Me dancing with Sharon Jones at Central Park Summerstage (video)
You will recall that one of the highlights of my dancing career was getting to dance onstage with the inimitable Sharon Jones at the Apollo Theater in October of last year. Well it happened again today!
I was at Central Park Summerstage to catch Sharon Jones with a bunch of friends of mine. I actually got there early enough to get a spot directly in front of the stage, which was awesome. The opening acts, Ms. Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens and the Menahan Street Band were great warmups for the main event, performing soulful gospel and latin-tinged funk respectively. And when Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings started doing their thing, a couple thousand of us all jumped up and danced, clapped, and shouted.
Sharon Jones was about four songs into her set when she remarked that "there is a guy in the audience who danced for us at the Apollo last year. I wonder if we can get him onstage?" and pointed to me! I just about died right there.
I had the presence of mind to hand my Flip camera to my friend Andy, who captured this footage. Then I ran onstage and did my thing, in front of the 3,000 or so people that were crammed into Summerstage.
I still can't believe that just happened. What an incredible day.
(By the way, the song is "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?", on Sharon Jones's "Naturally" album. Photo courtesy of awesome photographer racreations) .
Damn dude, that's 120% win!
Posted by: Hamlet Au | August 18, 2008 at 03:07 AM
i saw you at the Apollo and again yesterday....you're fantastic!
Posted by: cathy | August 18, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Dude, I think that Sharon Jones might have a crush on you. ;)
Awesome!
Posted by: Rafi | August 18, 2008 at 09:47 AM
man... saw you there onstage yesterday. that was some hot shit dancing. and during my favorite song of the set, too!
Posted by: jojo | August 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Woo Hoo!
Rik, nice footwork (and all the rest of ya too)!
Posted by: Coughran Mayo | August 18, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Totally, amazingly awesome!
Posted by: Adri | August 18, 2008 at 12:44 PM
You the MAN. alas no Rusty Dusty...
Posted by: The Riz | August 18, 2008 at 01:47 PM
So incredible! Twice?? Awesome.
Posted by: Hedda | August 18, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Dude!!!!
Posted by: Dana | August 19, 2008 at 07:14 PM
OMG. thats bananas. Who is that? I can't see your face so I'm not convinced you're my brother!! I'm tripping out. thats awesome kuya.
Posted by: Cori | August 20, 2008 at 07:55 PM
LOL. Glad you liked it!
Posted by: rikomatic | August 20, 2008 at 11:56 PM