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COME TO MOONLIGHT THIS THURSDAY, JULY 20 FOR THE 8-11PM SESSION FOR EXCITING GIVEAWAYS AND SNEAK PEAKS OF THE MOVIE!
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element and Lucy, based on the ground-breaking comic book series which inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers.
In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha—an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
Thank you to everyone that came out for our Bowie Skate night last week. It was another fun filled night of skating. LA Weekly was here and put up a great pictorial online.
Our next big event will be our 6th Annual Harry Potter Skate Night on Saturday April 8 from 8-11pm. This event is for all ages, Witches and Wizards and even Muggles are welcome to join in the fun! There is no pre-sale on this event, but LADA does fun activities with everyone in line. We do sell out to capacity every year so we welcome you to get in line starting at 6:30pm.
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*Purchase two books and receive a free tote bag!
You can place your order with Rhonda by calling 402-483-7551 x18.
ITEM LISTING | PRICE |
Book: Titans & Heroes | $10.00 |
Book: The History of Roller Skating | $10.00 |
Book: Roller Skating Through the Years & Receive 1 Museum Mug Free! | $12.00 |
One Museum Mug, Patch, and Logo Pin | $8.00 |
NEW T-SHIRTS! | |
Vintage Hockey T-Shirt – Tan | 1/$12 2/$20 |
Vintage 1918 Speed Nationals T-Shirt – Brown | 1/$12 2/$20 |
Vintage 1927 Tent Rink T-Shirt – Navy | 1/$12 2/$20 |
Skating Franks T-Shirt – Teal | 1/$12 2/$20 |
RSROA Original Logo T-Shirt – White | 1/$10 2/$15 |
Museum Logo T-Shirts (various colors) – Limited Quantities and Sizes | $7.00 |
The Roller Skating Association International encourages kids to become physically fit and active 365 days a year. This year’s theme is encouraging kids to get active and show their moves in the rink. #mysk8moves is a movement aimed at reminding kids that a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness can still be fun. This October member skating rinks will be hosting month-long events celebrating the health benefits and entertainment that roller skating provides while highlighting all the fun that can be had.
America’s favorite pastime, roller skating, is a way to show your individuality in the form of movement. Are you a jam skater? Shuffle skater? Speed Skater? What are your moves? Roller Skating gives kids the opportunity to socialize, get active, and have fun in a safe environment.
The RSA wants people to know that roller skating is one of the few activities that provides a complete aerobic workout for over 640 of the body’s muscles – especially the heart. Families, kids, and teens are encouraged to dedicate themselves to achieving an active lifestyle. To find your nearest skating rink, please go to www.rollerskating.org and click on Locator.
Roller Skating has long held the support of The President’s Challenge Program and Let’s Move Program with the mission of keeping kids active and healthy in a safe environment. The President’s Challenge is a program that encourages all Americans to make being active an important part of their everyday lives. No matter what your activity or fitness level, The President’s Challenge Program can help motivate you to improve. For more information, please visit www.presidentschallenge.org or call 1-800-258-8146. Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. For more information visit http://www.letsmove.gov.
The President’s Council for Physical Fitness and the American Heart Association both know that roller skating is an excellent form of aerobic activity for all ages, but did you know that…
But what’s even more…roller skating is safer than many activities your kids participate in at school!
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, roller skating is…
Check out the infographic outlining the fun facts and figures all about roller skating and feel free to share with your local schools, friends and family.
This is a guest post from Alan Bacon, excerpted from “Rolling Through Time“, the official newsletter of the National Museum of Roller Skating, dated August 31, 2016.
What is a week like at the National Museum of Roller Skating? Who actually shows up? What are their reactions? The second week of July I was fortunate enough to experience these reactions first hand by serving as a volunteer docent to almost 400 visitors that week. Most importantly, I rediscovered that the roller skating industry has a jewel of a museum.
I first visited the museum in Lincoln for the first time several years ago; I was impressed. Those experiences prompted me to get more involved as the years passed. But this summer I wanted to go back with a new set of eyes, and to reevaluate my commitment to the museum. Since the museum was between curators and could use some help during Nationals, this was the time to go.
I was impressed again, but at a new level. Every visitor I had a chance to meet at the museum was pleasantly surprised. “WOW” was a common reaction. “I didn’t know.” Even teenagers, whether competitive skaters or not, were impressed.
Around 300 Derby competitors, mostly Jr. Derby, in town for competition visited the museum that week. Most of them were relatively new to roller skating, and it was fun to watch their excitement of seeing the museum for the first time. I showed them the museum’s Derby artifacts and explained to them how Derby began in the 1930s as a 3,000-mile race, patterned after the marathon speed skating races (derbies) of the early 1900s. They, in turn, taught me more about modern Derby history. The museum became a gathering place. Multiple teams ended up visiting the museum at a time, and the space gave them a chance to meet other competitors and share their recent experiences. They were still bumping in to each other, but now they had a chance to talk. The museum buzzed with conversation. At one point I thought we were having a Section I social. A derby team from Olympia, Wash., was meandering around the museum, when John and Diane Gustafson from Auburn, Wash., appeared. Some of the derby ladies had skated speed for them and a reunion commenced with lots of hugs. Then family and friends of Tom and Janis Hughes from Anchorage, Alaska, walked in.
I met people from Lincoln to Barbados, and across North America. One older woman was particularly excited about the display of Nebraska rinks in the showcase near the entrance. She kept pointing at the historic rink pictures and saying, “I remember that rink”, or “I knew the people who owned that rink.” One older man from Pennsylvania was also excited to see the rink stickers from his home state, and to recall the memories from the many rinks he frequented as a younger skater. It was evident that roller skating had a meaningful impact on both lives. It was also a little disappointing to see some local children who had skated once or twice in their lives, who liked their skating experiences, and who like the museum, but nevertheless, would probably never see skating as meaningful to their lives as many in previous generations.
Children also found the museum to be worth their day. One morning during my visit, a local eight year old came with his grandmother; it was a summer outing for them, like for many local families that week. He had visited before with his class from school. He walked through the door and immediately turned to the right and put a quarter in the loud band organ, an enjoyable experience for all ages that startled most visitors who had never heard one before. Then he showed his grandmother the wheel display and demonstrated how the wheels turned, and turned, and turned. Kids seem to like the opportunities to interact with the artifacts displayed. He took her to the showcase with all the animals on skates, another young children’s favorite display. You never know what a classroom of young children might take away from a field trip, but he was the guide for his grandmother, and it was fascinating the bits of information he remembered about various displays that he was so eager to share with her.
One daycare also stopped in. The room was filled with boisterous kids, some running around. Late one afternoon a single, precocious boy about 12 showed up. He asked if he could bring his bike inside, explaining to me that his mother lets him travel around town up to 8.9 miles from home. He listed for me all the museums and special local sites he had biked to this summer. He spent a lot of time looking up information on his phone, including about the museum, and letting me know various stats about many things. I told him he could be the next Plimpton and invent a new generation of skates. As he was leaving, right next to the front door, was a poster with 15 national flags on it. He paused and identified all of the countries. You never know what seeds might be planted in a young person’s mind by a visit to a museum.
A group of adult male speed skaters came in towards the end of the week, just as Nationals was transitioning from derby and slalom, to hockey and speed. They had been to Nationals many times over the years, and to the museum. They were most excited about the wheel collection, but not to spin them around. They had lived through and competed with some of these wheels. These wheels were personal. These were not something to play with but to tell stories about. They did the talking, and I did the listening. They need to be consulted the next time the display is updated; they had strong suggestions and great debates about what wheels needed to be added.
Lastly, I experienced three semiprofessional museum goers. One couple had been on the road for eight months, seeking out a variety of museums. She took copious notes for a blog she is writing; he took many pictures for it. The very last person I guided through the museum on Friday afternoon said he has visited around 2,000 museums. He, along with the previous couple, was the only one to spend two hours and systematically document the museum. And yes, all three of these “pros” were impressed, too.
Most people, no matter how excited about the displays, get museum fatigue in less than an hour. I didn’t have to explain to the museum “pros” what Vaudeville was, as was necessary for even most adults. Without a guide, even with good written and displayed captions, the average visitor doesn’t seem to be able to put in context the Frank family, for example. They are just a picture of a couple doing fancy tricks on skates, wearing unusual costumes. At a Civil War site with my family this summer, I spent 80 dollars to have a private tour of the battle site with an interpreter. This museum offers the same service for free.
The museum might not have a lot of extra open space like some museums, but it is a tremendous storehouse of artifacts and information. No group, not even the two semiprofessional museum goers, couldn’t take it all in. During the quiet times that week I could lean up against the souvenir counter in the back and look out across the museum, and begin to appreciate the thousands of hours former curators and others have spent in collecting, organizing and displaying the artifacts. Also, I could begin to appreciate the confidence that so many historic figures in roller skating and their descendants have put into the museum by donating their precious personal belongings to the museum. This museum, like any museum across the country that doesn’t have government funding and a large endowment, struggles for funding. But all the money in the world could not replace the precious artifacts and documents stored there. They truly tell the story of our sport and industry.
For more information on the National Museum of Roller Skating check out their website or follow them on Twitter and Facebook. And if you are lucky enough to go, take a selfie with Dominic’s Hammond Organ on display there and send it to us!
Few places in this world foster a sense of community and well-being, but the City of Glendale and the Gay and Lesbian Community are privileged to have the hospitality of Dominic Cangelosi, Owner/Operator and the MOONLIGHT ROLLERWAY ROLLER SKATING RINK. Every Wednesday night from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Moonlight holds a LGBTQ Skating Session, which prides itself on offering the community an alternative to the bar scene.
As a joint venture, Cangelosi and Moonlight Rollerway have been offering this session for the more than 20 years and found it to be quite successful. The idea originated after being approached by numerous members of the Gay and Lesbian Community. Cangelosi decided it would be beneficial to both the Gay Community and the skating rink if he offered a Gay Skating Night. The response was enjoyable. Currently Moonlight attracts skaters from all around the Los Angeles Area and as far away as Ventura, Inland Empire, and Orange County and beyond.
This high-energy atmosphere provides not only a fun way to receive many health and fitness benefits, but is a great way to socialize with all ages. Cangelosi states that many of his customers were members of AA looking for a place to meet people of all ages and have a good time without having to go to the bars. He also has a number of PWA who go skating to reduce stress and strengthen their immune systems. Just one visit will convince even the most introverted of individuals that this is one party that everyone is invited to regardless of who you are.
The Surgeon General says exercise prevents disease, improves mental health. According to the first ever surgeon general’s report on physical fitness and health, moderate exercise is as essential to a healthy life as good nutrition, seat belts, and avoiding cigarettes. The 280-page report says that disease can be prevented and mental health improved by regular, moderate exercise that anyone can do. There are numerous exercises that anyone can do, but there aren’t many exercises that anyone will do. We live in a couch potato society where too many people’s exercise routines consist of flipping channels with the remote and occasionally walking to the kitchen for more potato chips.
However, there is one exercise that more and more people are beginning to enjoy—roller skating. Roller skating participation has increased significantly in the past several years as in-line and 4 wheel quad skating has grown ever more popular. A recent survey of sports participation, conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association, shows roller skating as the sport with the biggest increase in participation (3.2 million people participated in various roller skating venues such as social skating, competitive, hockey and speed.)
The surgeon general defines moderate physical activity as using 150 calories of energy. JUST ONE HOUR OF MODERATE ROLLER SKATING BURNS 330 CALORIES ON A 143-POUND PERSON. If that same person roller skates vigorously, he or she will burn 590 calories in an hour. So what’s keeping more people from roller skating? It could be that they don’t want to dodge traffic and bad weather to get a good work-out. People will go to a gym and run on a tread-mill, or use a step machine, but they forget that they can to a ROLLER SKATING RINK to SKATE. What people don’t realize is skating centers provide a safe and smooth surface to skate on, and they rent skates.
Cangelosi believes that part of the success with the sessions is attributable to the skaters themselves. Moonlight in Glendale has developed a large following.
It is refreshing to have such an enjoyable way to meet people, in an atmosphere which is both uplifting and supportive to our community. Even the most novice of skaters would have no problem enjoying the festivities at the Moonlight Rollerway Roller Skating Rink.
Next time you are sitting in front of the tube thinking about how you should be exercising, take a trip to the MOONLIGHT ROLLERWAY ROLLER SKATING RINK, 5110 SAN FERNANDO RD, GLENDALE; PHONE 1-818-241-3630. Bring your quad or in-line skates, or just rent them. A life without exercise is more than just boring, it unhealthy.
I grew up in Western New York State on the shores of Lake Erie, where my parents owned Concord Grape Vineyards. Not too far from the grape farm was a school and once a week they would have roller skating in the gymnasium. I always seemed to end up there whenever my parents would allow me to go. I remember someone playing records, 78’s I believe, and they were rather interesting to listen and skate to. It was organ music. Back at the farm house there was a piano and I often tried to play the tunes I hear at the school skating rink so my parents let me take piano instruction. Unbeknownst to me this was the beginning of roller skating music entering my life. At a very young age I knew I wanted to be a musician.
Around 1950 my parents retired from the grape growing business and moved to Southern California. Again I found roller skating by going with a church youth group to a roller skating rink in Pasadena called Moonlight Rollerway, owned and operated by Cliff and Mildred Neschke. I remember the first time we pulled in to the parking lot; I saw this massive building with a crescent moon all in neon lights. It must have been at least 40 feet high. It was beautiful to me and so impressive. As we approached the entrance walking up the stairs I heard great organ sounds of the organist, Jim McKiwan. Clear out in the parking lot these sounds could be heard. The organ music just filled the rink and there were so many people just skating around to the music. What a wonderful feeling that was. That’s when I said this is what I want to do. I want to play skating music.
I was in high school then and played piano in a Latin dance band for a couple of years. Because I could sight read music I got the job at the first audition. I was the youngest musician in this band. This was a great experience. However, I continued to take more lessons from an organist who had an idea on what I wanted to accomplish.
Around 1958 I started playing the organ at Moonlight Rollerway. I was the organist for 27 years until 1985 when Cliff and Mildred retired and sold the entire operation to me. I want to thank Cliff and Mildred for the opportunity to become a rink operator. However just prior to 1985 for about 5 years I leased and operated on of the seven Holiday Skating Centers owned by Peter Panno and his son Tom. There were also instrumental in getting me started in rink operation, and I want to thank them as well.
In the mid 1960’s I started playing the organ for dance events for the Southwest Pacific Coast Regional Championships. I transported my own organ equipment and never missed a year. I retired from this in 2010.
In 1968 I started playing the organ for the dance events at the USARS National Figure Skating Championships and transported my organ equipment around the United States for these events as well. I did this for 42 years.
Some of you may wonder how on earth I did that. Well, in the early days it was a regular automobile pulling a U-Haul trailer. Then I purchased an extra-large Maxi-Van. I use a ramp and a hand truck and try to put all the heavy equipment on wheels and used well planned packing techniques.
In the late 1960’s is when the business of Rinx Records came in to the picture. Rinx Records was founded by Fred Bergin in 1950. Around 1968 I was approached by Fred and offered the opportunity to record dance music on 45 rpm records. I am greatly honored to have known Fred and thank him for the opportunity he gave to me. He was a giant among the many that organized roller skating in the United States in to what it has become today. He was an RSROA/RSA President, founder of the SRSTA Society of Roller Skating Teachers of America. He was Chairman of Dance Committee during an era when dancing on roller skates was a normal part of everyday skating session activity. He wrote roller dances as well. Last but not least, he was an organist.
In the early 1970’s Fred wanted to retire and wanted someone to take over Rinx Records to keep it going. He was concerned about the availability of roller dance music so he offered the business to me; I accepted and made the purchase. As of today I’m still carrying on with the recording of music for those who like to dance skate, socially or competitively. Rinx Skating Music is still a viable business.
Through the years I’ve played for many skating invitational events in California and other parts of the U.S. I’ve played in many fine dinner houses in the Los Angeles area. I’ve played for banquets, weddings, fashion shows, Pasadena Rose Bowl Kick Off Luncheons, Tournament of Roses Queen Presentations. I even played the opening of the movie The Buddy Holly Story which was filmed at Moonlight in 1975. This past year I was featured in a Coca Cola Super Bowl commercial.
Regardless of what I do, I always keep roller skating in the forefront. I try to promote and support roller skating whenever possible. I believe in supporting the RSA and RSM. I have been a member of RSA for 38 years and a member of RSM for 52 years and have been honored with a Life Time Membership award. I have also been a member of USARS for 35 years as the President of the Glendale Dance and Figure Club at Moonlight Rollerway. I have never missed a year in any of these memberships.
As for Moonlight Rollerway, it is a successful business. Skating sessions every night of the week. I have a session that pleases just about everyone. Since I am in the Los Angeles area and very close to Hollywood my demographics are predominantly adults and 3 of our nightly sessions are adult oriented. Of course I have the usual family and children’s sessions and the Birthday and Private Parties which we all have. One of our most popular party options is our Adult After Hours party from 11:30pm until 1:30am. We have skating classes and private instruction as well and also a large competitive skating club. I have 5 skating coaches and they are some of the best in the area. All are certified with USARS and RSA/SRSTA. There is one night I set aside and that is for my nostalgic “Old Time Live Organ Music Night”. Since I own the rink and play the organ, why not? There has to be someone to carry on the tradition. There are still those who like to skate to the organ music, not only old timers but young adults in their 20’s and 30’s who enjoy the night and find it quite different.
Fortunately I am near the filming industry so a lot of television shows, movie scenes, commercials, photo shoots and celebrity parties use the rink. It’s good extra income and great exposure for roller skating.
I want to thank all the coaches, Rink Operators, individual dance skaters, Skating Clubs and just individuals who purchase Rinx Skating Music CD’s to skate to or just for listening. I also want to thank my employees who are dedicated to me, the rink and to roller skating. They play a great part in making my rink successful. Some of them have been with me for quite a number of years.