Ever since I heard that tonight's American Idol performances will follow a disco theme, I can't help but think about disco skating. Disco music and disco skating are two of my not-so-guilty pleasures. In fact, I'm rather proud of my disco skating skills. I'm not the best skater in the world (I've only mastered a handful of tricks), but I was very flattered that a recruiter once approached me on the roller rink and asked if I would be interested in joining a touring team. Sometimes I wish that I hadn't declined the offer. Then maybe I'd be better at my tight twirls.I started disco skating when I was sixteen, and I bought a pair of "old school" quad skates about a year later. In high school, my friends and I used to go disco skating at least once a month. This picture is of me (with a younger, more agile body) doing the "sweeper" move - I am skating on one foot and keeping the rest of my body close to the floor, but not quite touching it.
If I had to pick some kind of Desmond-esque "constant" in my life, it might be disco skating at the roller rink in Salt Lake City. Things never change there. Any Saturday night, I know that the same people will be there: the guy in the white wifebeater that always sticks his chest out while skating, the man in black who always skates backwards in the middle of the rink, and the old man who tries to go around and skate with the fourteen year olds on the slow songs. The same music will be played, the same moves and tricks will be performed.
I haven't seen many books on disco skating, but I came across this one last year by accident (the books on "capoeira" were shelved next to the "disco" books in the Dance section of the library). It's not the best book in the world, but it categorizes some of the skating moves. Does anyone know of any other books about disco skating?
As for American Idol tonight, I hope that I get to hear something by the Bee Gees. "How Deep is Your Love" is one of my favorite songs from the disco era. I also like "Play that Funky Music," "Jungle Boogie," "Superstition," "Everlasting Love," the list goes on and on...
What disco/funk music do you like?
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11 comments:
First of all you are much more agile than I ever hope to be!
Reading this post reminded me of when my dad took me to a roller skating party when I was in junior high because he thought a boy in my class had eyes for me (which was true) and my dad felt he needed to chaperone this activity. I thought my dad would skulk quietly on the side like he usually did but he surprised me by renting skates and doing disco skate moves on the floor. (He graduated high school in 1977 right at the height of the disco craze.) Once I got over my initial embarrassment, I was proud of him showcasing his skills. And he let me "couples skate" with my JH lover because he asked my dad's permission. Everyone wins!
As far as AI tonight, I heard To Be Real on the radio today and I really hope someone sings a song like that (ahem, Lil!) I am also a huge Bee Gees fan so like you I hope some of those gems get showcased tonight. We'll see!
That is so cool! I took two semesters of ice skating at Seven Peaks and learned how to moonwalk. Why is skating so awesome?
Hee hee hee Disco skating! So cool!
I used to dance around to your mom's (or maybe your Aunt J's) Bee Gee's album to How Deep is Your Love. I'm AMAZED at this insight into your secret life! You could still be one of these ladies in a re-career when you're my age:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36449399
You're giving me hope for tonight's American Idol, because I'm telling you, the thought of some of the contestants attempting disco makes me cringe. And, seriously, who doesn't love the Bee Gees?!
By the way, you are the most interesting person I have ever KNOWN. You disco skate AND do it well?! You have reached a whole new level of cool.
Ha! I love this post. Did you ever see the episode of That 70s Show where Eric tries to hide the fact that he goes disco skating on the weekends? And then the whole gang finds out. So funny.
I went through a little of a funk phase in high school, mainly because I thought George Clinton & the P Funk All Stars was the greatest band name ever invented. I bought a few cds and still love hearing the songs on the radio from time to time. When I played basketball for my high school, the jazz band would always play "Jungle Boogie" while we were warming up. That song will always have a special place in my heart because of that.
I have just this to say: we have got to get you to a skating rink again! You have many hidden talents.
Ha, Shauna, that is a great story! I love the thought of your dad on roller skates. And that the evening culminated with a "couples skate" for you and JH lover boy.
And that clip is great, Aunt B! Perhaps I should consider a re-career! :)
And I haven't seen that episode of That 70s Show, Josh. I'll have to look it up. I love movies/shows about disco skating, though. I remember making Jeremy watch "Roll Bounce" with me soon after we got married (hey, Shauna, didn't you and Mike watch that movie while on your honeymoon? Ha ha!).
Monica! I totally remember seeing you do that sweeper move one disco Saturday night in Orem. I thought you were the most magnificent rollerskater ever. Didn't you win the skate/dance off that night? I think so.
Oh e and Emilee, you are both too kind. I am neither that interesting nor magnificent on wheels. But it's kind of you to say so.
I did win the skate-off that night, but I think it was because we were at Classic for a church activity. I happened to luck out since I was one of the few people in the ward who could skate without falling...
good times! i love the picture-i think i probably have it in my scrapbook as well!
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