10-point victory over the Rollettes back in April. You can expect all of these ladies to bring their A-games for tonight’s event, and we can’t to see how it all shakes out.
As always, you can follow us on our Twitter page for scores and highlights if you’re not able to make it to St. Joe tonight, and whether you’re there or not, follow along as the evening progresses on our Instagram page as we take you behind the scenes of one of the most dynamic and entertaining flat track leagues the Kansas City area has to offer.
Regardless of the tonight’s outcomes, you can expect some of the hardest-hitting contests of the season tonight in St. Joseph, so don’t miss it. We will see you there!
It’s kind of exciting to be this caught up on derby photos this late in the season. As I was explaining to a friend just the other night, given the sheer number of leagues we cover on KC Derby Digest, it’s nearly impossible to keep photos on schedule throughout the season without fail. If nothing else, life gets in the way.
But Kansas City, as you know, has so much incredible roller derby action going on this time of year that if you’re going to keep yourself fed and on any kind of sleep schedule, you’re almost guaranteed, in our line of work, to fall behind at some point. It’s a good thing we’re just so darned dedicated, because today we bring you a whole entire slew of photos from recent events and bouts you hopefully didn’t miss, even if you haven’t seen the albums.
Just for fun, let’s see how long we can stick with a wacky “fall down/go boom” theme.
Dead Girl Derby’s Coed League
We’ve already touted the Untouchables and the Public Enemies as the best new thing in Kansas City roller derby since the Banked Beauties made their debut back in 2012 (a league we hope to see again). Competitive coed roller derby is something Kansas City has never seen before, and to be sure, this crop of Dead Girls and Guys has made the most of a fantastic idea. They held their most recent game back on June 22, and we have the photos for you.
Click for the full album.
Going backwards in time here, the Coed League held their second game of the season on May 18th, and we were there as well, capturing the madness on digital film for your enjoyment. Don’t kid yourself, though, it was for ours too.
Click for Game 2.
Dead Girl Derby’s Zombie League
Once upon a time, there was only Black Plague and Gang Green, and today, that tradition lives on stronger than ever through Dead Girl Derby‘s Zombie League.
Their most recent game was also on June 22, alongside the Coed League.
Game 3.
And likewise, rewinding the clock a bit, Game 2 for the Zombie League was also on May 18, so here you have it.
Game 2.
Fountain City Expo Games
Come September 8th, Dead Girl Derby will officially become known as Fountain City Roller Derby, a name change we’ve already squealed like a girl over in recent days and can’t wait to see finally take place.
About this time last month, the Coed League, Zombie League, and Fountain City travel teams held a unique outdoor event at the Alamo Drafthouse and put their mad derby skillz on display before riffing all over Whip It as part of a league fundraiser hosted by the Alamo. It was the most exciting new event in a long time, and we, of course, wouldn’t have missed it.
Click for the expo games photo album.
Blacksnake Rollergirls
If you haven’t been up to St. Joseph to witness the flat track awesomeness that is the Blacksnake Rollergirls at the Civic Arena, you’re definitely missing out. Dead Girl Derby‘s sister league puts on a heck of a show every month, and the league is growing like a weed. They went from two house teams to four after just one season — the 2013 house championship was won by the Danger Dolls, one of the expansion teams — and there’s been no stopping them ever since.
KC Derby Digest unfortunately had to miss the BRGs’ most recent game because it was slated for July 12th, the same night as the Dead Girls, but last month’s games on June 7th were as wild as they ever were, and we were definitely there for that. It was a 60s-themed event called Peace Love & Roller Derby, so… what’s not to love?
Click for the photo album.
Previously on the Blacksnake Rollergirls‘ schedule was a May event known as ABLOCKalypse Now, a military appreciation-themed event that took place near Memorial Day, and true to its name…
ABLOCKalypse Now.
What’s Next
Dead Girl Derby‘s third house game of the season was this past Saturday night at Hale Arena, and in the spirit of this whole keeping-up-with-photos thing we’ve got going on at the moment, we hope to have those published sometime this week.
The NEMO Viqueens, our favorite flat track team out of Kirksville, Missouri, has invited us to shoot their upcoming bout, and both the Dead Girls and the Blacksnake Rollergirls have August and September events we plan to cover as well. The 2014 season is in full swing and there’s still plenty left, including the respective championships, so stay tuned to KC Derby Digest and all our social media for the latest. As incredible as the season’s been so far… something tells us the best is still in front of us.
This weekend features another perilous Saturday night in which Kansas City roller derby fans must choose their league. These things happen, especially to us. When you follow as much derby as we do, you’re bound to run into date conflicts, and until technology catches up with our love of derby, we can only be in one place at a time.
Above all, we like to keep readers informed so they can make informed choices about how to spend their roller derby dollar. We love our Dead Girls and Blacksnake ladies, but stop scheduling games on the same night, mmmkay? Kthx.
Dead Girl Derby – Game 3
Hale Arena is the place to be for Dead Girl Derby action Saturday night. Doors open at 5:00, the first game begins at 6:00, and you won’t want to miss this one. It’s the last game of the season before the championship games on August 16th. The Deadly Sirens take on the formidable Shotgun Sheilas in game one of the night’s festivities, and the reigning champion Royal Pains face off against the Lovely Lethals in game two.
Click for the Facebook event page.
KC Derby Digest will be there, camera in hand, to document the madness, so get to Hale Arena early and don’t miss these incredible ladies in one of their final games under the Dead Girl Derby name. Adult tickets at the door are $15, kids 6-12 are $7, and children 5 and under are admitted free.
Wicked Witches of the Mid-West
For Blacksnake Rollergirls action on the flat track, there is only the St. Joseph Civic Arena, and that’s where you can find this outstanding league this Saturday night. This weekend’s Wizard of Oz themed event will first feature the Kansas City Roller Warriors Junior Derby league in game one, followed by a two-team Blacksnake mash-up contest in game two.
Click for the Facebook event page.
Tickets at the door are $12 for adults, $7 for kids 6-12, and $0 for rugrats ages 5 and under. Doors open at the Civic Arena at 5:00. They also have a Chuck-a-Duck contest for great prizes, as well as a 50/50 drawing for cashola.
Best of luck to all the ladies of Kansas City and St. Joseph roller derby this Saturday night! Be sure to follow us on The Twitter for all the scores and highlights this weekend, and we will see you trackside, Kansas City. Roll on!
Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for June 2014 is Rainbow Frite!
Name: Rainbow Frite Team: The Rushin' Rollettes, BRG All-Stars Number: 5 Stars Position(s): Blocker Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3
How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“I was actually recruited by a couple of players that have since retired, Kitty Chaos and Victoria’s Secret Weapon. I work with them and they thought I would be a good fit for BRG. So I showed up to a practice and actually got really busy with work and didn’t go back for a couple of months. Once I returned, I was drafted to the Venomous Vixens and only had a few practices before I played my first game! After that first game, I was addicted.”
Explain the origin of your derby name.
“I had kicked around several names, one being Abbey Rogue to appease my obsession with the Beatles. My husband, Coach Sk8 O’Masochist, and I were sitting around trying to come up with ideas. He came up with a lot of names… but Rainbow Frite, taken from Rainbow Brite, stuck with me. I am an 80s child, and who doesn’t love Rainbow Brite? The name stuck and I couldn’t imagine having any other name!”
Who inspires you on the track?
“There are so many people that inspire me. I have to give a shout-out to the original Venomous Vixens. Without the OVV, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Coach Chadillac, Coach I for an Eye, Coach Jon, Coach Daddy Rampage, and all the ladies on the team taught me what derby was all about. All of the ladies on that team pushed me, but I have to give a special shout-out to Hott-ness Monster. She continuously pushed me in practices, sometimes literally, which enabled me to push my body to limits I didn’t know I could reach. She taught me a lot of what I know when it comes to blocking and I can’t thank her enough for taking the time to help me out. Coach Sk8 O’Masochist is someone who inspires me every day. He pushes me and he pushes our team to be the best we can be. He has turned into such an amazing coach and I couldn’t imagine derby without him. Des’Amator, my derby wife and partner in crime, continues to inspire me to work harder in practice as well as outside of practice. She is an amazing derby player and I am so lucky to have her on my team. I’m am also obsessed with DGD! There are way too many skaters and coaches to list, but they are amazing people and anytime I get to spend with them on and off the track is a privilege. To all the ladies and gentlemen in BRG, you are my family and I am so glad to have you in my life!”
How has roller derby changed your life?
“Before derby, I didn’t really know a lot of people in town. We had moved to St. Joseph in the fall of 2009 and didn’t really get out much. As soon as I joined BRG, I started making friends. Those friends have turned into my sisters and brothers. I am amazed everyday by the community feeling we have in our league. If someone is in need, our league is right there making sure everyone is taken care of. I have never seen so many selfless people in one spot. I feel that is the case with other leagues as well, such as Dead Girl Derby and Benton County Derby. I love this league and am very thankful to have such an amazing support system!”
What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Rainbow Frite?
“My team brings out the best in me. It is such an honor to skate with the Rushin’ Rollettes. Everyone gives their all every single game and in every single practice. My teammates push me to keep getting better and to keep showing up to every single practice so I can better myself for my team and the league. Plus, hitting people is pretty fun too.”
All that's fit to digest from the world of Kansas City roller derby!
