Blue Funk

Seven years and counting, the comedy, poetry, music, fashion and good ol'-fashioned party vibe of John Barber's Blue Funk has echoed the motto of reality show Survivor: "Outwit, outplay, outlast." On the local entertainment circuit, parties come and go, usually dropping off the radar without much fanfare. Enter Blue Funk, a place where artists like songbird Jill Scott, soul crooner Musiq, prolific producer James Poyser and comedians Michael Blackson and TuRae were given a launching pad. With the founder of the Funk touring on-and-off with Musiq, the event has been MIA for far too long. Back with a vengeance, Three Keys Music recording artist and former background vocalist for Ms. Erykah Badu, Yahzarah, takes top billin' with her live band. Energetic, funky and downright soulful, the petite powerhouse from Washington, D.C., goes against the formulaic R&B grain, intertwining her six-octave vocal range with the sounds of jazz, gospel and funk. Tickling the funny bone with extreme care are Philly's own TuRae and BET ComicView's Charles Walden. The Feel Real Lounge will feature the Delaware Valley's most provocative spoken wordsters. And, if that's not enough, groove-thang shaking erupts at the hands of DJ Jim Diesel, "The Quiet Giant," and "The Scratchologist" DJ Aktive. It's a high-caliber smorgasbord for the senses.

Blue Funk, Sat., Aug. 30, 9 p.m., $10 (before 11 p.m.), The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut sts., jbarb@mamasboysmusic.com.

—Ainé Ardron-Doley

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