If you are looking for a fun filled event, this is it. I am no sports fan. Hate all sports, never watch any on tv - not even the Superbowl. However, watching the Carolina Rollergirls was an all new adventure. Must admit that seeing "Whip It" got us to investigate local roller girl teams. We did our research, became fans on facebook, and headed to the arena. The following was impressive. We waited in line for our tickets and headed inside the arena. People passing out books were friendly and helpful in giving you pointers on where to sit etc. Definitely come early and sit ringside, right on the concrete floor right beside the track. Yeah, you might get a skate to the face, but it is totally worth it. These ladies are fierce competitors. The battle we watched was amazingly intense and ended with everyone on their feet cheering on the 1 point deciding victory. It was unbelievable. Next time the Rollergirls are rolling out, make sure you get your a** to the arena and cheer these women on! You will not regret it! read more

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I have always loved the Carolina Rollergirls. When we lived in Raleigh a few years back, we rarely missed a bout, and now that we're back in the Triangle, we were excited to head back to Dorton Arena and relive the spectacle. It TOTALLY didn't disappoint, and it was really like old times again. We ate some junk food, browsed the names and bios of the new skaters who've joined the ranks over the years, geeked out over the evolution of the game and new strategies they were employing, and (per the usual), I started fantasizing about my future as a roller girl. Seriously, though, this is some of the best, most wholesome entertainment I can imagine. The Carolina Rollergirls have always done a great job at making roller derby an event for an entire family and for an entire range of ages. They've got plenty of great half-time events, mascots, and crowd interaction, and then on top of that, they're just awesome athletes competing at a really high level. These women are flat-out amazing. The best part about the Rollergirls, though, is how congenial they seem to be. Despite the high level of competition and the bruising nature of the sport, I've always gotten the impression that off the rink the teams hang out and really support each other. Derby-girls stick together. It's encouraging to see a group of women who a) kick ass at their sport and b) have each other's backs. Maybe the word I'm looking for is sportsmanship. And if I had a daughter (or a son, for that matter), I'd take them to see the Rollergirls set a great example. read more

I guess I don't fully get the appeal of girls whizzing around and occasionally slamming into one another. To me, that's a combo of two things I already dislike: Nascar and kneepads. But it's a sport where women dominate, so I wanted to try and like it! So uh, let's see... I did enjoy the clever names -- Kama Suture; Shirley Temper. And I like that it's a cheap, different, fairly family-friendly outing. But beyond initially learning the rules, the cheesy-in-a-good-way announcer, and the half-time hip-hop chicken dance, there just wasn't a whole ton to engage me. I'm not a big sports person to begin with though, so take it with a grain of salt. And Rollergirls, if you read this, please don't beat me up! read more

If you've seen "Whip It," you think you know how this works. Young, aggressive women wearing lots of protective gear whiz around a marked flat track trying to score points for their team while NOT letting the other team get ahead. They have punny stage names such as Elektra Q. Tion, Erna Beatin', and Holly Wanna Crackya (a fan favorite). Fans of all ages and flavors cheer them on from the sidelines, and a good time is had by all. It may look like a mobile, female version of the WWF, but it ain't theater, folks. This is a strategic physical sport that's more complicated than you've been led to believe. And it's FUN. This is a family-friendly sport that won't kill your bank account (advance tix: $10 for adults; $5 for kids 6-12). Concessions aren't bad, either. The only drawback is the venue--Dorton Arena can get HOT in the summertime. So from June to September, try to sit on the first few rows on the side not facing the sun. And yell yourself silly! read more

If you've been to a CRG bout, you know why they deserve 5 stars; if you haven't been, get yourself out to Dorton Arena (or, less often, the Skate Ranch) immediately!! The Rollergirls are serious badasses, the program is extremely helpful for first-timers because it features some basic rules and regulations, the commentators are hilarious (though sometimes hard to hear), the merch is cool, and the fans are awesome (I mean, I'm one, so...). And at the end of each bout, you can go out onto the rink and give high-fives to the ladies. read more

Roller Derby has come a long way from the 1970's telecasts that run on par with old pro wrestling shows. These girls are competetive, want to win, and can assure you there's nothing pre-ordained about their sport. One trip later, I had a new favorite spectator sport. Some of that has to do with my love of puns. Suddenly girls with names like Deviled Legs, Faye Tality, Shirley Temper, and (my personal fave) Trudy Struction are more than just people I'd always hoped I'd meet. They're athletes kicking each others' butts for my applause. Good times. If you're thinking of going, get there early. This serves two purposes. One, this is catching on fast and the good seats go quickly. Two, it gives you (if you're a first-timer) a chance to study the program and learn the rules. This is key, because the sport is pretty confusing and seems arbitrary before you figure out who's trying to do what to whom. Head out on a Saturday afternoon to Dorton Arena, once the home of the Raleigh Ice Caps, now the home of the Carolina Roller Girls. If you can catch them when they're hosting a visiting squad, all the better, because they tend to send their best, toughest, and meanest out for those bouts. read more

These girls rock! I am little biased though, been friends w/ Bianca Oblivion for years. 1st time I saw her skating was a Roller Rave ;) But it is some great entertainment, family friendly, and a great place to catch up with a lot of the old school Raleighites. read more