Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on African American originated dancing/gymnastic roller skating styles that are in indoor skating rinks. These roller skating activities and their various regional styles are sometimes referred to as "soul skating".
Part II showcases videos of "jam skating" (also known as "soul skating") from various cities throughout the United States.
Selected comments from some of these videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/article-excerpts-about-jam-skating_13.html for Part I of this series. Part I provides information about "jam skating".
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/videos-of-jam-skating-in-usa.html for a March 2012 pancocojams post on this subject.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
With the exception of video #1, these videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest videos given first.
Video #1: The Civil Rights Era Roots of Roller Skating [Atlanta, Georgia]
Great Big Story, Published on May 9, 2018
In cities like Atlanta, roller skating culture is alive and rocking. But, its roots go back decades, back to the Civil Rights era. During desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s, many roller rink owners sought to maintain racial divides by hosting theme nights, such as “Rhythm Night” and “Soul Night,” specifically targeted towards African American patrons. Soon, however, these nights evolved into a thing of their own, stripping away the organ music and leaving behind an entirely unique subculture.
In Atlanta, the skating hub was centered around Cascade, a rink attracting all the best skaters in the area. Today, Cascade continues the movement, keeping skating culture rolling on.
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Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Manny G, 2018
"This video just makes me feel PROUD. The ability to create a beautiful atmosphere out of segregation PROVES That no matter what... We'll find a way."
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Video #2:Bouncin' In Memphis - RWOM @ the sk8 party 2012 [Memphis, Tennessee]
sk8queen, Published on Oct 21, 2012
Everybody mixin it up...
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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only):
1. dirtyharry5766, 2015
"sk8queen whats the song pls ....thx"
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REPLY
2. dirtyharry5766, 2016
"DJ G Brown slow walk thx"
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REPLY
3. David Harris, 2018
"The second song is called "that woman" by Mystikal.......2011"
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4. Mrs. Trust Noone, 2016
"It's a shame that people don't skate anymore. I grew up on it and definitely want to gt back into it.
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REPLY
5. Taniya Green, 2018
"Where you been girl yes they do skate they got oldies for goody nights for all of those at World on Wheels right over it right in LA we just got to get our asses up I got their stress skate with this black beautiful man I'm going to buy me some skates Monday LOL"
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6. A.G., 2019
"Skating is still a huge deal. Really big, even now more than then due to social media. Look around... I'm in detroit search soul skate, ppl come from all over. Be blessed sis"
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7. j348011, 2018
"WHY ARE THE LIGHTS ON?? Where is the strobe lights and the disco ball? I'm old school. Doing it wrong!"
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REPLY
8. sk8queen, 2018
"I dont like skating with strobe lights on. The lights dont need to be off all the time."
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9. Stacey Phillips, 2019
"Where is this? Love to see old fashioned up bring...this is how it used to be in Jacksonville back in the day...i sure miss this n especially seeing men n boys out there on the floor...Were going skating tomorrow"
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10. Leroy Cole Jr, 2018
"is the skating ring on third in Memphis"
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REPLY
11. sk8queen, 2019
"No. This is in Collierville, TN. Crystal Palace on Third St. is closed. Either here or Eastt End for skating now."
-snip-
In another comment, sk81ueen wrote that this is Funquest Skating Center in Collierville, Tenn. which is located just outside of Memphis, Tenn.
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12. Boss94 wayz, 2019
"Respect to all the skate styles but can't nobody get that slow roll pimping like MEMPHIS....
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Video #3: Wood Rydrz Skate club [Los Angeles, Cal]
Published on Sep 10, 2015
The best DJ's in the world for 5 days straight. Big Bob & Joe Bowen Sunday Night. Dj Arson & Dj wild child on the same day but different rinks. Dj-D put it down at the BBQ for all the cities and states. Awesome skate crews from different states learning new moves was great to see. The Wood Rydrz 1st time at Skate-A-Thon. Thank you Cali Skate community for all the support on getting or roll on.Thank you Click Klack for driving safely to Vegas.
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Debbie T, 2019
"If the Children of the future learn how to RollerSkate like we did in the past I think we would have a better world to live in.These skating rink Videos make me want to go back in Time. If I had known when I used to skate I would have never moved back to Memphis and if I did l would have open the biggest skating rink in Memphis and these kids would not been thinking about no guns or robbing people or car jacking.or killing people..If I could turn back the Hands o Time.I feel like I would have made a Difference in the way children act to this day.These skating rink Videos make me feel so good on the inside.It put me in a better mood for one."
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Video #4: DANCE IN THE REAL WORLD S1 • E4 [Chicago, Illinois]
Dance in Chicago: Skating with James Brown's Style
The New York Times, Published on Dec 17, 2017
In Chicago, J.B.-style skaters turn the roller rink into a dance floor, where it’s all “about the groove.”
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only):
1. Cherl Lowe-johnson, 2019
"That's "The Rink" on 87th Street-- Chicago. Some people call their style of skating The Crazy Legs. Watch the legs fly or stay toward the middle where it is safe. Lol. Check out Atlanta, Ohio/Cleveland Columbus Cincinnati style, Metro Detroit, St. Louis, & NYC styles of skating. Spring & Summer road trips - Lots of fun!!"
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2. spainyo, 2018
"Yup! Black Chicagoans are the best skaters in the country."
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REPLY
3. Anthony Taylor, 2018
"spainyo u need to YouTube Detroit. Dc and Cali and new york before you make that assessment much love tho
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REPLY
4. O'Neal Rimpson, 2019
"@Anthony Taylor no. Chicago won 10+ adrenaline awards for it's JB style. Adrenaline awards are given to winners of national skate competitions judged by skaters from all over the country. No other style has been as dominate as JB skating....in those competitions. So what are you saying. We the best man! Stop it."
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REPLY
5. Anthony Taylor, 2019
"@O'Neal Rimpsonmy fault don't know what the adrenaline awards are but still it's just so many styles I don't mean no disrespect and they're are awesome skaters in Chicago it's just an opinion I admire all of the styles but I don't think Chicago is the best tho thanks for ur reply tho"
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REPLY
6. O'Neal Rimpson, 2019
"@Anthony Taylor within JB there's a LOT of variation. This video doesn't have real dope JB skating in it. Any please don't judge by what you see in the internet it in no way is representative of JB skating. It's a very watered down version of JB skating."
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Video #5: Soul Skate 2018 [Detroit, Michigan]
Dazed, Published on Oct 24, 2018
Soul Skate is the roller disco that’s central to Detroit’s cultural legacy. This new documentary from Carhartt WIP, NTS and Dazed takes a look inside the world of the iconic bi-annual party.
Featuring the voice of Kenny Dixon Jr.
[...]
Music
“Tribute”
“Black Mahogani”
“MahoganyBrown”
“Music People”
“I Got Werk”
“I Can’t Kick This Feeling When It Hits”
Written and Produced by Moodymann
Courtesy of Mahogani Music
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Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Hawtgawd-from-Turtle Island, 2019
"United Skates brought me here
them white directors jus toke 2 hours off my life
damit..lol
this 15 min is more entertaining..12:44 i see u Batman
we need 2 privatize our rinks when they shut em down
basements, churches, halls..where ever to keep the melanin flowing💃
✌️ & a 🍼 of hair greaze💯"
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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
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