Sometimes things look most awesome when sped up. Uploaded to YouTube by LA Derby Dolls Media Man LaddVinceWheel today's video lunch says bye bye to the LA Derby Dolls' old track and and chows down on the new assembly with, "five days of work condensed to 2 minutes." more ›

There’s a launch party for McSweeney's Issue #35 at 826LA and Stories books in Echo Park. Enjoy food and drink while listening to a discussion and signing with McSweeney's contributor, Ellie Kemper (The Office) and others. The new issue also features new stories from Steven Millhauser, Roddy Doyle, Hilton Als and a number of Norwegian writers. 8 pm. Free to attend, but McSweeney's Quarterly #35 is $20+tax. more ›

It's Friday and that means the Los Angeles City Council praises the work of community members and businesses, handing out certificates and telling the world the good things Angelenos do. Today each councilmember honored one women from their district as Pioneer Woman. One of them was a Derby Doll. more ›

In one of the most exciting finishes in LA Derby Dolls history, the up-and-coming Swarm stung the Fight Crew during the closing moments on Saturday night in front of a packed house at the Doll Factory. Fight Crew's Chargin' Tina was ejected from the game by the referees with just 9 seconds remaining and the score tied, leaving her team with no jammer. The Swarm took advantage of the opportunity with a 3-point jam to win the contest 118-115 as the crowd shreiked their approval. more ›

Another sellout crowd packed the Doll Factory for the opening bout of the LA Derby Dolls 2010 season and even though several skaters got booted from the rink, the crowd stayed on its feet throughout the 60-minute, banked-track battle. more ›

It was good times this morning as the sexy women of the Los Angeles Derby Dolls and hunky men of the Los Angeles Fire Department met in downtown's Pershing Square for a broomball brawl on the park's winter ice skating rink. The game was a fundraiser for the LAFD Widows, Orphan and Disabled Fireman’s Fund. more ›

2010 is bringing about some good prospects, including deals to bring you entertainment all year long. The Roxy in West Hollywood yesterday launched Club Rox, a new limited $100 program that gets you into any show at The Roxy and the upstairs On the Rox as long as they are not a private event or a non-ticketed show. "This is our way of showing our appreciation for all of our loyal customers and new patrons we’ve met this past year," the venue's blog explained... more ›

As excitement builds for Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut in October, the Los Angeles Derby Dolls this weekend took on a new team from San Diego. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Sirens lost to the undefeated Swarm... and by a lot: 104 to 51. Ouch. more ›

by Sheri Zampelli more ›

Gameday preview: Sheri Zampelli - Photo: Michael Zampelli/LAist more ›

Submitted and authored by Michael Zampelli more ›

The Mayor has been running these CommUNITY Days of Service since he got into office. Basically, a region is chosen and thousands of volunteers pour into that sector of the city to clean and beautify the neighborhoods. From tree plantings to picking up litter to free community workshops, there's lots going on. Tomorrow's area is in what the Mayor calls the "Heart of the City," aka Koreatown, Thai Town, Historic Filipinotown, MacArthur Park, Hollywood, Pico-Union, Westlake, Mid-Wilshire and surrounding neighborhoods. more ›

After a full weekend of roller derby action, it was time for last night's championship game on Sunday between the LA Ri-ettes (LA Derby Dolls) and Team Awesome (an all-star team from all over the USA). The game came down to a chaotic ending with the enforcers deciding the outcome in a confusing mess. In the end, the LA Ri-ettes came away with the victory and the trophy. more ›

This weekend marks the first ever inter-league meet-up of Derby Dolls here in LA, called Battle on the Bank and our own L.A. Derby Dolls are a big part of the fun and spectacle (last week we chatted with Micki Krimmel, aka Mickipedia, who is a "Baby Doll" on her way to joining the team). It's a banked track tournament featuring skaters from the L.A. Derby Dolls, Team Awesome, San Diego Derby Dolls, TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, Angel City Derby Girls, the OC Rollergirls and the Inland Empire Derby Divas. LAist Featured Photos contributor Michael Zampelli (aka rink_rat) grabbed these amazing shots of the action down at the Dollhouse. more ›

This upcoming weekend is probably the biggest weekend the LA Derby Dolls have had so far. In a first tournament of its kind, the best skaters from Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County are having it out on a banked track. Not only will there be tons of games throughout Saturday and Sunday, there will be bands, food, beer and general awesomeness. What the Derby Dolls do is very special and unique to Los Angeles. If you were making a list of thing to do before you move out of town, this is a must and here's two days of opportunity (and while available, there's a discount code [ladd2day] for $10 off here). more ›

While much of LA stayed home watching movies Saturday night, the real action was in Historic Filipinotown, where a sold out crowd of 2,000+ ventured out into a meteorological maelstrom to watch the L.A. Derby Dolls season-opening bout. more ›

Forget the pageantry and regal demeanor of the Rose Parade, the 31st Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade is the ultimate antidote. Billed as being the loud and irreverent twister sister of the aforementioned annual march down Colorado Boulevard, the parade promises to "send up a woolly range of mischiefs, grounded superheroes, political pundits, homegrown satirists, art car inventors, and other bohemian frolickers." more ›

• There's still time to win Tori Amos tickets -- the concert ends tonight at midnight! To enter the contest, leave a comment telling us what your favorite Tori song is. Get over there and put the damage on!
• An update on the Sherman Oaks apartment fire that left one person dead: authorities have ID'd the victim as a 63-year-old man who died at the hospital after receiving second- and third-degree burns.
• There was another house fire in Norco late Friday night, and another fatality: this time a 38-year-old man was pronounced dead of fire-related injuries at the Corona Regional Medical Center.
• Are you wondering what to buy for the mustachioed man in your life? Maybe you'd like to surprise dad or brother with a Keg-A-Que Grill? Chicagoist has some great ideas for fun and unique holiday gifts.
• The LA Times launches "Primary Tracker": it looks pretty cool, but since there's no data to play with yet, we're not really sure how it works.
• OMG YOU GUYS VAN HALEN IS DROWNING!!!! Actually, no, but the pool at Eddie Van Halen's Studio City estate has been filled with mud and debris from a broken water main. School at Harvard-Westlake operated as usual today, although some classes were rescheduled.
• A new Department of Justice gun-ownership database might help to prevent more shooting deaths by tracking criminal records against who owns firearms: "LAPD have identified 110 fugitives, ex-convicts and other offenders who legally purchased guns then later were convicted of violent crimes."
• The Los Angeles Film Critics pick their yearly winners: on the list are "There Will Be Blood" for Best Picture, Marion Cotillard for Best Actress in "La Vie En Rose," and Daniel Day-Lewis for "There Will Be Blood."
• "Single greatest night in sports history"??? Last night's Derby Dolls 2007 Championship Match gets lots of love and a thorough recap from LACityzine.
• If those aren't crazy eyes, I don't know from crazy: Britney Spears stole a lighter from a Sherman Oaks gas station, TMZ has video.

After a summer hiatus, the in-your-face punk rock action of the Derby Dolls are back. Tonight is a different brand of the Derby and of the Doll, as they will be playing at the Industry Hills Expo Center for a night of two games (including a mini-bout), bands and Hell's Belles Custom Classic Car Show. While the temporary one-time location is screwy for some, the advantage is the 2500 people the space can hold,... more ›

We've been covering the Derby Dolls since the Winter and now we bring you the Angel City Derby Girls (ACDG). You won't see a Derby vs. Angel match because they are in two different leagues, respectively as banked track and flat track. And like Derby, Angel City is made up of local teams such as the Berzerkers and the Shore Shots who played head to head last night. Rules are also different with Angel... more ›

With all that went down this week, we thought we thought we'd cheer everyone up by giving everyone a double dose of dogs. more ›

Photo by Tom Rippe more ›

By week's end, Los Angeles is regularly littered with a handful of free rags. Combined, these publications put the Tribune Company's Spring Street operation to shame as far as reporting on the dozens of municipalities that make up this metropolis of more than 12 million people. LAist reads the weeklies so you don't have to. If there's anything we missed, pretty please let us know, or better yet, drop it in the comments section... more ›

By the end of the first quarter on last Saturday night's game, it looked like it was over: the Tough Cookies already have won. In the first jam of nine, 5-points were scored off the bat; then another 2 in the second jam. Finally the Sirens caught on and started using their moves, but still not as tough as any cop should (think police sirens in their team name). The first quarter ended 5... more ›

Photo of The Street Dogs by Nadia Kovacs at The Music Box on Feb. 22, 2007 Prepare for a weekend jam-packed full of punk rock awesomeness! Whether you're into boozin and bands or brawling and babes, we've gotcha covered! It's a Knitting Factory double feature this weekend: Friday, March 2nd 8pm- Main Stage: The Blasters Angel City Outcasts Mad Marge and the Stone Cutters Angel City Outcasts, recently returning form their European tour, team... more ›

Before we get down and dirty with Saturday night's game, here is a little "audio postcard," if you will, that features some play by play action and Scientology bashing by the game announcers: You know you're missing something when celebrities start coming to an event that a few years ago used to be held illegally in warehouses in Chinatown. Last Saturday's game brought out John C. Reilly (pictured left) and Patricia Arquette (interestingly enough,... more ›

It's never too early to plan for the weekend... LA Derby Dolls: Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Little Tokyo It's almost sold out, if not already by the time we press publish. This sport is about as local and special to LA as you can get. Two teams in the country play roller derby on a banked tracked and we have it here. Support your local punk rock kittens because it is a blast. Saturday's... more ›

Here are the ground rules: five players from each team enter the track -- four blockers and one jammer. The whistle blows and the group of blockers start skating. The second whistle lets the jammers begin their jam. The jammers must skate through the group of blockers, go all the way around the track and catch up to the group again. Now, for every opposing blocker they pass, a point is gained. It's those... more ›