Percussion queen Sheila E. brought rhythm and groove to the opening night of BRIC Celebrates Brooklyn! in Prospect Park on June 4. The singer and musician kicked off the free summer concert series with her signature blend of funk, jazz, and Latin fusion alongside guitarist Leon Knight and DJ Spinna for an evening that had New Yorkers dancing past the sunset and into the night. “This is what America looks like, right here,” said Sheila to the crowd.
Sheila E. has longstanding ties to New York City, recalling her experiences visiting NYC from Oakland, CA, with her father, percussionist Pete Escovedo, to meet Tito Puente, in a previous interview with the Amsterdam News. “Wherever he was performing we’d go there and hang out, whether it be on the street or in the clubs,” Sheila E. said to the AmNews in September. “That whole vibe in the community and the people was just amazing … it definitely is about community, and family, and the food.” BRIC has proven itself a central, resourceful institution in the heart of Brooklyn, providing a host of free and accessible programming and space for community members to engage in the arts. Its free summer concert series, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, is “New York City’s longest running, free, outdoor performing arts festival,” holding its first event in 1979, according to their website.
Johnny Knowlwood photos
Most performances are held at the scenic Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park, where Sheila and an all-star cast of musicians graced the stage. The group performed selects from Sheila’s storied and diverse career, including signature hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre,” nods to her Latin roots with songs like “Playing in the Band,” funked-out covers of classics like the Beatles’ “Come Together,” and tunes from her tenure working with late musical legend Prince. Sheila took time in her show to pay tribute to the famed singer/songwriter during renditions of songs like “Baby, I’m a Star,” and “Purple Rain,” eventually coming to tears as she remembered him. “The legacy he left was his music,” she told the audience. Throughout the night, Sheila E. promoted a sense of togetherness, keeping the audience on their feet and singing along to unifying classics like Sly Stone’s “Everyday People,” and the Burt Bacharach-penned “What the World Needs Now is Love,” made famous by Dionne Warwick. BRIC has lots of exciting shows this summer, including a benefit show with Patti LaBelle and an evening with Cindy Blackman Santana. For more about BRIC, the festival, and all their available community resources, visit bricartsmedia.org.
