Roller disco

A roller disco is a discothèque where all the dancers wear roller skates of some kind (traditional quad or inline). The music played is modern and easily danceable, historically disco but in modern times including almost any form of dance music or pop music. The concept originated in the 1970s when the disco craze was at its height, peaking around 1980 and inspiring several roller-disco magazines. As of 2006, the craze has largely discontinued, although many 1970s era roller-discos are still open and successful. Also, it experienced a mild revival in the early 2000s, especially in the mid-eastern United States, where certain clubs continue to host roller disco nights. [ [http://www.club4it.com/clublife/RollerDiscoCanvasListings.htm Canvas] is one such club.]

Roller discos are also popular among older children and young teenagers, especially for parties. As in other discos, special effects such as dry ice and flashing traffic lights are often used.

To minimise the risk of injury, the organisers of roller discos often only allow participants to skate in one direction at a time, so that they do not crash into one another, although many roller discos have a "free skate" section in the middle of the roller rink.

Roller disco in film

* In the 1979 film "Roller Boogie", there are several roller disco scenes.
* In the 1980 film "Xanadu", a roller disco features prominently in the plot.
* In the 2002 film "Austin Powers in Goldmember", the insane Goldmember has a roller disco in 1975.
* In the 2002 film "Van Wilder", the main character, "Van Wilder", throws a roller disco party for a fraternity.
* In the 2005 film "Roll Bounce", a roller disco competition features prominently in the plot.

Roller disco in television

* In "Hell Comes to Quahog", a 2006 episode of "Family Guy", Peter Griffin and his friends Cleveland Brown, Glenn Quagmire and Joe Swanson dance to "A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy.
* In "Roller Disco", an episode of "That '70s Show", Jackie Burkhart and Fez take part in a roller disco competition. Four years later, in an episode called "Angie", it is revealed that another character, Eric Forman, is a closeted roller disco dancer.

ee also

*Jam skating

References