Route 66 Roller Derby League plans to start bouts in spring

By: Rachel Nelson
http://www.amarilloscene.com/

Roller derby is a sport that has fizzled in and out of popularity through the decades. It took off for the first time in the United States in the 1930s and has seen its ups and downs. With the emerging of the new millennium, however, the sport has made a big comeback. The once All-American past time is returning in a punk rock, rebellion extreme. The Women's Flat Track Derby Association was formed in 2004, and Amarillo is getting in on the action.

"I like that it is aggressive and it's for women. You don't find a whole lot of aggressive women sports," said Crystal Tabor, a skater in the Route 66 Roller Derby that was formed late last year. Tabor's skate mates call her "Sgt. Sass" on the track.

"The personal names are supposed to be kind of corny and fun," she said. "They're also supposed to represent something about you."

The Route 66 Roller Derby came to exist when Stephanie "Mia Sinner" Buchanan got together with what she calls "the original eight" at Denny's for coffee and hamburgers. They thought it would be a good idea to start a roller derby league in Amarillo. The league is now approximately 30 skaters strong, and Buchanan said she is not surprised with the derby's success.

"There's very limited choices for sports in Amarillo. It gives women who have a need for endurance an outlet," she said.

Heather "H-Bomb" Hoffsteader is a mother of 3 and works a full time job. She said she enjoys blowing off steam through roller derby.

"It's empowering, it's fun, it's a great stress release. We don't usually get that as women very often, especially in a physical sport," Hoffsteader said. "It's a great outlet and it's great to get to know new people, too."

The league consists of three teams: The Bonzai Brawlers, Deadly Dames and Piston Pinups. The teams bout with each other on the weekends and have not yet competed with other leagues, but plan on branching out when they start their second season in the spring.

Hoffsteader said the only thing keeping the league from competing is that they are in search of a venue.

"We have a couple of them in the works, but no one really has everything we need," Hoffsteader said. "We just can't wait to get started. We all wish we could start now, but we can't yet."
The Route 66 Roller Derby has become very active in the local community since its formation in November.

"Once our operating expenses have been covered, we plan to donate to local charities and have already been donating to charities such as The American Cancer Society & Goodwill. So, by supporting Route 66 Roller Derby, you will also be supporting people in need in our area," the group's Web site explains.

Hoffsteader said the derby is also working on doing something with the High Plains Food Bank around Thanksgiving.

The Route 66 Roller Derby is always looking for new roller girls and is also recruiting referees. Skaters must be women who are at least 18 years old. Health insurance is recommended but not required. Men and women are welcome to be refs. Those interested should contact the derby via e-mail at route66rollerderby@gmail.com.

A recruitment party is also in the works and will be held at Burberry's. Keep checking www.myspace.com/route66rollerderby for the official date.

"We have girls of all different shapes and sizes. It really gets your adrenaline going sometimes and it gets your heart rate up, too," Tabor said.

Buchanan said that even women who can't skate are welcome to join."We'll help you, we'll train you. You'll gain a family out of it. We are like family. We do everything together."

ROLLER DERBY: The Basics
** Roller blades are not allowed. All participants must wear quad skates.
** Two teams with 5 girls on each team skate in a formation around the track.
** One girl from each team called a "jammer" races around the track trying to make her way through the other team's girls.
** The girls use blocks, hits and pushes to stop the other team's jammer.

Femme art show to benefit local women's charity

By: Rachel Nelson

www.amarilloscene.com

A few years ago Lindsay London started taking small steps toward a big dream. She helped form an organization called Femme to celebrate Panhandle women in the arts. Its focus is to bring attention to under produced and underexposed artists living in the Amarillo area while benefiting a local women's charity.

Femme's third annual art show will take place August 18 in the Nat Ballroom.

"I'm very proud of this show," London said. "It started very small and last year we had over 350 people attend."

The doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show will begin at 9 p.m. It will cost $10 to enter, and 100 percent of proceeds will go toward benefiting a chosen charity. Although all artists and performers are women, everyone is welcome to come see the show.

"It's by no means limited to women," London said.

The all-ages event is B.Y.O.B., and wine and refreshments will be available.

Last year Femme generated $1,700 for the Downtown Women's Center. In 2005, $1,500 was raised for Martha's House.

"I think Femme is important because a lot of times women in the arts can go underexposed. I really love the fellowship of all the women getting together and creating an evening that is so eclectic," London said.

This year's show will consist of photography and art exhibits as well as performances from local female talent. Sahara Nar will put on a belly dancing performance, and the Whiskey Makin' Mamas will present a burlesque show. There will be various musicians and a slam poet. London said that performers throughout the years have ranged in age from 10 to 70, and it's not too late to get involved. Those interested in participating in the show should contact London by calling (806)433-2409.

"I think the femme show is necessary in the Panhandle because it helps women realize that they are just as appreciated in their art as men are, and it gives exposure to youthful and otherwise shy young women," said Megan McDaniel, a production designer for the show.
"It's always been a very exciting and fun event and I look forward to it every year," she said.