Roxy NYC
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| The Roxy | |
|---|---|
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| Type | roller rink and nightclub |
| Location | Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States |
| Closed | 2007 |
- For other people and places named Roxy see: Roxy and Roxy Theatre
Roxy NYC (sometimes The Roxy) was a popular nightclub located at 515 West 18th Street in New York City. Located in Chelsea section of Manhattan it began as a roller skating rink and roller disco in the late 1970s, it was founded by Steve Bauman, Richard Newhouse and Steve Greenberg then acquired in 1985 by Gene DiNino until it closed its' doors for good in March 2007. It even hosted a party for the famed Olympic gold medal-winning USA Ice Hockey team in 1980.
[edit] Overview
Beginning in the early 1980s, the owners began hosting dance nights. Referred to by many as the “Studio 54 of roller rinks,” it thrived as such for several years. Then, as the popularity of skating began to fade, Pat Fuji revamped the space into a dance club in 1982.
Ruza Blue, a British expatriate nicknamed "Kool Lady Blue", founded an all-ages, all-races hip hop club in June 1982. Jon Baker, the future founder of Gee Street Records, worked the door. Hip hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and Afrika Islam began DJing there, and were soon joined by Grandmixer D.ST, Jazzy Jay, Grand Wizzard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash.[1] The club sponsored MC battles, Zulu Nation gatherings, breakdancing competitions with the Rock Steady Crew, graffiti murals, and double Dutch competitions. The club had a major influence on the evolution of hip hop culture over the next few years.[2] A performance at the club by Afrika Bambaattaa was captured in the 1984 film Beat Street.[3][4]
The Roxy hosted one of New York City's largest weekly gay dance night, Roxy Saturdays, promoted by John Blair Productions, which has featured many famous DJs including Junior Vasquez, Manny Lehman, Hex Hector, Victor Calderone, Frankie Knuckles, Merritt, Offer Nissim and Peter Rauhofer. Artists such as Cher, Madonna, Beyoncé, Bette Midler, Chaka Khan, Yoko Ono and Gloria Gaynor have all performed at the Roxy.
Roxy had stopped for several weeks in the fall of 2006, but resumed operation once again on December 2, 2006. The club closed their doors for good on March 10, 2007.[5] A documentary about the club's final party, entitled "Roxy: The Last Dance" premiered in August 2008 on the LOGO cable television network.[6]
There were plans for the club to be demolished in order to make room for new residential apartments, however in July 2008 there were news that the Roxy would re-open under new management. The local community board that represents the interests of the residents near the club have stated that the club could re-open if it served the community in the long run.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Chang, Jeff (2005). Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. Picador. p. 174. ISBN 0312425791
- ^ Terrell, Tom; Light, Alan [ed.] (1999). The Vibe History of Hip Hop. Three Rivers Press. p. 47. ISBN 0609805037
- ^ "How the Roxy became the Roxy". from The New York Blade, April 8, 2005 issue.
- ^ Retrospectively Yours: Next Magazine's retrospective look at the Roxy from Next Magazine
- ^ Last Hurrah for a Gay Playground from the New York Times, date March 12, 2007
- ^ Roxy: The Last Dance from the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Roxy nightclub ready to rise again,from New York Newsday, date July 8, 2008.
[edit] External links
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