It seems that Rollery Derby in Portland is serious sport. Events regularly sell out and people are pretty psyched to go. I had never been to a roller derby and only knew from TV and movies that it consisted of chicks on skates knocking eachother around. Most of that is true, by the way, but there are other elements too. I went to the roller derby with my friends from work- Calethia and Kari. It reminded me of highschool football. Weird lighting, lots of friends and family there to support the players, well-loved but dingy venues, and beer in a can. The energy was high and people were packed into the hanger at the Oaks Park.
As we watched the girls go round and round it took a while to figure out the scoring. And even though our home team was losing their fans were as rambunctious as ever. In fact, we even booed what we felt was a dirty hit only to be admonished by the injured girl's coach that the hit was legal. Sort of werid.
Warm ups around the track before the match begins
Introducing the teams and their skaters
Brusing Betty- the oppposition's mascot
Lining up for a match
Me, Calethia, Kari, and a Bruisng Betty Skater
Overall it was a good time. Not a shabby way to spend an evening. It lasted about 2 hours and I got to experience something that I feel is part of Portland's mystique. Women racing around a rink, not concerned about their dress size, just having a great time knocking eachother over and playing to the crowd.
I would totally go back again.
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