Shadowbox Live to Get Groovy with FRONT STREET FUNK

Funky (noun): to be rhythmic, jazzy, groovy, unconventionally hip and stylish, or to attend Shadowbox Live's much anticipated all music show, Front Street Funk, opening April 21st at 503 S. Front Street!

Audiences won't be able to sit still when Shadowbox Live struts its soulful side with Front Street Funk, a musical tribute show to the irresistible music genre that makes everyone wants to dance! And you can! The Brewery District will be rocking on stage and off when a portion of the theater will be converted a dance floor so audiences can "Shake that Rump to the Funk!"

In addition to over 25 Funk tunes spanning from the 1960's to today, Front Street Funk will take audiences through an historical retrospective of this jivin' and tradition rich genre of music through video and spoken word.

"The idea is not to simply tell the story of Funk, but to celebrate it," says Jimmy Mak, Head Writer for Shadowbox Live. "There were just a multitude of values brought together in the groove of the Funk."

To help discover Funk's history, Mak relied heavily on an elaborate and well-researched piece of non-fiction, Funk by Rickey Vincent, and even contacted the author, who graciously agreed to allow Shadowbox Live to reproduce pieces of his publication.

"When you look at the evolution of Funk, it's really quite mind-blowing," says Mak. "Here is this unique style of music that was breaking gender and race barriers all while bringing unity and a voice to the African American community during years of massive unrest and disillusionment. Funk was the ultimate force of positivity the culture could cling to."

With such a rich history and countless well known songs to choose from, Shadowbox Live brought in another consultant, Jack Marchbanks, to help choose which songs would be included in Front Street Funk. Marchbanks is a nationally recognized writer and producer of public radio features about the evolution of Funk in Ohio and on the legendary Funk band The Ohio Players.

"Apparently, many key groups, songs, and instrumentalists of the Funk genre were homegrown right here in Ohio," says Stacie Boord, Shadowbox Live's Director of Community Relations, "and Jack Marchbanks seems to know about them all!"

In addition, Shadowbox Live is proud to announce the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame has signed on as a Community Partner for this unique production, and will assist by providing imagery and content on the bands honored in Front Street Funk!

"We honestly couldn't be more excited," says Boord. "And we're not finished with the surprises for this show. Stay tuned for announcements about a few special guests from the original funk groups taking the stage with the Shadowbox Live metaperformers at select performances!"

Come celebrate its history and feel the force of this infectious, driving music in Shadowbox Live's Front Street Funk!

Shadowbox Live presents Front Street Funk, opening on Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 PM, and running most Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30, and Sundays at 7:00 PM through August 11. Tickets are $25 / $20 for students, seniors and military. For more information and reservations, call the Shadowbox Live Box Office at 614-416-7625 or go online at www.shadowboxlive.org.

Front Street Funk is presented by PNC Bank, in partnership with Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Shadowbox Live, a non-profit 501C3 performance ensemble, is the largest resident theater company in America, producing over 500 shows per year.

For over 20 years Shadowbox Live has produced world-class performances, spanning the artistic spectrum with sketch comedy, rock 'n 'roll, original rock operas, traditional musicals, drama, dance theater and new media; always putting emphasis on the unparalleled live experience.

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