FunkFest Beach Party

State Farm FunkFest and

Africana Virginia Beach

Return to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront

August 28-30, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virginia Beach, Virginia – State Farm FunkFest is the heart and soul of this weekend event, featuring music, great food, and arts and crafts on the beach, boardwalk, and park at 24^th Street.

The State Farm FunkFest will feature free concerts ON THE BEACH at 24^th Street on Friday and Saturday. Larry Graham, Jr. is an American baritone singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as both the bass guitar player in the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone, and as the founder and front man of Graham Central Station. He is credited with the invention of the slapping technique, which radically expanded the tonal palette of the bass, although he himself refers to the technique as "Thumpin' and Pluckin'." Larry has also performed at international venues both as a solo performer as well as with Graham Central Station and Prince, and enjoyed a very successful world tour in 2010. Larry and GCS shared the joy of funk with their 2011 “Funk around The World” Tour. Larry is currently working on his newest CD that will be released soon. Larry Graham & Graham Central Station will perform on the 24^th Street beach stage on Saturday, August 29, from 9:30pm-10:45pm.

Other State Farm FunkFest artists performing at free concerts on the 24^th Street beach stage include Con Funk Shun, Zapp Band, and Joselyn Best.

Africana Virginia Beach will feature live music and cultural performances at the 24^th Street Park. Caribbean Steel, Rick Elliot, Butcher Brown Band, Fuzz Band, Elements Band, Good Life, Earl Carter, and the Myra Smith Experience will all be featured at the 24^th Street Park, along with cultural presentations.

For more information on State Farm FunkFest, visit www.BeachStreetUSA.com or call 757-491-SUNN.

State Farm FunkFest Entertainment Schedule:

24^th Street Beach Stage

Friday, August 28

6:00pm-7:30pm, DJ Heart Attack

8:00pm-9:00pm, Con Funk Shun

9:30pm-10:45pm, Zapp Band

Saturday, August 29

6:00pm-7:30pm, DJ Heart Attack

8:00pm-9:00pm, Joselyn Best

9:30pm-10:45pm, Larry Graham & Graham Central Station

Africana Virginia Beach Entertainment Schedule:

24^th Street Park

Friday, August 28

2:00pm-8:00pm

Caribbean Steel, Rick Elliot, Butcher Brown Band, and Fuzz Band

Saturday, August 29

12:30pm-8:00pm

Cultural activities, Elements Band, and Good Life Band

Sunday, August 30

1:00pm-10:00pm

Gospel picnic, cultural activities, Earl Carter, and Myra Smith Experience

State Farm FunkFest and Africana Virginia Beach are sponsored by State Farm, MetroPCS, Papa John’s, FNV, Pepsi, BathFitter, Dough Boy’s California Pizza, WHOV, Optima Health, Southern Auto Group, WVKL, New Journal & Guide, the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, the City of Virginia Beach, and Virginia tourism.