I can't stop dancing
Archie Bell and Yvonne Washington highlight inaugural concert
Braving the cold weather Monday night for Annise Parker's innaugural concert at Discovery Green were a few handfuls of what she called "the intrepid, the hardcore Houstonians."
For those that made it out, the concert headlined by Houston-based acts Mango Punch, Yvonne Washington, Roy Head, Archie Bell and Jennifer Holliday did not disappoint. Yvonne Washington got the crowd going with her wicked humor, and her voice caused as many chills as the weather. Roy Head seemed to have kept warm with a spiked beverage or two (or five), and had the band jumping nervously away from his flailing microphone tricks. But despite (or because of) his sore throat and sometimes rambling intercessions, the man put on a show.
A highlight of the program was Archie Bell doing his famous tighten up, even getting the Mayor herself onstage for a tutorial. My mom saw Archie Bell and the Drells at a fraternity party in college, and swears the man hasn't changed a bit. A close second for favorite number was his duet with Miss Washington; the duo sang "Stand By Me."
By the time the evening concluded with an impressive fireworks display that emitted some serious heat, the crowd had warmed themselves up with some fancy footwork. Thanks to Archie, we couldn't stop dancing.