Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents an excerpt of an online article about the (former) Empire skating rink that was located in Brooklyn, New York.
This post also showcases four YouTube video of jam skating (dancing to Funk, Disco, R&B, or House music at skating rinks while wearing roller skates). Video #1 and Video #2 are actual footage of Empire Skating Rink. Video #3 is footage of Skate Key skating rink in the Bronx, New York and the location of the fourth skating rink (given as Video #4 below) is unknown.
This post also documents selected comments from those videos' discussion threads about that skating rink in particular or about jam skating in general.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Vaughan Mason & Crew for the song "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll", thanks to all those who were responsible for the production of this video, and thanks to all those who are featured in this video. Thanks also to the publisher of this video and all those who are quoted in this post.
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INFORMATION ABOUT EMPIRE ROLLER SKATING RINK
From https://www.placematters.net/node/1161 "Empire Roller Skating Center (former)", Martha Cooper, Place Matters entry from ca. 2004.
Brooklyn's last large-scale roller rink, closed in 2007
"Editor's note: Sadly, the Empire Roller Rink was closed on April 23, 2007, after being sold. The word is that it will be turned into a storage facility.
The Empire Rollerdrome has been a fixture in Brooklyn for over 60 years, regularly transforming itself to reflect trends in popular culture. Particularly known for its pioneering role in the roller disco craze, the Empire is now the last remaining large-scale roller rink in Brooklyn.
The Swanson Family opened the Empire Rollerdrome (now the Empire Roller Skating Center) in 1941 in a former Ebbet's Field parking garage…..
The Empire was once part of a circuit of rinks in the city where skaters would go for competitions, lessons, and recreation. In the 1950s there were about 28 such rinks in the city including the Fordham Skating Palace, the Queens Roller Rink, and the Coney Island Roller Skating Rink. After they purchased the Empire, the Abramis tried to diversify its appeal by adding other activities to the huge rink including boxing matches, miniature golf, and even a bowling alley. During this time the rink also hosted many events including the first open New York State Championship in 1957.
In the 1960s, the Empire gained prominence for the many innovative roller dance styles that were pioneered there including the "Brooklyn Bounce," also known as the "Wobbly Duck." Adding to the rink's prestige was the presence of Bill Butler, one of the most influential skaters of the 1960s and 70s. He made the Empire his home base during these years, practicing and teaching there and attracting skaters from around the country eager to learn from him and witness his unique "jamming" technique firsthand.
When the disco craze of the 1970s hit, the rink was renamed the Empire Roller Disco (both "Rollerdrome" and "Roller Disco" can still be seen on the rink's exterior signage). In this incarnation it played a major part in the roller disco craze that swept the nation--it was one of the first places to popularize this new style of skating and attracted people from across the country. The Empire was also the first rink to replace organ music with a live DJ--for over 15 years the internationally acclaimed DJ Big Bob (Robert Clayton). The rink's reputation for great music grew even more after 1980 when a 20,000-watt system was installed, which was considered the best sound system at any roller rink in the country.
The disco atmosphere inside the rink was reinforced by the disco-club lighting, a "California-like" decor with plastic palm trees, and, of course the latest disco music of the day. Outside a canopy gave it a Studio 54-look. The Empire became so popular that movies were filmed there and celebrities like Cher would stop by to take lessons from Butler. The Empire's disco heyday also provided many fond memories. Sam Alston remembers, "This was one of the first places I ever skated. My mother used to bring me here in the 70s and 80s. And this place, it was one of the first ones that had a disco atmosphere, where it had a sound system, it had the disco lights. All the other skating rinks back then would be just a big warehouse."
At 30,000 square feet, the Empire is the last big roller rink in Brooklyn, comfortably hosting 1,000 skaters at a time. Following the illness of its longtime manager, Gloria McCarthy (Henry Abrami's daughter), the Empire closed for two years beginning in 1998. A nationwide chain, United Skates of America, later purchased the rink and it reopened in the spring of 2000 with a focus on family entertainment.”....
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS:
Video #1: Empire Roller Rink ( 1980 )
RollerSession, Published on Mar 14, 2009
Theme : " Roller Skate " - Vaughan Mason & Crew ( 1980 )
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Statistics as of May 10, 2019 12:56 AM:
total number of views - 15,379
total likes - 96
total dislikes - 9
total comments- 7
-snip-
Selected comments, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. djafrican, 2009
"Damn! I remember when they shot this. Pat the Cat, Vinzarrelli, Dexter. Good footage."
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2. IamDiva, 2018
"Yup pat the cat is my father with the cow boy hat on. He passed away tho 😔"
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3. David Barnes, 2011
"YO.THIS CLIP IS A RARE CLASSIC.I GOTTA THANK THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT THIS CLIP IN THE ARCHIVES.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RIGHT UP THERE WITH WHAT MAKES NY USA THE BEST.KEEPING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.I WAS LUCKY I WAS THERE FROM 1980 TO 1994 BEFORE THE DARK STORMS OF IGNORANCE CAME.ONE LOVE."
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Video #2: Bill Butler Quad Skating At Empire Roller Rink In Brooklyn 1978!!!
LegendaryBillButler, Published on Sep 11, 2009
Classic Quad & Pair Skating At Empire Roller Rink In Brooklyn Jammin' with Maurice Gatewood (R.I.P.) Anthony Ford, Vin Zee & Nicky Music By: Round Tree - "Get On Up" (Get On Down)
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Statistics May 8, 2019 3:38 PM
total views - 47,494 views
total likes - 264
total dislikes- 8
total comments - 32
-snip-
Selected comments, with numbers added for referencing purposes only.
1. David Barnes, 2011
"THIS CLIP IS AMAZING.PEOPLE TAKE HISTORY FOR GRANTED WHICH IS WHY POEPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY ERA ARE SO DAMM STUPID.I GIVE A PROUD SHOUT-OUT TO THE ''CLASSIC QUAD 78'',FOR KEEPING IT RAW AND FUNKY.I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT ''EMPIRE ROLLER RINK ''LOOKED LIKED IN 78''.BEAUTIFUL.I WAS LUCKY.I WAS ALATE 70'S KID.PEOPLE OF TODAY WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUE FUN OF THIS TIME."
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2. RAYYAN KASHANI, 2011
"This is where it all began and sadly THE EMPIRE ROLLERDROME aka EMPIRE is no more. We skateheads lived for this 7 nights a week, and to show you our love for the art of dance-skating, in late December 1977 when NYC was closed down because of the snow, we trudged from EMPIRE to PARK CIRCLE and took over the joint. ROXY, SWEET RUBY, MIDDLE VILLAGE, 516 in BALDWIN, UTICA, USA, SKATE CITY, SKATE KEY, THE RINK & LACES could never touch EMPIRE."
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3. Nathaniel Aiken, 2018
""Pat The Cat" was the cowboy with white skates and cowboy hat. "Big Mike" Skate guard and security, forever having a cast on his right wrist. Horace Michael and his sister Roslynd.Some of the people at Empire. Steve Tyler, Stephanie Tyler, the Abromi Family...Raymond, "Shine", Lamb...Anthony Ford, Dawn, Janet Burrows Imani, Little Mike, Randy Higgensen, Big Bob..."
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4. lou harris, 2013
DJ Big Bob Dexter Abernathy and his Dance Crew...Cali had nothing on Brooklyn"
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5. Julius Freeman, 2018
"Before he started playing at Empire around the days of DJ Horace, he used to hang out at my club called Club Atlantis in ENY & Phase III on Atlantic & Eastern Parkway & he was one of the best Hustlers (the dance) around. This would be around 1978. Before Empire, he used to DJ at Laces on Hillside Ave in New Hyde Park.
I still see him from time to time & he's still spinning."
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6. ArlineNC, 2013
"Skating here in the early sixties, was a member of the Empire Figure and Dance Club under the pros Donald and Beverly Maddaloni, what wonderful memories, moved to Park Circle to join their club when I found a dance partner."
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Video #3: Skate Key Meets Empire pt 1
AntUpscalephotos, Published on Mar 14, 2013
-snip-
Skate Key was a roller rink in the Bronx, New York.
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only.
1. Babydoll Chula, 2016
"Must have played Empire Music because I never headed those songs in skate Key. Sounds more of the central park old peoples mix stuck in the days but not the lit good old days lmao."
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2. David Rubenstein, 2017
"Amazing! Where is this place? Is this in New York?"
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3. ICU4life !!!!, 2018
"This is in the Bronx ,NY"
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4. Crucialkeyz1999, 2017
"@9:38 His footwook is AMAZING!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥"
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3. Omari Harper, 2019
"house steppin with skates on!! what!!!"
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4. Ashanti Zulu, 2019
"That’s my homeboy from Brooklyn Empire Roller Rink he really gets down!"
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5. Ashanti Zulu, 2018
"I use to skate with all of these Cats back @ Empire in Bklyn . Shoutouts ta Big Bob..
now I’m here in Orlando Fl and their Roller Rink is wack as ever 😑.."
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6. always a student, 2018
"I miss skate key and empire!!!! I moved back to the east coast in the past year; where are the rinks at I can go to now? I looked, and they mostly seem to be closed down...? I miss this kind of music too. Last rink I went to they played mostly modern rap music...
I am also rusty on the skates these days too... I need more practice! Where can I practice! Somebody help! HA!"
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7. Eric Jordan, 2018
"You can also hit up Branchbrook in Newark, NJ on Sunday nights. A lot of these people you see in this video come there. This past Sunday night (12/30/18) was lit!!!"
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8. Gregory Reese, 2018
"Central park dance skaters association"
-snip-
Additional Skate Key Meets Empire videos can be found on YouTube.
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Video #4: "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" By Vaughan Mason & Crew
Androsaryan Norman, Published on Jan 15, 2018
-snip-
Statistics (as of May 9, 2019 11:38 pm)
total # of views - 3,260,396
total likes - 42,000
total dislikes - 1,300
total # of comments - 2,866
-snip-
No information is given in this video or in the discussion thread about where or when this video was taped.
This appears to be purposeful, as the video publisher responded to several commenters about other subjects related to roller skating, but never answered any of the multiple inquiries about the location of the skating rink and when this video was made. For instance, the publisher gave a shout out to California from a commenter who wrote that he or she was from that state.
Several commenters wrote that this video wasn't from the 1990s, but was much more recent than that. Another commenter wrote in the comment given as #21 below that this isn't the Empire Skating Rink in Brooklyn, New York. And one commenter wrote that the skating styles that are documented in this video "has Detroit [Michigan] all over it". One commenter wrote that the "504" number on several of the skaters' shirts [the telephone area code for New Orleans, Louisiana] might be a clue as to the location of this skating rink. I think it's likely that this video was taped in the early 2000s at a national (United States) gathering of jam skaters.
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM VIDEO #2'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are given in relative chronological order with the oldest comments given first, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. I've added a few explanatory notes after some of these comments.
1. victoria brown, 2018
"Yesssssssss Empire skating ring Brooklyn nyc"
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2. MissPickyJudgemental, 2018
"victoria brown Thanks Victoria! I kept rewinding and was telling myself this rink looks familiar. I haven't been there in like over thirty years. Memories 🤗"
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3. factNo fiction, 2018
"Do it still exist? If so I need to come to Brooklyn NYC"
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4. trkk01, 2018
"Uh empire been closed down a few years ago un less this a old video"
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5. trkk01, 2018
"MissPickyJudgemental they closed a few years"
-snip-
The article about Empire Skating Rink that is quoted above indicates that that rink closed in 2007.
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6. lisa perkins, 2018
"victoria brown we had skate fever in the Booty down. This brought back memories."
-snip-
The words "Booty down" here is used here as a nickname for Brooklyn, New York.
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7. factNo fiction, 2018
"trkk01- Thanks for responding but I'm sorry to hear that. DAMN!! I was looking forward to visit the Empire, the video did look kinda old but I still was hoping it still existed."
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8. Pat Johnson, 2018
"victoria brown : Girl empire was the bomb and I miss the smaller rink in back and Raymond."
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8. Pat Johnson, 2018
"factNo fiction remember Big Mike, Raymond and them guys. they tried keeping it open for skating church event but that didn't last long and the last I saw of the space it was a carpet store I am not sure now but we got our memories right🙌"
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9. myjamsoldtonew, 2018
"They have closed so many roller skating rinks in NY it's a shame. there are so few left"
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10. victoria brown, 2018
"jimmie williams me to and remember there was no fighting. Those's skate Guards was mean as hell. Kept us in check. I was coming from Queens this was the highlight of my life. This and Paradise Garage."
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11. victoria brown, 2018
"lisa perkins yessssss we did."
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12. victoria brown, 2018
"trkk01 so SAD"
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13. victoria brown, 2018
"Pat Johnson we did our THANG"
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14. Pat Johnson, 2018
"U know Central Park and I think somewhere in New Jersey was the other place's where folks when to skate . Yo, remember the Roxy in Manhattan and Skate Key the Bronx."
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15. MissPickyJudgemental, 2018
"I was gonna ask if the Roxy still exists. My dad used to take us back in the 80's"
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16. MissPickyJudgemental, 2018
"Took the B49 to Empire to be nosy only to find out that the area has changed tremendously. I see "gentrification" has made it's way over there as well. It doesn't look right."
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17. geoff mcclean, 2018
"Loved that place, I still have my skates.."
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18. Marie Colette, 2018
"myjamsoldtonew You are so right and it makes me so mad, My kids and others don't get to know fun like this cuz of how Real Estate is more important than anything else. If it don't bring in millions of dollars they shut it down. If it's in an "up n coming" neighborhood they shut it down. Damn shame."
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19. The 71eights, 2018
"MissPickyJudgemental gentrification killed Brooklyn's essence"
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20. The 71eights, 2018
"MissPickyJudgemental been closed"
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21. Lordsincere1, 2018
"victoria brown This ain't the Empire."
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22. victoria brown, 2018
"jose rosa ty ty but it brought back memories. In my mind it's the empire. Lol"
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23. jose rosa, 2018
"victoria brown It’s cool I’m originally from Park Slope I used to go to Park Circle Roller Rink . You took me back.Thanks."
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24. victoria brown, 2018
"jose rosa yes yes why did they get rid of them. We didn't act the fool.( Right) lol"
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25. jose rosa, 2018
"victoria brown lets cut through the chase let’s hook up Just kidding . I’m in Staten Island . Just waiting to Retire"
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26. victoria brown, 2018
"jose rosa Queens here we are neighbors. Check this out my butt can't get on NO skate's now. I would be so scared today. but I truly miss those's days. And don't TELL me it's like riding a bike. LMAO"
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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boroughs_of_New_York_City
"New York City encompasses five county-level administrative divisions called boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. All boroughs are part of New York City, and each of the boroughs is coextensive with a respective county, the primary administrative subdivision within New York state. Queens and the Bronx are concurrent with the counties of the same name, while Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island correspond to New York, Kings, and Richmond counties respectively."
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27. Silvio Dante, 2018
"victoria brown
USA in jackson heights queens lol
Skate guard here lmao"
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28. victoria brown, 2018
"Silvio Dante omg I live in Queens now. I used to take my kids there (twins)now 35"
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29. Wonder Adair, 2018
"Empire has been closed for years .. they now meet at hot skates in Long Island !
I used to hang out at Empire back in the day too"
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30. Wonder Adair, 2018
"MissPickyJudgemental Roxy is closed ..Empire ..skate key ..Lola star ..
But the Empire crew meet up at hot skates in Long Island now..
There was also a skating rink on Utica ave that closed before all of them..I last went there at the age of 5.. and it was for teens and older wayyy back then lol"
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31. Malik Alexander, 2018
"M.C. Lyte"The Roller disco where we all used to go, just to have some fun back in 1981, You know the place Empire Blvd!"
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32. Nathaniel Aiken, 2018
"This is gonna get buried but: Empire, Sweet Ruby's, High Rollers, City Roller, United Skates of America, Parkside, Skating Palace, Busby's, Utica, Roller Dan's, SKATE KEY,
Central Park (near Frisbee Hill) and others too numerous to mention! Yep, That's right, I am a Bronx, NYC Skating Baby!"
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33. Nathaniel Aiken, 2018
"Where are the skating rinks in NYC now?"
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34. Nathaniel Aiken, 2018
"How could I forget the Roxy/ Club 1018? Or the Red Parrot? Laces" (L I), Commack, LI?Wednesday's? Bentley's and the Silver Shadow?! Lots of clubs had roller skating or church/ "Gospel Skate" sessions on their slow weekdays!"
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35. Lavon .A, 2018
"Empire 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽💯 killing it on the skates"
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36. Richard Blackwell, 2018
"victoria brown., i definitely enjoyed going to empire roller skating ring in Brooklyn"
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37. Krystin Grant, 2018
"Yesssssssssssssss only one I know that's open is lynbrook ny and they do late night parties. Funk master flex will be their In December 22 or Jan 5th"
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38. Teka Hinson III, 2018
"victoria brown Was that Empire?-DAMN! '-It's been a LONG time.The80s for me.I'm from Philly.I remember,United Skates of America.The Great Skate at69th and Market.And don't forget71st and Elmwood.We had FUN back n the DAY!!!!!!-TOO bad our young people JUST don't know.SAD!!!-"
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39. Frank Mcleod, 2018
"It's been a long time. Thanks for the memories of my Brooklyn days. Peace and Love."
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40. SupermanNYC2006, 2018
"Wow, Talking about memories. I remember at 15yrs old . going to the Skating rink every Saturday at Park Slope , at Utica Skating rink and Empire. They need to bring this back."
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41. Geenahgee04, 2018
"What year was this video? It's doesn't appear to be in the late 70s or early 80s."
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42. Ayesha Harris, 2018
"N P Yes!!! Let's not forget, The Mercury Theater, Norwest Theater, & Americana Theater"
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43. Steve Bromberger, 2018
"Rainbow on Clark. The only white boy on the floor. Take the toe stops off and earn mad respect from all. No static EVER. Just love:
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44. Ceo founder, 2018
"Empire Roller skating Rink in the 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's on Empire Blvd Flatbush/Crown heights Brooklyn, before it was condemned! From I was 10 years old till my mid twenties! The music, the women, the crews, the vibe and energy was amazing!"
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45. Mere Leonard, 2018
"Grown folks!!!!
You know it’s real when you A. Got a sweat rag B. Got a glove C. Have high top skates with the tongue down D. Have at least one person in the crew over 45"
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46. gregory J, 2018
"the cameraman can skate too. Great footage and classic jam."
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47. Puddin' Pie, 2018
"The sisters in white are killing it."
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48. John Saunders, 2019
"Urban class"
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49. Rob styles, 2019
"Too cold"
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50. Jennifer Smith, 2019
"Looked pink to me but probably the lights. Yes, I wanna be friends with them!!"
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51. robert wagner, 2019
"Cracker Barrel up in here."
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52. keepondjw, 2019
"love the woman with the short hair for some reason"
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53. Brie Brog, 2019
"@robert wagner I said the same thing, Do she have on a Cracker Barrel Jacket On ? I Love This Video"
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54. Flower Child, 2019
"Yes they are Bad "mama Jammers" !!!! Too cool 🔥🔥🔥🔥"
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55. Hiii Power, 2019
"Puddin' Pie facts"
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56. Marie Jeter, 2019
"Yesssssss!"
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57. Shelia G, 2018
"This is how I was going down in .
1978,1988,1998.........
Who's here in the end of 2018 December going into 2019 wishing that it was like this in 2019 having pure fun !!! Without you going skating and someone saying I'm not a boy or I'm not a girl or shooting and killing everyone being politically correct about their gender. And not just having fun just having fun"
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58. PB King, 2019
"Shelia G I’m here with you Ms. Sheila"
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59. SD90MAC2, 2019
"I feel you on that , everyone got along some kind of way. I miss those days and the people !"
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60. Terry Broussard, 2019
"And it wasn't that long ago.....What happened?
Anyway, glad I was able to be a part of the REAL things of life where people just had fun....no criticism, no violence, just Bounce, roll, skate, and some funk to make it all happen! Mmm. Mmmm...
Oh. And JESUS was always real in our lives. Can't leave HIM outta this.
It's HIS absence that's causing the problems. People need to put HIM in the Center of their lives and watch the Peace just roll on in."
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61. Ben Rayonez, 2019
"You forgot 1958 & 1968 that's where it all started????"
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62. Rosa Evangelista, 2019
"Shelia G had my blue jelly jacket with the skates on the back. Back in the day is fun to remember."
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63. Shelia G, 2018
"These are old school dancers the millennium's don't know nothing about this this is how it was when I was growing up and we were able to go skating to have fun without all this killing is sad it's so sad that people can out of joint have fun like this anymore"
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64. Shirley Black, 2018
"Yay yay yay good times"
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65. Bunnn Babyy, 2019
"You realize the death rate was higher back then kids just don't go outside because everything we do is criticize I love skating but the older folks won't teach us they just tell us if you can't do it get out the rink"
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66. isthis myrealname, 2019
"90s the skating rink was lit tryna holler at girls eating the snacks the arcade"
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67. Cynthia Ragan, 2019
"I used to have so much fun skating at the rink every Saturday night (back in the ‘60’s). I just bought my 5 yr old a pair of skates. This is gonna be fun. Please bring this back. I loved loved loved this video. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼"
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68. Captain Hernandez, 2019
"Shelia G yes it was great let’s go back to this great comment Stay Safe 👮🏻♂️🚔🚨"
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70. Katherine Williams, 2018
"to everyone that commented on this. everyone is on point. love peace and soul. I hope one day our younger generation will be able to get the chance to have what we old school generation did."
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71. Narvia Williams, 2018
"🌷This employee I use to work with at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, NY told me he was one of the roll bounce skaters at Empire Skating Ring in Brooklyn, NY🍁🌹🎈"
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72. FreeWorldAllDay, 2018
"Sister Sledge, Le chic, The O'Jays, Rick James. Best music that I loved hearing at the roller skating rink."
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73. Betsy Abreu, 2018
"Any 8 Ball Blue Gorillas out there representing Empire Skating ring from back in the days Brooklyn n.y."
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74. Vant, 2019
"Yessssss!! Brooklyn in the house!!! I went there many times"
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75. flower321 channel, February 2019
Brooklyn in the house Impire Roller skating ring
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76. Marsha Washington, May 2019
“Shout Out To "BKLYN EMPIRE ROLLER SKATING RINK!!! FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES!!!" My Family Still Skating 3 Generations Strong!!!”
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77. Seeking Pathways, 2019
"I miss skate key and empire roller skating rink...."
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78. Darryl Mckellar, 2019
"empire BKLYN roller rink had it going on skate guards MELL and another short guard and don't forget the two twins red bones they were awesome on those dam skates and fine as hell I was 14 yrs at that time but still remember empire roller rink BRASS out"
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79. Allen C., 2019
"Damn this takes me back to the late 60's early 70's...Empire skating rink in Brooklyn was the spot on the weekends. This song was huge in NYC"
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80. Layla20, 2019
"Baby! I’m here for it!!!!! Boy, Empire skating rink in Brooklyn was one of my old skating joints! I was pretty good at it and anyone who knows about Empire KNOWS you better know what you’re doing out there! Yes! A real treat and a blast from the past!!!! Where my Empire skaters at? 💯💯💯"
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81. Cynthia Lopez, 2019
"God, how much skill and finesse these skaters had!! A bunch of us would go skating at United Skates of America in Brooklyn and sometimes everyone would just have to willingly clear the space to let the masters do their thing! What a damn good show it was. How much fun we had!😂 So so glad I grew up in those times instead of today's pathetic sit and text all day long and be entertained following all kinds of fools on social media...:-("
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82. Paris K Armani, 2019
"The ones with the sweat rags are always the best"
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83. dolphinbuc, 2019
"Life doesn't have to be complicated. A simple night of skating can change your entire outlook on life. No drama, no beefin', no hate. It's all love when we skate."
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84. Steve Morelli, 2019
"This brings up memories of the 1980s I was the only Italian kid in my neighborhood in Detroit at the roller rink listening to the Dazz Band The Gap Band Time band Morris Day and The Time that was da scene those gorgeous ebony woman😊😉"
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85. Marsha Washington, 2019
"Shout Out To "BKLYN EMPIRE ROLLER SKATING RINK!!! FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES!!!" My Family Still Skating 3 Generations Strong!!!"
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86. Leo Lioness, 2019
"Empire Roller Rink...💃🏽
‘Brooklyn Where You At’’🤔"
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87. gotta go beach SUP, 2019
"Soooo cool!!! They make it look so easy! The floor looks crowded, but they all own their own space!!! Wish I remembered how to rollerskate!"
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Showing posts with label jam skating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jam skating. Show all posts
Friday, May 10, 2019
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Five Videos Of Jam Skating (African American Styles Of Skate Dancing In Roller Skating Rinks)
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.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/videos-of-jam-skating-in-usa.html for a March 2012 pancocojams post on this subject.
****
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.
-snip-
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."
****
Video #2:Bouncin' In Memphis - RWOM @ the sk8 party 2012 [Memphis, Tennessee]
sk8queen, Published on Oct 21, 2012
Everybody mixin it up...
-snip-
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"
**
REPLY
2. dirtyharry5766, 2016
"DJ G Brown slow walk thx"
**
REPLY
3. David Harris, 2018
"The second song is called "that woman" by Mystikal.......2011"
**
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.
**
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"
**
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"
**
7. j348011, 2018
"WHY ARE THE LIGHTS ON?? Where is the strobe lights and the disco ball? I'm old school. Doing it wrong!"
**
REPLY
8. sk8queen, 2018
"I dont like skating with strobe lights on. The lights dont need to be off all the time."
**
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"
**
10. Leroy Cole Jr, 2018
"is the skating ring on third in Memphis"
**
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.
**
12. Boss94 wayz, 2019
"Respect to all the skate styles but can't nobody get that slow roll pimping like MEMPHIS....
****
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."
****
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!!"
**
2. spainyo, 2018
"Yup! Black Chicagoans are the best skaters in the country."
**
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
**
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."
**
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"
**
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."
****
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
-snip-
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💯"
****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/videos-of-jam-skating-in-usa.html for a March 2012 pancocojams post on this subject.
****
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.
-snip-
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."
****
Video #2:Bouncin' In Memphis - RWOM @ the sk8 party 2012 [Memphis, Tennessee]
sk8queen, Published on Oct 21, 2012
Everybody mixin it up...
-snip-
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"
**
REPLY
2. dirtyharry5766, 2016
"DJ G Brown slow walk thx"
**
REPLY
3. David Harris, 2018
"The second song is called "that woman" by Mystikal.......2011"
**
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.
**
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"
**
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"
**
7. j348011, 2018
"WHY ARE THE LIGHTS ON?? Where is the strobe lights and the disco ball? I'm old school. Doing it wrong!"
**
REPLY
8. sk8queen, 2018
"I dont like skating with strobe lights on. The lights dont need to be off all the time."
**
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"
**
10. Leroy Cole Jr, 2018
"is the skating ring on third in Memphis"
**
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.
**
12. Boss94 wayz, 2019
"Respect to all the skate styles but can't nobody get that slow roll pimping like MEMPHIS....
****
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."
****
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!!"
**
2. spainyo, 2018
"Yup! Black Chicagoans are the best skaters in the country."
**
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
**
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."
**
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"
**
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."
****
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
-snip-
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💯"
****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Article Excerpts About Jam Skating (African American Styles Of Roller Skate Dancing)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on African American originated roller skating dancing styles that are performed in indoor skating rinks. These roller skating activities and their various regional styles are sometimes referred to as "soul skating".
Part I provides information about "jam skating".
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/five-videos-of-jam-skating-african.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases five "jam skating" videos from various cities throughout the United States.
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.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/videos-of-jam-skating-in-usa.html for a March 2012 pancocojams post on this subject.
****
EXCERPTS ABOUT JAM SKATING
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_skating
"Jam skating (or Jamskating) is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and roller skating, performed on roller skates.[1] The origins of jam skating are disputed, but it is often traced to the Great Lakes region and Florida. The style has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been greatly influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance.[2] Successful jam skaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates. Jam skating first became popular in the early 1990s and is still going strong throughout the nation.... Jam Skating, like breakdancing in its early evolution, was an almost underground movement fueled by teenagers and skaters in their early 20s. Events were created to allow Jam Skaters to meet, trade moves, and, most importantly, "battle". Battling and performing remain a very important aspect of Jam Skating. This element pushes the boundaries of what is possible to perform while on skates; moreover, it ignites evolution within the skate culture.
[...]
Jam skating is neither aggressive nor speed skating. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
[...]
Skating equipment
Traditionally, roller disco skaters wore an artistic high-cut boot with toe stop. In the early 1980s, this transitioned into a trend of wearing low-cut speed skate boots with jam plugs in place of the toe stops. This trend continues today, as the low-cut boot allows for more agility with feet while skating.
[...]
Movies
The 2005 film Roll Bounce prominently featured jam skating, along with some well-known skaters within the jam skating community.[3]
The 2006 film ATL was centered around a skating rink in Atlanta, GA called Cascade.[4]"....
****
Excerpt #2
From http://www.blacdetroit.com/BLAC-Detroit/September-2017/Detroits-integral-role-in-roller-skating-culture/ "Detroit's integral role in roller skating culture"
The past, present and (hopefully) rockin’ future of Detroit’s skate scene
by CORNELIUS FORTUNE, September 2017
"As a boy growing up in Black Bottom during the early ’60s, Richard Houston enjoyed Saturday matinees at the Arcadia Ballroom on Woodward – but it was roller skating that kept him out of trouble. He laced up his skates and found an entirely new world to explore – and has never looked back.
Now, at the age of 66, Houston, known as Rockin’ Richard Houston, is a world-renowned skater. The retired postman and Air Force vet has been called “The Godfather of Skating.” Houston is part of a collective in Detroit devoted to what is called The National Skate Scene, which has people from around the world meeting up to skate after hours, usually between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. These adult skate parties serve as a haven for lovers of roller skating. Not only that, but it’s a time when the “skate family” gets together for a reunion of sorts. These parties have included vendors, entertainment, dance events and other activities – happening here both here and, on a much larger scale, in cities like Atlanta and Chicago.
Roller skating in Detroit has remained a vibrant touchstone, particularly among the black community, and the city’s contribution to this movement on skates is what Houston hopes to highlight in his memoir, The Motown Sound on Wheels, set to release later this year. He wrote it not only as a historical document and point of reflection but as a love letter to the skating world that has been his passion.
[...]
New Yorker John Perkins, an associate, decided to take [Joi] Lofton’s connection to the skate world and rink owners to another level and came up with Sk8-A-Thon, an event that invited skaters from around the world in 1996. Although Lofton and Perkins went their separate ways, Lofton decided to rebrand the event, calling it Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon.
“It’s definitely international,” she says. “We have skaters here from Canada, London, Holland, Germany, Japan – those are the five countries I know of. It’s been the largest skating event in the country. The skating goes to 5 or 6 in the morning.”
Held Labor Day weekend, Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon is a passion project for its organizer. Yet, after 22 years, planning the event hasn’t gotten easier. It takes eight months to iron out the details each year.
[...]
Detroit’s Soul Skate
Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon might be the largest skating party on the national scene, but Detroit’s own Soul Skate runs a close second. Similarly, people travel from all over the world to celebrate roller skating in an afterhours adult setting. Soul Skate, a bi-annual event (the next one takes place in 2018 during Memorial Day weekend) draws thousands to Detroit.
[...]
Expanding the community
How do thousands of skaters from around the world – including Detroit – find out about adult skate parties such as Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon, Soul Skate and others?
When skaters want to know where the national parties are, they congregate on social media. But one website serves as the main informational source: skategroove.com. Before this go-to site, there was rollerskate.net – co-developed by avid skater Kevin Williams. Williams, another native Detroiter, has been involved in the skating scene since its inception. He moved to Los Angeles for a time and eventually hosted some roller skating parties in Southern California.
“We developed a website and we advertised this party and connected with roller skaters from all over the world,” Williams says. “About 2,000 people came – they came from Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Japan and all over the United States. It was an awesome roller skating party. It was absolutely amazing. From that, the party kept building, Joi’s kept building.”
[...]
Skating History Tidbits
Roller skating was embraced in the post-Civil War era by the upper class, who wore tuxedos and evening gowns while skating.
It gained popularity in the early 20th century after labor laws allowed people more free time.
The Great Depression took a toll on skating, since limited resources made it difficult to maintain large rinks.
The disco era was its heyday: The songs of that time were perfect for bouncing and rolling to the beat.
Economic downturn in the ’80s hit the recreation again.
Its popularity has been lifted in recent years thanks to inline skating and the resurgence of roller derby leagues.
Source: National Museum of Roller Skating (Lincoln, Nebraska)”
****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/united-skates/about United Skates [2019 documentary about jam skating]
"For years, roller-skating rinks have been a constant for African-American communities across the U.S., serving as a meeting ground, a place to have fun and an incubator of iconic hip-hop talents like Queen Latifah and N.W.A.
As America’s last standing roller rinks are threatened with closure, a community joins forces in a racially charged environment to save the underground African-American subculture of roller skating, which has been overlooked by the mainstream for generations – yet has given rise to some of the world's greatest musical talents.
From executive producer John Legend and first-time directors Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, the documentary United Skates highlights the dynamic world of roller skating, showcasing African-American rinks and skaters across the country as they fight to keep the culture alive and skate their hearts out...
[...]
Adult nights have become skating parties marked by incredible moves and music. Reggie, who says skating brought him “community [and] a sense of culture,” is disappointed that his local rink provides neither. In fact, none of the 14 rinks in North Carolina have an adult night. Hoping to start his own, Reggie meets with an owner receptive to the idea of bringing in new clientele.
[...]
Meanwhile, the L.A. skating community mourns the closure of Skate Depot, its last remaining rink, extending the wave of rink closings across the country in the wake of rezoning laws and increased land values in urban areas.
In L.A., during the height of gang violence in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the roller rink served as neutral ground when the Crips and Bloods had to share the World on Wheels rink. In 2013, this safe space closed, despite the community’s best efforts to keep it open. After hearing of Skate Depot’s impending closing, Phelicia and her family are feeling its loss. After driving hours to another rink, Phelicia gets into a heated argument with an employee who claims their custom wheels violate rink rules.
As local rinks shutter, annual national skating events take on even greater importance. At Independence Roll, hosted by Rich City Skate, skaters across the U.S. represent their cities’ varied skating styles. The result is an unforgettable night of joy, tempered by Rich City’s pending future."...
****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on African American originated roller skating dancing styles that are performed in indoor skating rinks. These roller skating activities and their various regional styles are sometimes referred to as "soul skating".
Part I provides information about "jam skating".
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/five-videos-of-jam-skating-african.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases five "jam skating" videos from various cities throughout the United States.
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.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/videos-of-jam-skating-in-usa.html for a March 2012 pancocojams post on this subject.
****
EXCERPTS ABOUT JAM SKATING
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_skating
"Jam skating (or Jamskating) is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and roller skating, performed on roller skates.[1] The origins of jam skating are disputed, but it is often traced to the Great Lakes region and Florida. The style has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been greatly influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance.[2] Successful jam skaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates. Jam skating first became popular in the early 1990s and is still going strong throughout the nation.... Jam Skating, like breakdancing in its early evolution, was an almost underground movement fueled by teenagers and skaters in their early 20s. Events were created to allow Jam Skaters to meet, trade moves, and, most importantly, "battle". Battling and performing remain a very important aspect of Jam Skating. This element pushes the boundaries of what is possible to perform while on skates; moreover, it ignites evolution within the skate culture.
[...]
Jam skating is neither aggressive nor speed skating. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
[...]
Skating equipment
Traditionally, roller disco skaters wore an artistic high-cut boot with toe stop. In the early 1980s, this transitioned into a trend of wearing low-cut speed skate boots with jam plugs in place of the toe stops. This trend continues today, as the low-cut boot allows for more agility with feet while skating.
[...]
Movies
The 2005 film Roll Bounce prominently featured jam skating, along with some well-known skaters within the jam skating community.[3]
The 2006 film ATL was centered around a skating rink in Atlanta, GA called Cascade.[4]"....
****
Excerpt #2
From http://www.blacdetroit.com/BLAC-Detroit/September-2017/Detroits-integral-role-in-roller-skating-culture/ "Detroit's integral role in roller skating culture"
The past, present and (hopefully) rockin’ future of Detroit’s skate scene
by CORNELIUS FORTUNE, September 2017
"As a boy growing up in Black Bottom during the early ’60s, Richard Houston enjoyed Saturday matinees at the Arcadia Ballroom on Woodward – but it was roller skating that kept him out of trouble. He laced up his skates and found an entirely new world to explore – and has never looked back.
Now, at the age of 66, Houston, known as Rockin’ Richard Houston, is a world-renowned skater. The retired postman and Air Force vet has been called “The Godfather of Skating.” Houston is part of a collective in Detroit devoted to what is called The National Skate Scene, which has people from around the world meeting up to skate after hours, usually between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. These adult skate parties serve as a haven for lovers of roller skating. Not only that, but it’s a time when the “skate family” gets together for a reunion of sorts. These parties have included vendors, entertainment, dance events and other activities – happening here both here and, on a much larger scale, in cities like Atlanta and Chicago.
Roller skating in Detroit has remained a vibrant touchstone, particularly among the black community, and the city’s contribution to this movement on skates is what Houston hopes to highlight in his memoir, The Motown Sound on Wheels, set to release later this year. He wrote it not only as a historical document and point of reflection but as a love letter to the skating world that has been his passion.
[...]
New Yorker John Perkins, an associate, decided to take [Joi] Lofton’s connection to the skate world and rink owners to another level and came up with Sk8-A-Thon, an event that invited skaters from around the world in 1996. Although Lofton and Perkins went their separate ways, Lofton decided to rebrand the event, calling it Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon.
“It’s definitely international,” she says. “We have skaters here from Canada, London, Holland, Germany, Japan – those are the five countries I know of. It’s been the largest skating event in the country. The skating goes to 5 or 6 in the morning.”
Held Labor Day weekend, Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon is a passion project for its organizer. Yet, after 22 years, planning the event hasn’t gotten easier. It takes eight months to iron out the details each year.
[...]
Detroit’s Soul Skate
Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon might be the largest skating party on the national scene, but Detroit’s own Soul Skate runs a close second. Similarly, people travel from all over the world to celebrate roller skating in an afterhours adult setting. Soul Skate, a bi-annual event (the next one takes place in 2018 during Memorial Day weekend) draws thousands to Detroit.
[...]
Expanding the community
How do thousands of skaters from around the world – including Detroit – find out about adult skate parties such as Joi’s Sk8-A-Thon, Soul Skate and others?
When skaters want to know where the national parties are, they congregate on social media. But one website serves as the main informational source: skategroove.com. Before this go-to site, there was rollerskate.net – co-developed by avid skater Kevin Williams. Williams, another native Detroiter, has been involved in the skating scene since its inception. He moved to Los Angeles for a time and eventually hosted some roller skating parties in Southern California.
“We developed a website and we advertised this party and connected with roller skaters from all over the world,” Williams says. “About 2,000 people came – they came from Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Japan and all over the United States. It was an awesome roller skating party. It was absolutely amazing. From that, the party kept building, Joi’s kept building.”
[...]
Skating History Tidbits
Roller skating was embraced in the post-Civil War era by the upper class, who wore tuxedos and evening gowns while skating.
It gained popularity in the early 20th century after labor laws allowed people more free time.
The Great Depression took a toll on skating, since limited resources made it difficult to maintain large rinks.
The disco era was its heyday: The songs of that time were perfect for bouncing and rolling to the beat.
Economic downturn in the ’80s hit the recreation again.
Its popularity has been lifted in recent years thanks to inline skating and the resurgence of roller derby leagues.
Source: National Museum of Roller Skating (Lincoln, Nebraska)”
****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/united-skates/about United Skates [2019 documentary about jam skating]
"For years, roller-skating rinks have been a constant for African-American communities across the U.S., serving as a meeting ground, a place to have fun and an incubator of iconic hip-hop talents like Queen Latifah and N.W.A.
As America’s last standing roller rinks are threatened with closure, a community joins forces in a racially charged environment to save the underground African-American subculture of roller skating, which has been overlooked by the mainstream for generations – yet has given rise to some of the world's greatest musical talents.
From executive producer John Legend and first-time directors Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, the documentary United Skates highlights the dynamic world of roller skating, showcasing African-American rinks and skaters across the country as they fight to keep the culture alive and skate their hearts out...
[...]
Adult nights have become skating parties marked by incredible moves and music. Reggie, who says skating brought him “community [and] a sense of culture,” is disappointed that his local rink provides neither. In fact, none of the 14 rinks in North Carolina have an adult night. Hoping to start his own, Reggie meets with an owner receptive to the idea of bringing in new clientele.
[...]
Meanwhile, the L.A. skating community mourns the closure of Skate Depot, its last remaining rink, extending the wave of rink closings across the country in the wake of rezoning laws and increased land values in urban areas.
In L.A., during the height of gang violence in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the roller rink served as neutral ground when the Crips and Bloods had to share the World on Wheels rink. In 2013, this safe space closed, despite the community’s best efforts to keep it open. After hearing of Skate Depot’s impending closing, Phelicia and her family are feeling its loss. After driving hours to another rink, Phelicia gets into a heated argument with an employee who claims their custom wheels violate rink rules.
As local rinks shutter, annual national skating events take on even greater importance. At Independence Roll, hosted by Rich City Skate, skaters across the U.S. represent their cities’ varied skating styles. The result is an unforgettable night of joy, tempered by Rich City’s pending future."...
****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Videos Of Jam Skating In The USA
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides an overview of jam skating, features a video tribute to the 2005 American jam skating movie Roll Bounce, and showcases five videos of groups or individuals jam skating at skating rinks throughout the United States. As such, this post is meant to serve as an introduction to jam skating for people like me who aren't that familiar with this movement art.
Enjoy!
****
INFORMATION ABOUT JAM SKATING
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_skating:
"Jam skating (or Jamskating) is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and skating, performed on roller skates. The style of skating has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance. Successful jamskaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates.
Jamskating is neither aggressive nor speed skating. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
In September 2001, the World Skating Association (WSA) became the sanctioning body of jamskating. The WSA was formed to host well organized, skater-oriented events world wide."
ROLL BOUNCE MOVIE VIDEO
Roll Bounce Movie Tribute
Uploaded by POOGIE39 on Feb 19, 2011
I DO N OT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS VIDEO, JUST A FAN,
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll_Bounce for information about the movie Roll Bounce.
FEATURED VIDEOS: COMMUNITY JAM SKATERS
The skaters in these selected videos aren't necessarily the very best jam skaters in the United States. I selected these particular videos because aesthetically they appealed to me and/or because they represent African Americans jam skaters from various states in the United States.
This post is not meant to imply that only Black Americans jam skate.
These videos are presented in no ranking order.
Video #1: Art In Motion Skaters
Uploaded by artinmotion007 on Mar 26, 2007
Golden EyE Dave Roller Skating
****
Video #2: JB Skating @ The Rink (remix)
Uploaded by caseyjclark on Mar 13, 2009
****
Video #3: Rolling Wheels of Memphis MLK Weekend '2009'
Uploaded by maria580 on Jan 18, 2009
Memphis getting down!
****
Video #4: houston rep n dallas skate jam 08
Uploaded by shazee25shanae on Jun 19, 2008
check em out
****
Video #5: Chitown is doing it
Uploaded by dbra60620 on Apr 21, 2007
****
My thanks to the performers, and video uploaders.
Thanks for visiting this page.
Viewer comments are welcomed.
This post provides an overview of jam skating, features a video tribute to the 2005 American jam skating movie Roll Bounce, and showcases five videos of groups or individuals jam skating at skating rinks throughout the United States. As such, this post is meant to serve as an introduction to jam skating for people like me who aren't that familiar with this movement art.
Enjoy!
****
INFORMATION ABOUT JAM SKATING
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_skating:
"Jam skating (or Jamskating) is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and skating, performed on roller skates. The style of skating has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance. Successful jamskaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates.
Jamskating is neither aggressive nor speed skating. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
In September 2001, the World Skating Association (WSA) became the sanctioning body of jamskating. The WSA was formed to host well organized, skater-oriented events world wide."
ROLL BOUNCE MOVIE VIDEO
Roll Bounce Movie Tribute
Uploaded by POOGIE39 on Feb 19, 2011
I DO N OT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS VIDEO, JUST A FAN,
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll_Bounce for information about the movie Roll Bounce.
FEATURED VIDEOS: COMMUNITY JAM SKATERS
The skaters in these selected videos aren't necessarily the very best jam skaters in the United States. I selected these particular videos because aesthetically they appealed to me and/or because they represent African Americans jam skaters from various states in the United States.
This post is not meant to imply that only Black Americans jam skate.
These videos are presented in no ranking order.
Video #1: Art In Motion Skaters
Uploaded by artinmotion007 on Mar 26, 2007
Golden EyE Dave Roller Skating
****
Video #2: JB Skating @ The Rink (remix)
Uploaded by caseyjclark on Mar 13, 2009
****
Video #3: Rolling Wheels of Memphis MLK Weekend '2009'
Uploaded by maria580 on Jan 18, 2009
Memphis getting down!
****
Video #4: houston rep n dallas skate jam 08
Uploaded by shazee25shanae on Jun 19, 2008
check em out
****
Video #5: Chitown is doing it
Uploaded by dbra60620 on Apr 21, 2007
****
My thanks to the performers, and video uploaders.
Thanks for visiting this page.
Viewer comments are welcomed.
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