Get ready for another Donna Summer roller disco
Skaters at The 2014 Donna Summer Memorial Roller Disco Tribute Party in City Hall Plaza.
Donna Summer–disco maven, five-time Grammy winner, Boston native –passed away about three years ago. Local forces wasted little time in teaming up to honor the dance music pioneer with a night of music, dancing, and roller skating.
On Friday, the second annual Donna Summer Memorial Disco, featuring a pop-up skating rink with rentals available on-site, will bring “Hot Stuff’’ back to City Hall Plaza and and spread the legacy of one of the city’s greatest talents to a new generation. Boston’s own Bosq and Caserta will fill in the DJ booth for the night. (Renowned Dorchester artist DJ Kon was slated to provide the music, but he was called to play some gigs in London at the last second.)
“This type of thing is, I think, the number one way Boston can become the ‘world class’ city it wants to be,’’ says Bosq. “It’s about events like this that bring everyone together around the arts [and] music to have an amazing time. Boston is segregated in a lot of ways and ignoring those barriers and bringing communities together who might not usually interact is really important.’’
Dancing at The 2014 Donna Summer Memorial Roller Disco Tribute Party in City Hall Plaza.
Bosq, known formally as Ben Woods, is half of local DJ duo Whiskey Barons and a solo producer who has worked with a number of revered labels, including locally based Soul Clap Records. He’ll be joined by Joe Caserta, who most commonly performs with DJ Kon, including at last year’s skating party. The two are a part of a vibrant dance music community that stretches back long before their time, one that’s often overshadowed by a rock scene that produced names like Aerosmith, Boston, and Pixies.
“Unfortunately I wasn’t born when Donna was at her peak, so I didn’t get to witness it firsthand,’’ says Caserta. “However, being born and raised around Boston in a very musical home, I’d say I picked up on things rather quickly. Looking back on the ‘70s [and] ‘80s whether it was Donna Summer, Tavares, or New Edition to name a few, the city certainly wasn’t short on talent.’’
Donna Summer grew up in Dorchester, Mission Hill, and Roxbury, so it’s only appropriate that Boston celebrate her illustrious career, which produced three No. 1 albums and made her one of the highest selling artists of all time. The skating party is the latest of the city’s arts initiatives since Mayor Walsh took office, including the appointment of Julie Burros as Chief of Arts and Culture, the naming of several holidays after Boston bands, and the latest, Janet Echelman’s aerial sculpture over the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Dancing at The 2014 Donna Summer Memorial Roller Disco Tribute Party in City Hall Plaza.
“I’m most excited to see a massive [and] diverse crowd celebrating and dancing to amazing music in the heart of Boston,’’ says Bosq. “If I’m being completely honest, it’s not something I thought I’d ever see here.’’
Need some roller disco inspiration? Allow Patrick Swayze in 1979’s Skatetown USA to show you some moves:
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The Donna Summer Memorial Roller Disco takes place Friday, June 19, 6-10 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. Bosq will perform 6-8 p.m. and Caserta from 8-10 p.m. Free, skate rentals on-site.
Boston spring guide:
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