Funk has always stood out to me as the musicthat sounds most like a place I want to go to. I like to

Funk has always stood out to me as the musicthat sounds most like a place I want to go to. I like to think of it as the block party of music: funk sounds like a bunch of people hanging around outside, all of them in a fantastic mood, dressed fabulously, ready to dance and shimmy and connect with one another while clapping and shouting lyrics in raucous unity, perhaps while enjoying finger foods. Alissia and theFunketeers carry on this tradition of distilling the essence of fun down tofive minute jams that everyone’s invited to. Fronted by the Swiss bassist andcomposer Alissia Benveniste, and featuring a cast of horn players, a rhythmsection, and ample numbers of harmonizing voices, the Funketeers will be apowerful kickoff to this month’s First Saturday. The theme is WomenChangemakers, and Benveniste certainly fits that description. Also taking the stage will be theDJ Duo JSMN and MeLo-X, spinning a mix of reggae,dancehall, hip-hop, house, and electronic music. Y’all, their mixes are so good. Synthywaves lapping on the shores of a bass-laden beach; snippets of basically everysong you have ever loved drifting in and out of the track, as though strainingfrom the open windows of cars passing by. Thank you, DJ JSMN and DJ MeLo-X forputting me under a hot pink sunset. It’s no wonder their tracks have the powerto transport: DJ JSMN, formerly known as Jasmine Solano, travels the world withher various projects, including as host of MTV’s “Scratch the Surface,”a series that brings to light the best global spots for music lovers. MeLo-X is not only a DJ, but also a visual artistand all-around boss whose most recent photography series was shot in EquatorialGuinea. They are truly an inspiring team and I can’t wait tobe in the presence of their vibrant energy. Myresearch has found that it’s impossible not to dance to the sounds these twocreate—don’t say I didn’t warn you.Catch these acts andmore at #TargetFirstSaturday—we’re open til 11, and it’s free, and you’regoing to love it! Posted by Sam Kelly Photo: DJ Duo JSMN and MeLo-X by Derek Anthony Welte -- source link

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