Junkadelic Workshops
The Junkadelic workshops and performances include the following:
Funk Junkies Performance 30 - 45 minutes
Junk Instrument (Funk shaker) Making workshop 60 minutes
Body Percussion Workshop 30 - 60 minutes
Junk Percussion Workshop 60 - 120 minutes (or a series)
T-shirt/bandanna Printing Workshop 60 minutes
Costume workshop 60-120 minutes (or a series)
Twirling workshop 60-120 minutes (or a series)
Float Decorating Workshop Variable as a series
Roving Performance (with workshop participants) roving 30-60 minutes
Parade Float Performance 60-120 minutes
Anything from a single performance to a whole Festival package of workshops can be tailored to your requirements. Please call our office on 9225 5122 to discuss the options.
Junkadelic Community Workshops
Junkadelic draws on the dominant influence of funk and hip-hop on today's popular music, combining this with the more traditional elements of the New Orleans Mardi Gras (which known as the "birthplace of funk"), as well as the local environmental movement toward recycling and young people expressing themselves in the streets - ie. Students for Sustainability, Peace Movement etc.
The Second Line Percussion Workshop
The New Orleans Second Line percussion (and brass) bands are at the foundation of funk and rock music from North America. The second line of a New Orleans parade is derived from the group of colourful revelers who follow behind and alongside the "official" band and mourners in the ubiquitous New Orleans funeral procession. Beginning with a slow funeral dirge, to the cemetery, once the deceased has been put into the ground - the beat turns up tempo and the parade becomes a celebration of life. The percussion, costume and dancing in the second line is all improvised, however it is also all "within the groove".
Within a Junkadelic workshop the participants are shown what makes up a typical Second Line parade beat - and shown simple "clave" rhythms which they can use as tools to improvise within the Second Line beat. The participants are also shown how to make simple junk percussion instruments and through body percussion, shown what to look for in an ensemble of junk. After a series of jam sessions the participants soon catch on to the groove and are able to jam with the Junkadelic core group - the "Funk Junkies". With further workshop sessions, the participants are taken on a journey through the history of modern funk music, masking, costume and movement - from New Orleans Mardi Gras - to James Brown rhythms - to Hip-Hop beats.
Junkadelic Vocal Workshops
In addition to the percussion base, Junkadelic can provide Vocal and Beatbox workshops. Call and response vocals and soulful singing are at the core of the evolution of Funk Music. The Hip-hop phenomenon - "Beatboxxing" - or vocal percussion - blends singing with percussion and is an essential ingredient to the Junkadelic - Funk Junktion Stage performance (see below). The Junkadelic Vocal Facilitators can take small groups of participants through the Junkadelic set of rhythms and vocal lines and work with the participants to create new vocal breaks and choruses for the final performance.
Junkadelic Costume ("Masking") Workshops
Another major part of the New Orleans Second Line experience is "Masking". Masking can take the form of literally wearing a mask, a costume - or even just a funky attitude! Included in the Junkadelic workshop program are a series of bandanna & T-shirt screen printing and costume workshops for the participants - of course made primarily from recycled "junk" and secondhand materials. By putting on a mask, the participants are encouraged to "move out of their square" and become funk superheros for the Mardi Gras jam. Added to this is the "requirement" for each participant to come up with their own title. Building on the major influence of the Parliament-Funkadelic Funk outfit of the 1970's to modern music - which itself is influenced by the New Orleans Mardi Gras and Beatles psychedelic period - the creation of an alter-super-ego is all a part of the Junkadelic community arts process.
Junkadelic Twirling Workshops
Adding the all important and dynamic visual element to the Junkadelic Performance, the Junkadelic Twirling Facilitators can teach the basics of twirling with either stix or poy (tennis balls on ropes). With a series of workshops the participants can learn our unique choreographed moves to the Junkadelic rhythms.
Junkadelic - Funk Junktion Performance
To bring it all together for a truly awesome performance, the Funk Junktion krewe join the Junkadelic krewe for a stage performance. Incorporating all the Junkadelic creative elements, the final performance is sure to blow your mind. The Funk Junktion Krewe are made up of some of Perth's best young funk musicians with the line up of Olly "O-Funk " Watkins (kit drums), Pippin "P-Funk" Kenworthy (Guitar), Gav "Phat Grooves" Arnold (Bass) and Jimmy "Lips" Murphy (Trumpet). The set is typically 60 minutes, however can be tailored longer or shorter to suit any requirements.
Funk Junktion arrangements are based on the Junkadelic rhythms and beats - such that the participants in Junkadelic workshops can perform with the band. This creates a wild funky performance and vibe reminiscent of Old Skool bands such as Parliament/Funkadelic.
Festival Float
In February 2003, Junkadelic debuted their Festival Parade Float. This 5m x 2m x 4m mobile funk stage can be decorated to any theme for major festivals.
Festival Poster Design
For large Festivals with a long lead up time, Junkadelic can offer workshops in cartooning and poster design. Our experienced cartoonist and stencil artists can conduct a series of workshops where the festival participants can create their own funky poster for the upcoming event.
