On Friday, the 2023 Funk Fest returned to downtown Louisville for the first time in five years, celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
Music festival veterans Benny Anthony and Wilma Anthony from Cincinnati, Ohio finish setting up lawn chairs and accessories for a night of music, while the first act of the night, Big Daddy Kane, takes the stage. I had just gotten up to
“We love outdoor concerts,” said Wilma Anthony. “We go see them all over the country, but my friends keep telling me they have to come to the Funk Fest, so I’m here.”
Benny Anthony, who said the couple had just been to an open-air jazz festival in Panama City, Fla., spread a mat under a lawn chair and noted that it would keep bugs off his feet and would be comfortable to take off. explained. their shoes.
Well, after attending dozens of festivals, this couple knows how to make an outdoor music festival a breeze. Bring an umbrella, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lots of cash or credit cards to attend the Funk Fest.
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The Anthony family attends the first night of the two-day music festival featuring Juvenile, Big Daddy Kane, 8-Ball & MJG, Slick Rick and Doug E. at 129 River Road, Great Lawn at Waterfront Park. were just two of the thousands of music fans who gathered at It culminates in fresh, headliner Jeezy.
Part of a weekend celebrating Black Music Month and Juneteenth in June, Funk Fest is billed as a music festival with a family reunion feel.
“We come from Indianapolis every year for the Funk Fest,” said Ronnie Whitfield. “I love music. It’s a tradition. My wife and I come here every year to just hang out and have fun.”
Funk Fest began as a small festival in Mobile, Alabama in 1994, but has grown into a series of concerts in multiple cities each year. His CEO and founder of Variety Entertainment, Leo Bennett, has produced his series of funkfest tours his concerts in cities across the United States, including Charlotte, North Carolina, Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville.
The festival was created to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of ‘old school music’, but over the years it has grown into a celebration of human expression. Many of these concerts feature classic R&B, funk, vintage hip-hop, blues and even disco.
Gene Washington and Galen Gordon, also from Cincinnati, Ohio, lit up a few cigars and joined the Anthony family of friends for the opening night of the festival.
“We’ve always heard that Funk Fest is a great time and we’re ready for it,” Gordon told The Courier-Journal. “The weather is great, the music line-up is great, and I’m with some great friends.”
Day 2 of the 2023 Funk Fest kicks off at 5pm with an R&B focus. Saturday’s line-up includes Sunshine Anderson, Fantasia, Case, Ginuwine, Kameo and Jagged Edge. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at funkfesttour.com.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams (kadams@courier-journal.com).