While City Reliquary looks at the history of roller disco at Brooklyn’s former Empire Roller Skating Center, there is plenty of roller disco happening in the borough’s present. Here are four events in Brooklyn that celebrate roller skating and roller dancing over the next few weeks:
Skate Park
In Prospect Park, a roller disco party for adults rolls out every Friday night during the summer. “Lola Star’s Dreamland Disco” features a different theme each week from April to October, with visitors dressing up to match the theme and strut their stuff. This Friday’s theme is “Soul Train,” so expect to boogie down to soul hits from the ’70s and ’80s. Skate rentals are included in the ticket price, but show up early — the rink may run out of your size.
“Lola Star’s Dreamland Disco” at Lakeside Prospect Park [171 E. Drive at Ocean Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, (718) 462–0010, www.dream
Roll and Stroll
Park Slope’s Summer Stroll this Saturday will conclude with a Disco Skating Party, featuring music from DJ CProdG. The party, organized by the area’s business improvement district, will start at 6:30 pm, as soon as the Doggy Fashion Parade ends next door. Bring your own skates and get ready to roll — the streets will stay car-free until 9 pm.
Disco Skating Party outside South Pub [629 Fifth Ave. between 17th and 18th streets in Park Slope, (718) 768-0131, www.parks
Movie night
Okay, this event may not be roller disco, but it involves both skating and music, so we are throwing it in. Rooftop Films will screen “Skate Kitchen,” about a teen who falls in with an all-girl skateboarding crew, and meets a cute skateboarding boy. After the screening will be a question and answer session with the director and some of the actors, followed by a musical performance by Jaden Smith, the film’s leading male star.
“Skate Kitchen” at House of Vans [25 Franklin Street between Quay Street and Meserole Avenue in Greenpoint, (718) 349–2311, www.rooft
Disco show
The Home Box Office network will roll into town with “HBO Mixtapes and Roller Skates,” a travelling roller disco party that celebrates the channel’s upcoming season of shows. The final stop on the tour will be in Brooklyn, at Prospect Park’s Lakeside skating rink on Aug. 2. The party will feature a dance contest, a prize for the best dressed skater on the roller runway, an open bar, and plenty of music to rock and roll to.
“HBO’s Mixtapes and Roller Skates disco tour” at Lakeside Prospect Park Lakeside [171 E. Drive at Ocean Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, (718) 462–0010, mixta
