Last week, I joined HELL ON WHEELS director Bob Ray and producer Werner Campbell for four days of derby and debauchery at the 2008 RollerCon. 4,000 Roller derby afficionados descended on sunny Las Vegas, where daytime temperatures reached a balmy high of 116, for classes, seminars, shopping, bouts, and non-stop, booze-fueled raging that only the hardcore derby crowd can withstand. And though I did manage to avoid the karaoke, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the manic, vital energy of these amazing people, who hail from all points on the map.

After grappling with hotel check in (boxes, boxes, boxes, and too few elevators…) I pulled myself together enough to head downtown for an open skate. Derby gals from all over put on a show while 500 onlookers drank monster margueritas. The ladies got a special kick out of the Vegas guy with the “Turn to Jesus or Burn in Hell” sign. I passed out postcards for our Sunday screening, randomly bumping into some folks from Canada who want to bring HELL ON WHEELS to the snowy north. Moments later I discovered that even Alaska has heard of our film! An afternoon of sun and cheap beer led to an early night, as the jetlag did me in while most of the convention was still going strong.

Day two I jumped up refreshed and ready for action. The dealertainers (a goofy gaggle of lipsynchers ranging from Elvis to MJ to J.LO.) were in full swing, and the bars were packed with roller girls. Everyone I spoke to was excited about HELL ON WHEELS, and many of them were looking to set up screenings back in their home towns. Sold some DVDs, and got many promises of attendance to our screening the next day. I found Bob and Werner, sunburnt and fresh off closing out the pool, and we mingled with the locals.

That night I headed over to the DoubleDown Saloon for an experience unlike anything I’ve ever seen before — the Derby Wedding. Highlight’s from the program’s description — “A derby wife is quite simply this…she is the first person you’d call if you ever need to get bailed out of jail (or in case you ever need to have an entire legal crusade started in your name)…she’ll ride in the ambulance with you when you lose a tooth, break your wrist, or tear your ACL…she’s the one who will be holding back your hair when you puke after drinking too much, and she won’t let anyone take your picture while doing it…”

So, myself, Bob and Werner end up in a dive bar parking lot with 500 derby heads in varying states of costume and undress, as two crazies name Dumptruck Elvis and Razorslut preside over a mass wedding. Some gal named Supersonik decided she HAD to marry both me and Werner (though I’m uncertain it would stand up in court), and we were sucked into the festivities with gusto.

The following morning I was up early to head back to the DoubleDown for our screening. I got there at the beginning of the program (derby shows and movies were set to play from 12:30 on) and found the bar near empty, save for myself and four scraggly drunks already started (or perhaps never having stopped) their Vegas day. With no escape from the heat I parked myself near the jukebox and guzzled water until stragglers began to arrive.

The place did end up filling up, and by the time Bob gave an intro to HELL ON WHEELS, we were happily surrounded by derby fans. Everyone loved the film (even on the lo-fi tv screens), and many folks went home with copies. Hours later we were back at the hotel, and toasted our success with a night of ridiculous karaoke.

The next day I couldn’t wait to escape town while I was still relatively in one piece, worn out but thrilled at the response to HELL ON WHEELS. All in all, RollerCon is a special event, with no derby prerequisites except a love of tattoos, bruises, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. I hope to be back next year, hanging with all my new friends. Special thanks go out to the folks from Salt Lake City, Minnesota, Oregon and the UK (y’all know who you are) — thanks for a fantastic time!