WORDS BY KHALID STRICKLAND a.k.a. BLACK PACINO
PHOTOS BY BLACK PACINO & SUNDIATA ACREE a.k.a. THA SNYPER
Journalism can be a thankless, non-gratifying job. However, fun events like this make me kiss my press card.
This past Friday evening I went to the plush Empire Hotel Rooftop for the announcement of the 2010-2011 Knicks City Dancers. New recruits were sworn into the squad but instead of taking an oath on a bible, the freshly-minted cheerleaders did a sexy lil’ dance full of rump-shakin, high kicks and splits. Unlike the losing NBA team they morally support, these perky young ladies put on a championship-caliber show.
Decorated with palm trees and pastels, the rooftop bar of the Empire Hotel reminds me of South Beach, Miami. Global warming added to the tropical ambiance. The lounge is comfortable and it’s a great place to have a drink with classy people.
As hot as it was outside, however, it was sizzling inside… thanks to the Knicks City Dancers and their array of kinetic, seductive moves.
I thought Amar’e Stoudemire would show up to inspect the goods but no dice. He was probably somewhere counting his 100 million uninsured dollars. Please get us to the playoffs this year, STAT.
DJ Sofie Fatale was on the 1′s & 2′s, spinning up-tempo music for the energetic young ladies to get busy to.
Each dancer was announced by the lovely hostess clad in black, who had a marvelous pair of legs. Sorry to be shallow but I paid no attention to what was said. Sight was the only one of my five senses being used at that point. Well, sight and taste… my rum & Coke was mixed lovely, I must say.
After giving a brief soliloquy like a Miss America contestant, each member hit the dance floor for a solo set and showed why they made the cut. With proud family members and friends watching, the young ladies strut their stuff.
The Knicks City Dancers on a whole are composed of smaller units, consisting of five dancers each. So once the girls in a unit finished their solo acts, they formed like Voltron and delighted the crowd with their choreography.
As a subscriber to Cablevision, the company that owns the Knicks, I deserved a lapdance. Maybe I need to upgrade to the Optimum package for that.
Still, the show was still dope.
Bravo! The leader and assumed choreographer of the squad is a strikingly beautiful lady, perhaps Filipina, who gave directions in her skimpy red dress. I’ve got a hunch she was a former Knicks City Dancer herself and would’ve loved to see her bust a few moves in that outfit.
She gathered the squad up to give them tips on poise, then came more photo ops.
Then it was on to the outdoor deck for another slew of photographs.
When you’re part of the New York Knicks organization, you’ve got to be ready for the bright lights. These chicks have more guts than LeBron James.
There goes that MILF-y choreographer again.
She had my nose open, ya’all.
Choreograph me, baby.
Once the final round of photo-ops were done, the entire squad headed for the dressing room to slip into something more comfortable. That gave me time to hit the bar for yet another drink.
Since I arrived a lil’ late and missed the free cocktails, I did the unthinkable. Yes, I *gasp* BOUGHT a drink. With my own money, no less. A shocking plot-twist indeed.
And for the event’s final act, the newly-crowned 2010-2011 Knicks City Dancers returned in their evening dresses, ready to celebrate. They’re nice young ladies who will represent our city well.
See dude on the left-hand side of the above pic, wearing a turquoise shirt and staring at his phone? Don’t homeboy look like Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks? If that really was Joe Johnson, damn… I missed a golden opportunity to have him robbed. He just signed a max deal for 120 mil, y’know.
The Rooftop was filled with dymes.
Even the ladies who weren’t Knicks City Dancers had it goin’ on…
Sobieski Vodka was one of the party’s sponsors and unfortunately I missed out on some good free booze. This may be the revelation that gets me to events promptly from now on. Either way, I salute Sobieski for participating in one hell of a shindig.
So when I watch Knicks games this year, I’ll feel a special connection to the troupe of cheerleaders on the Garden’s floor. Even if we miss the playoffs again, I can truly say that our 2010-2011 Knicks City Dancers are champs.
My Cablevision bill is being well-spent.
Links of interest:
Loved it!! You’re a class act…LOL!!! Keep it going!!! Go Knicks!!!
Yeah, I was classy. I didn’t try to spark up the Kush on the terrace this time. Maybe if Wilson Chandler showed up I would’ve LOL
Glad you appreciated the fruits of my labor, homie.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!!!!
i so agree about that choreographer….she was MY shining star as well. nice job reporting.
Thanks, man.
That choreographer is hot. I bet Isiah Thomas already tried to get at her.
hahaha word.
THEY ARE HOT…HOTTER THAN OUR HORNET DANCERS!!!
LMAO!!!
I guess the worse the team is, the sexier the cheerleaders are. They’re the only thing to get us excited LOL
Maybe once Chris Paul leaves the Hornets & comes to NYC, the tables will turn.
So, the party looks like it was awesome but I really want to be a fly on the wall at these tryouts:
http://nyknickscitydancers.com/photos.aspx?galleryId=97
No doubt!
If I was fly in that room I wouldn’t stay on the wall. I’d buzz down & land on some booty. If I got swatted, at least I’d die happy.
GO KNICKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Nope not Joe Johnson, but Darnell, soon to be rich like Joe. Thanks for the shout out?? Nice blog.
Oh shit, that was YOU? LOL! Man, it’s a small world.
You was lookin sharp wit the bling & the crispy waves, homie. Thought you was a ballplayer lol
Glad you dig the blog, hang out here anytime. And when you get rich, lemme hold $20.
Outstanding
Indeed they are.
I wish I could get Knicks season tickets… but only for the moments when the Knicks City Dancers perform. I’d be allowed to watch their halftime show & when the game starts again, security would escort me out.
Oh yeah, I love your press card too
and I can’t wait to get mine 
Those are some hot ladies! Party is up, girls.