Shake It With Olympia Funk Festival

by James O’Barr

The Rumble with Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

“Get ready to shake it, Olympia!” Says the announcement from the Ecstatic Sound Collective for the second annual Olympia Funk Festival, scheduled to “electrify the city with three days of unstoppable funk, soul, and good vibes that will leave you grooving into spring!” Coming January 31, just two weekends after vibes with a different odor settle over our nation’s capital, I was ready to get down and “Funk OFF” even before I’d seen the incredible lineup of talent coming to three Capital City venues—the Olympia Ballroom, the Olympia Center, and the historic Capitol Theatre!

Headliners include: The Motet, a funk, soul, and jazz-influenced group based in Denver; The Rumble, spawned by the multi-Grammy-nominated band Cha Wa. Advancing the legacy of Mardi Gras Indian funk pioneer Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, The Rumble is fronted by his son, Grammy-nominated Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., of the legendary Golden Eagles Indian tribe; Karl Denson and Tiny Universe. American sax and flute player and vocalist, Denson is a founding member of The Greyboy Allstars, and has toured with the Rolling Stones for the past 10 years; Super Sonic Shorties is a collective of like-minded, experienced, accomplished musicians who just happen to be women—led by the fearless Nikki Glaspie; LowDown Brass Band, coming out of the vibrant Chicago music scene, is a one-of-a-kind horn ensemble weaving the rhythm of the streets with hip-hop, reggae, and soul.

Karl Denson and Tiny Universe

Closer to home: Eldridge Gravy, backed by the 12-member The Court Supreme, has headlined every prestigious venue in Seattle and Portland, easily working dance floors to a fever pitch, while this past year releasing their fifth studio album, Always Never Not A Good Time; Diggin’Dirt, from behind the redwood curtain of Humboldt County, California, is a seven-piece funk-soul band; Funkways, by deep-funk pioneer Joel Ricci, is a one-of-a-kind showpiece at the crossroads of primitive funk and vernacular jazz; True Loves, a Seattle-based funk and soul group, is its own block party. Other bands performing over the weekend include McTuff, The Andy Coe Band, Funky 2 Death, Life During Wartime, The Gold Souls, Cytrus, Luna Melt, Dada Sonics, Groove Lab, and Big Kitty.

Eldridge Gravy and The Court Supreme

The Funk Fest is seen by the organizers as “more than just music—it’s a celebration of community and culture.” To that end, downtown Washington Street will be transformed into a lively street party, with food trucks, a Northwest Beerwerks beer garden, band merch on sale, and surprise pop-up performances. As we publish our preview, this is the only Funk Fest event that’s not sold out. Let’s hope that the Ecstatic Sound Collective hears this as a demand for a three-peat at least. Hey dudes, if music be the food of love, play on!

Photos taken from individual band websites with permission Ecstatic Sound Collective, Danielle Westbrook.

WHAT:
Olympia Funk Festival

WHEN:
January 31 to February 2, 2025

WHERE:
The Capitol Theater, 206 5th Avenue SE,
Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE,
Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW

COST:
Sold Out.
(Note: Scammers are trying to sell fake tickets. Before buying anything from an independent seller, confirm with Danielle Westbrook, danielle@olyfunkfest.com, 360-280-2533)

LEARN MORE:
https://olyfunkfest.com

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