Roller Skating Takes Centre Stage in the Quartier des Spectacles

Marly : It all started shortly after I arrived in Montréal, in 2021. I had just come from Lebanon, in the middle of the pandemic, to a city where I didn’t know a soul. While watching videos on my phone, I came across clips of people roller skating. It looked like fun, and I wanted to give it a try. So I ordered some roller skates online and started skating in my little apartment. By following some online tutorials, I made fast progress. And, luckily, I was fortunate to have friendly, tolerant landlords who didn’t complain! 

Marly: I managed all right, but once summer rolled around, I wanted to skate outside. That’s when I found out that a small group of people were getting together on Fridays at Lafontaine Park. That’s where I met Danielle Sénécal, a retired flight attendant and roller skating enthusiast, who introduced me to the roller skating world and the sport’s history. Danielle would come to the park with her boombox and extra pairs of skates that she’d lend to anyone who wanted to give it a try. Thanks to her, I kept my love for this social and healthy activity alive. 

Marly: I’m a pharmacist by training, but because of my immigrant status, I couldn’t work in my own profession when I first got here. Instead, I was doing online sales and spent my days alone in front of the computer. Roller skating was my outlet, and when I saw fall coming, I realized I wouldn’t be able to stand another winter cooped up at home. That’s the problem with roller skating: there’s nowhere to do it in the winter. The moment everything changed was when I had the idea to rent a dance studio to skate there. From that moment on, I’ve never stopped roller skating. In 2023, I took part in the Skate Love Barcelona event in Spain. I met skaters from all over the world there, and it was a real eye-opener for me. I thought to myself, “What more am I waiting for? As soon as I get back to Montréal, I’m going to start building up the scene there.”

Marly: Roller skating culture is very rich and encompasses many styles from different places. The main thing to know is that roller skating is practically inseparable from music. You can skate to disco, of course, but also to house music, rap or R&B. The key to skating—just like dancing, for that matter—is the rhythm. So any music that lets you move in time with the beat can be good to skate to. 

Marly: It’s a night of celebration! We’re celebrating the good fortune of having a wonderful venue where we can roller skate for two months. We’re going to bring back the vibe of the old-school roller discos, where people would come to have a good time, enjoy the music and meet new people. Spectators can join in the fun: we’ll have exciting activities like the Soul Train Line, where two rows of skaters stand face to face and take turns parading down the line. My troupe and I will put on two performances during the evening, showcasing different forms of roller dance. There will also be an introductory roller skating workshop with Lowlifemtl and a musical ambience featuring disco, funk, soul and retro classics, with DJs Field Note and Arielle Roberge.  

Marly: I come from a dance background and I’ve even done ballet—arguably the strictest dance style, since everyone has to be dressed the same and perform the exact same movements. I’d say roller skating is the exact opposite. Once you’ve got your skates on, you can be whoever you want to be. Roller skating isn’t competitive or overly serious, and the atmosphere on the rink is always positive. I encourage everyone to give it a try—it’s never too late to start skating. It’s the best way to reconnect with your inner child and proof that you can still have fun as an adult!

Marly: I’d just tell them to be a little brave and give it a try. It’s an activity for all ages, and it’s not dangerous. Most of all, don’t be afraid of falling—it happens to everyone, even the best and most experienced among us. I see roller skating as a metaphor for life: it’s okay to fall; what matters is getting back up.