Luna Lovewound

At 3:22 p.m., February 20, the world lost Niki Vodraska, a sweet girl who loved drawing, styling hair, and spending time with her friends and family.

She also loved roller derby.

At the Burning River Roller Girls, we knew Niki as Luna Lovewound, #329, one of our newer recruits and a member of the Pyromaniacs. You may remember her as one of the top four finalists in Full-Contact Musical Chairs at our November charity bout, her big debut in the roller derby world.

Luna puts the lockdown on a chair while Jem A. Lition tries to nab it. Photo courtesy of Dave Brown.

Her name is a play on the Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood, a kind, light-hearted wizard who always saw the best in others and the world around her. It was a fitting name for a young woman who often skated with a smile on her face, an eagerness to learn and a love for life.

That life was cut far too short when a brain aneurysm took over the 36-year-old during a derby practice Sunday night.

While it could have happened anywhere, at any time, we are comforted to know that Luna’s last memory was of doing something she loved with a group of women who cared deeply for her.

Luna badge

Though she was no longer conscious, first aid responders, medical crews and doctors kept her alive long enough for her family and friends to be able to say goodbye.

The avid artist was a member of the creative team for the Burning River Roller Girls, a group of skaters who volunteer their services to designing programs, signs and more for the league.

Niki badge

Her most recent contribution was a logo for the Pyromaniacs. Her design featured a phoenix coming out of the ashes, a symbol she felt represented the rising athletes on the team and which she said had personal meaning for her. The league is now sharing that design as a tribute to Luna.

Please feel free to share your own memories of Luna or give your condolences to her friends, family and teammates here in the comments.

We will be retiring her number, 329, from the league and will keep you posted on more ways we plan to honor her in our upcoming season.

We love you, Luna. You will be so missed.

Photos courtesy of Victoria Stanbridge Photography.

Our Burning River All-Stars and HazMat Crew will be hosting a double-header bout against NEO Roller Derby Sunday Feb. 26!

WHAT: Burning River Roller Girls vs. NEO Roller Derby
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 26
Doors open at 9:50 a.m.
All-Stars start at 10:15 a.m. HazMat starts at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Pla-Mor Roller Rink, 22466 Shore Center Drive, Cleveland, OH 44123
COST: $5 general public. (Tickets available at the door. CASH only.)
Children 12 and younger are FREE
Season ticket holders get in FREE (Must RSVP at marketing@burningriverrollergirls.com)

That’s right, if you bought a season ticket pass for our 2012 season, you get into this bonus bout for FREE.

Haven’t gotten your season pass yet? It’s not too late! Buy your passes now and then email marketing@burningriverrollergirls.com no later than Feb. 23 to RSVP, and you too can score this extra bout for free as a special thank you.

Season passes can be purchased in person at Wolstein Center box office, by phone at 1-877-468-4946 or online at www.wolsteincenter.com. **Processing/convenience fees apply for online and phone orders. Those not buying a season pass can just purchase tickets for Feb. 26 at the door.

Just remember that THIS bout is at Pla-Mor! Visitors are encouraged to bring collapsible chairs. Refreshments will be available for sale at the Pla-Mor snack bar. No outside food or drinks, please.

Mrs. Lovehit and LuLu come head to head during a Season 5 bout.

Team: Cleveland Steamers

How did you get into derby?
I first heard about derby when my dad gave me a program as a joke. (“Oh, sure, YOU could join roller derby!”) I later saw BRRG myself at Lakewood’s Fourth of July Parade, and was intrigued. I went to Pla-Mor Roller Rink for an informal meeting, and everyone there was so nice, despite me not really knowing how to skate. I later kept practicing on my own in parking lots and other rinks. My dad couldn’t believe little-ol’-me actually wanted to play roller derby. He said: “I was being facetious!” I replied, “Well, don’t be facetious with me because I just might do it!”

 What’s been your biggest challenge in derby so far?
Getting over the “not being able to skate” hurdle. Fortunately, it has been passed (and then some)!

 How did it feel to get drafted to the Cleveland Steamers last season?
I seriously could not believe it. It was like, “Are you sure you called the right person?”

 What are your goals for the 2012 season?
Become totally badass.

Lovehit packs it up with teammate Gonnolea.

 You were nominated for an award for “Most Improved” from the league. How did that feel?
It’s quite the honor, though sometimes it feels like, “Wow, you used to suck!” (Which is true). It’s better than the alternative. (Who wants to win “least improved”?) But I am happy.

Do you have any derby mentors?
Mosh Spice has been an incredible mentor every step of the way, from the first time I struggled to even stay upright on skates all the way to the Cleveland Steamers. She always has something inspirational to say.

 You’re a librarian by day. There seem to be a lot of librarians playing roller derby. Why do you think that is?
We’re tired of saying “Shh!” all the time.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I do a mean Munchkin laugh.

Any thank yous or shout-outs you want to give?
Hi Mom and Dad — thanks for the health insurance!

Let me slip into something more comfortable.

What a dirty mind you have.  We’re talking about the best possible gift you could give someone: Burning River Roller Girls Season Tickets.  They won’t even mind that it’s last minute!  Every bout, every power jam, every penalty, will bring you closer together.

The Decorations are taken care of.  Of course you’ll get red and pink.  But you’ll also get green and polka dots, and blue and yellow and black and orange.

 We’ve got Knockers and Cleveland Steamers, if you’re into that kind of thing.  Can you resist the temptations of our Pin-Ups?  Can you feel the heat of our Hellbombers?

So this year, forget the flowers and chocolate.  What’s more romantic than sweat, hits, and skates?

Burning River Roller Girls.  Get some derby action tonight.

And guess what?  We made the list!  How very exciting!  Via Pop Traveler:

“8. Burning River Roller Girls. Roller derby is a sport my wife and I can agree on. Fast paced and exciting, you have to see these girls in action. If you sit in the “suicide seats,” hang onto your beer, and make sure you pay the babysitter extra and go to the fun after-party hosted by the league.”

You’ve got that right!  Check out the full story and see a great photo of a Rolling Pin-Ups v. Cleveland Steamers hit.

Also, stop by Cleveland Scene‘s survey site for the Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2012 and vote for us!

There also will be a bootcamp three weeks before the tryouts to see where you stand with your skating and derby skills. You will be given feedback as to what needs work in order to pass the January tryout.

However, if you are interested in attending the bootcamp or trying out, YOU MUST RSVP TO BOTH BY SENDING RECRUITING AN EMAIL TO CONFIRM. We are not making the dates for these events public, so if you have any interest at all, you must email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com ASAP to get the dates and times for theses events.

Do it now.

Seriously. Right now.

If you don’t, these dates might pass you by.

Skaters trying out in January need to be ready to be immediately added to the farm team, The Pyromaniacs, as well as jump into league practices where BRRG skaters are in full-swing, training hard for both the travel and home season that is about to start. Due to this, skaters will have to pass a skills test at a higher level than those trying out in the post-season.

For more information about what skills you should be working on, what kind of gear you need, and what to expect if you make it on to the league, visit http://www.burningriverrollergirls.com/recruit_index.html.

Can’t try out this month? Email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com anyway. You’ll be added to our recruiting email list and be kept in the loop on future tryouts. You’ll also have a direct link to our recruiting director, Soul Eater, and her wealth of information about how to mentally and physically prepare yourself to become a derby girl.

So what are you waiting for? Take the first step to making 2012 your year!

Here are some photos from her visit to Jade Salon earlier this week, courtesy of Victoria Stanbridge Photography. 

Pre-cut prep.

 

Look at all that hair!

Erin Gargiulo gets LuLu's hair ready.

    

Snip!

    

More snips!

 

Lovely!

  

Say bye-bye to all this hair! But whose hair is it?

Can you guess the roller girl in this photo?

After tomorrow, she might not be so recognizable. You see, this particular roller girl will be cutting 10 inches from her hair to donate to Locks of Love.

She will be getting her mane cut at Jade Salon during their Cuts for a Cause event, in which profits from Dec. 13 will be donated to the Cleveland Food Bank.

And to top it off, the stylist behind the scissors will be none other than former Hellbomber Erin Gargiulo! Double roller girls. Double charities. Double awesome!

Slots for haircuts for the day book up fast, but Jade Salon is also asking for canned good donations, if you want to stop by tomorrow and donate to their cause.

Jade Salon
4428 Bridge Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-577-0967 or 216-631-5233

Have you guessed the skater in the photo yet? Give us your best guess in the comments here or on Facebook. First person to guess correctly wins a sticker from the BRRG team of their choice! (No league members or people who already know, please … cheaters

Please join us in congratulating the following skaters and welcoming newcomers to our travel teams. Our All-Stars will represent our league in competitions within the WFTDA North Central Region and are often paired in double-headers with the HazMat Crew.

And remember, this season our travel teams will have two home games at the Wolstein Center, which will be included when you purchase season passes.

HazMat Crew

Anna Malinstinct
Beatrix Wicked
Cat-A-Bolt
Chelle Shock
CLEVELAND
Dagney Taghurt
decibelle
Demona Driver
GrrAnimal
Halle Tosis
J.Poww
Kara Whack
Luz Cannon
Malysha
Mandy Maggots
Mary Kaos
Molotov Hot-tail
Olive Bruises
Scarlet GoDancin
Sweet Heart-Attack
West Nel Virus

All-Stars

Bad Mooney Rising
CoCo Sparx
Eduskater
Eva Lucien
Finnish-HER
Hidden Ajennda
Ivanna Destroya
Killustrator
LuLu
Mae Burnya
Maul-ibu Barbie
Morbid Cherub
oooh SHINEE!
Premo Donna
Punkd Pixie
Rainbow Fright
Soul Eater
Veruca Salty

Congratulations!

Ever wonder what a roller derby practice is like? What kind of gear do you need? How do you get started? What kind of skills should you be working on to become a roller girl?

All these questions and more will be answered this Sunday, Dec. 4.

Women interested in more information about joining the Burning River Roller Girls are invited to watch our league practice Sunday morning. THIS IS ONLY TO WATCH, so no gear required. We cannot allow you to skate with us, sadly, as league practice is only available to league members that skate under our league insurance.

Recruiting Director Soul Eater will be there to answer all of your questions, explain drills, etc.

Who: Women interested in joining the Burning River Roller Girls
What: Recruitment Event: Watch a BRRG Practice
When: Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – noon
Where: Pla-Mor Roller Rink, 22466 Shore Center Dr., Euclid, OH 44123

Check out more details on the Facebook event page.

Many of us got introduced to the league at events just like this one. You have to start somewhere! Join us this Sunday, and, who knows, it might be the beginning of something new and exciting in your life!

Can’t make it this Sunday? Make sure you get on our recruiting email list and get tons of great information about tryouts, recruitment events and how you can prepare. Email recruiting@burningriverrollergirls.com.