Rat City Rollers didn't win national tourney, but they'll rumble at Bumbershoot

Rat City Rollergirls Flower Grosskopf, left, aka "Dirty Little Secret," and Reagan Fritz, aka "Basket Casey," in the locker room after Seattle was cut. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)

Next stop: Seattle. The sassy sisterhood of flat-track roller derby, fresh off its first national tournament in Tucson last weekend, is coming to Bumbershoot.

Shortly after the conclusion of Tucson's 2006 Dust Devil, Heather Smith, One Reel's Bumbershoot festival producer, confirmed plans for an eight-team invitational co-hosted by Seattle's Rat City Rollergirls Sept. 2 at KeyArena.

Smith said the all-woman combination of sport and spectacle "embodies the spirit of Bumbershoot," the 36-year-old celebration of music and arts.

First team invited: the Texas Rollergirls of Austin, winners of the 20-team Dust Devil.

The Rat City Rollergirls advanced through two rounds of competition in Tucson before a two-point loss Saturday night to Arizona Roller Derby of Phoenix, which finished in third place.

"We did exactly what we needed to do," said Rollergirls captain "Diva State," aka Celia Rehburg, noting that her skaters, selected from the four local teams, had only practiced together two months. "These girls are amazing. I can only see us getting better."

Fans don't have to wait until September for a taste of Rollergirl action. At 6 p.m. Saturday the Rat City Rollergirls are hosting an exhibition "Charity Brawl" at the Everett Events Center (866-332-8499 or www.ratcityrollergirls.com).

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com

Providence Roller Derby Riveters stretch out before going up against the Rat City Rollergirls Friday night in Tucson. Rat City would beat Providence 52-19. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)
Rat City Rollergirl Mary McIntyre, center in black, aka "Burnett Down," bumps Sin City Rollergirl Trish Ethier, second right, aka "Trish the Dish," Saturday morning in Tucson's 2006 Dust Devil national tournament. Ethier was later ejected from the match. Rat City would beat Las Vegas 208-67. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)
Teri McGill, aka "Tombstone Teri" of the Tucson Roller Derby Saddletramps, lets fans know she's OK as she's removed from the track on a banquet table during a match with Seattle's Rat City Rollergirls. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)
Rat City Rollergirls fans whoop it up as their team prepares to go up against the Providence Roller Derby Riveters. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)
Seattle resident and Rat City Rollergirl mascot Jimmie Houllahan, aka "Dirty Ratman Houllahan," shows his support. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)
Texas Rollergirls-Austin Texecutioners, from left, Erin Clark, 27, aka "Barbarella"; Kristen Olson, 31, aka "Trouble"; and Lara Bell, 28, aka "Lucille Brawl," apply lipgloss before rolling onto the track for their first match. They won the tournament. (KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES)