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{{Short description|Building in New York City}}
{{Infobox building {{Infobox building
| name = Roll-A-Palace | name = Roll-A-Palace
| address = 1728 Sheepshead Bay Road | address = 1728 Sheepshead Bay Road<br/>Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY
| location_country = {{US}} | location_country = {{US}}
}} }}


The '''Roll-A-Palace Disco Skating Rink'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Peter D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99GnsmH6yhkC&q=%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=A Kids' New York |date=1982 |publisher=Avon |isbn=978-0-380-81315-5 |language=en}}</ref> was a ] rink<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miezitis |first=Vita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0ATAQAAIAAJ&q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay |title=Night Dancin' |date=1980 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0-345-28649-9 |language=en}}</ref> established in 1977 in ]. Formerly a movie theater, it reopened as a rink at 1728 Sheepshead Bay Road.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Staff |first=Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fj0tdFy5DlkC&q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay |title=Israel |date=2001 |publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications |isbn=978-0-679-00610-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=roll-a-palace sheepshead bay - Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay&udm=36&gs_lp=EhBnd3Mtd2l6LW1vZGVsZXNzIhoicm9sbC1hLXBhbGFjZSIgc2hlZXBzaGVhZCoCCAAyCBAAGIAEGLADMg4QABiABBiwAxiGAxiKBTIOEAAYgAQYsAMYhgMYigUyDhAAGIAEGLADGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiwAxiiBDIIEAAYsAMY7wUyCBAAGLADGO8FMgsQABiwAxiiBBiJBUi2CFAAWABwAngAkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEByAEAmAICoAIFmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcBMqAHAA#:~:text=Fodor's%20New%20York%20City%20and%20State |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.google.com}}</ref>{{unreliable source|date=January 2025}} The '''Roll-A-Palace Disco Skating Rink'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Peter D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99GnsmH6yhkC&q=%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=A Kids' New York |date=1982 |publisher=Avon |isbn=978-0-380-81315-5 |language=en}}</ref> was a ] rink<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miezitis |first=Vita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k0ATAQAAIAAJ&q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay |title=Night Dancin' |date=1980 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0-345-28649-9 |language=en}}</ref> established in 1977 in ]. Housed in a former movie theater, it reopened as a rink at 1728 Sheepshead Bay Road.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fj0tdFy5DlkC&q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay |title=Israel |date=2001 |publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications |isbn=978-0-679-00610-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXXjAAAAMAAJ&q=roll-a-palace+sheepshead+bay |title=Fodor's New York City and State |date=1981 |publisher=D. McKay. |isbn=978-0-679-00610-7 |language=en}}</ref>


In 1979, '']'' and '']'' magazines praised the rink, respectively describing it as "a typical example of the modern roller disco" and "the front-runner of ]".<ref name="google">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=%22you+will+find+the+front+-+runner+of+the+roller%22 |title=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life |date=1979 |publisher=Cue Publishing Company |language=en}}</ref> At its height, it served over 5,000 patrons per weekend, with separate sessions for families, teens, and young adults.<ref name="google"/><ref name="google2">{{Cite book |last=Riedinger Jr. |first=Bob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KyUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22roll-a-palace%22&pg=PT56 |title=Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music |date=1979-03-03 |publisher=], Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |pages=48, 57 |language=en}}</ref> In 1979, '']'' and '']'' magazines praised the rink, respectively describing it as "a typical example of the modern roller disco" and "the front-runner of ]".<ref name="google">{{Cite magazine |date=1979 |title=What's Hot? What's Not? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=%22you+will+find+the+front+-+runner+of+the+roller%22 |magazine=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life |publisher=Cue Publishing Company |language=en |quote=... the front - runner of the roller - disco craze , a fabulous $ 2 million roller disco in a former movie theater that has been earning its $ 4 ( including skates ) admission price for the past two years . Spic and span , it looks for all ...}}</ref> At its height, it served over 5,000 patrons per weekend, with separate sessions for families, teens, and young adults.<ref name="google"/><ref name="google2">{{Cite magazine |last=Riedinger |first=Bob Jr. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KyUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22roll-a-palace%22&pg=PT56 |title=Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music |date=1979-03-03 |magazine=] |pages=48, 57 |language=en}}</ref>

Circa 1979, Roll-A-Palace collaborated with ] (the nation's preeminent disco radio station) in hosting "the first of several 'Disco Dip' nights to promote roller-disco".<ref name="google2"/>


== History == == History ==


=== Renovation and opening === === Movie theater ===
The Sheepshead Bay Century Circuit Theater opened on July 12, 1929. It featured a ] ] and a ] sound system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheepshead Theatre in Brooklyn, NY |url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/3446 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909113217/https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/3446 |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=cinematreasures.org}}</ref>
After a million-dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theater,<ref name="google3">{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=Ann-Victoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ppg26EYCWB8C&q=%22Sheepshead+Bay+Century+movie+theatre%22 |title=The Complete Book of Roller Skating |date=1979 |publisher=Workman Pub. |isbn=978-0-89480-067-2 |pages=38 |language=en |quote=... Roll - A - Palace was born two years ago , after a million - dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theatre . All of Charlie's stu- dents agree that this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area ...}}</ref> the establishment reopened as a roller skating rink in 1977. By the following year, they were known as a family-friendly establishment; a promotional item in '']'' read, "Roller Skating for the Family . . . No Dungarees"{{Sic}}.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZIpAQAAIAAJ&q=%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=New York |date=1978 |publisher=New York Magazine Company |language=en |quote=... Roll - A - Palace ( ROLLER SKATING FOR THE FAMILY . . . NO DUNGAREES ) , where kids practice their roller - disco moves . The green - painted girders of the Belt Parkway , a couple of blocks down Bay Road , are a gateway to the piers ...}}</ref>

In 1930, '']'' praised the theater as a "palace erected to the presentation of ]".<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |magazine=Motion Picture News |url=https://archive.org/details/motionpic41moti/page/n374/mode/1up?view=theater |title=A Modernistic Trend Followed |date=February 1, 1930 |pages=39–41}}</ref> The building was designed by architect Thomas R. Short in what was then called a pronounced ] style, which was considered on-trend. It had an oval-shaped lounge featuring "the modernistic scheme with the French idea accentuated", designed for what it referred to as the "comforts of the woman patron". Construction was done by A. H. Schwartz of the Homack Construction Company; interior design by Wiliam Rau of Rau Studios Inc.; and furnishings by Teresa Jackson. It was built in what was then Sheepshead Bay's business district.<ref name=":2" />

In 1943, the theater transferred ownership to movie theater chain ], becoming Sheepshead Theatre. In the late 1950s, it changed ownership again to ], who operated the theater until its closure in 1970.

=== Renovation and reopening ===
After a million-dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theater,<ref name="google3">{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=Ann-Victoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ppg26EYCWB8C&q=%22Sheepshead+Bay+Century+movie+theatre%22 |title=The Complete Book of Roller Skating |date=1979 |publisher=Workman Pub. |isbn=978-0-89480-067-2 |pages=38 |language=en |quote=... Roll - A - Palace was born two years ago , after a million - dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theatre . All of Charlie's stu- dents agree that this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area ...}}</ref> the establishment reopened as a roller skating venue in 1977. By the following year, they were known as a family-friendly establishment; a promotional item in '']'' read, "Roller Skating for the Family . . . No Dungarees"{{Sic}}.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZIpAQAAIAAJ&q=%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=New York |date=1978 |publisher=New York Magazine Company |pages=51 |language=en |quote=... Roll - A - Palace ( ROLLER SKATING FOR THE FAMILY . . . NO DUNGAREES ) , where kids practice their roller - disco moves . The green - painted girders of the Belt Parkway , a couple of blocks down Bay Road , are a gateway to the piers ...}}</ref>


Its admission price in 1979 was $4, including rentable skates.<ref name="google"/> The rink featured a light and sound system; a ] with a 400-person capacity; and a separate dance floor area (possibly a ] or ]).<ref name="google2"/> Its admission price in 1979 was $4, including rentable skates.<ref name="google"/> The rink featured a light and sound system; a ] with a 400-person capacity; and a separate dance floor area (possibly a ] or ]).<ref name="google2"/>


=== Disco era === === 1979 disco craze ===
{{Multiple image
]In 1979, '']'' magazine praised the rink as "the front-runner of ]...a fabulous $2 million roller disco in a former movie theater".<ref name="google"/> The same year, '']'' featured Roll-A-Palace in its article "Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music".<ref name="google2"/>
| image1 = Charles Aybar & Anna Galante Roller Disco.jpg
| image2 = Charles Aybar & Anna Galante.jpg
| caption_align = center
| width =
| caption1 =
| align = right
| footer = Disco skaters at the Roll-A-Palace, 1979
| total_width = 300
}}
The year 1979 was the height of popularity of the Roll-A-Palace. In 1979, '']'' magazine praised the rink as "a fabulous $2 million roller disco in a former movie theater" and "the front-runner of ]".<ref name="google"/>

Similarly, in that year's ranking of various roller discos, ] described New York's ], the birthplace of roller disco,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-19 |title=The Legacy of NYC's Empire Roller Rink |url=https://www.untappedcities.com/empire-roller-rink-undiscarded/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103175838/https://www.untappedcities.com/empire-roller-rink-undiscarded/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Untapped New York |language=en}}</ref> as "not as snazzy as the Roll-A-Palace".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=Sheepshead+%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life |date=1979 |publisher=Cue Publishing Company |pages=19 |language=en}}</ref>

The same year, '']'' prominently featured Roll-A-Palace in its article "Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music".<ref name="google2" /> ''Billboard'' also claimed the rink's popularity was in part due to the proximity of ], which was the setting and filming location of 1977 drama film '']''.<ref name="google2" />

In January 1979, Roll-A-Palace collaborated with ] (the nation's preeminent disco radio station) to promote a new song and dance titled the "Disco Dip".<ref name="google2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Faster Than Sound |newspaper=Kalamazoo News |date=15 November 1979 |page=16 |url=https://digmichnews.cmich.edu/?a=d&d=KalamazooKN19791115-01.1.15&e=-------en-10--1--txt-txIN---------- |access-date=2025-01-02}}</ref> Written by ], the song was widely considered the first song/dance written specifically to promote the roller disco hobby. It would also be "the first roller disco record played in a skating rink".<ref name=":0" /> Roll-A-Palace hosted the song's debut party, as well as a follow-up series of "'Disco Dip' nights to promote ]".<ref name="google2" />

However, the day before the first "Disco Dip" event, New Jersey musician Mark Winter premiered his song "Roller Palace", likely named for the establishment. Because the song's premiere preceded the "Disco Dip" by one day, it is likely the first roller disco-themed record, although it only received media coverage in October 1979.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT71&dq=%22mark+winter%22+%22roller+palace%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiylcfAxvWKAxWGkYkEHVU8NicQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=%22mark%20winter%22%20%22roller%20palace%22&f=false |title=N.J. Label Claims 1st |date=October 6, 1979 |work=] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114154805/https://books.google.com/books?id=TCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT71&dq=%22mark+winter%22+%22roller+palace%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiylcfAxvWKAxWGkYkEHVU8NicQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=%22mark%20winter%22%20%22roller%20palace%22&f=false |archive-date=January 14, 2025}}</ref> Its lyrics humorously describe a "love on wheels" romance at a "disco, disco roller palace" where "everyone rocks as they roll".<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |date=15 November 1979 |title=Faster Than Sound |url=https://digmichnews.cmich.edu/?a=d&d=KalamazooKN19791115-01.1.15&e=-------en-10--1--txt-txIN---------- |access-date=2025-01-02 |newspaper=Kalamazoo News |page=16}}</ref>

Recalling the rink, one local reminisced in 2003,<blockquote>I waited online {{Sic}} on Sheepshead Bay Road to get into this theatre as a kid. ... Once inside, the auditorium was gutted and there was a wood floor for skating. DJ booth was up a ladder, probably where the projection booth once was. ... There was a horrible acoustic echo as the sound bounced all over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comments about Sheepshead Theatre in Brooklyn, NY - Cinema Treasures |url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/3446/comments |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=cinematreasures.org}}</ref></blockquote>In the 1979 ''Complete Book of Roller Skating'', local roller skating students were said to agree that "this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area".<ref name="google3" />


=== Later years ===
In the 1979 ''Complete Book of Roller Skating'', local roller skating students are said to agree "that this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area".<ref name="google3"/>
There was a lawsuit involving the rink in 1983.<ref name="casetext">{{cite web|url=https://casetext.com/cases/ny/nyappdiv/1983/3|title=Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York March 1983 cases|website=Casetext|access-date=2025-01-02}}</ref>
]


== Legacy and impact ==
The same year, ] described New York's Empire Palace as "not as snazzy as the Roll-A-Palace, but it's funky".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=Sheepshead+%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life |date=1979 |publisher=Cue Publishing Company |language=en}}</ref>
The rink impacted the lives of several local DJs, who would go on to popularize ] and ].<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":1" />


House DJ ] has recalled the rink's influence on his life and career, stating he learned how to skate at the Roll-A-Palace as a child.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=10 Mixes: A Guide to Frankie Bones |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/05/ten-mixes-frankie-bones/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417102517/https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/05/ten-mixes-frankie-bones/ |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=daily.redbullmusicacademy.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2003, he wrote that he experienced the peak disco era (1979) through roller-skating.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Discogs Groups - Let's talk about some good Disco records that mean |url=https://www.discogs.com/group/thread/444221?srsltid=AfmBOopy-a-lsrQcYUxDN66cBlGoOL4RXLhxMLNvldTVDskQwjwh8-2J |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=]}}</ref> On his first visit to Roll-A-Palace on May 11, 1978, he "came home and typed up a ] record chart", placing The Eruptions' cover of "]" at #1.<ref name=":1" />
''Billboard'' also claimed the rink's popularity was in part due to the proximity of ], which was the setting and filming location of 1977 drama film '']''.


Similarly, ] began his DJ career spinning records at the Roll-A-Palace circa 1985, at the age of 17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industrial Strength Records 20th Anniversary |url=https://nl.ra.co/events/286745 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103150412/https://nl.ra.co/events/286745 |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Resident Advisor |publisher=Resident Advisor Ltd. |quote="His 1st residency was at Brooklyn's roller disco Roll-A-Palace at 17 & he's played world-over at parties such as MayDay, Love Parade, Woodstock, Thunderdome & the Jane's Addiction Reunion tour."}}</ref>
There was a lawsuit involving 1983.<ref name="casetext">{{cite web|url=https://casetext.com/cases/ny/nyappdiv/1983/3|title=Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York March 1983 cases|website=Casetext|access-date=2025-01-02}}</ref>


Nearby rink ] in Staten Island has hosted a reunion or reunion(s) for Roll-A-Palace skaters. RollerJam was considered the last remaining roller rink in NYC, prior to its 2024 closure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frishberg |first=Hannah |date=2024-05-08 |title=NYC's 'last remaining roller rink' closes after 17 years |url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/08/real-estate/nycs-last-remaining-roller-rink-closes-after-17-years/ |work=New York Post |access-date=2025-01-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Legacy ===
Nearby rink ] in Staten Island has hosted a reunion or reunion(s) for Roll-A-Palace skaters. RollerJam was considered the last remaining roller rink in NYC, prior to its 2024 closure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frishberg |first=Hannah |date=2024-05-08 |title=NYC's 'last remaining roller rink' closes after 17 years |url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/08/real-estate/nycs-last-remaining-roller-rink-closes-after-17-years/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
Line 41: Line 69:
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 14:41, 21 January 2025

Building in New York City
Roll-A-Palace
General information
Address1728 Sheepshead Bay Road
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY
Country United States

The Roll-A-Palace Disco Skating Rink was a roller disco rink established in 1977 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Housed in a former movie theater, it reopened as a rink at 1728 Sheepshead Bay Road.

In 1979, Billboard and Cue magazines praised the rink, respectively describing it as "a typical example of the modern roller disco" and "the front-runner of the roller-disco craze". At its height, it served over 5,000 patrons per weekend, with separate sessions for families, teens, and young adults.

History

Movie theater

The Sheepshead Bay Century Circuit Theater opened on July 12, 1929. It featured a Kimball International theater organ and a Western Electric sound system.

In 1930, Motion Picture News praised the theater as a "palace erected to the presentation of sound pictures". The building was designed by architect Thomas R. Short in what was then called a pronounced Modernist style, which was considered on-trend. It had an oval-shaped lounge featuring "the modernistic scheme with the French idea accentuated", designed for what it referred to as the "comforts of the woman patron". Construction was done by A. H. Schwartz of the Homack Construction Company; interior design by Wiliam Rau of Rau Studios Inc.; and furnishings by Teresa Jackson. It was built in what was then Sheepshead Bay's business district.

In 1943, the theater transferred ownership to movie theater chain Rugoff & Becker, becoming Sheepshead Theatre. In the late 1950s, it changed ownership again to Century Theatres, who operated the theater until its closure in 1970.

Renovation and reopening

After a million-dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theater, the establishment reopened as a roller skating venue in 1977. By the following year, they were known as a family-friendly establishment; a promotional item in New York read, "Roller Skating for the Family . . . No Dungarees" [sic].

Its admission price in 1979 was $4, including rentable skates. The rink featured a light and sound system; a snack bar with a 400-person capacity; and a separate dance floor area (possibly a sprung floor or illuminated dance floor).

1979 disco craze

Disco skaters at the Roll-A-Palace, 1979

The year 1979 was the height of popularity of the Roll-A-Palace. In 1979, Cue magazine praised the rink as "a fabulous $2 million roller disco in a former movie theater" and "the front-runner of the roller-disco craze".

Similarly, in that year's ranking of various roller discos, Cue described New York's Empire Roller Disco, the birthplace of roller disco, as "not as snazzy as the Roll-A-Palace".

The same year, Billboard prominently featured Roll-A-Palace in its article "Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music". Billboard also claimed the rink's popularity was in part due to the proximity of Bensonhurst, which was the setting and filming location of 1977 drama film Saturday Night Fever.

In January 1979, Roll-A-Palace collaborated with WKTU (the nation's preeminent disco radio station) to promote a new song and dance titled the "Disco Dip". Written by Ed Chaplin, the song was widely considered the first song/dance written specifically to promote the roller disco hobby. It would also be "the first roller disco record played in a skating rink". Roll-A-Palace hosted the song's debut party, as well as a follow-up series of "'Disco Dip' nights to promote roller-disco".

However, the day before the first "Disco Dip" event, New Jersey musician Mark Winter premiered his song "Roller Palace", likely named for the establishment. Because the song's premiere preceded the "Disco Dip" by one day, it is likely the first roller disco-themed record, although it only received media coverage in October 1979. Its lyrics humorously describe a "love on wheels" romance at a "disco, disco roller palace" where "everyone rocks as they roll".

Recalling the rink, one local reminisced in 2003,

I waited online [sic] on Sheepshead Bay Road to get into this theatre as a kid. ... Once inside, the auditorium was gutted and there was a wood floor for skating. DJ booth was up a ladder, probably where the projection booth once was. ... There was a horrible acoustic echo as the sound bounced all over.

In the 1979 Complete Book of Roller Skating, local roller skating students were said to agree that "this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area".

Later years

There was a lawsuit involving the rink in 1983.

Current view of the Sheepshead Theater / Roll-A-Palace building, 2022

Legacy and impact

The rink impacted the lives of several local DJs, who would go on to popularize house and electro music.

House DJ Frankie Bones has recalled the rink's influence on his life and career, stating he learned how to skate at the Roll-A-Palace as a child. In 2003, he wrote that he experienced the peak disco era (1979) through roller-skating. On his first visit to Roll-A-Palace on May 11, 1978, he "came home and typed up a HOT 100 record chart", placing The Eruptions' cover of "I Can't Stand the Rain" at #1.

Similarly, Lenny Dee began his DJ career spinning records at the Roll-A-Palace circa 1985, at the age of 17.

Nearby rink RollerJam USA in Staten Island has hosted a reunion or reunion(s) for Roll-A-Palace skaters. RollerJam was considered the last remaining roller rink in NYC, prior to its 2024 closure.

See also

  • Roller Boogie (1979), a jukebox film released at the height of the roller skating craze

References

  1. Lawrence, Peter D. (1982). A Kids' New York. Avon. ISBN 978-0-380-81315-5.
  2. Miezitis, Vita (1980). Night Dancin'. Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-28649-9.
  3. Israel. Fodor's Travel Publications. 2001. ISBN 978-0-679-00610-7.
  4. Fodor's New York City and State. D. McKay. 1981. ISBN 978-0-679-00610-7.
  5. ^ "What's Hot? What's Not?". Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life. Cue Publishing Company. 1979. ... the front - runner of the roller - disco craze , a fabulous $ 2 million roller disco in a former movie theater that has been earning its $ 4 ( including skates ) admission price for the past two years . Spic and span , it looks for all ...
  6. ^ Riedinger, Bob Jr. (1979-03-03). "Going Back to the 1870s: Skating To Music". Billboard. pp. 48, 57.
  7. "Sheepshead Theatre in Brooklyn, NY". cinematreasures.org. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  8. ^ "A Modernistic Trend Followed". Motion Picture News. February 1, 1930. pp. 39–41.
  9. ^ Phillips, Ann-Victoria (1979). The Complete Book of Roller Skating. Workman Pub. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-89480-067-2. ... Roll - A - Palace was born two years ago , after a million - dollar renovation of the Sheepshead Bay Century movie theatre . All of Charlie's stu- dents agree that this rink is one of the nicest places to learn to skate in the area ...
  10. New York. New York Magazine Company. 1978. p. 51. ... Roll - A - Palace ( ROLLER SKATING FOR THE FAMILY . . . NO DUNGAREES ) , where kids practice their roller - disco moves . The green - painted girders of the Belt Parkway , a couple of blocks down Bay Road , are a gateway to the piers ...
  11. "The Legacy of NYC's Empire Roller Rink". Untapped New York. 2023-05-19. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  12. Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life. Cue Publishing Company. 1979. p. 19.
  13. ^ "Faster Than Sound". Kalamazoo News. 15 November 1979. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  14. N.J. Label Claims 1st. October 6, 1979. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. "Faster Than Sound". Kalamazoo News. 15 November 1979. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  16. "Comments about Sheepshead Theatre in Brooklyn, NY - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  17. "Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York March 1983 cases". Casetext. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  18. ^ "10 Mixes: A Guide to Frankie Bones". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  19. ^ "Discogs Groups - Let's talk about some good Disco records that mean". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  20. "Industrial Strength Records 20th Anniversary". Resident Advisor. Resident Advisor Ltd. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. His 1st residency was at Brooklyn's roller disco Roll-A-Palace at 17 & he's played world-over at parties such as MayDay, Love Parade, Woodstock, Thunderdome & the Jane's Addiction Reunion tour.
  21. Frishberg, Hannah (2024-05-08). "NYC's 'last remaining roller rink' closes after 17 years". New York Post. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
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