Feature Film Program
We Want the Funk!
The syncopated story of funk music, from its roots to the explosion of ’70s urban funk and beyond.
Wed Jun 11 7:00 PM
The Film
We Want the Funk!
Stanley Nelson & Nicole London | US | 88
Distinctly rooted in joy, funk music reflected a post-Civil Rights Movement sensibility. We Want the Funk! examines the symbiotic relationship between the explosion of funk music out of the Midwest and the political and racial dynamics in 1970s inner-city America.
At the heart of the film are the first-hand stories, recollections, and experiences of the people who created and defined funk: George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic; Fred Wesley of The J.B.'s; Robert 'Kool' Bell from Kool & The Gang; Marcus Miller; Nona Hendryx of Labelle; Kirk Franklin; David Byrne of the Talking Heads; Prince Paul, DJ and Producer for De La Soul; with additional perspectives from Questlove and Thomas DeFrantz. The film also features archival interviews with musical icons, including James Brown, Elton John, and David Bowie.
We Want the Funk! explores how the rhythms and grooves of funk music can put us in a trance, reminding us that it’s a joy to be in the world and dance into a frenzy of freedom. As George Clinton says, “Free your mind and your ass will follow.” A Firelight Films release.
At the heart of the film are the first-hand stories, recollections, and experiences of the people who created and defined funk: George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic; Fred Wesley of The J.B.'s; Robert 'Kool' Bell from Kool & The Gang; Marcus Miller; Nona Hendryx of Labelle; Kirk Franklin; David Byrne of the Talking Heads; Prince Paul, DJ and Producer for De La Soul; with additional perspectives from Questlove and Thomas DeFrantz. The film also features archival interviews with musical icons, including James Brown, Elton John, and David Bowie.
We Want the Funk! explores how the rhythms and grooves of funk music can put us in a trance, reminding us that it’s a joy to be in the world and dance into a frenzy of freedom. As George Clinton says, “Free your mind and your ass will follow.” A Firelight Films release.
Performer
Irene Blackman
No stranger to the stage, Irene Blackman has proven to be a rising star in the entertainment industry. With her late father, Grammy-Award winning musician/songwriter and funk legend Don Blackman, as her mentor, Irene is well on her way to creating a legacy of her own.
Irene has maintained a successful career as a professional singer and songwriter in both lead, background, and session capacities, earning her a gold record, a Grammy nomination, and multiple Billboard chart-topping albums & singles. She has even provided voice-overs for television shows, and commercials including Nickelodeon’s Gullah Gullah Island.
Over the course of her career, Irene has shared the stage and studio with an impressive roster of artists, including Don Blackman, Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Return to Forever, Roy Ayers, Kanye West, PopCaan, Jay-Z, The Rolling Stones, Shaggy, Patrice Rushen, Bruce Sudano, Vybz Kartel, Melba Moore, David Sanborn, Bernard Wright, Taj Farrant, Ken Lewis, NeedToBreathe, Gavin DeGraw, Michal Urbaniak, and many more.
Irene has maintained a successful career as a professional singer and songwriter in both lead, background, and session capacities, earning her a gold record, a Grammy nomination, and multiple Billboard chart-topping albums & singles. She has even provided voice-overs for television shows, and commercials including Nickelodeon’s Gullah Gullah Island.
Over the course of her career, Irene has shared the stage and studio with an impressive roster of artists, including Don Blackman, Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Return to Forever, Roy Ayers, Kanye West, PopCaan, Jay-Z, The Rolling Stones, Shaggy, Patrice Rushen, Bruce Sudano, Vybz Kartel, Melba Moore, David Sanborn, Bernard Wright, Taj Farrant, Ken Lewis, NeedToBreathe, Gavin DeGraw, Michal Urbaniak, and many more.
Event Details
7:00 PM
Seating Opens
7:30 PM
Live Music from Irene Blackman
8:30 PM
Film Begins
Venue
The Louis Armstrong House Museum
34-56 107th St, Queens, NY 11368
The show presented in partnership with
