Our league has changed names from Burning River Roller Girls to Burning River Roller Derby. It’s a small update, but it’s in keeping with big and exciting changes happening in our league. Read all about it on our new blog’s location www.burningriverrollerderby.wordpress.com.
Be sure to bookmark this new site. And if you’re a subscriber, be sure to update your subscription to the new blog as well.
Don’t worry, we’ve moved all the archives over so you can still stroll through old stories.
Also if you haven’t already, take a minute to change the bookmark for our official website www.burningriverderby.com for the most up to date schedules, tickets and more.
Nov. 23, one of the strongest women we know was the passenger in a terrible car crash that sent her to the hospital in critical condition and ultimately took her life.
Mary “ ‘Rage’ing Blockaholic” Byrnes, 35, was a rising star among the Burning River Roller Girls and a member of the Rolling Pin-Ups, HazMat Crew, and Burning River All-Stars. As her name implies, she was a powerhouse blocker, but was also known for her tenacity as a jammer.
But at BRRG, we all knew that her most prominent skill was her fierce loyalty to her friends and family. She was always there for us, whether it was making us smile with her irreverent humor or having our backs during the really tough times, both on and off the track.
Who will be there for us now, though, as we say goodbye to our beloved Ragey? She fought just as hard in the hospital as she did on the track until the intense trauma took her life Dec. 4.
Rage just capped an incredible second season with many honors. At our annual banquet in October, she was awarded Rolling Pin-Ups Most Improved, HazMat Crew Best Jammer, HazMat Crew Team MVP, All-Stars Most Improved and All-Stars Rookie of the Year. Her death will leave a giant hole on our league and in our hearts.
She leaves behind three children and a stepson, an extensive family and many derby sisters and brothers who loved her dearly.
Memories and condolences are welcomed in the comments. We will be posting details on how to assist her family and pay respects as we have more information.
UPDATE: Celebration of Mary’s life will take place at 6:00 PM, on Friday, December 12, 2014, at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd., North Olmsted, Ohio. Family will welcome friends at the Chapel prior to the service, from 4:00 until 6:00 PM.
Rage, we wish you were here right now to hug and hold. You would know the right thing to say to cheer us up. We miss you so much. Rage on.
The Freshie class of 2014. Photo Courtesy of Victoria Standbridge
Ridin’ Nerdy here, one of the newest members of the Burning River Roller Girls Fresh Meat class of 2014, to introduce the rest of the recruits you will see this weekend at Black & Blue 9!
The Burning River Roller Girls added 10 new skaters to the league this season.
We are: PF Scarrie, a founding member of the Burning River Roller Girls who skated with the league from seasons one through five. After taking a few years off she has returned this season as “refreshed” meat. Her knowledge and experience are valuable assets to our gang of “freshies,” and we are very lucky to have her.
Chinese Takeout, a transfer skater who skated with the State College Area Rollers for about a year before relocating to Cleveland joining Burning River.
The rest of us are true rookies: Mexicali Mayhem, GhostGrace Killah, Vigilannie, Valerian Steel, Jessica Rabbid, Acid Raine, Roth of Khan, and myself, Ridin’ Nerdy.
We are all beyond excited and grateful to be the newest members of this amazing league of skaters. Being members of this league has already given us so many things: the feeling of empowerment, determination, and the opportunity to showcase our abilities as athletes.
With the help, support, and motivation from each other and our veteran sisters we ARE going to see what we can do in this sport this season.
Come witness our debut in the derby world by attending Black & Blue 9, the league’s annual charity bout, on Saturday Nov. 22. The doors will open at 5:30 pm, and the bout will start at 6:30. This year a portion of every ticket will go to LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland.
The fresh meat skaters will be participating in the full-contact musical chairs half time show. This is our initiation, a tradition of BRRG, and a highly anticipated event you do not want to miss!
The same basic rules of regular musical chairs apply, except we will be taking it to the extreme. It will be fast-paced, aggressive (possibly violent), exciting, and on skates!
Oh, and any form of defense or attack is permitted! That’s right, there are no rules here! While we rookies are friends and comrades during practice and outside the rink, in this event we will be battling each other in a no holds barred fight to victory! Scope out the video from last year’s event to see what we mean.
Who will be the skater to secure the final chair? You will have to attend to find out!
Buy your tickets here and be sure to get there early to make sure you get close to the action!
Black & Blue 9, the Burning River Roller Girls’ annual charity bout, is fast approaching! This year, the fundraiser benefits the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland.
The LGBT Community Center, which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015, is the third oldest LGBT center in America. It is a non-profit organization that works to create and support a community that values and respects the rights, well-being, and diversity of all individuals.
The Center advances this mission by taking on a leadership role in advocating for equality and empowering members of the LGBT community. One of the primary providers of services to the LGBT community, the Center serves roughly 500 individuals every month through its various programs and events.
The LGBT Center sponsors many special events, such as speeches and workshops, and offers regularly scheduled programs such as discussion groups and support groups. The Center also provides access to valuable health and wellness services, including free HIV and STI testing, mental health counseling, AA meetings, and consultations with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses from the University of Akron.
Other regularly scheduled programs include free tai chi and reiki classes, a creative writing group, volunteer nights, and even a martial arts class for teens 12-17. These various events nurture personal growth and skills of LGBT individuals in overcoming the challenges they face in all aspects of life.
The support offered by the Center is invaluable because it not only betters the LGBT community, but the entire community of Greater Cleveland. The Burning River Roller Girls are thrilled to be adding their own support by donating a portion of every Black & Blue 9 ticket sale to the LGBT Community Center. The donation will benefit the Center’s Facility Maintenance Endowment, which means that every dollar donated will be matched by the Maltz Family Foundation, doubling the impact. To add your own support, buy tickets for Black & Blue 9 here on BROWN PAPER TICKETS.
Black & Blue 9 takes place this Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Ohio Nets Sports Complex in Parma. The bout begins at 6:30, but doors open at 5:30, so get there early to secure your seat!
It’s that time again! It’s time for two outstanding fans to earn a spot as a guest captain during Black & Blue 9, our annual charity bout!
The highest bidders win … and get to help out a great cause. All proceeds from the auction will go to this year’s charity, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland.
As an honorary guest captain you will draft your own roller derby team from BRRG skaters and Cleveland Men’s Roller Derby, attend team practices to get to know the skaters and help develop strategy, create lineups, and bench coach your team to victory at Black & Blue 9.
One skater representative will be appointed to assist you with your duties before and during the game. Guest captains will also receive 10 free tickets so that friends and family can see you in action, as well as a special thank you gift to remember your experience with the skaters of BRRG.
AUCTIONS WILL CLOSE SUNDAY OCT. 26 AT 7:30 PM (Team Blue) and 8:15 PM (Team Black).
Get out your wallets and let the bidding begin! Links to the auctions are below:
Burning River Roller Girls is proud to present Black & Blue 9, the league’s annual charity roller derby bout, which will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Ohio Nets Sports Complex in Parma.
Doors open at 5:30, bout begins at 6:30. But we strongly recommend arriving early for the best seating.
This year, a portion of every ticket will go to LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. The fundraiser will benefit the Center’s Facility Maintenance Endowment which means that every dollar donated will be matched by the Maltz Family Foundation doubling the impact of their fundraising.
This year’s captain’s auctions will be announced soon!
Photo by Ivan “Rage” Grieve
All of the teams of Burning River Roller Girls will regroup into Team Black and Team Blue for one of the most exciting roller derby events of the year. And this year we are welcoming special guests from Cleveland Men’s Roller Derby!
But the highlight of the night will be the halftime show, in which the new recruits of Burning River Roller Girls will engage in a battle of full-contact musical chairs on skates! This unbelievable, out-of-control event keeps fans talking all year long and acts as a rite of passage to the newest members of the league.
Decibelle of the Burning River All-Stars goes in for a hit at a bout last season. / Photo courtesy of Dave Brown Photography.
Forget cuddly bunnies and copious amounts of eggs. Throw out the pastel colors. Think blue and orange this weekend. What better way to celebrate Easter than by watching some hard-hitting All-Star derby?
Come and support your Burning River All-Stars and HazMat Crew teams in Kalamazoo this Saturday, April 19, at the Kalamazoo Expo Center. 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
It’s a double header!
Doors open at 5pm for game one at 5:30 – Killa Crew vs Hazmat Crew
Game two starts at approximately 7:30 – Derby Darlins A-team vs Burning River All Stars
Tickets are available for purchase on Brown Paper Tickets. Adults are $12, Kids (6-12) are $5. Or at the door for an increased price.
One of the items up for auction is this piece by Robert Heeley. “Hawaii Double Barrel” Giclee print on canvas. 18 x 24 inches
Throw on your vintage garb, take in some amazing artwork and get ready to boogie. The skaters of the Burning River Roller Girls are hosting an art auction fundraiser Saturday, March 22.
A Boogie Night: Burning River Roller Girls Art Auction Fundraiser will feature a 1970s theme, food, drinks and music for guests to enjoy. Bid via silent auction on artwork created by local artists and members of BRRG. In addition to artwork, guests may try to win prize-filled raffle baskets.
Attendees are encouraged to wear ’70s attire as part of the festivities. DJ Klax will be on hand setting the musical tone for the evening.
Join us March 22, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Victoria Stanbridge Photography, 15707 Madison Ave., Lakewood, Ohio. Tickets cost $15 and include two drink tickets and food.
Tickets and proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Burning River Roller Girls, an organization of more than 70 diverse women who own and operate the BRRG business as well as provide athletic training and public gaming opportunities for northeast Ohio women in the sport of flat-track roller derby.
A Boogie Night: Burning River Roller Girls Art Auction Fundraiser
We’re so excited for our home opener this Saturday, March 8, at the Ohio Nets Sports Complex, we could scream (and probably will scream …we tend to yell a lot on the track).
We hope you’re just as excited and that you have your tickets! Don’t have your tickets yet? Let us show you all the different ticket options to maximize your enjoyment of Saturday’s bout!
Season Passes
Season Passes are hands down the best deal. They dramatically reduce the price you pay per bout and come with extra benefits. Check out our season schedule here.
VIP Season Pass – $100 What you get:
Admission to 5 home team games (A more than $65 value)
2 Beer Tickets per home team game (A $40 value, must be 21 or older)
Free premium parking each home team bout (A $25 value)
Special seating (priceless)
And admission into all Travel Team home games (A roughly $15 value).
That’s more than $45 in savings over regular price.
General Admission Season Pass – $55 What you get:
Admission to 5 home team games (A more than $65 value)
Admission into all Travel Team home games (A roughly $15 value)
That’s a $25 savings over regular price.
Single-Day Tickets
If you don’t want to plan that far in advance, single day tickets are available at the door and online:
General Admission – $13 online ($15 at the door)
VIP – $22
Your ticket, plus $8 in beer and $5 in parking. Still a bargain!
Children (6-12) – $8
Children (5 and younger) – FREE
Groups (of 10 or more) – $11 each
Now you know which ticket is right for you! Secure your ticket now at Brown Paper Tickets.
Our league has changed names from Burning River Roller Girls to Burning River Roller Derby. It’s a small update, but it’s in keeping with big and exciting changes happening in our league. Read all about it on our new blog’s location www.burningriverrollerderby.wordpress.com.
Burning River Roller Derby 