"On assignment for a major magazine, photographer Patrick D Pagnano arrived early at Empire one night in February 1980 to set up the lights, and then stepped back so that the rink could reach optimal capacity. Then, with the grace of a dancer, he stepped into the throng, moving at one with the ever-flowing energy of the skaters surrounding him." - AnOther

«“The pictures – taken across a single night in the rink – are a dynamic and joyous snapshot of early 80s New York. Local Brooklyners would skate and mingle alongside graceful professionals, and it was also known to attract the occasional celebrity.” - Huck»