DJtv’s Weekend Roundup: Of Roller Derby and Farrah Fawcett-Majors

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A member of the Rose City Rollers makes a statement with her shorts. Photo from Steve Price.

Besides pretending to be Wonder Woman as a kid, my other idols were Charlie’s Angels. I could never decide which one was my favorite. I mean, Jill (Farrah Fawcett-Majors) was the pretty one, Sabrina (Kate Jackson) was the smart one, and Kelly (Jaclyn Smith) seemed to be a mixture of both with a sensible streak. No matter what, I always wanted to be the girl with the gun. (I know, not very PC, but it WAS the 70’s)

I think what might have edged Jill out as my favorite, though, was when she went undercover as a Roller Derby participant. For those of you who missed it in the 70’s, here is the minisode.

I mean, isn’t roller derby the best? I don’t get it, or the rules, but it’s pure entertainment. Colorfully dressed women racing around a flat track pushing and shoving – good times! So, my top pick for this weekend’s entertainment guide the fourth season opener of the Rose City Rollers out at the Expo Center on Saturday. They are playing the Break Neck Betties, Guns N Rollers, Heartless Heathers and the High Rollers. Doors open at 5, first bout starts at 6 and who can think of more fun for a Saturday night than reliving your Charlie’s Angels fantasy?

Did you know it is soon to be the Year of the Ox? I’m a Rabbit myself (the lucky one) but if you’re an Ox, that means according to the Chinese Zodiac you’re dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. All things we probably need this year, so come and celebrate the Year of the Ox at the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens at the corner of Third and Everett.

Birthdays! It’s the Crystal Ballroom’s 95th Birthday Free-For-All (which, in case you were curious, makes them ‘born’ in the year of the Tiger) and they are celebrating by a free day of fun on Saturday. Did I mention it was free?

If you’re a theater lover, Fertile Ground kicks off on Friday, with about 20 performances throughout the ten day festival designed to bring attention to Portland’s Theater scene and showcase world premieres of original works.

As always, other weekend recommendations are welcome. Put them in the comments below.

February 12, 2009 -- DJtv’s Weekend Roundup: What the BLEEP? It’s Valentine’s Day Already? (0)
January 30, 2009 -- DJtv’s Weekend Roundup: Bargain Hunter is as Bargain Hunter Does (2)
October 27, 2009 -- Splendor on a Gloomy Monday (2)
October 16, 2009 -- More Holy Than Righteous (2)
April 10, 2009 -- See How We Are? (2)

Tagged as: Charlie's Angels, Chinese Gardens, Crystal Ballroom, Fertile Ground, Roller Derby, Rose City Rollers, Weekend Roundup

{ 3 comments }

1 Mona January 24, 2009 at 1:35 pm: Yes ya’ll! Please do come see RCR play tonight!! And if you’ve always dreamed of being a derby girl, I can help make that dream come true! RCR now has it’s very own Wreck League. Wreck League is designed for women who want to skate derby but are too busy, too inexperienced, too whatever! We meet twice a week for 2 hours each time. We meet in Sellwood at Oaks Park. Seriously no skate/derby experience necessary!! Email me for more details!! portlandgrl@gmail.com
2 WIll Radik January 24, 2009 at 9:21 pm: I make girls and boys cry.
3 Bitter January 26, 2009 at 5:23 pm: The skater pictured is actually a Rosebud, its easy to make boys cry at her age. The Rosebuds are Portland’s Jr. Roller Derby League, for girls age 13-18. There are tryouts coming up on Feb. 8th at the RCR practice hangar (Oaks Park), bring your daughters.