Roll Bounce WHAT?

VIA worshipworthy As we found out a few weeks ago, Brooklyn’s Empire Roller Skating Center will be officially closing its doors this Monday, April 23rd. Saturday is your last chance to get your bounce on in the house where roller disco was born. In 1935, what was originally a stable to the vicinity’s Ebbets Field and New York Police Department opened its doors as the Brooklyn Roller Rink. By the late 70’s under this roof, New York gave birth roller disco. Bill Butler had all eyes on him, becoming a legend as he skated through originating the “Roll Bounce” and will forever be known as the “Godfather of Roller Disco”. Since then the 30,000 square foot building has been the location for one of Lil Kim’s videos and Bow Wow’s movie of the same name of Butler’s signature move. The debate, however, upon hearing word of the closing of the skating center is not only the end to one of Brooklyn’s oldest landmarks but the demolition of one of the area’s largest recreation centers. A rally was held by Project Empire last month to protest the closing of the Empire Roller Skating Rink. Protesters gathered to voice their pain and anger towards the close and conversion to a storage facility but despite this, the conversion is a done deal. Get your last skate session in at this legendary roller rink. This Saturday, April 21st skating starts at 11pm-8am the next morning.