Disco Fever

Back in 1992, Danny H. excitedly told me and my brother Dave about this new thing called Disco Skating at Classic Skate. I got my first pair of skates when I was five and had been skating on through my childhood so I was totally up for rollerskating. I don't think any of us realized how disco skating would engulf us and swallow us whole.

The fruity fog, strobe lights, disco ball, couple skates...

Saturday night at Classic became an obsession and a craving. I'd have to admit that we weren't the grooviest skaters at first but how can you not get good at something you do week after week? We started to skate backwards then try 180's then 360's and jumps. We formulated couple dance routines. We frequented the thrift shops digging around for disco clothes and sweat bands.

When college started for us, disco only got stronger and more obsessive. Back then, it would get so crowded at Classic on a Saturday night that we could barely practice our stunts. Most of the crowd seemed like they had never had a pair of skates on in their life, demonstrated by all their arm flapping. They were known as hazards. Our elite skating group grew from high school friends to a college crowd composed of regular disco skaters. We'd meet up every Saturday night to do the Hustle on the outer edge of the rink and take turns winning the skate contests. We dominated the rink.

This obsession was passed on to our younger brothers and sisters as they started to get old enough to stay out late. My brother Jacob and his friends added even more flare by their daredevil dancing. Jacob somehow learned to groove and it surpassed anything we had yet learned.

Later many of us left home to serve missions. Not skating for months was a true sacrifice. I can testify that come Saturday night, the disco throb would somehow fill my ears miles and miles away as I imagined the rest back home rocking the boat.

We are now all grown, many with children of our own and much too mature for disco skating. That is why we only go quarterly now instead of weekly.

Here are some pictures I've compiled, though it is in no way complete.

And to see even better pictures from Emilie check out the daily cool. They are awesome.

Here are the Burton girls, Manna, Scott, Me, Jacob (my bro) and David


Here is Jacob as a young kid. Lets watch how he grows.













Jacob and his wife Katie (now parents of one future disco skater) frequently inspire us to lace up our skates and get funky.


Katie is sporting some sweet high waisted bell bottoms.



The second generation of disco skaters (Jacob's friends.)


Here is Danny H. (in wig) with my brother David, and Emilie. Em and I would alternate between couple skating with Danny, one hot skater.



My brother Dave, the Burton girls with some random guys and my husband Dave and I (not necessarily in that order- I'm wearing what looks like a maternity shirt). This is the only picture with me and my husband Dave. (After all the times I dragged him to the rink!) I wish I had a picture of his butt in those skinny blue cords.




This is a picture with some of the college regulars that added to our group. I can't remember their names. If you do, let me know.



Scott White, Kathy, friend, Manna (my sister-in-law). Lets see a few more shots of Scott and Manna.


Scott, Manna and my sister Kassi


Couple Skating. Scott and Manna always together.


Sisters Clara and Manna looking way sexy!


Would you believe that Manna went on to be a Salt Lake City Roller Derby Girl. Really! She's Kick Butt!


MannaRama



This is a rare picture of my brother Trevor and Emilie. Trevor usually danced in his skates using the run, jump, slide technique (on purpose of course).


Here is an even rarer picture! Trevor, Em, my brother Hartman, and his wife Chelsea. Hartman wasn't ever really into disco skating but we'd get him to go every so often. (Chelsea, you look like you are 12! But then again, Hartman looks like he's 18.)


Me and my brothers and sisters. We consider Emilie a sister. Where is Julie though? She must have been too little to come. The next picture will be of her.


This is Julie about 5 years ago with David in the background

This is Julie only a couple weeks ago.





Julie and Kass





Yes, this is Julie's boyfriend John. He is fully committed to our family's tradition.


Disco has even reached our northern based cousins from Alaska. This is Dallin.

Here's the group that went recently. I even see Angie J. in there.




More vintage group pictures.


And even more of the group. Can you find you?


Emilie and I getting psyched for Disco night.


Once Em and I had our friends from Las Vegas join in. I think they confused disco for rap.


Lets get some pictures of David. This is Kassi and David couple skating.

More of bro Dave, one of the original disco skaters.

Dave jumpin' the wall. (I was always too scared to try that.)




Here is a picture to check out. We got a bunch of cousins together for this. (Trent, you look so young!)



Jacob is getting some air.


Jacob and Katie (Even pregnancy didn't stop them from taking to the rink.)


I don't know why but I like this one. Trevor's in there. You got more pictures? Let's see them!