Derby Por Vida - Step 1 to Roller Derby Greatness

With our a new session of Derby Por Vida  right around the corner we reached out to one of our DPV graduates, Amelia BigDealia, to tell us about her experience in the program. Read on to find out how a skating newbie became a Derby Doll!

Amelia BigDealia using her DPV skills to fly around the banked track with the greatest of ease.

Ah, roller derby. I will never forget the first time I saw it for myself. It was magical. A thunderous spectacle with electrifying sights and sounds at every turn. The skaters were perfection: violent poetry in motion. Ferociously tough and at the same time effortlessly graceful. Seeing them I thought “Were they born with skates on their feet?”

Quite the contrary! As I did my research I came to learn that the vast majority of these athletes came to the sport with little or no skating experience. What?!? Digging further I found out that many got their start in something called “DPV.” There is a place that created these epic roller derby athletes? I had to know more.

Derby Por Vida, or DPV is the leagues training ground for future Derby Dolls skaters and referees. The program teaches skating fundamentals and roller derby basics in challenging one-hour classes. Longing for something to add to my fitness repertoire, I signed up.

I remember nervously handing in my paperwork and paying my 10 dollars not realizing how that class would change my life! After just one class I was hooked! Getting on that banked track with what little I remembered about skating was both terrifying and thrilling. Each week I returned to learn a little more. Soon, I was not only skating but skating fast and trying things that seemed unheard of just weeks before: transitions, backwards skating, and blocking.
It’s funny to think of it now; I took that class on whim. My DPV training lead to becoming a part of LADD’s Fresh Meat program, then Subpool. Ultimately, it led to being drafted to a Derby Dolls home team! Shout out to the glorious Tough Cookies!

Roller Derby gave me so much. I became a bona fide athlete! A skating, slamming, roller derby machine! I sharpened my event planning skills and learned tons about public relations through league committee work. Most importantly, I met the most amazing women (and men) many of whom I consider my best friends. All because I took a ten-dollar roller derby class. Go figure!

So, what’s my message here? I think it’s best to quote my friend Pamela Ribon aka May Q. Holla, “Stop thinking and start skating.” You never know what roller derby will do for you.

The next session of Derby Por Vida starts October 18! All you need is $10, proof of medical insurance, your ID and a mouth guard. Visit our DPV page to learn about class types, schedules, and what you should bring to class. See you on the track!

Amelia BigDealia with another DPV graduate Moon Boots

All images courtesy of Grant Palmer Photography

California Planned Parenthood Education Fund - Featured Neighborhood Organization

The October 24th deadline to register to vote is fast approaching! We will have California Planned Parenthood Education Fund on site for our next two bouts, October 8th and October 22nd to register everyone to vote. 

There are so many issues near and dear to our hearts as an organization that are up for vote this election season and we are excited to offer our league and fans the opportunity to register to vote and speak out on what matters to them!

With so much in the current news on issues that effect our community such as women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and minority's rights we want to strongly encourage each of you to take the opportunity to not just register but to also get out on November 8th and vote. 

California Planned Parenthood Education Fund has worked since 1972 to offer a variety of services to benefit the community.  In addition to providing health services, reproductive and family planning services, they also work to ensure that citizens of the U.S. are registering to vote.

Get your tickets to our next bout and stop by their booth to register to vote on November 8th and make your voice heard!!

For more information on voting and the upcoming election check out these helpful links:

Register to Vote - Reminder last day is October 24th!

Election Day, Deadlines and Time off to vote information found here

California Ballot Propositions can be found here and here

California Congressional Candidates can be found here

2016 FREE Health Fair!

On Saturday, October 15th, from 10am – 2pm, we are hosting our 8th Annual Health Fair at 4900 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90032 for Angelenos in the Central East Los Angeles Area.

This free community event will feature a variety of health services such as:

• Ear and eye exams
• Cholesterol testing
• Dental exams
• and many other healthcare resources and information

Last year's fair included organizations such as Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Clinic, Lions Club of Pasadena, Southern California Health Institute, Asian Pacific Health Corps, Planned Parenthood, Department of Public Social Services, and many more. Activity for children will be provided.

The Health Fair reinforces the Derby Dolls’ commitment to provide comprehensive services tailored to the needs of its community. The event is free and open to all ages and is located at The Dolloseum, 4900 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90032. For more information about the Health Fair please follow up on Facebook and Instagram!

St. Baldrick's Foundation - Featured Neighborhood Organization

This bout’s featured neighborhood organization is one that is bringing attention to a childhood cancer by encouraging others to shave their heads in solidarity. We can get behind the shedding light on a great cause with an attention getting methods so we are excited to partner with them during our September 24th bout!

St. Baldrick's Foundation began in 2000 as a challenge between friends, now it is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. Its signature head-shaving events, where volunteers get bald to stand in solidarity with kids with cancer and raise money to support lifesaving research are coordinated worldwide. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts who are working to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are – and that starts with funding research just for them.

Currently only 4% of federal funding (National Cancer Institute) is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research. As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research St. Baldrick’s are doing everything they can to help close this funding gap. If more people join them in the fight it will help to close the gap sooner!

To help raise more more towards childhood cancer research; DTLA Shaves for the Brave is happening September 25 at Casey’s Irish pub. Come join the St. Baldrick’s foundation, and their honored kids Aiden K. and Lily B. as well as the amazing shavees from 12 pm to 4pm. There are currently 10 brave women and 11 brave men shaving their heads in honor of childhood cancer.  

You can find out more information about the organization and their DTLA event at the Tough Cookies vs Varsity Brawlers bout. Stop by their booth in our vendor village to find out more!

All images from St. Baldricks Foundation