Here’s the scenario.
On March 28, Union Hall is hosting a night of hip-hop and R&B classics from the 1990s. You can sip on some gin and juice, go insane in the brain, or just kick it — the choice is yours. But you should definitely sing along.
“It’s sort of like group karaoke,” said Michael Austin, who has been hosting sing-alongs of various stripes around the borough for the past five years. “Everyone’s singing together, belting out these songs from their childhood.”
Austin has hosted events at Union Hall, on Union Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, once a month for the last three years. But the “’90s Hip-Hop and R&B Sing-Along” night is one of his favorites, as, in the immortal words of Destiny’s Child, the club is jumpin’ jumpin’.
“It’s nonstop jumping up and down, and grinding,” he said. “It’s way sexier than any other sing-along we do — even sexier than the Prince sing-along.”
In addition to playing tracks from artists such as Vanilla Ice, Puff Daddy, and House of Pain, Austin and co-host Jerry Mouse also project music videos with lyrics onto a screen so everyone can feel so good.
“There’s some amazing music videos that people forget about,” Austin said.
Singers are encouraged to do some big pimpin’ and wear their favorite ’90s clothing — think ski goggles, Starter jackets, and backwards Cross Colours jeans — or dress like celebrities from that flavorful bygone era.
And while the show is not all about the Benjamins, there are prizes to be won in both a costume contest and dance-off. The bar will also be serving ’90s-themed cocktails, with names such as “Motownphilly.”
Even if you do not fancy yourself as a ghetto superstar, you can still have fun just watching the whole crowd try to keep up with songs such as Busta Rhymes’ “Gimme Some More.”
“It’s fun to watch like 200 people trying to rap really fast,” said Austin.
“’90s Hip-Hop and R&B Sing-Along“ at Union Hall [702 Union St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 638–4400, www.unionhallny.com]. March 28 at 9:30 pm. $8.
