The sport

The DIY, counterculture sport was founded in the 1930s at the Chicago Coliseum and picked up speed in Indy in 1937, when it hosted the Transcontinental Roller Derby at the state fairgrounds. At that time, it was more popular for men to participate, and Tom Whitney was the first known Indy resident to roll through.

Arguably the best part of this sport? The names. Circle City has players like “Marie Fury,” “Saratonin,” and ‘Tiny Ann Mighty” to name a few. They’re used as a way to embrace the edgier side of the skaters’ personalities. However, more recently there’s been a push against the alt names as serious players have started using their real names in an attempt to gain legitimacy for the sport.

Watch your elbows with Naptown around. | Photo via @tklubens + @naptownrollerderby

Get involved

Starting in April, you’ll be able to catch the Circle City + Naptown Roller Derby teams kick off the season with workshops and info sessions for new and seasoned prospective skaters. Yes, that means you can dust off those old skates and join, if you’re interested.

You can catch a bout from the comfort of your couch on WFTDA’s YouTube page or catch the Circle City Roller Derby’s first bout on Sat., June 4 at Perry Rink Park (451 E. Stop 11 Rd.).

Use the buttons below to share this story with your bout buddies + rollerskating rivals.

EVENTS

Wednesday

Infant Island, Sonora, Midnight Vigilantes | Wed., March 23 | 7 p.m. | Healer, 3631 E. Raymond St. | $10 | Healer is “welcoming active relics of heavy wild uninhibited furious sounds” at this show. 🎸

Thursday

Photo Mixer with Broad Ripple Magazine | Thurs., March 24 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd. | $25 | Join Roberts Camera, Ripple Media Productions, and Broad Ripple Mag for the third installment of their Photo Mixer — with a special presentation from architectural photographer Michael Firsich + interior design photographer Sarah Shields. 📸
Social Disturbance Film Screening | Thurs., March 24 | 6 p.m. | Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave. | $20+ | Join in for a special film screening written and produced by Indy native LaRae Wilson. 📽

Friday

Garfield Shakespeare Company: Comedy of Errors | Fri., March 25 + Sat., March 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr. | Free | In this Shakespeare work, two sets of identical twins get separated not long after birth in a shipwreck.

Saturday

Park5k | Sat., March 26 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Riverside Adventure Park, 3702 N. White River Pkwy W. Dr. | $40 | Benefit The Parks Alliance + The Riverside Regional Park Foundation with a 5k through Riverside Adventure Park. 🌳

Sunday

Write On! | Sun., March 27 | 3-4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Writers ages 12-17 can practice creative writing in a variety of mediums with the Indianapolis Public Library. ✏️

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

ALL YOUR FUTURE PLANS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

63º | Thunderstorms | 78% chance of rain

Number

$75 million. That’s what the city-county government + a group of local organizations are competing to transform two abandoned brownfields into a food manufacturing center. A national economic development competition would provide an 80/20 match and awards will be announced in September. 💸 (IBJ)

Community

The first round of the city’s neighborhood crime prevention grants will open next week. Thanks to pandemic relief funding, Indy has quadrupled the amount of funding available for the next three years. Applications are due on Sun., May 1 + workshops will be held to walk organizations through the process. (WIBC)

Cause

Nonprofit Indy Urban Acres is holding a plant sale on Sat., May 7-Sun., May 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to raise money for the farm. Last year, it grew 61,000 pounds of produce + 100% of it went to families in need. Preorders are now open on Indy Urban Acres’ website. 🪴 (WTHR)

Civic

If you’ve noticed some people with chainsaws in your neighborhood recently, don’t worry. This is the time of year when utility workers maintain 700+ miles of electricity-delivering lines in Indy to maintain safety + reliability and avoid power outages. If you don’t want your tree trimmed, you must notify utilities two weeks before work is scheduled. 🌳 (IndyStar)

Show

“The Reclamation of Madison Hemings” by Charles Smith will be taking the Mainstage at the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre tonight through Sat., April 16. It tells the story of the son of Sally Hemings + Thomas Jefferson and his search for his brother in 1866. Tickets are on sale now. 🎟️

Arts

Submissions to be a featured entertainer at this year’s Indy Pride are due on Thurs., March 31. The festival is looking for “true show-stopping” from its bands, singer/songwriters, drag performers, variety acts + dancers. The event is on Sat., June 11 at Military Park. 🎤

Tech

Foster Friendly is a new app that connects local businesses with foster families + aims to provide them with discounts to help the kids. Right now, 95 Hoosiers businesses are on the app. So far, 6,000+ foster parents have benefited from the app and it’s hunting for more businesses to join. (WISH)

Asked

What are the unwritten rules of Indianapolis? We’re looking for things that every local knows and abides by, even if it’s not a formal law. We’ll go first — it’s “Indy,” never “Indi.” Give us your best answer and you might just see it in an upcoming newsletter. 📥

📸 @ameliasbread

Now until Mon., March 28, if you buy a cookie (or 12) from Amelia’s Bread, 21% of sales will go to Down Syndrome Indiana (DSI). This also goes for their “Sun’s out, buns out” T-shirts, in case you were looking for an excuse to buy one.

DSI offers support + information to families, educators, caregivers, and professionals who serve individuals with Down syndrome.

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: I think my derby name would be “Brawly Parton.” What would yours be? Bonus points if you can put a Hoosier spin on it. Think: "Scary Bird."

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