Funkfest Punta Gorda Brings It Home with Additions to its Lineup
Funkfest Punta Gorda is funking busting at the seams with the additions of power-funk juggernaut Turkauz, New Orleans genre-smashing, funkateers Johnny Sketch And The Dirty Notes, and Florida soulsters Reverend Barry & The Funk. That’s a whole lotta funk that will be joining headliners Here Come The Mummies, Tower of Power, and Blackberry Smoke in downtown Punta Gorda on March 2 and 3.
One of Brooklyn’s finest exports, Turkauz’ nine big personalities include guitarist and vocalist Dave Brandwein, bassist Taylor Shell, guitarist and synth master Craig Brodhead, drummer Michelangelo Carubba, saxophonist Greg Sanderson, vocalist and saxophonist Joshua Schwartz, trumpeter and keyboardist Chris Brouwers, percussionist and vocalist Sammi Garett and vocalist Shira Elias. The band has been crisscrossing the states nearly non-stop since 2012 building a devoted following along the way.
With each band member outfitted in their chosen signature colors and their ability to induce long bouts of booty shaking, Turkuaz is as visually entertaining as they are musically remarkable. Sammi Garett and Shira Elias are riveting in their flamboyant outfits and sky-high platforms. The male members of the band are a sumptuous cake. But Sammi and Shira are the icing that makes the whole ensemble SUWEET.
There isn’t a category to fit Johnny Sketch And The Dirty Notes. As close as it gets may be how David Fricke of Rolling Stone Magazine described them after a performance at Jazz Fest when he called them a “jam band bonhomie and Louisiana stroll spice with klezmer-style violin and funeral parade horns – what you get if Phish had been born at Tipitina’s and studied under George Clinton and Frank Zappa every night on the levee.”
Made up of Johnny Sketch (Marc Paradis) on guitar, electric cello, and lead vocals; Busta Gnutt (Dave Pomerleau) on bass and vocals; Dirty Johnny (Andre Bohren) on drums and vocals; Johnny Rico (Omar Ramirez) on trumpet and flugelhorn; Sage Rouge (Sage Newell) on saxophone: and Josh Paxton on keyboards, the band was scheduled to play The Big Orange Music Festival in Punta Gorda on September 9 around the same time Hurricane Irma hit Southwest Florida and changed those plans. No doubt they will make it worth the wait.
Sarasota’s premier party band The Reverend Barry And The Funk will be bringing their dance grooves back to fans in Punta Gorda. This funk and soul outfit will take over the stage with eight members including Barry Nicholson on bass and lead vocals, Chet Gass on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Yaya Diamond on lead vocals, Jayar Mack on keyboards and vocals, Ray C. Williams on drums, Bob Minor on saxophone, Chris Chiodo on trumpet and Don Parker on trombone.
Also scheduled to appear is Joe Marcinek, who features an ever-changing roster of stellar musicians at every show. Funkfest’s incarnation of The Joe Marcinek Band will include percussionist Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident and keyboardist Steve Molitz of Particle.
Many more diverse acts including Band Of Heathens, Broccoli Samurai, The Soul Rebels and Voodoo Visionary will also be featured across two stages so the music never stops. Check out the full line up and schedule below.
Single-day tickets start at just $30 with weekend packages are available starting at $70. Click on the links below for more information and to purchase tickets.
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