The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls are ready to roll. Imagine a group of punk rock chicks throwing elbows on wheels, and you have a good idea of what the the new all-girls, flat-track roller derby league is all about. The league started forming teams last summer, and now the gals are in top shape for Saturday night’s derby match and dance party. Two teams – the Red Riding Hoods and the Sugar Kill Gang – met for the first exhibition game in July and drew a sold-out crowd to the Bladium Sports Club (2400 Central Park Blvd.; 303-320-3033) a roller hockey rink near old Stapleton.
Saturday’s match will pit the same two teams against each other for a second “grudge-match” exhibition game, but the rematch is more for the benefit of the fans turned away from the first bout.
“The first expo bout in July was our Denver debut and the first real public event we’ve done, and we turned away 200 people,” said Rollergirl spokeswoman Jayne Manslaughter. “It went so well, and we were surprised at how much everyone’s gotten behind us.”
Saturday’s event features the hard-rolling derby event at 7 p.m., including high-energy beats by DJ 626. Then the afterparty – free with a Bladium ticket stub – starts at Bender’s Tavern (314 E. 13th Ave., 303-861-7070) at 10 p.m. with DJ 626 and Yer Mom keeping the saucy skaters going the rest of the night.
itching in for Katrina relief
Lots of area restaurants, bars and clubs are pitching in to help the Katrina relief efforts. A few options to help out this week include a local band benefit show at Herman’s Hideaway (1578 S. Broadway, 303-777-5840) on Saturday, with Ten Cent Redemption, Bad Penny, The Knew, and Adrian & The Sickness. Rhett Lee of Ten Cent Redemption plans to auction an autographed Broncos jersey to help raise funds for the American Red Cross. All four bands will donate any merchandise sales and a percentage of the door proceeds as well.
On Monday, the Walnut Foundry (3002 Walnut St.) is the place to hear New Orleans jazz and blues for a benefit featuring local bands Jakarta, The Eddie Turner Blues Band and Voodoo Syndicate. Admission includes an open bar from 5:30 p.m to 10:30 p.m., and all proceeds from the $25 tickets will benefit the Red Cross.
Over in Washington Park, the Wash Park Grille (1096 S. Gaylord St.) hosts a benefit party on Thursday. Live music by Polytoxic will provide a proper soundtrack to a special dinner menu. A $10 donation at the door and 25 percent of the night’s proceeds will be donated to Katrina relief efforts.
Tiki time in Denver
At long last, Denver will soon have an official tiki bar. The new bar is coming together over at the Ramada Inn at East Colfax Avenue and Marion Street, and though it’s far from finished, Denver’s barflies and retro freaks have already found it. It’s open for business, but the menu and décor are still in progress; the new name is rumored to be Tiki Boyd’s when it officially opens in early October. Until then, Colfax hipsters and hotel guests are regularly gathering in the tiki room for cocktails. But don’t expect to order up a Mai Tai or a Flaming Volcano just yet. The tiki glassware is on backorder, and the bartenders are still learning how to properly mix their pineapple coolers.
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
