Award-Winning World Music Group Funkadesi
to Host “25th Anniversary Extravaganza” at Epiphany Center for the Arts
The Friday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. event celebrates the intercultural band’s landmark anniversary with
a special pre-show documentary screening and Q&A, live concert, and after party set by DJ Redlox.
CHICAGO (November 16, 2021) – Epiphany Center for the Arts today announced that Funkadesi, Chicago’s 10-time, award-winning intercultural band, will host its “25th Anniversary Extravaganza” on Friday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the landmark venue’s Epiphany Hall.
The evening will begin with a documentary short produced by filmmaker Sree Nallamothu and Funkadesi, followed by a Q&A with the band and pre-concert set by DJ Warp. Funkadesi’s concert will be infused with special guests, including Mario Smith, who will serve as the evening’s MC, as well as legendary vocalist Maggie Brown, award-winning hip-hop artist PHENOM, Meher Dance Company, Radhika Chimata, and Renee Ruffin. The evening will also feature an after-party set by DJ Redlox and food by Bombay Wraps.
Named “Best World Music Group” by the Chicago Reader and “Most Outstanding Band” by the Chicago Music Awards, Funkadesi blends Indian music – bhangra, Bollywood, Indian folk – with reggae, funk and Afro-Caribbean grooves. The Chicago-based band proudly represents the diverse multi-ethnic communities within the city, with a motto that states: “One family, many children … insisting we all belong.”
“I’m thrilled that we’ve stuck it out this long as an independent Chicago band,” said Rahul Sharma, Funkadesi’s founder and bassist / sitarist. “We’re a family. Quite simply, we love to play music, we love to be together in front of appreciative fans, and we continue to feed off each other’s energy after all these years. We’re beyond excited to hold this grand celebration to commemorate our 25th anniversary at Epiphany Center for the Arts.”
“Epiphany’s mission is about ‘Bringing Chicago Together for the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events,’” said David Chase, co-founder, Epiphany Center for the Arts. “Funkadesi believes in bringing the community together as well, and has been uniting audiences for 25 years through its blend of diverse cultures, inventive sounds, and distinctive rhythms. We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an unforgettable night with one of Chicago’s most unique and joyful bands.”
To purchase tickets for Funkadesi’s “25th Anniversary Extravaganza,” please visit https://epiphanychi.com/events/funkadesi-25th-anniversary-extravaganza.
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About Epiphany Center for the Arts
Conceived with the vision to return Epiphany to a place for people to congregate, the shuttered, historic Church of the Epiphany has been preserved and adapted into the Epiphany Center for the Arts, an iconic cultural hub “For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events.” Thoughtfully designed, the exemplary 42,000-square-foot campus located on the artsy edge of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood boasts three distinct venues (Epiphany Hall, The Sanctuary and The Chase House) and a stunning array of amenities. The campus also features eight galleries that serve as a platform for a diverse selection of artists from Chicago and beyond. Epiphany’s exhibitions showcase the work of women, the LGBTQIA community, artists of color, and the disability culture. Epiphany’s top priority is to curate programming that is inclusive, while providing a place established artists can collaborate with emerging ones.
Epiphany’s programming serves to unite community and artists alike while “Bringing Chicago Together.” Visit www.epiphanychi.com to learn more.
