Arts & Entertainment
Here's What You Missed at Spike Lee's Michael Jackson-Themed Bed-Stuy Block Party
The "BK Loves MJ" dance party celebrated the King of Pop's 58th birthday on the same block where Spike Lee once filmed Do The Right Thing.
BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — In celebration of what would have been Michael Jackson's 58th birthday, Spike Lee organized a "Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson" block party last Saturday in Bed-Stuy at "Do The Right Thing Way," aka Stuyvesant Avenue between Lexington Avenue and Quincy Street — the first (and only) New York City street named after a film.
As expected, it was a dance party for the ages.
Co-hosts DJ Spinna and Sway Calloway played all MJ all day, in between dance-offs and performances by NYC hip-hop artist Fat Joe and 13-year-old guitar prodigy Brandon Niederauer from "School of Rock the Musical," who shredded to "Beat It" (video below).
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Hundreds of fans came out Saturday to try their best moonwalks and "Thriller"-era MJ impersonations — despite the draw of the equally awesome Afropunk Festival over in Fort Greene.
Below, some video highlights from the party, as compiled from Instagram.
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They are out here killing it. Thank you @officialspikelee @RealSway. #BkLovesMJ #MichaelJackson #MJ #DoTheRightThingWay #Dope #PhotoByTechAndMusicFan #PhotoByTMF #CameraDJGang... @40acresandamulefilmworks
A video posted by Randy B... (@techandmusicfan) on Aug 27, 2016 at 1:43pm PDT
This kid is amazing! Brandon from School of Rock the musical. #bklovesmj @officialspikelee he reminds of a baby Slash, from Gun & Roses.
A video posted by Miracle_ (@milky_millz) on Aug 27, 2016 at 9:16pm PDT
When your legacy is unmatched...Happy Birthday Michael #MJ #michaeljackson #BKlovesMJ #spikelee #brooklyn #love #virgoseason
A video posted by Ja (@eclecticrelaxation) on Aug 29, 2016 at 7:45am PDT
Yesterday's Michael Jackson Tribute In Brooklyn , @Officialspikelee & @realsway Brings Out 845's Own @RawwBlue to tear the stage down. Listen to sway commenting #JXGGY™ . #RawwBlue #BkLovesMj #Brooklyn #Spikelee #SwayInThemorning #Raww #RawBlue #Dance #MichaelJackson #Jam #ArtistToWatch #Like #Art #Create #Upcoming #845
A video posted by Jxggy Gang Music Group™ #JGMG (@jxggygang) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:09am PDT
WE OUTCHEA!! #BKLOVESMJ!! I'm just getting setup so please exercise patience. I'll post some more clips and pictures later. Love you! Blessings #michaeljackson #love #SpikeLee #brooklyn #Sway #bad #legend #happybirthday #mj #legend #moonwalk
A video posted by Sharon Epperson (@sharoneppersonnyc) on Aug 27, 2016 at 3:04pm PDT
Much luv to @officialspikelee & @RealSway for bringin me out on stage for this Michael Jackson Tribute festival in BROOKLYN!! It was only right, Too legendary #RAWW #Bklovesmj
A video posted by "RAWW Tape" Releases 9.15.16 (@rawwblue) on Aug 27, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT
#HappyBirthday #MichaelJackson #illBeThere ( #iWasThere with my #Barlou homie ;) #Brooklyn #40AcresAndAMule #SpikeLee #Sway #DJSpinna #BKMJ #MichaelJackson #BKLovesMJ #BlockParty #NewYorkLife #DJLife #DJEwONE
A video posted by DJ EwONE! (@djewone) on Aug 29, 2016 at 6:43pm PDT
seeing double during double dutch... #bkmj2016 #blockparty #40acresandamule #aspikeleejoint #bedstuy #bk #doubledutch #twinning #summer16 #afropuff #teamnatural #bklovesmj #kidsbeingkids
A video posted by Saba Jearld (@iamsaba_j) on Aug 27, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT
Lead image by Eneas De Troya/Flickr
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