On Saturday night the women of the Emerald City Roller Girls will be clad in elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads, helmets and roller skates when they take the rink in the fast-paced contact sport of roller derby.
These women aren’t professionals. They’re local women who like to skate, compete and look fierce doing it. The only requirements are that you must be 21 or older, female, able to skate in quads, practice twice a week and buy your own gear.
Roller derby is similar to hockey but without the puck. The bouts are divided into jams. Each jam lasts two minutes tops, and during the jam, scoring is based on a player’s ability to skate through the rink while passing other skaters legally. To make a pass legal, contact may only be made with hips, shoulders and butts. Players abandon their real names for fierce nicknames and dress to match. The bouts are filled with food, music and beer, making it the perfect spectator sport. Saturday’s bout features ECRG’s rookie members and is sure to be a party.
The members of the Emerald City Roller Girls compete in nine bouts throughout the season, ending in May. Season tickets are $65, and all bouts are held at the Lane County Events Center auditorium (796 W 13th Ave). Tickets to this weekend’s Jan. 18 bout are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the bout starts at 6 p.m.
In Eugene
On campus
Jan. 17-19, The Messengers: An art installation based on user content and inspired by Twitter displays mashups of words, nonsense and poetry. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, free admission, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Off campus
Jan. 17, Caravan of Glam: A drag show featuring a number of great Northwest performers, hosted by Ecstacy Inferno. Wow Hall (291 W. Eighth Ave.), tickets $10 at door, 8 p.m.
Jan. 17, The Soothesayers, Rocket 3, Balto: See three great Eugene/Portland garage rock/acoustic bands. Sam Bond’s Garage (407 Blair Blvd.) tickets $5, 8 p.m.
Jan. 17, Blues Harmonica Blowout 2014: A tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson II, the great ‘50s and ‘60s blues harmonica player. The Shedd Institute (868 High St.), $35, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17-18, “Hair”: See this hippie love rock musical featuring the hits “Let The Sunshine In” and “Aquarius.” Actor’s Cabaret (996 Willamette St.), tickets $24, 8 p.m.
Jan. 18, Mt. Pisgah walk: A botanist from the arboretum will lead a guided walk, discussing Pisgah’s different types of mosses, liverworts and lichens. Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Visitor Center (34901 Frank Parris Rd.), $5, 10 a.m. – 12. p.m.
In Portland
Jan. 17, Genders, Holiday Friends, the Comettes; Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Ave.), $10, 9 p.m.
Jan. 17, Eprom, Ill-esha, Buku: Portland-based electronic musicians. Branx (320 SE Second Ave.), $12 in advance, 21+, 9 p.m.
Jan 17, David Koechner: Go see “Anchorman 2” and then see this comedian who plays Champ Kind live. Aladdin Theater (3017 SE Milwaukie St.), tickets $30, 8 p.m.
Jan. 17-19, “The Waterman”: An original one-act musical about Portlanders, sushi and love. Action/Adventure Theater (1050 SE Clinton St.), tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door, 8 p.m., 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Jan. 18, Congressman John Lewis: See this politician, who has worked for civil rights since the 1960s, speak about his recently-released graphic novel trilogy telling his story. Powell’s City of Books (1005 W. Burnside St.), free admission, 12 p.m.
Jan. 18, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” Beer Matinee: See the classic film based on Hunter S. Thompson’s awesome book, including seven beers paired with different characters. Hollywood Theater (4122 NE Sandy Blvd.), tickets $25, 4:30 p.m.