I Choose Indy!

Here’s a great video interview with Breena Fain from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor’s Association. She shares what’s great about Indy and even some suggestions and ideas for what you can do in Indy for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend.

This past Saturday I finally accomplished something I’ve been trying to get scheduled for probably a year now. I finally made it out to the Indiana State Fairgrounds and caught the Naptown Roller Girls take on the Memphis Roller Derby ( I really think they should change their name to the “Memphis Belle’s”) at the Pepsi Coliseum.

My son and I went to the bout and we had an absolutely rockin’ time Saturday night. I’ve been hearing about the Naptown Roller Girls (NRG) for awhile since I’ve been hanging out at The Strange Brew on the south side where Toni, who’s roller girl name is “Joan of Dark“, owns the shop and makes a killer vanilla chai tea.

I remember watching roller derby on Fox TV back when I was a teenager, but let me tell you, if that’s your only idea and experience with roller derby you need to get yourself updated. The roller derby you’ve seen on TV has about as much to do with this roller derby as “professional” wrestling has to do with the actual Olympic sport.

All of these roller derby bouts are sanctioned by the WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) and this is serious sport. And did I mention serious fun? There’s girls on skates, girls hitting and pushing, scary and sometimes humorous skater names, a live DJ, entertaining announcers and some hardcore fans. It’s all here folks, you’ve just got to come and experience it for yourselves.

Here’s a quick run-down of what’s happening out there on the track.

• There’s a “pack” of skaters made up of three blockers and one pivot for each team
• The “pivot” sets the pace of the pack
• The “blockers” play the defense of each 2 minute jam
• Each team then has a “jammer” that tries to fight through the pack and they score points based on how many members of the opposing team they pass

There are rules, it’s not just a chaotic free-for-all, but it is a whirling dervish of chaos and fun out there on the flat-track.

The next chance you have to catch the Naptown Roller Girls at a home bout is going to be March 20th. This bout will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion, so it will be a close and cozy affair and sure to be a good time again. Oh and if roller derby isn’t enough for you, this bout is also known as Scar Wars. The Bloodfin Garrison 501st and Rebel Legion fan groups will be in attendance at this bout so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your picture taken with some of your favorite Star Wars characters while you’re there.

Naptown Roller Girls showing some Indianapolis Colts support before Super Bowl XLIV

If you want to learn more about roller derby and the Naptown Roller Girls, visit these links.

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (Website, Twitter, Facebook)

Naptown Roller Girls (Website, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, Blog)

You can also listen to a NRG bout by podcast from WIBC.

Note: I’ve got some videos getting uploading to YouTube now, I’ll update the post again when they’re available.

Mommy and general blogging extraordinaire, Casey Mullins, continues to deliver great posts. In a recent post in her "Visit Indy with Kids" site on the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor’s Association site, she shares why her and her husband chose Indy.

What probably happened is Mr. Duffy came here years ago, before the city realized what amazing possibility it had. Almost every American city goes through a rebirth at some point and every city has those awkward growing pains and uncomfortable teenage years.

She’s right!

I’d now say Indianapolis has turned into a nice little young adult of a city. I know we’ve got more history than that, but I’m perpetuating the growing pain metaphor.

Her post was spurred on by another post that talked about how awful Indianapolis is as a city. We all know that’s not true if you’ve live here or have visited recently. The negative article was focusing on Indianapolis being chosen as a potential location to host the World Cup Soccer event.

Read Casey’s Why I Chose Indy post and share your comments.

What are you doing this Friday night? Well, if you live in Indianapolis then you need to be heading over to the Vogue to see one of Indy’s up and coming rock bands. These guys have not played Indianapolis in quite some time but are ready to rock the house with the 80’s cover band 16 Candles.

Borrow Tomorrow is an Indianapolis based rock band that not only impresses on their polished instrumentals but also with some educated and experienced songwriting. They perform songs like Shy Away and Looking that will not only have you swaying in your chair but will have you begging to sing along. They also drop some slower songs on you like Wicker Park Suite that have front man Chris Jerles on keys. Regardless if he is caressing the keyboard or melting faces with his guitar, his voice is what makes him worth watching. His voice is not clean and clear cut like you might expect yet dirty and rusty that plays perfect into their overall sound. Throw lead guitar from Robert Newport in the mix and you have a duo that can play off each other all night long.

Keeping things in the family, Robert’s brother Andrew is behind them hiding behind the drum kit. Although you might go an entire show and never see his face you will know he is there from his intense solos and his adrenaline packed ambiance. But someone you will notice, and will remember as well, is the bass player Randall Trumbell. Standing on the side moving ever so softly to the sounds you will find him in his own little world slapping the bass with affection. Always sporting blue glasses and a sport coat he is hard to miss and impossible to forget.

Regardless of the quality of music these four guys produce, they are also some of the nicest guys you will ever meet. They make a point after every show to shake every hand and to sign every CD. These guys are some of the hardest workingmen in the business and it shows in their entire presence. So this Friday make sure you see them at the Vogue in Broad Ripple. This is a show that you cannot afford to miss.

(If you head over to the merchandise table during the show and talk with Ricky Potts (from rickyleepotts.com) and mention this article you will get a free CD.)

Douglas Karr recently shared this photo on Radar.net

Are you going to the game Saturday night or watching it at home? If you’re watching at home do you get together with friends or watch it without distraction and interruption from others?

After a rumor and resulting flurry of activity the Southside Smoosier Tech Club will be getting back together to start-up the new decade.

Anyone that can make it tonight, we’ll be meeting at The Strange Brew coffee house on the far south side in Greenwood at 6:30pm.

Come on down and meet your old friends or make some new ones.

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