Join WXXI for a special FREE screening of We Want the Funk, a film by directed by Stanley Nelson, followed by a panel discussion.
Watch the Trailer:
About the Film:
We Want the Funk is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Featuring James Brown’s dynamism, the extraterrestrial funk of George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, transformed girl group Labelle, and Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat, the story also traces funk’s influences on both new wave and hip-hop.
Indie Lens Pop-Up presents this free screening:
On Monday, March 31 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
At The Little Theatre, Theatre 1
240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Moderator: Doug Curry: Host of Blacks & Blues with Doug Curry on WRUR 88.5 The Route. Doug is a native New Yorker, born in Harlem, and raised in the Bronx. He is a 1974 graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He is a poet and writer, radio host, and, since 2016, an actor. Since 1982 Doug has been the voice and radio host of ‘Blacks & Blues,’ heard Friday nights from on The Route (WRUR-FM 88.5 and WITH-FM 90.1) from 9pm to Midnight as well as online, and other terrestrial radio in Western and Central New York, and in international blues capitol, Chicago, Illinois. Since 2016, Doug has voiced film and audio books, and appeared in a variety of dramatic roles onstage and remotely for such theater entities as Blackfriars Theater and its Hourglass Reading Service, the Bronze Collective, the Off-Monroe Players, the Penfield Players, and Rochester Institute of Technology’s NTID, as well as a for variety of creative directors and producers. Doug is currently a board member for Rochester group, Just Poets, as well as its Vice President. Outside of the creative world, Doug Curry has been an automotive sales professional since 1987.
Panelists
Scott Wallace, Host of Rejuvenation with Scott Wallace Fridays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on The Route, WRUR 88.5 FM Scott Wallace shares his vast personal collection of R&B, Soul and Funk every Friday night. This love of music started for Scott when he was just a toddler. Scott’s Grandfather was a pianist and his Grandmother’s employer also owned a record store in Elmira, NY. They would allow Scott and his cousin to listen to records for hours at a time, without making any purchases. Over the next two decades Scott grew an intense love of music. All he wanted as gifts for his birthdays and holidays were records. Scott’s radio career began in 1982 as a fill-in DJ on WRUR. In February of 1983, an opportunity opened to take over an Oldie’s show. Scott changed the name to Rejuvenation and the last 42 years is history. Rejuvenation provides an introduction to a significant American musical genre and Scott takes listeners on the journey every week.
James “Jimmie” E. Highsmith Jr. is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and a native of Rochester, NY. With a career spanning over 25 years, he is renowned for his work in the smooth jazz genre and has shared the stage with notable artists such as Najee, Alicia Keys, and Wynton Marsalis. His discography includes 11 top-selling smooth jazz albums, including the Grammy-nominated “The Anthology of Sound.”James “Jimmie” E. Highsmith Jr. is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and a native of Rochester, NY. With a career spanning over 25 years, he is renowned for his work in the smooth jazz genre and has shared the stage with notable artists such as Najee, Alicia Keys, and Wynton Marsalis. His discography includes 11 top-selling smooth jazz albums, including the Grammy-nominated “The Anthology of Sound.”
Tricia Gonzalez is a vibrant force in the Rochester community, seamlessly blending her passion for music and social justice. As a dynamic two-tone ska singer, Tricia’s music pulses with the same rhythmic energy and rebellious spirit that defined the funk era. Beyond the stage, she’s a dedicated advocate for antiracism and local civil rights, bringing her unwavering commitment to equity into every aspect of her life. For 20 years, Tricia has been a dedicated educator within the Rochester City School District, specializing in literacy, the science of reading, and project-based learning. She expertly embeds these areas into any curriculum she develops. She actively brings in and supports educational projects, such as VSW’s CHAPBOOKS and CCSI’s “Our Local History” units, and supports projects like Junior Achievement’s BizTown, empowering both students and fellow teachers. Tricia’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom; she served on the Blue Ribbon Commission for Graduation Measures and is the newsletter editor for AMTNYS. Tricia’s unique perspective, informed by her musical background, dedication to community empowerment, and extensive teaching experience, makes her a compelling voice in discussions about the cultural impact of music and its role in shaping social change.