All You Need Is Derby Love

Posted on February 14, 2009

by Holly Hitsville

 

I HEART DERBY, YO! 

crushin’ on U, doll

gotsta let UR feelings show

brutal valentine 

There is a lot of roller derby love out there. Some women watch a game, immediately fall in love with it, and are sooner or later skating in bouts.  A handful of fans are so enamored they become volunteers or referees. Others make witty bout signs and cheer their hearts out. One former Saline, Michigan resident chose to illustrate her derby love through haiku.  I recently chatted with the self-taught artist, haiku master, and avid Windy City Rollers (WCR) supporter, Liesl Lavery.  In late 2007, Liesl started writing haiku on her blog http://derbyhaiku.com/ and is nearing the 500th derby related haiku mark.

How did you become acquainted with roller derby?

My friend Jase is the photographer for the Cincinnati Rollergirls and he encouraged me to check out the local scene in Chicago. I went to my first bout in January 2007. Windy City Rollers played Fort Wayne, I think. I was overwhelmed, fascinated, and totally hooked. I have never missed a home bout since.

What made you want to start blogging about it and why with haiku?

Would you believe that Derby Haiku came into being at the Masonic Temple in Detroit? I was home for a visit and my dad and I went to watch the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) take on the Sin City Neanderdolls. A little history- – growing up, my dad and I would sometimes write haiku back and forth about cool stuff we did together. Our courtside seats and a close call with a Neanderdoll named Ivanna S. Pankin inspired the very first Derby Haiku, penned by my pops.  I ran with it and started my blog a few days later.

I keep up with the blog because it turns out the girls actually read it and like it (who knew?)!  I have a ton of respect for derby girls and this is my way of giving them the mad props they deserve.

What is it exactly that you admire about roller derby girls?

I respect their tenacity, strength, speed, wherewithal, and fearlessness. Derby girls are the epitome of girl power:  100% girl. 100% power. Plus roller skates, hallelujah!

Describe your process for creating a new haiku.

It’s a combination of factors. A girl’s nom-de-skate is always a good starting point. And when I create the picture to go with the haiku, I often begin with a photo that inspires me to transform it in some way. For example, there was a picture of Beth Amphetamine stretching before a bout that reminded me of someone hanging out at the beach. So, I turned it into a postcard-like image that said “Greetings from Derby Beach”.

MY STAYCATION BEATS UR STAYCATION

fun in the sun, YO!

post-bout, head 2 the beach &

see what washes up!

Stuff in the news or popular culture can get me started, too. There was a series of haiku inspired by the presidential election last year. And I have an ongoing Alice in Wonderland storyline inspired by WCR’s Malice With Chains.

Most roller derby girls skate under an alias; similarly, you compose under a pen name of Lead Jammer. Why?

Poets need pen names to protect them from the wrath of those who may not appreciate their “art”. Who wants to face the fury of a derby doll on the dark side of a haiku? (I once had a run in with Donna D. Apocalypse over a haiku… barely escaped with my finger of power.)

Do you have a favorite derby girl and team?

I am a fan of ALL derby girls, but hold a special place in my heart for the Windy City Rollers.  Varla Vendetta and the lovely ladies of the Hell’s Belles (reigning champions of Chicago’s Ivy King Cup!) totally rock my world.

On March 28th WCR takes on DDG in Detroit. There have been some major derby rumblings in your hometown regarding derby and this bout.  Tell us about it.

Yeah, I grew up in Saline, moved to the Windy City, fell in love with derby and then WHAM! Last summer my little hometown was transformed into a movie backdrop for Drew Barrymore’s upcoming roller derby flick “Whip It.” So, now my parents compare notes with friends and neighbors about the latest star sightings- – be it movie stars or derby dolls. There’s talk of busloads of Salinians coming to the WCR vs. DDG showdown on 3-28. And you know what they say: “Saline girlz like mean girlz.” So, watch out!

Name the top three WCR players DDG should not take their eyes off of.

Dare I say… the WCR line up is wicked and the bench is deep. To be fair, I’ll warn you that Eva Dead is not really dead. Shocka Conduit plays with electricity for kicks when she’s not lapping the opposing jammer. And Varla Vendetta is recently bionic.

MEETCHYA @ THE ARCADE

25 cent jam

ms. pacman on UR tail, YO!

chomp, score, chomp some more 

How are you feeling about this particular bout with the Masonic Temple being the birthplace of Derby Haiku, but you personally being a hardcore WCR advocate? Any predictions?

I might spontaneously combust on March 28th! It’s my DREAM COME TRUE! My two favorite teams go head-to-head. I can’t wait! I have to say that the WCR All Stars are a force to be reckoned with… but all bets are off when you derby in Detroit Rock City. I expect a night of malicious intent in a very neighborly, mid-western way.

© Copyright Detroit Derby Girls • Powered by Wordpress