Debs of the Derby: A Pin-Up-Scale Event

We all know that Austin is the self-proclaimed "live music capital of the world." While these may be fighting words to New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville, one indisputable claim to fame our fair city has is that we are the Roller Derby capital of the world. At least the current Roller Derby renaissance that is taking the country (and dare I say the world) by storm. Drew Barry­more's directorial debut, Whip It, is one testament to the growing popularity of the sport (although, shamefully, it was not filmed here for lameass financial considerations). Another is the lady bonding and self-esteem boosting that goes along with it. Feel free to ask any of the fledgling Roller Derby leagues sprouting up across the nation, and they'll tell you that Austin has laid down the blueprint for how to do it – and do it right. In fact, we happily support two hometown Roller Derby leagues: one of the flat-track variety and one banked-track. The lovely and talented athletes of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls banked-track league host Debs of the Derby: A Pin-Up-Scale Event this weekend with a silent auction benefiting many of their favorite charities (the SIMS Foundation, 100 Club of Austin, and Central Texas SPCA, just to name a few). Up for auction will be 10 large-scale, full-color, pin-up-style posters featuring roller girls Miss Canada, Truckstop Trixie, Rice Rice Baby, Miso Vicious, Ali Mony, Varuca Assault, Cocochina, and several more looking their most seductive and sultry. What a great way to support these local charities. See Richard Whittaker's feature "Electric Skaterland," Nov. 27, 2009, for more on the local Roller Derby scene. Sat., March 20, 2-6pm. Tiniest Bar in Texas, 817 W. Fifth. www.txrd.com.