Brooklyn might not be able to get the MTA to honor Michael Jackson at a subway station, but the County of Kings can still throw down for the King of Pop.
As many as 10,000 people are expected at the Nethermead meadow in Prospect Park -- rain or shine -- on Saturday to honor MJ on what would have been his 51st birthday.
Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, the event promises to be a “Brooklyn style block party,” Spike Lee, the organizer of the event, told The Root. “It’s going to just be how we do it, Brooklyn style, I’ll leave it at that. It’s going to be a joyous, festive, celebratory party.”
The initial crowd estimate of 2,000 swelled to more than 10,000, prompting police and organizers to settle upon Prospect Park instead of Fort Greene Park as initially planned, The New York Times reported Friday.
The Rev. Al Sharpton will say a prayer at the party; Borough President Marty Markowitz will present a proclamation declaring Aug. 29 Michael Jackson Day in Brooklyn, and Brooklyn's own DJ Spinna, famous for his Wonderful and Michael Jackson versus Prince parties, will play all things Michael.
“At the end, we’ll all sing Happy Birthday to Michael,” Lee told the Root. “We’re going to make sure he hears us, too. All over the world, people are going to be celebrating his birthday. But he’s going to hear Brooklyn; Brooklyn is going to be in the house. Deep.”
The Prospect Park party is planned from noon to five but fans who want to keep the party going should consider Q-Tip's “Long Live The King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson” at the Nokia Theatre that same night.
Hitting up both parties? Now, that would be deep.
