RTP-area local music and culture

["Todd Morman" <tmorman AT nc.rr.com>]

Before checking out Eugene Chadbourne at 506, don't forget the Carolina
Rollergirls' final bout of the season this Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6pm at the
Skate Ranch in Raleigh. November's bout was sold out - 700+ - and since then
the girls roadtripped to play the Minnesota Rollergirls, whose rules allow
the use of forearms (boo hiss for brawn over skating skill). The Minnesota
team will return the favor by coming to the Triangle - and playing by
Triangle rules, thank you - at the end of January, so this is your last
chance to catch flat-track roller derby action until then.

As more leagues form around the country, there's been growing coordination
to systematize rules and encourage inter-league competition. The first
"national" tournament will be held in Tucson in February; the Carolina
Rollergirls are going, which means their next season may not start until
April or so. Which, again, means that this Sunday's bout is worth making
time for. Keep in mind that the girls and the crowds are both usually at
their best at the end of a season.

The national attention is ramping up, with that CSI:NY episode tonight about
a death on the female flat-track circuit featuring members of an LA team,
and an A&E reality show following one of the Texas teams set to debut in
January. What that kind of stuff means for the future of the sport is
anyone's guess (mine is that it'll be generally irrelevant or mostly
negative), but there's no denying it's an interesting time to have some pals
involved in roller derby. www.carolinarollergirls.com if you want to buy
tickets in advance. FWIW, the Triangle's league was one of the first 5 or so
in the country. There are now around 40.

todd had some Rollergirls on the show tonight damn they're smart women
morman