Events

Brats on Wheels

Madeline Bootyfly, Death Proof, Jamburger, Massie Kur.
Photo: David T. Anderson/courtesy Tucson Derby Brats

Skates. Pads. Helmet. Friends. What more could a 15-year-old feminist need? For Ayanna “Ayannic Storm” Ravia of the Tucson Derby Brats, the answer is not much. With practice three days a week during the school year, and having ruled out other sports (“I did soccer and softball, but I quit them,”) she’s found her calling in youth roller derby. “It just stuck,” Ravia says. “It’s really good to blow off steam at the end of the day.”

On a flat outdoor multipurpose court at Catalina High School, 3645 E. Pima St., that’s just what’s happening as Ravia and five other girls on wheels practice team formations after warming up by running the nearby bleachers. Coach Pauline McKindley is as committed to the sport as her players are; she rolls with the best herself as “Midnight Crasher” in the adult Tucson Roller Derby league. “There isn’t a whole lot of spare time,” McKindley grins in between blasts on her whistle while leading drills.

She doesn’t go easy on her junior counterparts. They can take it. Their track size is equivalent, and bout rules of engagement are nearly identical to standard TRD play. A pack of ‘blockers’ accelerates ahead in a group, while individual ‘jammers’ follow behind and then attempt to score points by lapping members of the opposing team. In matches requiring considerable athletic skill and grit, the Tucson Derby Brats have clashed with and held their own against teams from Phoenix, the San Fernando Valley and Las Cruces.

TDB Board President and parent Michele Ream sits trackside as her daughter “Madeline Bootyfly,” 12, glides past – powered by the ease and grace of experience. She was quick to join in 2008 two years after this, the first youth roller derby league in the world, was founded (2006) and is now its longest-playing member. Ream speaks appreciatively of the fierce bond the girls share. “They always talk about how close they are,” she says. “The jammers are joking with each other, hugging each other and then take off and…!” As Hallye “Haldoll” Becker, 17, puts it, “Everyone has their share of injuries. The travel team involves more hitting.”

Despite Becker’s bravado and the glee with which she speaks of bruises and other harm (“neck sprain, knee sprain, two minor concussions”) the skaters of the “totally parent-run” Tucson Derby Brats’ two teams, Tenacious Teens and Vile Juveniles, stay safe and focus on fun. The girls pay dues and fund raise through bake sales, just like players of other sports do. The track they currently use is shared with a soccer organization. Ream’s latest goal for the group is to secure a dedicated space. Donations toward that purpose are tax-deductible through the national Junior Roller Derby Association; see JuniorRollerDerby.org.

“We consider ourselves sisters and wives,” insists two-season co-captain Ayannic Storm before high-fiving her comrade Haldoll as practice wraps up. Young women are encouraged to try out; no skating skills required. The Tucson Derby Brats are always looking for dedicated skaters aged 8-17. Fees are $75 per season including uniform jersey.

For more information, registration forms, and September bout dates visit TucsonDerbyBrats.com.

Jamburger, Ayannic Storm, Death Proof, Madeline Bootyfly during a Tucson Derby Brats bout.
Photo: David T. Anderson/Courtesy Tucson Derby Brats

Library Events Abolish Boredom

The Pima County Public Library’s DIY arts and crafts series is extremely popular, as this show of happy hands can attest.
photo courtesy Pima County Public Library

The yearly inferno is upon us, dear Tucsonans. The dog days of summer are here and your seat belt buckle sizzles silently, waiting to scorch your poor fingers unless you happen to have a sweating fountain drink nearby to ease the burn. And if you happen to have young ones, you will no doubt hear the eternal summertime whine of pretty much every kid who ever lived: “I’m bored!”

Thankfully, the folks at the Pima County Public Library system have a very thorough and entertaining Summer Reading Program – which runs through mid-July – to keep your kids’ minds sharp and percolating with new ideas. This year’s program culminates with an end-of-program shindig, the Fizz-Boom-Read! Zoo Celebration at the Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, on Saturday, July 19.

This year’s theme is science, with the core idea being that science is truly all around us, and all of the events and readings are created with this firmly in mind. “We really want reading to become a lifelong habit and want to encourage kids to read at least 20 minutes a day,” said Kenya Johnson, Communications Manager for the Pima County Public Library. The Summer Reading Program has specifically engineered content aimed at babies, kids, teens and adults, so no matter how old you are, there is genuinely something for everyone.

Events aligned with the reading program at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, for example, include programs such as The Science of Bubbles, Skulls from the Sonoran Desert, Sign and Storytime, Tech Craft for Teens, Mixed Bag of Minecraft, and Stop Motion Animation! There is an enormous spate of events going down at all of the Pima County Public Library branches under the banner of the program, though, so it is best to consult the calendar at Library.Pima.gov for events closest to you. There is even an online component where kids can participate and track their reading all summer long!

In an era when our educational systems face incredible challenges, the one thing you can most easily do to enhance your child’s chances of succeeding no matter what they decide to do with their lives is to instill a love of reading as early as possible. The Summer Reading Program is an excellent opportunity to do just this.

Throughout August, there will also be Storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Children and their parents/caregivers will engage in activities involving learning, playing, and of course books. On Saturday, August 16, the main library, 101 N. Stone Ave., hosts another one of their excellent Do-It-Yourself (DIY) event series, geared towards both kids and the whole family, focusing on the art and history of mandalas.

Mandalas are graphic symbols that originated in Hinduism/Buddhism, and are supposed to represent a metaphysical or symbolic microcosm of the universe. There’s a basic form that incorporates a square with four gates and a circle with a center point, and traditionally they are used as teaching tools, meditative aids, or decorations to denote a sacred space. Participants in the DIY event will learn about the history of this art form and will make their own mandalas.

Again, the sheer number of events going on – and continually being announced – throughout the entire Pima County Public Library system is really something to behold, and getting handy with their calendar is essential. “I would also suggest that folks visit our website every week to see what new events and programs are happening. We’re updating our calendar every day,” said Johnson.

No time like the present to start making the fantastic spate of free activities and programs offered by the libraries a regular habit right here in Tucson. Did I mention every location has air conditioning?

Visit Library.Pima.gov for the countrywide list of libraries and their events. This article is courtesy of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

Dog Days of Summer

HSSAZ Dog Days of Summer fundraiser is July 25. Photo: Les Manser

Tucson is known for its many distinguishing qualities including breathtaking summer sunsets, its surplus of renowned local artists and its citizens’ fondness for canine companions. So it’s only fitting to celebrate the summer in the Old Pueblo by bringing together the ample art and dog communities to enjoy a beautiful evening for the third annual Dog Days of Summer Event. Taking place at the stunning Plaza Colonial, the festivities will commence on Friday, July 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. All of the proceeds from the $5 tickets will go toward supporting the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSAZ) and its programs.

Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs and families for an evening that will feature a special art show at the Jane Hamilton Gallery highlighting wonderful dog-themed paintings by Louis Mason, live music and entertainment, food, drinks and gelato provided by the local restaurants, open tours of all of the Plaza stores, $5 caricature drawings of dogs done by students of the Art Institute of Tucson who have also designed the clothing for the most popular event of the evening, The Doggy Fashion Show. The theme of this year’s canine fashion is denim jackets that will be made available for purchase after they come off the runway.

“My favorite part of the event is watching people ‘ooh and ahh’ at how adorable the dogs are when they’re walking in the fashion show. And just seeing the students feel so proud of their work makes it special as well,” says HSSAZ Public Relations Lead Samantha Esquivel. “It’s a great collaboration between all of the stores in the Plaza, The Art Institute of Tucson and the Humane Society, and what better cause is there to bring the community together to have a great time. It’s been a big success for us in its previous runs and it’s only gaining more attention as the years go on.”

Upon purchase of entry, each guest will be given a “Plaza Passport” that will receive a punch in each of the local stores that fill Plaza Colonial (with an option to buy 5 passports for $20). Once the passports are completed, they will then be entered into a raffle for prizes from each merchant valued at $200. The participating merchants include Elements Home Décor & Gifts, George’s Men’s Clothing, J Bridal, Jane Hamilton Fine Art, Mills Touche, Mingle Salon & Spa, Romano Real Estate, Rug Resource, Shlomo & Vito’s New York Delicatessen & Pizza Kitchen, Sunset Interiors and Tavolino Ristorante Italiano.

“A lot of people in Tucson have the impression that everybody leaves in the summer, and granted a lot of people do, but a lot of people stay and this event is something fun for people to do in July. It draws people out and reminds them that all of these stores are open throughout the summer,” says Plaza Colonial Spokesperson and merchant Ivan Escobell. “We have an amazing courtyard that is one of the best in Tucson and it creates a beautiful setting and atmosphere for this event. We all love it here in the plaza because we are all huge dog lovers ourselves and the Humane Society is very close to our hearts.”

With all of the proceeds from the sales of the passport tickets, caricatures, doggy clothing, food and drink going to the Humane Society, this event is not only fun for the whole family, but beneficial to the dogs of Tucson who rely on the non-profit to give them a second chance at life.

“The Humane Society cares so much about our animals and we want to aid and service them the best we can. And we are an organization that not only serves pets, but the people who love them as well,” says Esquivel. “This event is so special because you see so many dogs and owners mingling with each other in a social setting. It’s just so much fun and the weather is great and the people are great. Everyone has a blast and it’s a wonderful way for people in this community to meet each other.”

Plaza Colonial is located on the southwest corner of Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue at 2850 E. Skyline Dr. For more information about the Friday, July 25 event and HSSAZ, visit HSSAZ.org or call (520) 327-6088.