It’s alright to get funky before 10/10

October 7th, 2011 | By Elise Gallant gallante@grinnell.edu | Section: Arts

Grinnell Concerts will offer up something fresh and funky for 10/10 this year. Dam-Funk with Master Blazter will come to Grinnell this Saturday, Oct. 8, along with Kids These Days—two bands to augment your party.

Dam-Funk is signed to Stones Throw Records, which has provided him with the title of “Ambassador of Boogie Funk.” His duties representing the citizens of Funkmosphere involve serving up heavy doses of soulful keytar and unconventional beats.

Dam-Funk’s current tour with Master Blazter is sweeping the nation with their sweet grooves. Although similar performers might rely on a DJ to back them up, Dam Funk and Master Blazter provide authentic live funk.

“Together they will bring Dam Funk’s music to life,” Concerts Chair Pooj Padmaraj ’13 said. “Dam-Funk is a revolutionary artist who is modernizing funk for today’s audience”.

Because Dam-Funk has been making waves in the festival scene, his performance in Grinnell will be a unique experience to enjoy his music in the intimate setting of Gardner Lounge.

“To pass up on this opportunity would be a huge mistake as he usually plays at massive festivals and makes thousands groove to his neo-funk tunes,” Padmaraj said.

But Dam-Funk is not the only performer to be sure to see this 10/10 (really 10/08). Kids These Days formed just two years ago—in 2009—but played to a packed Lollapalooza audience this July in Chicago. Like Dam-Funk, KTD is innovative and unexpected, masterfully blending jazz, hip-hop and rock ‘n roll.

Comprised of eight Chicago musicians, Kids These Days (KTD) will grace Gardner’s stage with a whole slew of instruments, including live brass.

“Kids These Days are a hot band that plays soulful hip-hop with a distinct Chicago jazz influence” Padmaraj said. “They complement Dam-Funk really well because both bands are blurring the lines between genres”.

KTD made its mark on the music scene with avant-garde compositions and energetic live performances—sure to compliment one of Grinnell’s craziest evenings.

Although concerts are an untraditional addition to the 10/10 festivities, Dam-Funk with Master Blazter and Kids These Days will be sure to start (or continue) your night off right. Come by Gardner at 9 p.m. to groove with some authentic and original funk.