Tuesday, May 24, 2022

On the Beat With Marley Quinn.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing veteran roller derby skater Marley Quinn. A long-time skater, Marley has played, coached and taught roller derby and skating, as well as owning and running a roller derby league. We talked about all of this and her other business and passionate endeavors. That interview is at On the Beat With Marley Quinn.

I first met Marley several years ago, when she was skating for the Chicago Knockouts. Like many of the other skaters, Marley had a distinctive look relating to her unique skater name. Marley explains all of that in our interview.

I grew up watching roller derby on television, but that roller derby was considered much more theatrical and far less sport. The roller derby of the Chicago Knockouts (and many other leagues) is legitimate sport, complete with rules, scoring and standings. The league maintains much of the entertainment factor, like creative names and colorful costumes, but it takes the competition seriously. Marley and I agree it is the best of both worlds.

Marley's creativity in her roller derby persona and career isn't happenstance. Away from the track, she is a trained and very talented artist. Marley's talents include photography, fine art and design, t-shirts and merchandise and other artistic endeavors. Whether your needs are personal, business or a combination, Marley has you covered.

We discussed all of this and more, including the upcoming return of the Chicago Knockouts. Founded in 2018 by The Crimson Vixen, the Chicago Knockouts League is one of more than 1,200 roller derby leagues in the country.

Marley talked about the bonds, family feeling and inclusivity of the Chicago Knockouts and roller derby n general. Much like comic cons, it is a place where everyone is welcome to be yourself and enjoy the fun. From the first match roller derby I attended many years ago, I felt a tremendous sense of community. In addition to being a sport and performance, it is also like a big friend reunion every time.

Go to MQCreates.com and MQSkates.com to learn more about Marley and all of her work. If you're in the Chicago area, look for the return of the Chicago Knockouts soon. If you are elsewhere, look for your nearest roller derby league and get in on the fun.

No comments: