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"Just Rolling Along" can be ordered by mail at: Espy Media Group, Inc. P O Box 5 Essex Fells, NJ 07021 Make payment of $24.90 to 'Espy Media Group, Inc.' DVD will be shipped via Priority Mail 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 have 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@espymediagroup.com. ========================================================================
Magic Elm, Hanover, Pa- see directions below Third Sunday Oct - February
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
Holiday Skating Center,
Delanco, NJ
Ralph Brown at the Organ
Tuesday Nights 8-11PM
&
Olympic Roller Rink
Marty Dumic at the Organ
Enola, Pa (near Harrisburg)
Good floors, good sound
systems, good music, good time for all.
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Shuffle Skating
to Live Music!!!
Shuffle skating
became popular in the late 60's and early 70's here is Southeastern
Pennsylvania with lively organ music by Bill Clark, Ralph Brown,
Marty Dumic, and Nick Viscuso. Shuffle skating is skating to the
music with the shuffling of the feet and has an art form all its
own. Shuffle skating made skaters want to skate because it was fun
and exciting. Many of the steps and variations were created and
even unique to each rink. Roller Rinks that played popular records
for their music, were more of places for youngsters to gather rather
than skate. Kimberton Rollerama played exclusively organ music at
every session from its opening in 1972 to 1981 when experts claimed
we could pack our rinks again by playing Disco and popular music
instead of organ music. We were still playing organ music during
the key Disco years and it was during these years that we were packed
with record crowds. When Disco started to fad and the crowds dropped
in 1981, we tried the Disco and popular records and Shuffle Skaters
left, complaining they didn't like the music. What a mistake! See
below to find out where the rink organists are and any specials
they are playing. More specific information about Kimberton Rollerama
below. Why nobody ever produced a "Soap" or movie about
teenage roller skaters at a rink, I'll never know, because most
of the Friday and Saturday nights were filled with adventure and
love stories. I am trying to write a book "As The Wheel Turns".
Directions to Rinks listed:
Note: Rt 100 has been re-routed - going North on Rt 100, about 1 mile North of McCungie, a new section of road bypasses the old section where the rink is located. Right after the railroad tracks, there is a light where you must turn right to get to the old section. In about 1/4 mile, the old section then proceeds to the left where the rink is just ahead on the right. If you are coming South on Rt 100 from 222, look for the sign to get to Trexlertown, and the old route. The turn for the rink is about 5 1/2 miles from where Rt 29 splits off from Rt100. Another interesting number: the rink is 19 miles above Rt 73 and Rt 100.
Pheasantland Roller
Rink
West of Boyertown, PA
Take Rt 100 North to Rt 73 (73 is 7.5 miles above
Rt 422)
Go West on Rt 73, 7 miles to Toll House Rd and
turn left
Go 1/2 mile on Toll House to Manatony Rd and turn
left
Rink is on left 1.5 miles
Magic
Elm Skateland, Hannover PA. I-76 W / PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE, Take
EXIT 286 toward US-222 / READING / LANCASTER, Merge onto READING INTERCHANGE.
READING INTERCHANGE becomes COLONEL HOWARD BLVD / SPUR RD. Sportsmans Hall Roller Skating Center Mt Gretna Roller Rink
Where is: Ralph Brown: Holiday, Overlook, and Majic Elm Bill Clark: Retired in Florida Marty Dumic: Playing at Olympic RR, Enola, PA near Harrisburg Nick Viscuso: Playing at and managing a rink in Florida Nancy Heiser: Retired Lester; ??
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