By Alex Jacobs
Skating up the Embarcadero on Saturday night after a long day of work, I noticed that something along the concrete stretch of the boardwalk was out of place. People, loud music, and colorful lights in front of Cupid’s Arrow at night?
A crowd of 50 or so dancers had assembled near the source of the action. There, among the flashing lights and blaring music, was the man behind it all: Amandeep Jawa, a software engineer and environmental activist armed with a MacBook, a two-speaker sound system, and a rather large tricycle christened “Trikeasuarus.”
Deep was blasting all sorts of funk, hip-hop, pop, and electronic sounds as part of the spectacle he affectionately refers to as FlashDance, an all-ages flashmob-style dance party. A fitting title it seemed, as the LED strobe lights mounted on the Trikeasuarus tires illuminated the dancing crowd. It was an eclectic group, grooving without a care, with the span of the Bay Bridge as a backdrop. Deep masterfully DJed the entire production, periodically stepping out after a musical selection to bust a move with the rest of us. The Arrow was right on the mark.
FlashDance moves to a new location each month, but it retains its high energy and upbeat reputation time after time, with many fun-seekers turning into regulars returning for more. Locations with high pedestrian traffic, such as Ferry Plaza, the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market, Dolores Park, and the front of City Hall have all featured FlashDance on one occasion or another.
News on dates, locations, and times of FlashDance are available at Deeptrouble.com. To be sure you’re in the loop, sign up for the email updates. Oh, and if you decide to bring booze, just cover it. Contrary to popular belief, cops aren’t always cool with street dance parties, especially with visible alcohol. Be on the lookout for a FlashDance sometime in November. Deep is making his way to Ohio to campaign for Obama for the next two weeks, but after the election, he’ll be back on the circuit with shameless boogie in mind.
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