Chi*Town Sirens Ready to Face Off

By Joanna Miller in News on Mar 3, 2006 9:14PM

We’ll be honest, Chicagoist is a total wimp. We wish we were athletic and coordinated, even adventurous, but the truth is, we just aren’t. Don’t get us wrong, we’re totally up for trying new things, just not anything that could cause us bodily harm. That’s why when Chicago’s newest roller derby league, the Chi*Town Sirens, invited us to one of their practices we immediately said yes. We’re fascinated by anyone who participates in contact sports, and when you add roller skates to the equation, well we’re pretty much in awe.

The Sirens officially formed last October and currently have two teams, the Thunderdames and the Candystripe Killers. Michelle Booth, aka Donna D. Apocalypse, works as a florist in Lincoln Park by day and coordinates the Sirens by night. The Sirens’ formation was loosely tied to the now-defunct Wreckin’ Rollers, a league managed by one of Booth’s friends, that “didn’t work out,” she explains.

Booth and co-founders Lacey Golwitzer, aka Sister Fistin, and Sara Winter, aka Busty Thrustalot, wanted the league to be more homegrown than the Windy City Rollers, the city’s other derby league. “They’re slick; we’re not so slick,” Booth said. Chicagoist was hoping for some cross-league trash talking, but the Sirens kept things civil. “Chicago can definitely support two derby leagues,” Booth said. “We don’t have any animosity toward them. We go to their bouts.” She did add, however, that the Sirens recently had to cut off their recruitment while the WCR just re-opened theirs.

The Sirens are gearing up for their first bout on March 19 to be held at south suburban Lynwood Sports Center (2030 Glenwood Dyer Rd.). Chicagoist recalls spending many a Monday night there as a naïve youngster, but others may recognize it as the Sweetwater Roller Rink from last year’s Roll Bounce.
We were a little disappointed to find that the movie makeover seems to have permanently replaced the old décor, and the wood paneled walls have been covered in what is clearly tin foil. But it should make for a sparkly event.

The Sirens will host a pre-bout party at Lelia Janes (1008 W. Armitage) where a BYOB party bus will be waiting to take fans to the event. Tickets to the bout ($10 advance, $15 at the door) and party bus ($8 advance, $10 at the door) are available online and at several locations around the city.

Stay tuned, Chicagoist may have special treat for derby fans soon.

donnad and sweetwater via jlouise210