Sunday September 28th, a special Skating reunion and fall kickoff at Christiana in Newark, Delaware with Ralph Brown playing 445PM-745PM

On Oct 5, 2008 a documentary on the history of Skating will be filmed at Pheasantland, Boyertown, PA. This filming will be conducted by a production company located in New York. Much of the documentary will include video of skating as it was in the 40's, 50's and 60's. He will include the influence of organ music; as well as, personal interviews with the skaters.

Mike Merkel has agreed to allow us to have a FREE ADMISSION skating session at Pheasantland. Both Marty Dumic and I (Ralph Brown) will play. Session time is 5:00 till 8:00PM.

I would really appreciate your attendance. This is a historical contribution and will be included in the Roller Skating Museum in Nebraska. Copies of the film will be available when completed. I will let you know.

We were all a part of this era and I believe it's important to contribute. PLUS, there's a FREE session !!!

Please plan to attend.

Below, please find a copy of the Press Release sent to various media outlets in New York.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2008

ESSEX FELLS, NEW JERSEY

Espy Media Group and Frame By Frame Productions have announced that they are collaborating on a documentary about Roller Skating. The yet untitled production is in full swing having shot a segment at Roller Jam USA on Staten Island, New York in June. The release date will be in November 2008.

This documentary will focus on high energy skating. This style of skating has been called shuffle skating, flea hopping, and rexing; jam skating and other names are also used based on which part of the country you’re from. The show will focus on the roots of this style, which can be traced to Eastern Pennsylvania starting in the 1960’s. It was started by pioneering rink organists and evolved to disco skating in the late 1970’s and is still going strong today.

There will be plenty of interviews with skaters and experts such as skating historian Chester Fried. Some of the industry’s best organists - Ralph Brown, Marty Dumic and the legendary Bill Clark – are scheduled to supply their side of the story. Disco era DJ’s will comment as well.

Production is scheduled to move to Pennsylvania in October for a shoot at Pheasantland Rollerdrome in Boyertown. This facility represents the traditional architectural style of a roller rink from years ago. The shuffle skaters from this area are some of the best. They will be skating to live organ music and showing what they’ve got.

“This is a story waiting to be told,” said Dan Espy of Espy Media Group. A long time skater, Espy has the knowledge and experience to pull this off. Chris Squashic of Frame By Frame said, “Dan has opened my eyes to a culture I had never known. I have entered into this production with plenty of enthusiasm”.

All shooting will be finished in October with post-production scheduled to start thereafter. For information contact Dan Espy via email at despy@espymeduagroup.com.

 

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Sportsman's Hall
Organist Dates

7:00 till 10:00 PM

Special

Sunday August 31 Corn Roast

5-10PM $10 includes food

5-7PM Food & 6-10PM Skating

Sportsmans Hall Roller Skating Center
15500 Hanover Pike
Upperco, Maryland 21155
Phone: 410-239-3697

Ralph Brown at the Organ:

First Sunday of the Month Oct to December

&

Magic Elm, Hanover, Pa- see directions below

Third Sunday Oct - February

Corey Fridinger

Now playing at

Rollermotion (aka The 100) in Macungie.

Every Thursday evening from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. $6 admission

Skateaway (Whitehall, PA location)

Every 2nd Monday of the month. Session time is 7:00pm to 9:30pm. $5 admission

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Shuffle Skating is Alive and well at: