Last night I had a fantastic time with 100-some other guests at Michael Ingbar's "125th Surprise Birthday Party" aboard the lightship Frying Pan off of the Hudson River. Ingbar is one of the most fascinating, eccentric and cool people that I have ever known. A die-hard lindy hop and balboa enthusiast, he runs a succesful…
Tag: birthday
My Birthday “Mad Hatter” Picnic in Prospect Park
I had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating my birthday with friends in Prospect Park for a “Mad Hatter” picnic party. A dozen or so of some of my favorite people gathered for some relaxing, noshing, games, kite-flying, and frisbee tossing as the afternoon turned into the evening. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather…
Yesterday’s Birthday Festivities: Filipino tapas, secret Frick tour, and power lunching
Yesterday I began celebrating my birthday doing several of my favorite things around the city that I love so much. It began with delicious coffee and croissants from Joyce Bakeshop on Vanderbilt Avenue. It's a great neighborhood bakery that always tempts on the way to the subway to work. Their full-bodied and rich Stumptown coffee…
Dawn Hampton’s 82nd Birthday Celebration at Club 412 (video)
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of being at Ms. Dawn Hampton's 82nd birthday celebration at Club 412. The party featured everything that is quenticentially Dawn: funky swing music by one of her favorite musicians Wycliffe Gordon, delicious soul food, and a crowd of dancers having a great time. As always, the highlight of the…
Happy Birthday, Dawn Hampton! (video)
Tonight is the celebration of the birthday of the incomparable dancer and entertainer Ms. Dawn Hampton. If you’ve never seen her, here’s a clip of Dawn dancing with her favorite dance partner John Dokes at Frankie Manning’s memorial service last year. Dawn’s birthday dance party is tonight at Club 412, 412 Eighth Avenue, 4th floor,…
Thoughts on Four Decades of Being Rik
Today marks my 40th year on this planet. I wish I had some grand epiphany to share at this point in my life. But being a Quaker, I know that revelations don’t necessarily work on a schedule. People have been asking me what it feels like to turn 40. On the one hand, not much…
My “Funky 40th” birthday jam last night! (video)
Here's a video of my birthday jam during my "Funky 40th Soul Party" last night at Club 412. So much fun dancing and partying with some of my closest friends from swing, hip-hop, Quaker and Global Kids communities. Yes, I really am 40. I don't really believe it myself sometimes. Thanks for taking this video,…