FUNKY EVENTS

RECOMMENDED SERIES: The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc presents Sistah Soul Series at the A-Loft Hotel in Downtown Center City, Philadelphia.

Sistah Soul Series is a monthly quaint live acoustic musical installment set to take place on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6PM – 8PM from September through December 2019 at Aloft Philadelphia Downtown at the WXYZ Lounge. Hosted by Creative Cultural Producer/International Vocal Performer, Shekhinah B. representing The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc. Admission is FREE with RSVP registration at: sistahs-soul-series.eventbrite.com

Expected Music Style(s): R&B, Jazz, Soul, Blues, World, and Funk-Fusion.

The event is open to the public targeting music enthusiasts, local performers, musicians, and the after-work cocktail hour professional crowd in the downtown area.

Drink Specials | Food | Networking | Acoustic Live Entertainment

On-Street Metered Parking, accessible via public transportation and wheelchair accessible.

Guest Vocalists to be featured each month of the series!

Follow Shekhinah B. and the WCE, Inc organization’s activities in 2019-2020 at: https://thewce.org

Thursday Feb 20th – Thursday Feb 27th, 2020

*PHILLY RADIO MIX SESSIONS SINCE 2013* Funky People Radio® LIVE is a weekly radio show airing on Philadelphia USA FM radio and our own FP web radio station. Since 2013, resident host Tee Alford & guest mixers feature an uptempo continuous dance music mix of Soul & Deep House. Listen from anywhere using any device on Thursdays, 8-10pm ET using the FunkyPeopleRadio.net player & on Saturdays, 12midnite-2am using the WURD radio player to catch the broadcasts!

Hear and download a FREE copy of any previously archived Funky People Radio® LIVE shows dating back to January 2013, by searching/downloading the files by air date & set year on our TUNE In podcast page, http://tun.in/pjbCg or via iTunes-Apple Podcast page, http://q-r.to/babCPY. (Listen-player links can also be found under the FP home page music section) #soul #funk #disco #rhythmandblues #deephouse #housemusic #soulfulhouse #afrohouse #soulclassics #clubparty #danceparty #edm #funkypeopleradio #philadelphia #philly #onWURD #tuneIN #applepodcasts #iTunes

The latest weekly podcast will be posted online Friday mornings before 12 noon. Thanks for grooving to our sound!

RECOMMENDED: Don’t miss this evening of R&B & Funky Soul with Grammy winning artist, Chaka Khan + jazz newcomer Emmaline. One show, 8pm at Newark, NJ’s Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, November 14, 2019. 

The reigning Queen of funk, soul, and R&B—and ten-time GRAMMY® winner—Chaka Khan returns to NJPAC for what’s sure to be a classic concert, featuring such iconic hits as “I Feel for You,” “Through the Fire,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nobody” and others.

Opening the performance is up-and-coming jazz vocalist Emmaline. Critics have praised the singer/songwriter’s ethereal vocals and lyrics combined with elements of vintage jazz harmonies and modern neo-soul grooves to create a soulful vibe.

A dance party in the lobby immediately follows the performance, free to all ticketholders. Get tickets at: https://ticketmaster.com

*ALL NEW RESIDENCY* The VIBE MODE radio show with Tee Alford officially launches on November 9th 2019. Join us EVERY SATURDAY (2-3pm ET / 8-9pm Spanish local time-CEST) for a trek thru eclectic sonics, rare grooves and classic chillout music. There will always be something different will be on the console playlists. Check the vibes at 92.4 FM Ibiza, Spain radio or listen from any phone/computer via the web at PlaySol Ibiza Radio.fm.

Follow the playback online and bookmark your favorite Vibe Mode podcasts after each new broadcast via mixcloud.com. (Listen-player links can also be found on this site under the FP homepage music section) #chillout #funk #disco #boogie #afrobeat #jazz #neosoul #latin #deepsoul #deephouse #downtempo

Thanks for listening and enjoying our curation of cool balearic vibrations from Ibiza! Be sure to join our FP newsletter to get the forthcoming travel group announcements & Summer in Spain 2020 vacation details.

KEM (born Kim Owens), is a Nashville-born, Detroit-based singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, overcame homelessness and addiction to become one of the most popular adult contemporary R&B artists of the 2000s and early 2010s. Known for his warm, mellow, and positive sound, the Grammy-nominated artist carried on the tradition of the quiet storm radio format — exemplified by the likes of Smokey Robinson, the Isley Brothers, and Anita Baker — with a steady supply of romantic and introspective ballads.

Kem funded the recording of his self-released debut, Kemistry, by working as a waiter and as a singer in a wedding band. After he sold 10,000 copies, the disc was picked up by Motown for nationwide release in February 2003. The album eventually reached the Top 20 of the Top Hip-Hop/R&B Albums chart. Its follow-up, Album II, came out in May 2005. Like its predecessor, it reached gold status; it sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S. For a few years, Kem was less active as a recording artist, though he did appear on the fourth volume in Guru‘s Jazzmatazz series.

Kem‘s third album for Motown, titled Intimacy, was issued in August 2010, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, and went gold as well; the single “Why Would You Say” was nominated for Grammy awards in the categories of Best R&B Male Performance and Best R&B Song. A holiday album, What Christmas Means, came in 2012. The following year, Ronald Isley‘s This Song Is for You was released, highlighted by “My Favorite Thing,” a song Kem wrote and produced. Promise to Love, his fourth proper album of reliably smooth, gently uplifting material, arrived in August 2014.

Show Date: Saturday November 16, 2019, 8pm

Location: The Theatre at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Drive, Oxon Hill, MD 20002

For VIP & General admission tickets, go to this link: https://www.ticketmaster.com

Streaming weekly WEDNESDAYS at 1pm ET on FP Radio.net, VibeMistress Stephanie Renee hosts a sermon of soul, r&b, hip-hop, jazz & spoken word selections. Since 2007, weekly SSR podcasts have aired on this web radio station every Wednesday at 1pm ET (with replays on Thurs 8am, Sats at 12noon). Follow Stef and all the activities of her non-profit arts & media culture foundation, Soul Sanctuary, Inc., via their Facebook group at Soul Sanctuary Radio Congregation.

The New Music Equals Life Show has arrived on Funky People Radio.net for 2019! Join resident mixer, Cash Ellis aka Big Dinero, for an hour-long music journey to move your Mind, Body, and Soul with Funk, Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop and House Dance music blends!

The Music=Life podcast is the latest feature addition to the FP web radio schedule and broadcasts new shows every other Monday evening at 8pm ET (with weekly encores on Wednesday at 10am, Saturdays at 6pm ET). See you in the Funk Lounge – let’s vibe!

Follow Cash & the Music=Life shows via social media at: Mixcloud: https://Mixcloud.com/cmoney2 or on Facebook at: DJ Big Dinero’s Beat Page Group!

Better known as MOS DEF, Yasiin Bey, is considered one of the most versatile artists of his time, becoming an international sensation in theater, film, television, and the music industry. On Wednesday November 27th in Washington, DC, celebrate the 20th anniversary tour of his iconic album, Black on Both Sides! Don’t miss this Live performance of the album in it’s entirety!

Yasiin began his professional music career as Mos Def in 1994. Since that time, he has worked both as a solo artist and in collaboration with others. Most famously, he and Talib Kweli joined to form the group Black Star –he has also worked with Kanye West, Stephen Marley, The Roots, and The Black Keys, among others. His work has spanned genres of Rap, Blues, Hip-Hop, and Rock. He has released four studio albums and three compilation albums, as well as one album as part of Black Star. He has received six Grammy nominations, including Best Rap Album in 2010 for his newest release, The Ecstatic, which debuted at number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. He has performed in Switzerland, France, and South Africa, among other locations.

In theatre, Yasiin has appeared on the Lincoln Center Theater stage in A Free Man of Color, as well as at The Public Theater in F*cking A, delivering an “utterly captivating” performance, for which he received an Obie Award. In 2002, he appeared as Booth in Topdog/Underdog on Broadway, a performance which garnered him a Tony nomination.

He has appeared in the films Monster’s Ball with Halle Berry, The Italian Job with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron, 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Be Kind Rewind with Jack Black and directed by Ben Stiller, and Cadillac Records with Adrien Brody, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for both an Image Award and a Black Reel Award for his performance as Chuck Berry.

On television, he has made several appearances on Chappelle’s Show and delivered an “Emmy-worthy” performance in a guest-starring role on House. He received both a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for his performance as Vivien Thomas in Something the Lord Made, starring opposite Alan Rickman. He was the host and executive producer of HBO’s Def Poetry, in which he also presented original work. He was most recently seen in the sixth season of Showtime’s hit show, Dexter.

Beyond performance, Yasiin has designed two pairs of limited edition Converse shoes and has created a clothing line with UNDRCRWN called “Mos Cut & Sew Collection.”

Show Date: Wednesday November 27, 2019, 9pm

Location: The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

For VIP & General admission tickets, go to this link: https://www.ticketmaster.com

ANITA BAKER is an American singer and songwriter who is well-known for her soulful R&B ballads. Since starting her career in the 1970s as a member of the funk band Chapter 8, Anita Baker has proven that she can hold her own musically. After releasing her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983, Anita went on to release six additional albums, including the three times platinum-certified Giving You the Best that I Got in 1988 and the gold-certified My Everything in 2004. With a deep contralto that’s easily recognized, Anita Baker is one of the music industry’s R&B gems.

Although born in Toledo, OH, Anita Baker was raised in Detroit, Michigan. By the time she was 16 years old, Anita knew that she was destined to sing and began performing at small nightclubs around the Detroit area. She joined the Funk Band Chapter 8 in the year 1975, and four years later the group signed a recording deal with Ariola Records. After being dropped from the label, she started a solo career. Under the Beverly Glen label, Anita released her first album in 1983 entitled The Songstress, which produced two top two singles, “You’re the Best Thing Yet” and “Angel.” She had her first headlining tour to promote her second album Rapture. While sales were slow at first, the album went on to sell 8 million copies. Her following album, Giving You the Best that I Got, produced her highest charting single. The title track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. After taking a break from music, Anita returned with an appearance on Frank Sinatra’s Duets album in 1993 and released her fourth studio album Rhythm of Love in 1994, followed by a compilation record entitled The Best of Anita Baker in 2002 and My Everything, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts. After an illustrious career including eight Grammys and four American Music Awards, Anita Baker announced that she was retiring in 2017. In 2018, she announced she was returning to perform a farewell tour. While originally planned for only 50 dates, Anita announced that she would be extending her Farewell tour with a residency at the Venetian in Las Vegas as well as performances at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals.

Show Dates: 3 shows – Friday Nov 29, Saturday Nov 30 & Monday Dec 2. 2019, 8pm

Location: The Theatre at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Drive, Oxon Hill, MD 20002

For VIP & General admission tickets, go to this link: https://www.ticketmaster.com

KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL is a Grammy-nominated adult contemporary R&B duo from Philadelphia consisting of husband and wife Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. Big hit singles eluded them, but they developed a strong following that appreciated their unwavering dedication to releasing relatable and mature R&B. Throughout their career, Dantzler and Graydon co-wrote most of their songs, which were rooted in traditional soul and gospel. They incorporated nuanced contemporary sounds with help from co-producers such as Anthony Bell, Adam Blackstone, Vidal Davis, Andre Harris, Steve McKie, and James Poyser.

Dantzler and Graydon began as solo performers. Dantzler was born in Philadelphia and got his start in the music business writing songs for Pebbles and Bell Biv DeVoe. Graydon, from Washington, D.C., had a solo deal at the age of 15. The two united and began writing songs, but then married and started a family, which necessitated the steady income of work outside the music business. After a time as an appliance salesman, however, Dantzler went back to trying to make it on the local scene. He and Graydon began performing at the Black Lily club, where they caught the attention of Jill Scott, who took them to her label, Hidden Beach Recordings.

They spent the next two years working on the debut Kindred the Family Soul album, Surrender to Love, which was released in 2003. It featured an impressive cast of collaborators, including Scott, string arranger Larry Gold, Bilal, King Britt, and the then-upcoming Jazmine Sullivan. It was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B/Soul Album. Kindred released two additional albums for Hidden Beach. In This Life Together, inspired by Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis‘ memoir of the same title, arrived in 2005. The Arrival, released three years later, was their highest-charting title to that point, reaching number 67 on the Billboard 200 and number seven on the R&B Albums chart. For their fourth album, Dantzler and Graydon moved to Shanachie, where they released 2011’s Love Has No Recession, with guests ranging from go-go pioneer Chuck Brown to relative newcomer BJ the Chicago Kid. Another Shanachie release, A Couple Friends, followed in 2014. Kindred‘s sixth full-length, Legacy of Love, arrived in 2016 and climbed into the Top 15 of the Billboard R&B chart.

Show Date: Friday November 30, 2019, 7pm

Location: Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

For VIP & General admission tickets, go to this link: https://www.ticketmaster.com

WE DANCE AGAIN in DC:  Dancers, music lovers & friends kick off the holiday week & end of year with a Funky People party at DC’s Eighteenth Street Lounge. DJ Tee Alford joins the legendary Sam Burns on winter soulstice weekend for a special guest deejay set in the Gold Room! Come out & enjoy soulful dance sounds starting at 10pm. Admission is FREE.

WINTER SOULSTICE WEEKEND | Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 | 9pm – 2am

1212 18th Street  NW, Washington, DC 20036

FREE all nite | 21+ ID Req’d | Casual Chic Attire – Ready to dance

YEAR-END HOLIDAY SHOW: Musiq Soulchild is a hip-hop soul artist that was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MC’s, free styling on the open mic circuit or just performing acappella for strangers on the streets.

Deeply inspired by the R&B/Soul sound of the 70’s he uses the name “Soulchild” as a way to show respect and admiration to his biggest musical influences such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and many others. In April 2016 he released his 7th studio album entitled “Life On Earth” leading with the new hit single “I Do”. The album peaked at #2 on Billboard R&B album charts and # 3 on the Top Hip-Hop R&B album charts. He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train. He has also earned award nominations from MTV, the American Music Awards, the NAACP and 12 Grammy nominations.

Show Date: Friday December 27, 2019, 7pm & 10pm shows

Location: City Winery Washington DC, 1350 Okie Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

For VIP & General admission tickets, go to this link: https://citywinery.com/washingtondc/

International singer and songwriter, LADY ALMA, is bringing her soaring, searing vocals back to eager audiences who desire her incomparable funk-house-soul stylings. From her dynamic live shows that left critics and fans alike breathless across the globe for two decades, to the recent revival of her hit single produced by The Rainmakers entitled “Let It Fall”, LADY ALMA continues to be a widely praised source of true sonic satisfaction since her introduction.

Born in San Diego, and raised in Philadelphia, LADY ALMA began her entry into the house music scene recording club anthems helmed by the likes of super-producers Yukihiro Fukutomi, Masters at Work, Fanatix, 4Hero, and fellow Philly mainstay King Britt, where she was featured on his legendary album When the Funk Hits the Fan. She has worked with Mark de Clive-Lowe – fan favorite songs include “Keep It Movin’”, “Believe”, “Hold Your Head Up” and their infectious 2010 cover of Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It”. In 2014, she released her single “It’s House Music”, produced by Osunlade, on Yoruba Records, which is still considered a fan-favorite world-wide. In 2017, her single “Peace You’ll Find” was released on Reelsoul Musik, produced by Will “Reelsoul” Rodriguez.

With the resurgence of “Let It Fall”, which went viral via Facebook with over 20 million views (video of a fan seen dancing and lip-syncing to the song in Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa), and thanks to another video of legendary choreographer Toni Basil, dancing to “It’s House Music”, that went viral with over 5 million views on Twitter, and was also seen on Inside Edition; it is clear – LADY ALMA is in-demand! Her single “Glory & Honor” (produced by Darryl James) was released in March 2018, and quickly followed by “A Time And A Place” with producer/DJ Ralf GUM, which was released in June 2018 on GOGO Music. Also in 2018, LADY ALMA was recognized by Traxsource as “Best of 2018” including: “2 Top 10s”, “16 Top 100 spins” and “60 features in DJ Top 10 Charts” to name a few.

Currently, LADY ALMA has released her highly anticipated anthology album entitled Twilight (June 28, 2019), with longtime collaborator Mark de Clive-Lowe, via Mashibeats. The album is now available on all streaming platforms. Following the release of her current project, LADY ALMA can be heard on the hottest tracks this year, including: Low Steppa’s “Make You Move”, which reached #1 on Traxsource; Dego’s (2000Black) third album “Too Much”, on song entitled: “Just Leave It”; Valvin V. Roane’s “Just Call”; and the revered and anthemic “Let It Fall” has a new remix with legend DJ Spinna (“Let It Fall” Galactic Soul Remix), available on Moulton Music fall 2019.

Whether you’re in Toronto, Japan, Berlin, London, Paris, Johannesburg, or major cities across the US, LADY ALMA’s music is revered by many fans and DJs alike. As quoted by legendary dj/producer DJ Jazzy Jeff, “Oh my God…if you’re looking for some true soulful emotion, movin’ vocals…here you go…she makes me wanna throw my hands in the air & party the nite away… that’s Philly soul for ya!”. Follow Lady Alma on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/TheLadyAlma/

Get tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lady-alma-tickets-79722832137

RECOMMENDED: Feel the love! Jazz vocalist Gregory Porter swings with the earthy warmth of Nat King Cole, the soulful spirit of Stevie Wonder and the poet’s truth of Bill Withers. Back at NJPAC after a remarkable 2018 performance, the GRAMMY® Award-winning “singer in the Kangol hat” is joined by R&B sensation Ledisi. You might remember Ledisi from her portrayal of American music icon Mahalia Jackson in the film Selma… or from her 2017 appearance right here on the NJPAC stage.

Showtime is 7pm at Newark, NJ’s Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, February 16, 2020. 

Get tickets for the NJPAC show at: https://ticketmaster.com

GREGORY PORTER & LEDISI – 2020 TOUR DATES:

February 6 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA

February 15 – Circus Maximus Theater – Atlantic City, NJ

February 16 – Prudential Hall – Newark, NJ

February 20 – Cobb Energy Center – Atlanta, GA

February 21 – Mahaffey Theater – St. Petersburg, FL

February 22 – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Orlando, FL

March 24 – Revention Music Center – Houston, TX

March 25 – The Theatre at Grand Prairie – Grand Prairie, TX

March 27 – Chicago Theater – Chicago, IL

March 28 – Fox Theatre – Detroit, MI

MARK THE DATE for PSP 2020 ! We’ll be kicking off our 6th annual outdoor season on Sunday June 28th with a gathering for all the Pleasure Seekers & Funky People. Reunite with family & friends for a day of sun, fun & recreational activities. Lounge. Commune. Socialize. Enjoy positive vibrations for soulful music lovers. You can play, dance & eat a bit, too. 🙂

Bring your own coolers, grills, picnic snacks & preferred beverages. Don’t forget to bring Blankets, Tents, Chairs & Sports Games of your preference. Kids Are Welcome. FREE for ALL.

#PhillySOULPICNIC
a 2020 Summer House Reunion
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Sonic features by:  TEE ALFORD & FRIENDS

WE RECOMMEND THIS EVENT: Don’t miss the 30^th year of the celebration of House Music in its birthplace”, The Chosen Few Music Festival is returning to Chicago on July 4, 2020. We’ll post the weekender info & travel booking details here as soon as they become available.

Started in 1990 as a small gathering of friends behind the Museum of Science & Industry, the Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival is the world’s longest-running event dedicated to House Music, attracting more than 40,000 fans each year. Nicknamed the “Woodstock of House Music” for its family-reunion vibe, the Picnic features 12 hours of music from the Chosen Few DJs – Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn, plus guest DJs and vocalists.

Bookmark the official website for updates, lineup announcements, ticket sales at: http://CHOSENFEWDJS.COM/

The Funky People travel group is heading back to our favorite locales in Southern Europe next Summer. Lots of culture, history, art, wine and music are on the agenda. Stay tuned for details on where we’re going (Spain and ?) and how to join us in August 2020!