Derby

If you’ve seen Whip It!, starring Drew Barrymore, you know that ROLLER DERBY — that popular flat-track sport played in short skirts and on four wheels — is making a sensational comeback. With hundreds of amateur and professional teams for both genders popping up across the nation, there’s a slim chance your town doesn’t already host a league of its own. Support the sport by checking out a local roller derby team in your city today!

I skated as Kerosene Irene #23 on the Circle City Socialites roller derby team from 2009-2010.

Watch me sing during the Circle City Socialites’ July 3, 2010 roller derby bout, “Scars and Stripes Forever.” Click to watch video via MySpace: Kerosene Irene sings the National Anthem.

Position: I’m returning to the Circle City Socialites as a born-again newbie, but I’m aspiring to become a permanent Blocker and a part-time Jammer.
Skating since: I was inducted into the derby life in April 2009, but I’ve been a roller skating fiend since I wore pigtails in elementary school.
How I got started skating: The infamous Peyton Slamming turned me onto the opportunity.
Hometown: The Gem City, but now The Circle City
Trademarks: Random injections of dry, sarcastic humor; always carrying an extra lighter
Pre-bout rituals: Spontaneous combustion
Books: “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman; Beatnik classics by Kerouac, Ginsberg and Burroughs
Best thing about roller derby: I love making “debu-taunt” friends and collecting colorful knee-high socks.
Guilty Pleasures: Bad horror flicks; British comedy; karaoke; “Dancing Queen” by ABBA and black eyeliner on guys
Drink of choice: Buttery Nipples; Chocolate Cake shots and Jägermeister
Best song to skate to: Any anthem from the cult film classic, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and any Depeche Mode single
Interests off the rink: Doubling as a singer-songwriter for Midwest Americana/folk/blues band Irene & Reed
Loves: My family, friends and ferrets
Hates: Apathy

How roller derby is played (according to the CCS website):

“Roller derby has evolved from Depression-era curiosity to ’60s/’70s televised cheesefest to modern-day sports phenomenon. In the 2000s, roller derby has been reborn as a serious sport that isn’t afraid to show its playful side, with hundreds of leagues springing up around the world since. Most are amateur and all-girl. It’s definitely not just fighting on wheels—there are rules and rigor along with the fishnets. Roller derby is kind of like a race between two skaters, each with four girls helping her – and four trying to hurt her. Two teams have five skaters on the track at a time. The one who scores the points is the Jammer – her goal is to pass the opposing skaters as many times as possible. The four other skaters on her team – the Blockers, led by a Pivot – play offense and defense at the same time. They try to block the opposing Jammer and clear a path for their own Jammer. Much as we derby sisters love slamming into each other, there are rules. Tripping, kicking, punching, and elbow-throwing will all get you penalties. But you can use your shoulders, hips, and other areas to deliver the hurt.”