Black and Blue and Dressed to Thrill

FoCo Girls Gone Derby
cordially invites you to attend the
Sixth Annual Black and Blue Ball
Saturday, Oct. 8
Rollerland Skate Center, 324 S. Link Lane, Fort Collins
Doors open at 7 p.m., bout begins at 7:30


Time to break out the taffeta and sequins. FoCo Girls Gone Derby, Northern Colorado’s original roller derby league, is throwing its sixth annual Black and Blue Ball at Rollerland Skate Center on Saturday, Oct. 8.

FoCo’s skaters will be dressed to dazzle as home team Chanel Cartel, in black evening gowns, faces off against home team rivals the Deathrow Dolls, decked out in their finest blue formalwear. This is no choreographed dance, however. Roller derby is a serious sport played according to rules determined by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

The annual Black and Blue Ball is a chance for skaters to get glamorous, while still playing the rough-and-tumble sport they love. Appropriate attire takes on a different meaning in roller derby, and fans are encouraged to get involved in the pageantry by voting for the skaters they feel are the ugliest-dressed, hottest-dressed and an overall Belle of the Ball. Voting is unlimited at $1 per vote. Ballots must be cast by the end of halftime, with the winners announced during the second half. Prizes will be awarded, and winners will be available for photos with fans following the bout.

A portion of the proceeds from this bout will go to the Fort Collins Bike Co-op, an organization that promotes bicycle riding and safety, and refurbishes bikes for those who can’t afford them.

Tickets are $10 presale and $15 at the door. Reduced rate of $10 with a valid student or military ID. Ages 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased through the Rollerland Skate Center ticket booth, from any FoCo derby girl or online at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.focogirlsgonederby.com. Purchases also can be processed by phone at 800-838-3006.

Who We Are

Typical statement made after someone discovers I'm part of the FoCo Girls Gone Derby League..."No Way!?!", "You're joking!", "You don't look like you play derby!" My inner response to that is "What does a derby player look like?"

The fact is there is no typical player. We're all different personalities, sizes, and shapes. We all hold different talents on the track whether it be speed, blocking, hitting, or juking. Our commonalities are that we love derby, are all productive members of our community, and we lead the same lives as everyone outside of derby.

Some players are in retail, marketing, counselors, business leaders, students, and medical professionals. Most are also wives and mothers following their dreams. We work hard during our days and we work just as hard during our practices.

I wonder what picture of a derby player the average person holds in their head? Are we only women that wear fishnets, short skirts with tattoos and piercings, and a neon colored mohawk? If that's the preconception, then we need to get those people into a bout to see for themselves that all the participants of FCGGD are valuable members of society despite our pension for fishnets. Most likely you've already run into one of our skaters, refs, or non-skating officials during your normal day to day errands.

We might be serving you in a restaurant, helping you make your business more successful, or creating the art that is hanging in your living room. In my case, I just may be giving you that flu shot this year!