Soulbrother

Another experience I'll never forget. Had the opportunity to meet Tyrone Dixon. His documentary "8 wheels and some soul brotha music" was shown at the filmfestival "Africa in the picture". It has extraordinairy footage of rollerrrinks in the USA and a lot of comments of some real dedicated people who's lives are filled with exposing the Rollerjammin'as it should be. As an active sport which includes the fun, dancing, music AND a way of life. Also they explained a lot about the history and the cultural, social benefits of this kind of community for the Afro American culture and what it means to the them and why it is so important it sticks. It differs from the way things are in Europe but the way of thinking is important for all kinds of people and it's knowledge everybody should be aware of.

Anyway, I was introduced to him thanks to Quadsk8. Because the organisation of the festival contacted Quadsk8 in order to bring them together and to see if they can connect. He visited the weekly Classic Calypso Rollerdisco on the 8th and he brought his skates. He is such a cool dude with a great personality and has the same joy and feeling about the whole rollerjammin' thang. Although he was never a die-hard skater before filming his documentary, he did skate as a youngster. When he visited the rollerrinks a few years ago and saw what was going on and how people were one with the vibe of this energetic togetherness in skating, he got so exited and traveled for a long time, visiting rollerrinks all over the States, talking to people who know everything about what is to know about rollerskating. Interviewing the dancemasters of the disco era, rollerink-owners, fanatic quadskaters, people from 10 to 80 years old that'll do about anything to keep the jammin'alive and he put in all on tape. When I see these people talking I do not only hear what they say, I feel it too.

They represent.

Sunday the 11th was the screening of the documentary in the theatre and I saw the evidence that ever since the late 80's rollerskating has gone underground again, it has never died, ever. It's a life with a different attitude from another angle.

In the gym you see everybody sweating, sighing, working hard but nobody looks really happy. In a rollerrink you just feel the vibe of the music, this gigantic flow of energy throbbing and all you see are happy faces and smiling people getting their groove on. No matter if their good at it or terribly bad, it's the fun everybody is having that makes it an experience that can get anybody hooked for life. (It's less fun to get the training done because you have to have stamina and be willing to do the hard work, but it's for a good cause; lots of more fun!! But even the hard work makes you smile.) It's always great to meet someone who understands exactly why I spend so much of my time on skating and dancin'.

But you have to try for yourself, put on some skates and let the music move you.
Some people think rollerskating is for kids...in case you haven't noticed yet; there's a little kid inside everybody.

Thxs Tyrone for this unexpected-but-so-very-welcome-wonderful weekend! You ARE a Soul Brotha.