The Los Angeles Derby Dolls
The Tough Cookies vs. The Sirens
The Doll Factory, Philopinotown
Los Angeles, CA
May 31. 2008
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Are you ready to rumble? It’s Saturday night in LA so it must be Roller Derby night. The LA Derby Dolls are still packing them in at the Doll Factory just this side of downtown with their self-built banked track. Going down once a month, it continues to be the hottest ticket in town. Sell out’s are normal.
The scene is gorgeous and the ladies set the bar. Corsets, feathers, fishnets and glitter, vinyl, leather and lace; on wheels yet! We meet Dawn Laureen (Double D) who books the bands for the side stage at check in and she intro’s us to founder Rebecca Ninburg (Demolicious) both toting full blown Follies Bregere feathered headdresses, bustiers, tutus, fishnets and glitter-wheeled skates. Every day stuff for a Derby Doll.
Tonight the Sirens in their police uniforms are skating against the Tough Cookies who dress like girl scouts. It’s a pervert’s heaven. And it’s all part of the joke. The aliases of the ladies are strictly Professional Wrestling; Tara Armov, Gori Spelling, Mila Minute. But the competish is hard core and these women take the game seriously and put on a hell of a show.
LA City Councilman, Eric Garcetti sang the national anthem to kick off the game. Oh, say, can you see?
Wonder pop punkers, The Automatic Music Explosion is playing at half time. Love them. Currently working with living legend, producer Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack, The Sweet, Suzi Quatro plus) AME does nothing but rock. Clean pop rocking riffs, with lots of glitter and snarl. Eyeliner and snapping beats.
The bands are set up on a nice stage at the end of Vendor Village. Think mini-Sunset Junction. Punk rocker baby clothes, Mexican Wrestling purses, leopard skin everything, roller derby summer camp for girls and organic cookies.
Rude Chix is pink and black tees and things for way-too-hip toddlers. Los Angeles Art Glass sells guess what? Oh, you got it!! Seriously. Glass jewelry like you’ve never seen.
ViaDerby sells the equipment to the women. Wheels, bearings, pads and plates. But we’re talking Glitter Wheels. We plan to ask Santa Claus for a pair of Pink Flame Twister Speed Skates for Xmas. We love the Brand manager, Estro Jen. Tee hee.
Candalot Customs was the stand out with Our Lady of Guadalupe vinyl glitter hand bags. These are the local artisans that make El Lay the coolest place in the world. The world of the Derby Dolls is a magic place filled with artists, musician and ferocious athletes.
