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Which came first, Roller Dance Australia, or Secret Roller Disco?! How did they both come about?
We actually started as a group of friends skating together at a local netball court on Sundays, drawn to roller dance rather than just rolling in circles. One day, a netball mum let us know we either had to formally hire the court or move on - so we started bouncing around different locations.
Our Sunday sessions became Secret Roller Disco, a playful name because no one ever knew where we’d pop up next (though we did announce the location on Tuesdays, so it wasn’t that secret 😂). We also connected with Secret Roller Disco in Portland, USA, and they were stoked to see us carrying the torch in Australia!
Secret Roller Disco came first, but summer in QLD brought the usual problem - rain and heat. We needed an indoor space where it could all safely meet and continue our gatherings. What we found was that venues required Public Liability Insurance (PLI). Turns out, you can’t insure "a group of friends," so after 50 million phone calls (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration), we ended up creating an Incorporated Association so we could hire venues and bring pop up roller disco events to everyone.
That’s how Roller Dance Australia Inc. was born. It gave us an official structure, while Secret Roller Disco remained the name of our pop-up events. Now, RDA Inc. runs the show behind the scenes, and Secret Roller Disco is our party brand!
Tell us about the dream team! How many are you, and what does each person do?
RDA Inc. is powered by nine official committee members and an incredible crew of volunteers who make our events possible. Our fab five team members keep everything rolling:
Me! Heidi (President) @heyheidigirl – Running the show in Brisbane & Gladstone, organizing events, and making things happen from online promos, website things, meeting with venues and the boring bits like applying for grants and paying the bills. On event days, you'll usually find me near the skate hire. Yes, we offer skate hire. So grateful to you guys for this gift of bringing roller dance to those who haven't yet rolled in their own skates. Skate hire allows us to reach so many more people.
Sue @susieq.skates & Miranda @goldie.skates – The legends behind Roller Studio, our Tuesday night roller dance sessions in Brisbane. Sue also hosts our Sunday Sunset sessions. On pop-up disco event days you will find these heroes building decorations, Miranda checking people in and Sue organizing the banging playlist or sorting out the DJs.
Donna @thebasementmusiccentre4680 – Holding it down in Gladstone, bringing skating back to life for local families and schools. On event days you will find Donna ensuring her wicked venue is set up, the snack bar is stocked, safety measures are in place and we are set to roll.
Sofi @cherskater – Our roller dance coach & VP, working magic behind the scenes while traveling the world, spreading roller joy through her online roller dance coaching school, The Roller Skating Academy. Sofi and I work closely together to plan future events and when we are lucky enough to have her in Brisbane, she's an event manager queen!
On big event days, we all come together to make the magic happen. It takes a roller village!
Do you have a fave location or venue where you've previously held an event?
Hands down, Roller Rave at an arts warehouse in 2023 - where music, art, and roller dance collided into one massive, electrifying night. Literal dream come true. We had some of Brisbane's most iconic 90s rave DJs (Jen-e & Phil Smart) spinning our fave 90s rave tracks on vinyl while we created roller magic.
Another standout? Portside Wharf in Brisbane, where we hosted a Barbie Movie Premiere Roller Disco with a sunset riverside skate session and a choreographed routine to a song from the Barbie soundtrack. Picture 100 roller-skating Barbies in a sea of pink perfection.
One of our coolest events ever? The Speakeasy Skate Night! 🖤✨ We took over an underground studio and turned it into a full-blown 1920s speakeasy - minus the booze, of course (lol). Skaters showed up dressed to the nines in vintage glam, and the playlist was straight out of the Roaring Twenties. The vibe? Absolutely unmatched.
What usually goes on at the classes at the roller studio in Brisbane - are these super structured or a creative free-for-all?
Totally free-flowing creativity. While we don’t currently run structured classes, skaters come together to learn, teach, and inspire each other. Some take part in online coaching sessions with Sofi, while others just vibe, practice tricks, or experiment with new moves. You might see anything from artistic skating, to couples roller dance. It’s the heart of roller dance in Brisbane - and now, bringing it to Gladstone!
And finally, what's the best way for any member of the community to get in touch with you regarding things like classes, or upcoming events?
With so much happening in Brisbane and now Central QLD, the best way to stay updated on these is through our website - that’s where you’ll find all event info, tickets, and sign-ups. Subscribe to our mailing list on the Contact page!
We’re also on Facebook & Instagram, but we’re definitely guilty of forgetting to update them sometimes. 😆 Follow us, though. We post fun things, especially in stories. It's also the easiest place to find out any last minute info you might need if heading to one of our events.
@secretrollerdisco.au
