If you see packs of roller derby girls skating the Fresno streets this weekend, don’t be scared. Fresno is just the center of the roller derby universe this weekend.
The tournament starts Friday and runs through Sunday, making for three days of fast-paced, hard-hitting action. Teams from the around the country will converge on Fresno with hopes of national glory.
This is a coup for Fresno and the Central Valley, which is already a hotbed for roller derby action. There are four bouts on Friday, six on Saturday and four more on Sunday. Tickets cost $20 per day and $50 for the entire weekend. Kids 7 and under are free.
1. DO SOMETHING HALLOWEEN-ISH
With that unfortunate Halloween-falling-on-a-Wednesday thing, this weekend promises to be full of slutty nurses roaming your neighborhood bar. We’ll be back with a full rundown of Halloween happenings, but here are a few top options. The party at The Standard is pretty big each year. King Sugar‘s Eureka Burger show makes the list off the flier alone — but they’ve got cool ska flavors too. And who doesn’t want to parade their dog around the Tower District?
If you’re looking for cool live music tonight, the place to be is Audie’s Olympic in the Tower, which hosts Austin rock band Ume, whom I’ve heard a lot of good things about. Two strong local bands back them up — Light Thieves, the new cool-indie-rockers-of-the-moment in Fresno and Style Like Revelators, a quality bluesy-rock band.
Hella shameless self promo here, but my Ozmosis Happy Hour #2 is tonight at Swiggs. There’s sports on the TVs, Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co’s “Steal the Shirt” night and lots of giveaways — including tickets for this weekend’s NOtown Roller Derby bout and Sergio Romo bobbleheads courtesy of the Fresno Grizzlies.
1. SWING BY AUDIE’S
Let’s all give a round of applause for local band Old Tire Swingers, who recently completed a five-month tour that circled the country and put 15,000 miles on its tour van. Now, the group plays its homecoming show at Audie’s Olympic on Saturday with equally-cool local band Poor Man’s Poison, plus Copper & Glass and direct-from-North Carolina, Deep Chatham. Old Tire Swingers play old-time string music and bluegrass, but its members have a history in rock bands, so they’re trying to get people to recognize it’s not just overall and straw hat music. Read my interview with Old Tire Swingers for more. [Tickets]
FYI: The winner of our ticket giveaway was Maribel. No more free tickets, but remember you can buy them in advance at brownpapertickets.com and save a few bucks.
This week, we’re helping you get to know some of the team through our Ladies of NOtown series. We already met Hurricane Huckaby, Spanky Sample and Buggie Smalls. Next up is Pookie. Oh, and this is your last call to enter for free tickets (see below) — 5 p.m. is the deadline to comment.
This week, we’re helping you get to know some of the team through our Ladies of NOtown series. We already met Hurricane Huckaby and Spanky Sample. Next up is Buggie Smalls. Oh, and be sure to read all the way to the bottom if you like free stuff.
VITALS Real name: Geri Blum Age: 32 Position: Pivot/blocker/jammer Number: 666 # of years playing roller derby: Four
This week, we’re helping you get to know some of the team through our Ladies of NOtown series. We already met Hurricane Huckaby. Today, we meet Spanky Sample. Oh, and be sure to read all the way to the bottom if you’re interested in free tickets to Saturday’s bout.
OK, guys. We’re a day away from Beehive Birthday 7 at Rotary Playland. I know it’s a soggy day today, but the forecast is clear for the party. Let’s all just keep our fingers crossed.
A few of the key details: The party runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. Kids 12 and under are free. Rides are unlimited for everybody once you’re in. Keep reading for all the fun and Fresnocentric things we have planned and the long list of prizes you could win. We hope to see you there!
Hey y’all, we’re just a few days away from Beehive Birthday 7. If you missed the previous announcement: The party is at 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday at Rotary Playland. We’re envisioning an after-hours party at Playland, fit for both kids and adults.
We’ve added some Fresno-centric twists to a few of the rides, set up a beer garden, recruited some familiar faces to join us and, of course, we’re going to be announcing the ValleyWho winner.
Things are starting to take shape on our end, so I thought I’d fill you guys in:
While you’re figuring out that last-minute Halloween costume.
1. LIVE LIKE A NEANDERTHAL Neanderthals — one of Fresno’s favorite party bands in the late ’80s — has a reunion gig Saturday night at Fulton 55. If it’s anyting like that Wild Blue Yonder reunion, you can expect a big ol’ crowd. [Tickets]
TONIGHT: Looking for live music this evening? You’ve got two very distinct and very good options — Sub Pop Records rockers Obits, who make a tour stop at The Cellar Door in Visalia and Italian surf/rock group Surfer Joe and his Boss Combo, who are at Fulton 55 with local faves The Neptunes.
LOTS TO EAT THIS WEEK: I’ll expand more on this tomorrow — but I want you to start saving space in your stomach as soon as possible. Thursday is the Taco Truck Throwdown. The Fresno BBQ and Fun Fest runs Thursday-Sunday and the Fresno Greek Festival is Friday-Sunday, with food as one of its main attraction.
BASS MONSTERS: The next in what’s become a movement of big electronic dance music events in Fresno this year? Saturday’s Bass Monster tour stop at Crest Theatre with headliner DJ Reid Speed. I wrote a feature story in Sunday’s paper about the current boom in local electro events, most of which are aimed at rabid younger crowds.
The ladies of NOtown Roller Derby are back in action Saturday night, hosting a bruising bash at the Fresno Fairgrounds vs. the OC Roller Girls.
It’s always fascinating to get to know the ladies off the track, so we’ve asked a few of the NOtown gals to slow their roll and answer some questions for The Beehive.
We’ve already introduced you to Rita Ville, Lucky Eddie and Pookie. Today, we finish our series with The Clarifier.
As if you needed another reason to attend the NOtown roller derby bout this Saturday, a portion of ticket sales will benefit the Fresno Bully Rescue.
The Fresno Bully Rescue is a volunteer-based, no-kill shelter that finds both temporary and forever homes for bully breed dogs that have been rescued from abusive homes or shelters where they were to be euthanized.
The NOtown ladies will be collecting donations for FBR; a list of needed items appears after the jump.
The ladies of NOtown Roller Derby are back in action Saturday night, hosting a bruising bash at the Fresno Fairgrounds vs. the OC Roller Girls.
It’s always fascinating to get to know the ladies off the track, so we’ve asked a few of the NOtown gals to slow their roll and answer some questions for The Beehive.
Our series started Monday with Rita Ville and continued Tuesday with Lucky Eddie. Today we get to know co-captain Pookie.
Free stuff alert: You can enter to win tickets to Saturday’s bout here.
UPDATE: Congrats to our winners — Leann, Chris and Mallory. Hope you all have fun.
ORIGINAL POST: While we’re happily introducing you to members of NOtown Roller Derby all week, we still think the best way to get indoctrinated into the world of Fresno roller derby is face-to-face.
That’s why we’re giving away tickets to Saturday night’s bout against the OC Roller Girls at Fresno Fairgrounds. It’s a derby doubleheader that’s headlined by a match-up with NOtown’s All-Stars and OC’s Wheel Housewives (clever, right?)
Speaking of clever: You’ll need to bring some of your own to win tickets. Just leave a comment telling us what would YOUR derby name would — for example, NOtown skaters have names such as Hari Kari, Mick Dagger and Betty Rocker. We did this last year and it was fun, so check that if you need inspiration.
Deadline to enter is 4 p.m. Thursday. We’ll pick three winners at random and give them a pair of tickets. Winners will be notified by e-mail, so include a real one and check it. You’re ineligible if you’ve won something in the past month. Full rules below.
The ladies of NOtown Roller Derby are back in action Saturday night, hosting a bruising bash at the Fresno Fairgrounds vs. the OC Roller Girls.
It’s always fascinating to get to know the ladies off the track, so we’ve asked a few of the NOtown gals to slow their roll and answer some questions for The Beehive.
Our series started Monday with Rita Ville and today we talk to team co-captain Lucky Eddie.
Keep an eye out for more Ladies of NOtown features this week, as well as a chance to win tickets to Saturday’s bout.
VITALS Real Name: Karen Saldana Age: 28 From: Fresno Number: # str8edge Position: Pivot Blocker Jammer (PBJ as we say)
The ladies of NOtown Roller Derby are back in action Saturday night, hosting a bruising bash at the Fresno Fairgrounds vs. the OC Roller Girls.
It’s always fascinating to get to know the ladies off the track, so we’ve asked a few of the NOtown gals to slow their roll and answer some questions for The Beehive.
We’ll start our series with Rita Ville.
Keep an eye out for more Ladies of NOtown features this week, as well as a chance to win tickets to Saturday’s bout. You could buy them for $10 in advance at SBI Boardshop, Twee Boutique or online at Brown Paper Tickets. They’ll cost $12 at the door. A portion of the proceeds benefit Fresno Bully Rescue.
This weekend is jam-packed with things to do, so if you’re thinking about staying home and watching [insert whatever sport is in season here], you will truly miss out.
Donald has given you his picks, and here are some more options for your weekend.
Huge, Andre-the-Giant-sized props to anyone who manages to do all of these things:
FRIDAY
• Drink wine, play bocce, hear music and eat lasagna with the Appellation California Winery from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free; dinner and wine is available for purchase.
• The Central Valley Burlesque Society and New York-based burlesque group Dangerous Curves Ahead will put on a show for the 21 and over crowd at Full Circle Brewing Co. starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
This Saturday the NOtown Roller Derby team will kick off its season with a bout against the Bakersfield Diamond Divas and the Kern County Roller Girls at the Fresno Fairgrounds Commerce Building.
The NOtown Gang Stars will take on the Kern County Roller Girls at 5:30 p.m., then the NOtown All Stars will take on the Bakersfield Diamond Divas at 7. Doors open at 5.
We here at the Beehive loooove roller derby. It truly is a unique event; something you can bring the whole family to. Unlike what you see on T.V. and in movies, it’s quite a bit more civilized, with actual rules, and unwritten ones, as well. The teams generally show a lot of respect toward each other. That doesn’t mean, however, that the NOtown girls don’t kick some serious ass.
The NOtown league includes 50 women, and is divided into a “Fresh Meat” team (new and less experienced skaters), three home teams (the Fulton Maulers, Huntington Harlots, Shaw Shankers) and three travel teams (Raisin Hell, Gang Stars, and NOtown All Stars).
Part of what makes roller derby so awesome is the skaters’ pun-arific names, and NOtown doesn’t disappoint — the team includes Karma Kaze, Lotta Leadpipe, Kandi Stroya, The Clairifier, and Juana Bruiski, among others.
I really can’t recommend enough that you check this out, if you haven’t already. It truly is a fantastic Fresno experience.
Tickets for Saturday’s bout are $10 in advance, and can be purchased at SBI Boardshop in the River Park shopping center, Twee Boutique, and Heroes Sports Lounge. Tickets purchased the day of the bout are $12. Kids under 10 are free.
1. MAKE THE BLUES YOUR MUSE Blues at the Muse in the third installment of the concert series at Fresno Art Museum that has brought us Rock the Muse and Jazz at the Muse. For the blues version, there are performances from Joe Walton and the West Fresno All-Stars giving us a taste of the west side’s blues legacy, plus Joel Pickford & The Hell Hounds, who will surely be raising hell. Money raised helps the museum. Advance tickets here.
Unless you’re scared of clowns, this looks like a lot of fun — comedy, lots of good local music, circus theme. Before, there’s an ArtHop stop across the street that involved NoTown Roller Derby Girls and boobs, all for a good cause. How could you not go?
Happy Monday to you all. I hope everybody had as fun of a weekend as I did. It was packed with local stuff. Here’s my rundown. Add your own adventures in the comments.
FRIDAY
Went to Greek Fest. It was yummy. But we don’t need another post about that.
Then I darted over to Star Palace for Fashawn’s big show. Nearly 700 people showed up to see the young rapper’s first local show of the year, many of them crowding up close to the stage and rapping along. If there was a show where you looked at Fash and said, “This kid is a star in Fresno,” it was this show.
Here are some videos of Fashawn and co-headliner Curren$y. (NSFW language)
In preparation for Saturday’s NoTown Roller Derby FresYES Fest, we’re introducing you a member of each Fresno-inspired team — The Shaw Shankers, The Fulton Maulers and The Huntington Blvd. Harlots.
They’ll battle tournament-style for ultimate NoTown bragging rights. So we wanna know about their Fresno-inspired monikers and their local pride.
How did your team come up with its name? Our artistically creative Fresno fans came up with our team name Huntington blvd Harlots. It’s spastastically amazing!
