Features
Thursday, 07 May 2009 06:05
Written by Urbanatomy

---

Roller Mike - The badass brain behind the roller disco express train

Remember life before the roller discos? No, neither do we, and we have one visionary, visually vivacious Shanghai legend to thank for that: Roller Mike.

What inspired the revival of the roller?
Four years ago all of the parties were ultra-image conscious, super-branded, ‘This is the Chivas life’ style affairs.  So one night myself and two friends, a DJ and a nightlife editor, were complaining about it saying somebody needs to do something wacky, different, a rebellion. We thought a 70s roller disco would probably be pretty funny, the perfect backlash.

So what’s the secret of your success?
Colorful, fun, sexy outfits: hotpants, bell-bottoms, afros, wigs. 70s disco with some 80s thrown in; great music and a dance floor. An open bar, all you can drink. And then obviously roller skates. I rent out an old-school roller disco and anybody can just go up and grab skates at the bar, skate around and have fun.


Open bar on wheels? Sounds dangerous…
Yup! It is a little dangerous, and there is a disclaimer: if you’re going to drink a lot we’re not going to stop you from being on skates, so be careful.

Where is the best place to purchase those fine retro roller threads you be sporting?
I go to the fabric market, pick out the material and have my tailor make it, so everything I wear is custom tailored. But if you want to just go out and buy stuff Qipu Lu is the best place to find funky, colorful attire.

We’ve all seen Boogie Nights. Ever seen anybody getting their freak on with their skates on?
I haven’t actually witnessed a full-on act, but there is a lot of bumping and grinding and I wouldn’t be surprised if some couple here or there has managed to do something fully freaky.

Is the Hokey Pokey really what it’s all about?
At this party it’s more about the New York-style disco, The Shuffle. But what it is really all about is a night for all the people who want something different, less superficial. It’s an excuse to wear crazy outfits and it’s pretty much impossible for anybody to take themselves too seriously on roller-skates, falling all over the place. And even if you don’t skate, it is still one of the most fun nights Shanghai has to offer. So come on down and have a blast.

WIN TICKETS!
The next Roller Revival Night is Friday May 29, 10-2am, 420 Yichuan Lu, by Ganquan Lu. Tickets RMB150 or RMB200 on the door, including skates and open bar all night. For more info visit www.rollerrevival.com or call 136 7199 3664. We have 5 pairs of tickets to give away. Simply answer the following question:

Who played Rollergirl in Boogie Nights?

Entries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

< Prev		Next >