Who ever thought Heaven could be reached so quickly? Thanks to the 100% gratis 2nd Annual Long Beach Funk Fest, myself and every other person in the greater Los Angeles County call victory on another week of memorable experiences. File that away for the future grandkids. Two outdoor groovy-freshy musical-mayhem city-blocks set the scene for legendary performing artists, bopping speakers, samba and break dancers, eclectic vendors, bellbottoms, and all-ages community celebration.
Last Saturday, August 7, 2010, Downtown Long Beach got taken for a smooth ride back to the 70's. As the vision promised... Our Futures are Sustained. In more ways then just bringing us pure Funk. This year, the event incorporated self-contained solar-powered stages. What does this mean? The LB Funk Fest was a 100% pollution free concert... one of thirteen free summer concerts by Summer and Music 2010. I thought this was so progressive and exciting that I included their promotional video below. Funk-tastic.
Let's get one thing straight between you and eye, FUNK is NOT DISCO. The trailblazer of Funk Music is (bow-please) James Brown. FUNK is known for it's breaks (to my hip-hop & techno brothers and sisters, this is where our dirty electro and dirty south was born). Common signs that you are listening to FUNK... blazing horns, rhythmic percussions and sexy guitar solos seeping in through your gourd and down to your toe, causing leg movement, hip gyration, and hand clapping.
Saturday passed in a sweet psychedelic blur... when we arrived on the scene the OG (translation: Original) Stone City Band minus the late-great Rick James was vibing sex and love to an eager open-arm crowd. Swigging gin from the flask we hollered at the crew of live artists gracing the scene... anyone want a taste? We bopped over to Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, jived to Bloco Nove feat. Delta Nove and finished off the day with the Ladies of P-Funk, Brides of Funkenstein and Parlet (!).
I saw sparkles and danced from day to shimmering night with my down crew. During this lovely time my Colombiana amiga Manny of MANU Swimwear and I tried our first-ever Funnel Cake, thank you generous Sayuri Flores, provider of delight (check the blurry photo of our first experience). What to do when the show's over? An EPIC after-party at Rhythm Lounge featuring an All-Star Jam Session with the key members from performing bands at Funk Fest.
I earned my wings at The Long Beach Funk Fest. To FUNK and Beyond!
PS. We were so stoked on the vibe we forgot to take photos ... please enjoy the photos & video courtesy of Capoeira Salve taken at the LB Funk Fest Aug 7, 2010 (don't mind my cameo lol).
Sabrina Vedete
