TEXAS ROLLERGIRLS PLAYOFFS It’s all cups and coronets this playoff weekend, as the Texas Rollergirls teams jockey for final championship contender position, and veterans and rookies wait to see who is crowned homecoming queen. On the track and on paper, this was supposed to be the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers’ year. With a jammer rotation bigger than a planet’s orbit, they should dominate. But the pieces never quite fit, leaving them in second place and a pitched battle with the Hell Marys. They last brawled in March, with a squeaker victory for the Heartbreakers. But now the Hells, seemingly decimated by preseason retirements, have rediscovered the vigor and discipline that made them 2012 league champs. Whoever wins faces the victors between the top ranked Hotrod Honeys and the fourth place Hustlers for July 13’s championship bout. The Hotrods haven’t missed a slot at the big dance in living memory, and they’re probably dusting off space in the trophy cupboard. But the Hustlers have one last shot at redeeming a losing streak season, and if it means rolling over their long-time nemeses, so be it.

Sat., June 8, 5-10pm. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/404-4000. $15 ($12, advance). www.texasrollergirls.org.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.