Week Of: May 7-13, 2018
Summary: Gotta have that FUNK (Parade)
The DC Funk Parade is ON on Saturday, May 12 with an incredible line-up!
With much planning and coming together and community support, DC's Funk Parade is back on this year after a bit of a scare that it would not have the support needed to run. As a testimony to DC's love for funk and music and history, the organizers were able to raise of $60k in a matter of weeks to secure this one-of-a-kind event for the 5th year. And DMV music lovers couldn't be more excited about it.
What is the Funk Parade, you ask? It's a "one-of-a-kind day fair, parade and music festival, celebrating Washington DC's vibrant music and arts, the U Street neighborhood, the history of Black Broadway, and the Spirit of Funk that brings us all together."
There are SO MANY events happening that day and long into the night (be sure to check out the after-parties), and the best way to learn about the schedule and plan your day is to go directly to the Funk Parade Festival Programming and Line-Up page. Many of the events are also listed in our calendar, but there were far too many to highlight, it's JUST THAT GOOD!
Plan to spend the day and night learning about the history and origins of funk and celebrating DC's stellar music and art scene and the FUNK that connects us all.
Featured Shows:
Okay, so the Funk Parade, that's a given. And if I had the bandwidth (or some clones) to see a show or two every day, here's what I would do every day this week:
- May 8 - Alvvays with Frankie Rose at 9:30 Club - The witty Toronto-based, noise-pop Alvvays released their second album this past fall after their debut album received some serious love from NPR Music, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone. The new album, Antisocialites, cuts into the "deep-end of reckless romance and altered dates."
- May 9 - Cecily's Album Release Concert at Strathmore Mansion - Cecily is currently a Strathmore Artist-In-Residence with a voice that is pure and a presence that is vibrant. I saw her perform with another Strathmore Artist-In-Residence a few months ago and she was phenomenal. As Strathmore describes, she is, "known for her sweet soprano, honest lyrics and pure vocals, Cecily brings her own vulnerability to each song, telling her story, and hopes that, at the end, the audience feels vulnerable enough to tell their own stories."
- May 9 - Kaleta & Super Yamba Band at Bossa Bistro + Lounge - "Brooklyn afro-funksters Kaleta & Super Yamba Band are fronted by legendary Afrobeat veteran Leon Ligan-Majek a.k.a. Kaleta. The composer, singer, guitarist, percussionist and producer from the West African country of Benin Republic lived his adolescent life in Lagos, Nigeria where Afrobeat was born. Kaleta performed and toured the world with the two most popular musicians from Nigeria, Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, along with Majek Fashek and recently Lauryn Hill. Now based in New York City, Kaleta was overjoyed to find Super Yamba Band and hear their take on the vintage, psychedelic sounds of his native country Benin in the 70s and 80s."
- May 10 - Here to be Heard: The Story of The Slits followed by a Q&A with director William E. Badgley at AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center. As part of their Rock Docs series, the AFI is presenting this documentary about The Slits, the first (well-known) all-female punk band born out of London in 1976. The Slits were "utterly unique" within the movement, and came fresh into the limelight after opening for The Clash on their 1977 "White Riot" tour. The band imploded soon after, but as the film illuminates, "their legacy has lived on and inspired countless other musicians over the years."
- May 11 - Wye Oak with special guest Palm at the 9:30 Club - I first saw the Baltimore-based indie rock duo Wye Oak in 2009 when their second album The Knot came out. The show was at the Ottobar and I was floored at how much raw sound could come out of these two lovely individuals, Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack. I say lovely because it was the kind of scene where they walked off stage after putting away their gear, and it was easy to stop and chat with them about their set and say good-bye with a hug. The music grabbed hold of me hard then, and I can't wait to see how they have grown in their live performance nearly 10 years later. Playing with the very smart, very innovative Philly band, Palm.
- May 11 - Chase Bros All-Star Tribute to Sly and the Family Stone at Gypsy Sally's - From the same people who have brought you The James Brown Dance Party and Jazz Is PHSH. The Chase Brothers have amassed some of the funkiest world-class musicians. Here is your guaranteed opportunity to dance the night away to the music of Sly with the likes of bassist extraordinaire Felix Pastorius (son of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius), and Sammi Garrett of Turkuaz. Add to the mix an amazing brass section assembled with Mark Ingraham, Natalie "Chainsaw" Cressman, and Patrick Rainy. Because who doesn't love some Sly and the Family Stone as the weather starts to heat up in the DMV? This performance will be a great way to get your Funk Engines started for DC's weekend's festival.
- May 12 - David Byrne: American Utopia World Tour at The Anthem - David Byrne announced an extensive world tour with a 12-piece untethered band in support of his forthcoming solo record, American Utopia. This new album is FANTASTIC and the tour has been greeted with open arms from Byrne fans and rave reviews from critics. David Byrne has been quoted saying this is, "the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for ‘Stop Making Sense,’ so fingers crossed.” We all can't wait, David. (p.s. You get bonus points for riding your bike to the show.)
- May 13 - Arturo Sandoval at Blues Alley (also on May 10, 11, and 12) - Arturo Sandoval can, "burn through an Afro-Cuban groove, tear up a bebop tune, soar over a Mozart concerto and sooth you with a luscious ballad; with equal power and grace." Sandoval was born outside of Havana, became a protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, and evolved into one of the World’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugel horn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. This series of shows will be hot!
Other Amazing Shows That DCMR Staff Recommend:
- May 7 - Panda Bear with Geologist at 9:30 Club
- May 8 - Graham Parker with James Maddock at City Winery DC
- May 8 - The New Mastersounds at Union Stage
- May 9 - Greta Van Fleet at Rams head Live
- May 9 - Leftover Salmon at Baltimore Soundstage. (Leftover Salmon just released their brand new album Something Higher. This is your opportunity to see this legendary "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass" jamband perform and hear old classics and brand new songs live.)
- May 10 - John Papa Gros with Big Black Car at Gypsy Sally's
- May 10 - Shakey Graves at The Jefferson Theater
- May 11 - Runaway Gin - A Tribute to Phish at Union Stage
- May 12 - Ani DiFranco with Gracie and Rachel at The Jefferson Theater
- May 13 - Boyz II Men at MGM National Harbor
Local Scene:
These are but some of the talented local musicians making waves in the funky DMV this week.
- May 10 - Zine Release Party at The Dew Drop Inn DC - Bands include some of the DMV's best talent: Thayloblou, One Identity, Ardamus, Brandon Moses, Mary-eL and Gordon Sterling.
- May 11 - Capitol Groove Collective! launch at Ye Olde Firehouse - This is the official launch of DC's Capitol Groove Collective, a group of musicians coming together to advocate for and promote excellence in music services to benefit artists and community.
- May 11 - Elikeh, Bob Marley Tribute by DJ Underdog at Capital Fringe - "DC’s own Elikeh uses elements of Togolese rhythms as a foundation for exploration into American-influenced blues, funk and rock to produce captivating Afro-pop tunes that are as listenable as they are danceable. DJ Underdog is known throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area for his multi-faceted mixes that jam party dance floors."
- May 11 - The Beat Hotel with Johnny & The Headhunters at JV's - "Playing New Orleans Swamp Funk music, the Beat Hotel captures the Crescent City’s unique musical hybrid of R&B, funk, soul and blues with a fresh groove sensibility," with special guest Johnny and the Headhunters.
- May 12 - Takoma Porch Music Festival in Takoma Park - "The 6th annual Takoma Porch Music Festival is happening again in Old Town Takoma Park, MD on Saturday from 2 - 6 PM. Spend your day as a musical tourist walking the streets of beautiful Takoma Park, listening to musicians from the local and regional area." So many great local artists taking the sweetest stage ever (the porch) at this fantastic event.
- May 12 - Hat Band DC at the Black Cat - Hand Band DC is an annual DIY local music project where musical strangers are randomly assigned into bands to write songs and play a concert! If you need to catch your breath from the Funk Parade, stop into the Black Cat at 4pm to hear some great music and support a great cause: the showcase is a fundraiser for Girls Rock! DC, a summer camp that empowers girls, non-binary, and trans youth to develop self confidence and rock loud.
- May 12 - The Escape Artist/Technicians/Hide Your Fires at Villain & Saint - DC's The Escape Artist (Dream/Shoegaze/Post-Rock), Technicians (DC post-punk with a hint of doom & gloom), and Hide Your Fires (Progressive Rock out of Silver Spring with an emphasis on melody). All local, all loud, all likely life-affirming.
- May 13 - Mourning(A)BLKstar and NAPPY NAPPA (w/ Patrick Cain) at Rhizome DC - "Mourning(A)BLKstar looks to forage new pathways toward heart music by melding soul, blues, electronics, avant-poetics w/ futurist beats. Nappy Nappa uses his music and wit to draw listeners into his world. In this performance he will collaborate with experimental artist Patrick Cain."
Here are our recommendations for shows throughout the DMV.
All Featured Events
District
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Maryland
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Virginia
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