By Matt Fairfax SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The popularity of roller skating has surged during the pandemic. A multipurpose theater in Syracuse is planning to capitalize on the surge with a 1970s themed disco roller skating party this weekend.
This Saturday, October 2, the Alien Opera House on Catabwa St. in Syracuse will adapt to host the Roller Buffet Mobile Roller Skating Party.
Michael John Heagerty, the creator of Roller Buffet and the organizer of the event, said he believes social media has played a significant role in the popularity surge of roller skating.
“I think just having the Tik-Tok-able, Instagram-able experience of like rolling on the boardwalk seemed like a fun thing for people to do,” Heagerty said.
With a live disco band featuring Central New York musical legends, cooked meals, a costume contest, and a pop-up cafe and bar, Heagerty said the skating party will be an unforgettable occasion.
“For one night, there’s just such a vibe,” Heagerty said. “No one is you know, being sh***y, everything is beautiful. There is no race or color or anything. We’re just skating, having a good time, and like the vibe is perfect.”
Donald Paradise and his wife Brianna Mason, the owners of the Alien Opera House, said they see the venue as a “dream machine”, where residents in the community can turn their dreams into realities.
“We love music and art and our focus is to use those things so people can heal and connect with other people,” Paradise said. “My wife is a marriage and family therapist, and I was a registered nurse for 20 years. We want to help people however we can in our community.”
The Roller Buffet Mobile Roller Skating Party is encouraging skaters of all experience levels to attend the celebration this Saturday, October 2. The event will last from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Roller Buffet hosted a similar themed roller skating party in 2019, according to Heagerty. Heagerty said pre-arrival ticket sales were capped at 100, but approximately 1,000 people showed up to the event.
To find out more about the Roller Buffet Mobile Roller Skating Party, click here. To find out more about the Alien Opera House, click here.