Day: February 27, 2025

A collection of topical political cartoons from various artists curated by the Brooklyn Eagle editorial staff.

The post Cartoon Sketchbook: February 27 appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Business owners got a “taste” of what it means to be a member of the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association, Inc.

The post ✰PREMIUM<br><i>On the Avenue: </i> Merchants offer full calendar of exciting events! appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Community Board 2 is holding a zoning hearing on March 5 for 47 Hall St., currently a controversial “mega-shelter” set to close by summer.

The post Reps. Velázquez, Clarke and Garcia reintroduce Dream & Promise Act appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

At 6:40 p.m., twenty minutes before Xanadu Roller Arts reopens for its celestially-themed Space Bounce event, a line of anxious skaters in holographic outfits forms below the rink’s burgundy awning, stretching outside into the cold.

“Ay, what’s the holdup? We already signed our waiver,” yells a patron.

A security guard retorts, “You gotta wait for us to open, man.”

 

On June 19th, 2024, Xanadu opened its doors at 262 Starr St. in the heart of Bushwick, quickly reinvigorating the skate community and amassing nearly 50,000 Instagram followers.

Inspired by Robert Greenwald’s 1980 cult classic, the rink is the latest immersive venture from Verun Kataria, the visionary behind Bushwick’s The Turk’s Inn and Sultan Room. Stepping onto the 7,000-square-foot, hand-painted Canadian Maple rink in a pair of Riedell skates is your ticket onto their “intergalactic cruise ship,” where a booming sound system creates an otherworldly experience.

“Sometimes I feel like there must be some single-celled organism squirming beneath the floor. This place is something else,” said Lily Landau, Xanadus’ Brand Marketing & Community Manager. 

When it opened, Xanadu filled a void left by the closure of the city’s iconic rinks, including the Roxy, Skate Key, Empire Roller Skate, and, most recently, RollerJam USA in May 2024. With these losses, many “OG” skaters were left without a floor to glide their wheels – until now.

Inside, a 63-year-old man with curly gray hair and a blue bandana tied around his forehead whizzes past novice skaters struggling to find their balance. He’s been skating since the 1970s, witnessing the rise and fall of local rinks and traveling across the country to experience other skate styles from “Speed” and “Rhythm” to “Detroit” and “Chicago.” 

Known on the floor as “Diablo,” his favorite style is “Jammin’,” an approach that blends dance and gymnastics. But he insists he’s developed his own flair, one that newcomers are always trying to imitate.

​​Xanadu has its own vibrant subculture akin to drag or street dancing. By day, skaters are Clark Kent; by night, they transform into Superman, adopting new personas, names, and styles.

Tracy Mitchell, 59, known on the rink as Tray Halladay, is a roller-skating legend from the Lower East Side. A skater for 52 years and an instructor for 30, he dominated the now-closed Empire Roller Disco, Skate Key, and Hot Skates, remaining undefeated in every battle. 

In the world of roller skating, battles are high-energy showdowns where skaters go head-to-head at the center of the rink, showing off their best footwork, spins, and tricks. Just as vogueing fuels queer subculture, battles intensify skates. Mitchell mixes Jam Skating with “Artistic,” a style akin to figure skating, and involves jumps, spins, and choreographed routines. 

He credits Xanadu for preserving an art form that has been a source of liberation for the Black community since the 1970s. 

“Empire had the same crowd of people. It was divided by gentrification. But here, there’s everyone: all races, cultures, and genders. I love this,” said Mitchell.

Now, he’s focused on passing the baton to a new generation of skaters.

One of those skaters is Joanie Lit, a 51-year-old dental hygienist by day and skate instructor by night. Known as Miss Lit on the floor, she first laced up her skates during the pandemic after a friend encouraged her to give it a try. Mitchell is her main coach.

“Meeting the skate community was a game changer. We learn from each other, and you can teach the same move, but everyone has their own flare,” said Lit.  

She now teaches skaters of all ages at Xanadus’ Dreamland Glow-Up night. 

45-year-old Michael Natter from Harlem also took up skating during the pandemic after his wife, Janette, started. Without access to a rink, they practiced on the streets, quickly realizing the toll it took on their skates. To protect their expensive boots from scuffs, they invested in $20 toe caps. 

“She immediately scuffed ’em and cried. So I looked at her and was like, ‘I can’t make you cry on this journey of skating, so I’m gonna make these,’” said Natter.

He taught himself how to sew and began crafting toe caps from everyday materials, including curtains and old viny. Now, he makes them for the folks at Xanadu. He calls them “the skate fam.” 

Landau has a custom pair with iridescent lily flowers and her Instagram handle. 

“I’ve made an embarrassing amount. I just kind of give them out as gifts,” said Natter. 

Since Janette’s skate name is Squeels, Michael dubbed himself @squeelsandhubs, a name he proudly displays on his toe caps.

Natter favors Rhythm-Style skating and credits Xanadu’s diverse events – like Bollywood Night, Goth Night, and Yacht Rock – with encouraging him to step outside his comfort zone.

“I’m being introduced to music I would’ve never turned on. And because I’m skating, I’m having to find the music in my body. It takes me somewhere else,” said Natter.