It’s amazing to think what people will do to get out of the heat. Some folks hug their A/C: Others get aquatic in a swimming hole. The Hotrod Honeys are heading to the Australian winter in July, and are holding a fundraiser tonight to get them there.
The Texas Rollergirls‘ three-time champions are taking over Scholz Garten tonight for their Killa Queens of the Desert fundraiser. $10 gets you live music, free food and beer, plus Australian-themed games.
The trip to Oz is not a day on the beach, but a serious effort to expand derby internationally. Austin’s innovators of modern flat track Roller derby will face Melbourne’s Victorian Roller Derby League, and will also host a skills boot camp for Australian skaters. This is not cheap to organize, and the skaters are unpaid volunteers, so fundraisers like this are vital. (Plus, someone has to raise a celebratory drink for the Honeys’ league mates, the Hell Marys, who are in Houston tonight playing their old team mate The Angie-Christ, who now skates with Houston Roller Derby’s Psych-Ward Sirens.)
The night also includes a silent auction: You can bid online before the party via the Hotrods’ on-line auction, but there will be extra items tonight, including some limo service, locally produced arts, cosmetic packages, restaurant gift cards. Bigger ticket items include a four-hour recording session, courtesy of Spi-Klin Production. There are also some serious Roller Derby-related items up for grabs, including a full set of Pro-Designed Pads and a mystery package from local t-shirt firm Derby Love (the Austin league is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so your successful bids will be tax deductible.)
The event runs 6-10pm, June 18, Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.
This article appears in June 17 • 2011.
