The ONWHEELZ rollerdisco party was back yesterday evening and took over a mythical place in the Parisian history of roller-skating for a very special occasion...
Created in 2007, the OnWheelz is coordinated by my rollerdancer friend Jim and it is none other than the reference skating party in Paris.
It is not settled in a particular place because we have no roller-rinks in Paris (even in France, I know it is sad) so that there are only one or two events organized per year. It used to take place in a sports hall that we, derbygirls, know pretty well by now as it is our bout place.
Unfortunately for the event, the hall went from private to public, which means that it has to close at a "decent" time at night if it is to be booked... but midnight is more about starting than stopping partying.
Last year, the bet was taken to create a "before party" followed by a roller derby demo [video], but partying with the sunlight filtering through the roof windows lacks rock'n roll.
Around the same time last year, at the other end of Paris, a group of benevolent squatters entered a disused place, situated underground below a small public square, called "La Main Jaune"... The temple of roller-disco partying which closed a dozen years ago, leaving the skaters homeless.
The Main Jaune Collective rehabilitated the place, cleaned it all up, refreshed it, put electricity and used it as an artists' squat. Broadly speaking, motivated people were allowed to enter and benefit from the place as long as they had an artistic project. Of course, the collective was glad to meet the Parisian skating scene because we were a legitimate public given the history of the place, and I was part of the lucky ones to go and train there. I did not personally had the chance to enjoy the Main as I only arrived
in Paris 5 years ago (already!) but I made up for it this year. A magical setting, adorable people, and the spirit of the place floating in the air.
All good things come to an end...
From the beginning of the adventure, the occupation was on the hot seat and the Collective could be dismissed at any time. And that time has come. The place is going to be sold. We don't know much except that it is imminent. It will probably become a car park or a fitness center. It is true that we don't have enough of them in Paris. One more will do us good.
In order to celebrate the "closing" of La Main, the Collective, together with Jim and GossipSkate decided to pay a wonderful tribute to it in organizing a huge ONWHEELZ roller-disco party with DJs, spot lights, disco balls, bar... The organizing team spent days and days setting all up and the result was breathtaking. It was a joyful and successful farewell party!
I will update this post as soon as there is some media available. But for now, if you want to have a look at what it looks like inside, I invite you to check the last music video of my band which was mainly shot there.
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