by HPR Contributor | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Culture | March 11th, 2020
High Plains Reader spoke with Beth Ambrosio, "Maulflower," board member and skater with the FM Derby Girls about the first bout of their 11th season, and the charity events taking place for Pi Day.
HIGH PLAINS READER: What is your role with the FM Derby Girls? How long have you been a member?
BETH AMBROSIO: I am a skater, and I'm also on the Board of Directors - all of us take part in running our league and making it a success. I have been skating since the first season of FMDG, although I had about an 18-month hiatus in the middle - so, about nine and a half years. My skating position is as a blocker. I'm one of the skaters in the pack that is trying to help our team's jammer score points, while making life difficult for the other team's jammer!
HPR: The bout takes place on Pi Day, and there will be pies for sale. Can you tell us more about the types of pies, etc?
BA: We'll be selling a variety of fruit pies (one of our derby alums has reportedly been hoarding rhubarb in preparation for this event) and I'm making a brownie pie. But we're also doing something fun, separate from the pie sale. We'll have a silent auction in which audience members can bid to smash a (different) pie in the face of their favorite FM Derby Girl after the end of the bout. It will be interesting to see how high the bidding goes on some of us. Finally, because it's Pi Day (March 14 is 3.14), you can expect to hear plenty of math puns and jokes from our announcer, Jersey TOMato, throughout the evening!
HPR: What are you looking forward to with this first bout of the 11th season?
BA: The first bout of the season is always special, because it's held downtown in a great venue and it's a fantastic reminder of how awesomely eclectic, friendly, and supportive people are in Fargo-Moorhead. It's also great to be squaring up against the Winnipeg Roller Derby League All-Stars again. WRDL was the first league that the FM Derby Girls ever played, back in 2009, so it's always nostalgic when we meet up. But, with nearly four years since we last played together, it will be fascinating to see the ways our two leagues have changed, both in new members and playing style.
HPR: A portion of the proceeds will go to the pediatric oncology unit of the Roger Maris Cancer Center. How did your organization decide on that particular association?
BA: We decided to mix things up a little this year, and give our sponsors an opportunity to help us choose our featured charities. For our first bout this season, Sidestreet Grille & Pub, who are running the adult beverage stand at our event and also hosting the after-party, felt strongly about donating to support treatment and care of pediatric cancer patients in our area.
HPR: What would you like the public to know about attending this bout?
BA: This will be a great night of fun! It is an all-ages event. In addition to the pi(e)-based fun and the roller derby, there will be an event DJ, we will be holding a 50/50 raffle, there will be an FM Derby Girls merch booth, and the Civic will be selling concessions. We will also have musical entertainment for people waiting in line to buy tickets in the lobby that night, played by a student and teacher from Amped School of Music, downtown! If attendees would like to buy their tickets ahead of the bout date, they can be purchased online from TicketMaster or in-person at the Fargodome box office. Ticket sales the date of the bout will be at the Civic Center box office.
IF YOU GO:
FM Derby Girls Pi Day Bout
Saturday, March 14, 5-8pm
Fargo Civic Center
June 15th 2021
December 17th 2020
November 14th 2020
October 7th 2020
March 18th 2020
Growing Together Opens New GardenBy Annie Prafckehttps://www.facebook.com/annie.prafcke20 May 2021On April 15th, Growing Together held a groundbreaking for the opening of its newest gardens at Gethsemane Cathedral. The space, which…
By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu17 June 2021The Lehr Tabernacle near Lehr, N.D., celebrates its 100th Centennial with events on June 18-20, 2021. The Tabernacle, also known as Prairie Bible Camp, was featured in an…
2021 Summer Calendar Toby KeithMay 21, 7pmBismarck Event Center, 315 SOUTH 5TH STREET BISMARCKTickets $25-$175, pre-party starts at 5pm.Heart and Soul May 22, 9pmThe Aquarium, 226 N BroadwayR & B, Smooth Jazz, Funk, Neo-Soul and…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung20 May 2021Our Opinion: Don’t be afraid to ask for directions.This is the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating classes,…
by Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.com17 June 2021 Why Cooks Are Yelling “Flip Your Own Damn Burgers!”A June 3 headline in The Wall Street Journal caught my eye because it raved: “U.S. Economy’s Rebound is Without Historical…
To say that this year’s Bartenders Battle was the best display of talent in the six years since its creation would be an understatement and a disservice to not only the bartenders who made it into the competition, but also the…
Reviving Rural Grocery Stores in North DakotaBy Annie PrafckeFargo, ND – On October 7th, Gov. Doug Burgum awarded Milnor Market and the Forman grocery store project Main Street Awards, as part of an initiative led by the Office…
by John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comThe COVID-19 pandemic took a huge toll on the live music industry. Not only concerts but full-blown…
by Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com17 June 2021Edgar Wright -- the subject of his own cult of fandom -- knows a thing or two about obsessive devotion to odds and ends of pop culture. And with “The Sparks Brothers,” the…
by Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.com17 June 2021Along with lemonade and hotdogs, words and images marking the pavement are synonymous with summer. The accessibility of sidewalk art is appealing, but there is something to be said for…
By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comDrag shows, for me, feel like a celebration of artistry, esthetic, music, and camaraderie. With a dash of confetti thrown in.The local drag community is a close-knit family. Giving back to affiliated…
by Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comAdam Quesnell's last show at The Cellar beneath the Front Street Taproom in Fargo was in early September of 2018. He was embarking on a seminal move from Minneapolis to LA. As always, his comedy was…
By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…
by Laurie J Bakeremsdatter@gmail.com Part of modern yoga is participating in the world around us. We live in a time of upheaval in society and nature, and of great suffering in humans of all ages. Most of us perceive this suffering…
by Sabrina Hornung
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com17 June 2021The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) will be providing 60 college students from 44 colleges across America with up to almost $900,000. The 2021 Class of Astronaut Scholars will be…
by Annie Prafckesubmit@hpr1.com17 June 2021On June 19th, from 12pm to 7pm, nonprofit Faith4Hope Scholarship Fund is hosting their first ever Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at Lindenwood Park in Fargo. It is free and open to the…