Donna Summer Roller Disco Party returns to City Hall Plaza on June 17

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the third-annual Donna Summer Celebration of Summer Roller Disco Party will be held on Friday, June 17 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. on City Hall Plaza. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. The City of Boston will provide free rentals to guests on a first come, first serve basis and all are encouraged to bring their own skates if available.

"I am pleased that our Donna Summer Roller Disco party has proven a success and we are able to bring it back for the third consecutive year," said Mayor Walsh. "We are committed to providing our families and residents with free, fun events all year and the roller disco party honors Donna Summer and her Boston roots while energizing City Hall Plaza." 

The event will welcome back DJ Kon to the DJ decks. Kon, aka Christian Taylor, has been a member of Boston's hip-hop scene for decades, and he is internationally recognized as a re-edit and rework pioneer. Joining Kon will be members of Donna Summer's extended family including O'Mega Red, Donna's nephew and flag-bearer for her legacy.

"That the Mayor shows this respect to Donna each year is something the family truly appreciates," said O'Mega Red. "My aunt was very much a true diva and her legacy survives and grows larger with each passing year." Summer died at 62 years-old on May 17, 2012.

"No Boston-born musician has sold more albums than Donna Summer," said Holly Thomason of the Boston Roller Derby, which will again support the event. "As the Roller Derby, we obviously pay our respects but as a woman, Donna represented a bold, courageous, and fearless artist."

"To us, Donna Summer is as big as Elvis," said David Day, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Together Boston, a promotional partner. "She was a pioneer of modern music and approached technology with a confidence few have seen since."