Mighty Plans Benefit for David Miles, San Francisco's Godfather of Roller Skating
David Miles, Jr. has been San Francisco's leading ambassador of roller skating for more than 30 years. Nicknamed the Godfather of Skating, the founder of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association has been gathering revelers on wheels for Sunday boogies in Golden Gate Park since moving here in 1979, has led a 10-mile Midnight Rollers Friday Night Skate around the city since 1989, and continues to throw events both throughout the Bay Area and in Black Rock City. His parties are both a portal in time to the skating scene of the '80s and confirmation that skating is still an exceedingly fun activity, especially when set to music.
Verl Meyers David Miles, Jr. defies gravity on the cover of Skate Express in 1987.
But late last month, Miles and his family saw their home in the Richmond District filled with smoke after a one-alarm fire started around 10 a.m. on Jan. 23. "I got a few burns, but nothing a little skating won't cure," Miles posted to Facebook afterward. He and his family were taken to the hospital. And now the local music community is planning a benefit for them.
The Miles family lost most of their possessions in the fire and have been displaced for the weeks after. But Miles has not missed a beat on the skating circuit, whether the Friday Night Skate or a recent tribute to Don Cornelius. His closest friends have been helping out in the days since the fire, but there's room for wider financial support for Miles, who has touched a wide swath of San Franciscans with his earnest passion for skating and music.
Anthony Mansfield, DJ Sol, Big Fat Frog, and Carey Kopp will spin the beats for a benefit party for the Miles family on Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. at Mighty. Donations will be accepted at the door in lieu of a cover charge.
----
Follow us on Twitter @SFAllShookDown, follow Tamara Palmer @teemoney415, and like us at Facebook.com/SFAllShookDown.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
