(Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press)
All good things must come to an end -- or at least an extended pause -- and so it is with our beloved Detroit Derby Girls. On May 10 the 2007-08 season will conclude with not one, but two back-to-back bouts at the Masonic Temple to determine which team in the fold is worthy of First Place. Last year it was The Pistol-Whippers. This year ...?
The increasing popularity of this sport, hand in hand with the growing adulation for the DDG, is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you're already captivated, mildly interested, or have been oblivious to all this, here is a modest primer of sorts.
It's Real
The sport is much more than "just turning to the left" and is not as anarchic as it might first appear. Every skater is in perpetual motion with a specific task to perform -- whether that job is blocking an opponent or racking up points as the lead jammer. Sharp-eyed refs and judges make sure that every rule of conduct is followed.
They're real
And they're fabulous. There is no such thing as your "average" derby girl. She's in her early twenties or she's close to 40; she's in college, out of college, or teaching at a college; she's single or she's married or she's back to being single again; she's a nail technician or a computer technician; she's sweet and retiring - until she puts those skates on.
Spanning the Globe
The Detroit Derby Girls are proud (and early) members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, a collective that all but exploded in the past few years. Teams are local, state-wide, regional, national and now international. Our
Tribal Energy
You won't see an octopus thrown onto the rink, but devotees are coming up with quite a number of rituals and traditions. A T-shirt or a banner or a tattoo proudly proclaims a personal loyalty. There is an official cheerleading squad and a small army of statisticians. Local bands pump up the rock 'n' roll atmosphere during game intermissions or at after-parties. The Breakers, The Twistin' Tarantulas, The Mydols and others have all dropped in at least once.
Civic Pride
The team has become so strongly identified with the city that their presence is a given at places ranging from Works to the Northern Lights Lounge to the Detroit Opera House. They are also unstinting supporters of local causes and charities.
So there you have it. A remarkable flying squad (scandal-proof and steroid-free) to cheer on today and tomorrow…and definitely on May 10.
