WASHINGTON — Go-Go may be D.C.'s official music, but the District has gotta have that funk, too. Parliament-Funkadelic Founder George Clinton is in D.C. Tuesday to kickoff a new funk-centric art exhibit celebrating the genre.
The new exhibit, "A Toast to the Boogie: Art in the Name of Funkadelic," opens Tuesday at the I Street Gallery. It will feature works of art from 50 artists, including 16-year-old Sophia Sterling. The exhibition focuses on Clinton's funk group Parliament-Funkadelic and the group's influence on Washington D.C.
An opening reception is happening Tuesday night. Clinton will also be part of a panel discussion on Wednesday at the Rubel Museum.
In addition to artwork, there will also be never-before-seen memorabilia from the Clinton family on display.
“As a professional musician, this project is near and dear to my heart,” said DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Executive Director Aaron Myers. “Seeing all these beautiful and vibrant paintings, the creative sculptures, the original photos of Parliament-Funkadelic from the Terrell family and the memorabilia from the Clinton family takes me back to the days of my childhood hearing the lyrics of the song ‘One Nation Under a Groove’ on the radio,” Myers added.
Formed in 1964, Clinton was inspired by Motown and James Brown, gradually building an ensemble of more than 50 musicians during the 1970s, recording them both as Parliament and as Funkadelic. Funkadelic had an initial psychedelic rock focus, with a traditional band format.
The exhibition was expanded to include artists interpretation of the D.C. Go-Go bands that were influenced by Clinton and Funkadelic. Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliott of E.U. fame has acknowledged the influence of Parliament-Funkadelic in his own music.
"Toast to the Boogie" will be on display beginning at the I Street Gallery at 200 I Street Southeast through August 16. Admission is free.
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