What's Happening in Chanhassen, MN…

An upcoming performance in Chanhassen will bring funk musicians to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

Pure Funk is a celebration of the sounds that have come to define the genre of funk music. Michael Bland is the music director of the performance, which pays homage to artists like Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder, the Average White Band, James Brown, Sly Stone, the Ohio Players, and many others who have come to embody the genre.

The musicians appearing as part of Pure Funk were handpicked by Bland and have played in other outfits, making them an experienced group of artists. Bland himself, who is the group’s drummer, has worked with Sounds of Blackness, Soul Asylum, and New Power Generation, which was Prince’s backing band from 1990 to 2013.

Other Pure Funk performers are keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, who was also with New Power Generation as well as the band Greazy Meal, along with trumpeter Riley Helgenson, John Bertsch on saxophone, and trombonist Scott Agster.

Other members are bassist Ron Long, who played with Urban Classic, guitarist Homer O’Dell of Mint Condition, vocalist Ashley Commodore from Stokley, vocalist G Sharp, who worked with Mazarati, and vocalist Jay Bee, who worked with The Routine, and Westside.

The concert promises an evening of groove, rhythm, and passion that only funk can deliver. Pure Funk will appear at the Fireside Theatre at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres on August 13. Shows like this benefit when organizers use poster printing to create colorful advertisements.