I try out a roller disco in Digbeth, Birmingam
It's easy to become a creature of habit when it comes to hobbies and entertainment, but there are countless opportunities here in Birmingham to try out something a bit off beat. Hopefully I won't be too off beat today though as I try busting out some moves at Roller Jam.
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00:00 So here at Roller Jam we're a nightclub on roller skates.
00:03 Our unique selling point is we have something to offer for everybody, whether you're a beginner
00:07 or an experienced skater.
00:09 We do different nights, like tonight is Turn Down Wednesday, so we have low music, no disco
00:14 lights, no fog machines, so that it kind of keeps it like a very chilled vibe for those
00:20 that might have additional needs or like don't really like the disco lights or want a loud
00:25 atmosphere.
00:26 Roller Jam is situated in Digbeth, considered to be the creative corner and is home to many
00:33 eclectic venues.
00:35 A popular spot for many rolling revelers across Birmingham, Roller Jam is a relative newcomer
00:41 to the scene.
00:43 So Roller Jam was only 18 months old, it's quite a new thing but it was something that
00:48 the directors came up with because they thought it would be a unique selling point and it's
00:52 something that they kind of like were interested in.
00:54 We seem to be wanted, we seem to be doing well, so I think because we're another nightclub
00:58 but we're a nightclub with a difference that seems to make us fit in quite well along here.
01:04 I decided to get my skates on and have a go myself under the tutelage of Zach, who exercised
01:10 great patience in getting me on my feet.
01:13 What we're going to do is lean our body forward just a little bit.
01:18 Pull it, was it first?
01:19 Yeah, I mean that would be a good start.
01:20 You might want the breeze, it's hard work.
01:21 Okay.
01:22 And after a graceful start I decided to get on the roller rink and despite a fair bit
01:29 of wobbling and one or two falls to begin with, I managed to find some sense of equilibrium
01:35 and try out a few things.
01:37 Definitely outside of my comfort zone but with friendly people around me who didn't
01:41 put me under pressure, I think I did myself proud.
01:47 So can you tell me how I did?
01:49 I think you did very well, how do you think you did?
01:51 I think I did alright.
01:52 Are you proud of yourself?
01:53 I am proud of myself, I'm exhausted but…
01:56 Fun and exercise.
01:57 I think I'll be coming back.
01:58 You'll be coming back?
01:59 I will.
02:00 I look forward to seeing you then, we'll get you doing pirouettes soon.
02:01 Appreciate it, thank you.
02:02 Nice to meet you Richard, you did really well.
02:07 Roller jam continues to grow in popularity and considering the response of those who
02:11 attend you can clearly see why.
02:17 Everybody seems to love it, they either find it like 'oh my god we haven't done this
02:20 since we were like 10 and around 40' or you get them from, well they've watched
02:25 Stranger Things and there's a roller disco and that so they want to give it a try to
02:28 our experienced skaters.
02:30 We just see, everyone seems to come along and have a good time and enjoy the experience
02:34 of the night when they're here.
02:36 I like roller jam because it brings together a really good wide world, what I'd say,
02:43 to the Midlands, the skate community.
02:46 I absolutely love this place, so we started coming here last summer and the vibe is just
02:51 like, it's incredible.
02:53 Like, you have people dancing, you have first time skaters and no one judges anybody and
02:58 everyone helps each other.
02:59 I'm absolutely terrible at skating and I never feel out of place or judged, it's
03:03 just so much fun.
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