Mayor Walsh to host second annual Donna Summer memorial roller disco party on June 19

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the second annual Celebration of Summer to honor Boston native Donna Summer with a free roller disco event at City Hall Plaza on Friday, June 19 from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

"The free roller disco event is a great opportunity for families to come out and have fun while honoring a fellow Boston native who is known around the world for her influence on music," said Mayor Walsh. 

The event will feature other Boston natives including DJ Kon of Dorchester, Elisa Hamilton, creator of Dance Spot Boston, Frieda Fries of Jacques' Cabaret and the Boston Derby Dames roller derby team. 

“As an artist who creates dance floors,the spirit and color of Donna's sound basically defines the joy of dance music," said Hamilton who creates interactive chalk drawings depicting dance moves. "She's what makes us all want to get out on the floor."

“I can’t thank the Mayor enough on behalf of Donna’s widower Bruce Sudano and my aunt’s extended family, many of whom still live in Boston,” said Robert Grant, who performs as O'Mega Red and is Summer's nephew." She always loved Boston and as a five-time Grammy winner, an Oscar winner and a genuinely beautiful soul, Donna will always be in the heart of the city.”   Donna Summer died on May 17, 2012 at age 62.