Some distance from the restaurants and markets of the Woodbine neighborhood, you hear the whirl of wheels spinning and the crunch of bodies colliding and hitting the floor. Shouts issue from the din. Curious, you slowly push the door open….
As roller derby rolls back into Nashville, it makes you wonder: has history taught us nothing? If so, at least the Nashville RollerGirls didn’t learn the lesson that strapping on skates and slamming into each other is at worst bad for your health and at best just plain weird. They are recruiting for the city’s only over-21 all-female roller derby league. And who can argue with a recruiting plea so playful and succinct: “Wanted: Kick-Ass Girls on Roller Skates.”
The night the Scene dropped by, more than 20 skaters were practicing in the State Fairgrounds’ Sports Arena, a modest room with a concrete floor and bleachers. The RollerGirls are made up of all body types and skill levels: some are petite and speedy; others use height to intimidate. A few seem to wear an inordinate amount of skull-and-crossbones motifs, presaging the very real level of violence in this rowdy pastime.
The warm-up session starts out placidly as women in their 20s, 30s and 40s—outfitted in significant protective gear—glide calmly round and round, politely staying out of each other’s way. But when the scrimmaging starts, the vibe quickly morphs from Pollyanna to punk rock as one jammer skates full speed ahead, attempting to penetrate a crowd of blockers. As the blockers bend their knees, getting low to obstruct her, elbows, hips and shoulders fly everywhere. When there’s a crash—and there are several—skaters laugh, and one calls out, “It only hurts your pride, lady.”
RollerGirls join the derby for a chance to do something unique while keeping fit. They also enjoy the camaraderie of other independent-minded women and the chance to let out a little healthy aggression. Kristina Grundy, a.k.a. Lady Fury, calls it “rock ’n’ roll on skates.” In addition to the nicknames, the girls take on fictional personas, which helps with the group dynamic. “As Lady Fury, I walk out in a hot pink boxing robe. It’s part of the persona. And if I take someone down, well, it wasn’t me. It was Lady Fury. Like that girl over there, she flipped me over on my back the other day in practice, but we’re still friends.”
Picking derby names can be a brutal process in and of itself. “You actually have to check your name against a huge league registry to make sure the name’s not taken,” says Britt Zanetis, a.k.a. Molotov M. Pale, who takes the rink alongside names like Constance Sorrows (Sarah Dryden) and Mayhem N. Suze (Michelle Weaver). The Nashville RollerGirls will host their first bout on Feb. 10 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in the Sports Arena Building. Tickets are $10. Practices are 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. For information, visit nashvillerollergirls.com or email nashville.rollergirls@gmail.com.
If you choose to keep getting physical, continue reading the listings below.
If you’re in the mood for some more rock ’n’ roll, click here.
Recreation
CORNHOLE
If you’re like most people, you feel dirty saying “cornhole.” But what could be more innocent, really, than tossing beanbags into a hole for amusement? It’s less dangerous than horseshoes and certainly more fun to say. Arguably Cincinnati’s greatest export, the game of cornhole has migrated south. More and more Nashvillians are punctuating their backyards with small orifices and sprinklings of colorful bags filled with corn or beans. Cornhole sets are still tough to come by in these parts, but equipment is available at
hillbillygames.com and the American Cornhole Association posts rules and history at playcornhole.org.
HIT AFTER HIT
Nestled in a bleak stretch of Airpark Center Drive, Hit After Hit provides a haven for diamond aficionados who want to refine their swing, work on their curve ball or just take a few rips. The facility features batting cages equipped with swing-arm machines that will hum the ball at up to 90 miles per hour, as well as cages for pitching lessons and slow- and fast-pitch softball machines. The shop of baseball and softball gear carries a selection of wood bats made by Old Hickory, a local company with Major League clientele. Private lessons are also available. 705 Airpark Center Drive, 399-2287, hitafterhitonline.com.
NASHVILLE CHESS CENTER
Chess can be like caffeine—just so darn addictive. So, it’s fitting that just down the street from one house of addiction, Bongo Java, is another, the Nashville Chess Center. One of only a handful of chess centers in the country that are owned and operated by chess players, NCC hosts fierce U.S. Chess League competitions between the likes of the Tennessee Tempo (whose logo is amusingly Titan-like) and the Carolina Cobras. Dedicated to chess education for youth, NCC offers individual lessons and camps and has conducted nearly 200 chess programs in Middle Tennessee schools. 2911 Belmont Blvd. 292-7341, nashvillechess.org.
NASHVILLE SPORTS LEAGUES
NSL sponsors leagues for basketball, flag football, dodgeball, soccer, softball, kickball, volleyball and other sports, plus social events and tournaments aimed at young professionals.
While some U.S. schools are outlawing all of our favorite childhood games (“Tag” is the latest victim), Nashville Sports Leagues are busy keeping traditional games alive, at least for the 21-and-over crowd. Kickball and dodgeball are thriving in Nashville, thanks to NSL. The organization also promotes recreational basketball, soccer, flag football, softball and volleyball, not to mention good ol’ drinkin’. Perhaps the closest thing to adult recess, NSL usually involves some sort of team-oriented physical activity, followed by the obligatory trip to a bar. Each sport has several divisions, and tournaments and social events take place throughout the year. To sign up, visit nashvillesportsleagues.com or call 226-3959.
PLA-MOR LANES
Though ball technology has made big advances, most things about bowling haven’t changed much. The 7-10 is still the hardest split to pick up, and the smell—a heady mix of aerosol disinfectant, cigarette smoke, cheap beer and deep-fry grease—remains central to the bowling experience. But when you push open the doors to Pla-Mor Lanes on a Saturday night, you’re greeted by swirling lights, pulsing music and an atmosphere that seems more Dirk Diggler than Jeff Lebowski. You lace up your rented shoes, select a ball from the racks and try to aim for the arrows, aim for the arrows.... 2906 Foster Creighton Drive, 254-5809.
YMCA OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
900 Church St. 259-9622
The YMCA provides a variety of facilities, equipment and classes for fitness-minded families and individuals.
Australian Rules Football
NASHVILLE KANGAROOS
The Nashville Kangaroos field a men’s Aussie Rules Football team in addition to sponsoring local events celebrating Australian culture.
Baseball & Softball
MUSIC CITY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
995-1763
Adult wood bat baseball league playing at fields in the Metro area beginning in the spring.
MUSIC CITY SOFTBALL LEAGUE
443-3533
Softball league with seven divisions covering all skill levels; member of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance.
NASHVILLE OLD TIMERS BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
Dedicated to “promoting the game of baseball at all levels and to recognizing those who have played and been active in the game.”
Bike Clubs
HARPETH BIKE CLUB
With approximately 300 members from the greater Nashville area, the Harpeth Bike Club holds scheduled rides from April to October, varying in length from 15 to 100 miles.
NASHVILLE CYCLIST
This local website features listings for competitive and charity rides, as well as other cycling-related information.
VELOTEERS BICYCLE CLUB
The Veloteers lead various bike rides; their site posts ride schedules, bike-related news and alerts about road-cycling hazards.
Bocce
THE ITALIAN MARKET
411 51st Ave. N. 298-3811
Offers two regulation bocce courts next to an Italian food market. Bocce balls and rules are available; playing costs nothing and the courts are always open.
CORRIERI’S FORMAGGERIA
1110 Caruthers Ave. 385-9272
The 12South neighborhood Italian food market offers free access to its bocce court. Bocce tournaments may start up in spring 2007.
Climbing
CLIMB NASHVILLE
3630 Redmon St. Unit 1, 463-7625
With 11,000 square feet of climbable surface, walls up to 40 feet tall and available lessons, Climb Nashville is an all-inclusive destination for the upwardly mobile.
COOL SPRINGS CLIMBING CENTER
121 Seaboard Lane, Ste. #10, Franklin
661-9444
Climbing facility near Cool Springs mall offers lessons, gear rentals and passes from a single day up to a year.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Outdoor Recreation Program, 2600 Capers Ave. 343-6627
The climbing wall at the Vanderbilt University Recreation Center hosts supervised climbing and workshops; free to Student Recreation Center members, $5 per visit for guests.
Darting
GREATER NASHVILLE DARTING ASSOCIATION
349-2392
Local association organizes darting teams and tournaments.
Fencing
NASHVILLE FENCING ACADEMY
961 Woodland St. 650-6665
A USFA member club dedicated to modern sport fencing, the Nashville Fencing Academy has sparring, lessons and tournaments for ages 9 and up. NFA is exclusively an épée club, so leave your rapiers and foils at home.
Football
MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL LEAGUE (MTFL)
426-2696
Men’s full-contact amateur football.
Golf
The Nashville metro area is home to 42 public and private golf courses. For more information, visit nashvillesports.com/golfcourses.html.
Ice Hockey
CENTENNIAL SPORTSPLEX ADULT HOCKEY LEAGUES
nashville.org/sportsplex/ice_hockey_leagues.htm
Ice hockey leagues at four levels of play from “beginner” to “elite”; runs January through March.
SOUTHERN ICE ARENA
215 Gothic Court, Franklin
771-2444 x109
Men’s hockey leagues with three levels of play from beginner to highly competitive.
Inline Skating
ASPHALT BEACH
216 Eighth Ave. S. 242-2115
Inline skate shop and school owned by Steve Larios, an IISA Certified Inline Skate Instructor. Asphalt Beach offers inline skate classes and is a member of United Skate Schools Group (USSG) (unitedskateschools.org). Private lessons, clubs and groups, intermediate and advanced techniques may be scheduled by appointment.
Paintball
GRACEXTREME PAINTBALL
3279 Southall Road, Franklin
591-5091
Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in March, weather permitting; equipment rental available.
NASHVILLE PAINTBALL
3020 Brandau Road, Hermitage
885-3988
Four obstacle-strewn fields on which to open fire. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NASHVILLE PAINTBALL SPORTS
6455 E. Old Murfreesboro Road, Lebanon
444-8988
Offering 67 acres of courses, some wooded, plus equipment rentals and private parties. Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roller Derby
NASHVILLE ROLLERGIRLS
Nashville’s first all-female flat track league, featuring and seeking female skaters age 21 and up. See pick on page 77.
Rugby
Rugby teams from around the country will compete in the 26th annual Nash Bash event, March 24-25. The event attracted more than 60 teams in 2006.
NASHVILLE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Competitive men’s rugby, also known as the Nashville Outlaws.
NASHVILLE WOMEN’S RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Competitive women’s rugby since 1997.
Running and Triathlon
GREATER NASHVILLE ATHLETIC CLUB
Local nonprofit organization promotes health and fitness through events, primarily running, biking, swimming and multi-sport events, such as triathlons and duathlons.
NASHVILLE STRIDERS
870-3330
Promoting running, walking and general fitness; sponsored events include weekly fun runs and fitness walks, road races, trail races and track events.
Skateboarding & BMX
GRACEXTREME SKATEPARK
3279 Southall Road, Franklin
591-5091
Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in March, weather permitting; protective gear required.
SIXTH AVENUE SKATEPARK
401 Sixth Ave. S. 843-4006
Daily session fee is $7; skaters under age 18 must have parental consent.
Mon., Wed., Thurs. 3 to 9 p.m.; Tues. 3 to 7 p.m.; Skatechurch 7 to 9 p.m.; Fri. noon to midnight; Sat. 9 a.m. to noon (12 and under only), noon to midnight. Closed Sundays.
METRO NASHVILLE SKATEPARK AT TWO RIVERS
2320 Two Rivers Parkway
nashville.org/parks/skatepark.htm
Skatepark open to skateboards, inline skates, roller skates and BMX bikes equipped with park-friendly pegs.
Soccer
NASHVILLE AREA WOMEN’S SOCCER ASSOCIATION (NAWSA)
Adult recreational soccer league for women.
NASHVILLE SOCCER ASSOCIATION
nashvillesoccer.leaguerepublic.com
Men’s over-30 soccer league.
Swimming
NASHVILLE AQUATIC CLUB
Swimming and competitive coaching for age group teams (6 to 19) and masters.
Tennis
SPORTSPLEX ADULT TENNIS LEAGUES
862-8490
Men’s and women’s leagues; four indoor and 15 outdoor courts available for rental.
Ultimate Frisbee
NASHVILLE ULTIMATE MACHINE
Men’s and women’s ultimate Frisbee teams, leagues and events.
Spectator Sports—Pro and Semi-Pro
NASHVILLE DREAM (NWFA)
The Nashville Dream is a member of the National Women’s Football Association (NWFA), a premier women’s tackle football league.
NASHVILLE KATS (AFL)
Front office: 565-4699
Nashville’s Arena Football League team plays its home games at Gaylord Entertainment Center (Broadway). The Kats compete in the American Conference’s Central Division.
NASHVILLE METROS (PDL SOCCER)
832-5678
The Nashville Metros is the longest continuously owned and operated franchise in the United Soccer League. The Metros currently compete in the USL’s Professional Development League (South Atlantic Division) at Ezell Park (5135 Harding Place).
NASHVILLE PREDATORS (NHL)
Ticket office: 770-7825
The Predators compete in the National Hockey League’s Western Conference—Central Division. They play at Gaylord Entertainment Center on Broadway.
NASHVILLE SOUNDS (AAA BASEBALL)
Ticket office: 242-4371
Nashville’s longtime AAA Minor League Baseball team plays in the Pacific Coast League’s American Conference. An affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, the team moves to a new stadium in downtown Nashville in 2008, but home games are currently held at Greer Stadium (534 Chestnut St.).
NASHVILLE STORM (NAFL)
804-2117
Competes in the North American Football League, North America’s largest amateur football league. Games are played at McGavock High School (3160 McGavock Pike).
NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY (MOTORSPORTS)
Ticket office: (866) RACE-TIX
Nashville Superspeedway (4847-F McCrary Road, Lebanon, 37090) is a 1.33-mile concrete tri-oval track that hosts NASCAR and IndyCar racing events.
TENNESSEE LADY BLUES (WPSL WOMEN’S SOCCER)
790-4206
In 2006, the Lady Blues finished their debut season in the Women’s Premier Soccer League’s Mid-West Division.
TENNESSEE TITANS (NFL)
Ticket office: 565-4200
Front office: 565-4300
Tennessee’s National Football League team plays in the AFC South. Home games are played at LP Field next to the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville.
