13 Dec FUNK PARADE ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP Beginning 2019, will be produced by The MusicianShip
Photo Courtesy of Ernie Tacsik
WASHINGTON, DC – Starting next year, the Funk Parade will have new leadership and a new home, its founders announced.
In 2019 and going forward, the annual community-based music and arts event, which draws as many as 75,000 attendees annually, will be produced by The MusicianShip DC, a District-based 501(c)3 nonprofit.
“We’re incredibly proud and happy to have worked with artists, organizers, businesses and volunteers from all over the city these past years to create the Funk Parade and secure its place as a pre-eminent music and arts event in the city’s calendar,” said Justin Rood, event Co-founder. “It brings Washingtonians together like no other.”
“We started Funk Parade in large part to elevate, honor and convene the city’s music and arts community under one giant banner,” said Chris Naoum, event Co-founder and director of the music initiative Listen Local First. “We can proudly say Funk Parade is now the greatest one-day extravaganza for musicians and artists in the region. There is no better organization to helm this event than The MusicianShip. Its commitment to fostering and expanding our music community, particularly by reaching out and developing overlooked talents in our city’s at-risk youth, aligns with both Funk Parade’s musical mission and its community mission.”
“We are excited and honored to take the Funk Parade baton and give it a permanent and lasting home with The MusicianShip,” said Jeffery Tribble Jr., the organization’s Executive Director. “The event will allow us to expand our reach and impact in the city, and serve as a multiplier effect for the work we do supporting District youth and musical artists. The community, together with Chris and Justin, have built a truly special thing. We share those values. We look forward to producing this event and helping keep the spirit of funk alive in DC for a long time to come.”
About The MusicianShip DC
The MusicianShip DC was founded by a passionate group of music enthusiasts who view music as a vehicle to change lives. Since its founding, it has garnered the support of internationally recognized musicians, and constantly works to engage people who are willing to serve a dual role as not only music educators, but also as mentors. The MusicianShip seeks to alter the life trajectory of our program participants, thereby creating a more vibrant, educated, empowered, and well-intentioned world. Its after-school and summer programs have reached thousands of DC youth. It has continued to grow its presence in the city with its recent acquisitions of the Washington Youth Choir and the Washington Area Music Awards (The Wammies). For more information, please visit https://themusicianship.org, follow @TheMusicianShip on Twitter, and Like The MusicianShip on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/themusicianship.
About Funk Parade
Funk Parade honors the power of bringing people together and making them feel all right. That power is embodied in the spirit of funk, and the U Street neighborhood. It began with two people who love Washington, DC, live music, and the U Street neighborhood: Justin Rood, a lifelong DC resident, and Chris Naoum, whose initiative Listen Local First works to promote and build a vibrant local music scene in the Washington area. For more information, please visit https://www.funkparade.com, follow @FunkParade on Twitter, or Like the Funk Parade on Facebook at: https://facebook.com/thefunkparade
