Maul-ibu Barbie escapes the pack. Credit: Dave Brown Photography
Burning River Roller Girls, Cleveland’s all-female, skater-owned, flat-track derby league, have just announced that they’re changing their name. They’ll now be known as Burning River Roller Derby. In a press release, league president Grace Kanaan says the name “more accurately reflects the organization and lets fans know that the skaters take this sport seriously.” “Burning River is made up of a diverse group of skaters, officials, and volunteers, many of whom do not identify as ‘girls,’” she says.

The group aims to be more inclusive and welcome trans and nonbinary skaters. Bouts will now take place at CE Orr Arena in Euclid; the home opener is slated for April 25. For the fall season, the group will return to Ohio Nets Sports Complex in Parma. Those games will feature four intraleague teams: the Cleveland Steamers, the Hard Knockers, the Rolling Pin-Ups, and the Hellbombers. In addition, the league will host one of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Division II playoff tournaments in 2015. The tournament will take place Aug. 21-23. Venue and other details have not been announced yet.

This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2015.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

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