Guitars + Bruises = Cool

For teenagers in need of some self-confidence, it's hard to imagine two better avenues than rock and roll and roller derby. The two disciplines collide tonight, along with a bunch of flailing bodies on skates, as the Kansas City Roller Warriors invite Paul Green's School of Rock to perform a pregame concert at the School of Hard Knocks roller-derby bout. Composed of teenagers who can play better than dudes twice their age, the Paul Green school has already licked the catalogs of Pink Floyd, the Who and the Rolling Stones. (No word yet on whether they'll tackle the Stones' Steel Wheels for the occasion). The Black-Eye Susans, meanwhile, will try to prevent a round of "We Are the Champions" for the undefeated Dreadnought Dorothys. Tickets cost $13 in advance or $16 at the gate for the 6 p.m. doubleheader at Hale Arena (1701 American Royal Court, 816-513-40000). Children ages 6 to 12 get in for half-price.
Sat., Aug. 30, 7 p.m., 2008