Roller Disco in LA: Wumpskate Brings Pirates out to World on Wheels

View more photos in the "Roller Skating Pirates" slideshow.

Shannon Cottrell

​On the second Monday of every month, World on Wheels, a seemingly ordinary Mid-City roller rink, transforms into one of the most eclectic parties in town. At Wumpskate, a play on EBM/industrial artist :wumpscut:, retro roller disco decor and faded, brown rental skates mixes with industrial, electro and darker indie rock. At the all-ages party, teenagers in Invader Zim sweatshirts skate alongside club kids in pouf skirts and punk rock families.

Shannon Cottrell

​Promotor Xian Vox, who also runs Malediction Society, has been earning a reputation as LA's Queen of the Theme Parties over the past few years. Tonight's event was subtitled Pirate Skate, which is, according to the DJ/promoter, one of the most popular themes at her events. We've had our eye on Xian's parties for a while specifically because of her knack for encouraging scores of people dress up in the midst of an era of casual clubbing. Even at tonight's roller disco, something you might assume would be less conducive to costumes than a regular nightclub, more than half of the attendees were decked out in some form of pirate gear.