Sept. 24-30 , 2015
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SEPT. 24-30 , 2015 Performer of the Year: Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra A Handful of Whammys Aaron King said when he got the idea to form Fort and vocals. An impressive lineup to be sure, and one Wayne Funk Orchestra, he wanted it to be something that combined has extensive experience here and else- worthwhile, something he could feel positive about. where. So he called on friends and former bandmates, many It’s no surprise that King wound up playing the of whom had not met one another. trombone. It’s a family tradition. His father, North “I brought them all together,”said King, who Side High School band director Ed King II, and his plays trombone, raps and serves as the artistic director. grandfather, Ed King Sr., were both trombone players. “So I felt like it was something special that we could But he did attempt to follow his own path blend together “I wanted and make some to play drums magic happen. I in sixth grade,” just felt like Fort he said, “but my Wayne needed dad said no.” something dif- The trom- ferent.” bone isn’t the Apparently only King fami- Fort Wayne felt ly tradition. Like the same way. his father, King When the is a band teach- results of the er. He runs the whatzup Readers program in An- Poll were tallied, derson, Indiana, the funk/hip- teaching grades hop powerhouse 5-12. King holds had hip-hopped a bachelor of arts away with an degree in music unprecedented education from five Whammy IPFW and a mas- awards. There ter of arts degree have been plenty in wind conduct- of multiple win- ing from Middle ners over the Tennessee State years and even University. He a few four-time sees his work not winners, but only as returning until now none a favor, but as had swept up so a possible fast- many. And this FORT WAYNE FUNK ORCHESTRA pass to paradise. after winning the “It’s de- 2014 Battle of the Bands com- Performer of the Year manding,” he said. “But some- petition. Best Live Band body had to listen to me be Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra Best New Performer awful on my instrument for beat out worthy nominees to me to get where I am now. I’m win Performer of the Year, Best Best Funk/World Music Performer just returning those dues that New Performer, Best Funk/ Best Oldies Performer somebody paid for me. And I World Performer, Best Live feel like when I’m helping these Band and Best Oldies Performer. kids, I’m being the best human being I can be. I’m They breezed in the Live Band and Funk/World hoping it might get me into heaven too. I’ll be like, categories by 38 and 11 percentage points, respec- hey, I taught sixth-grade band – I should get in here.” tively. But the other ballots were closer. A lot closer. The members of Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra FWFO edged Sum Morz (Best Rock Cover winners) come from varied musical backgrounds. Bates previ- in both Performer of the Year and Live Band voting. ously played with King in a hip-hop band, but left to The tally? FWFO 16.83 percent, Sum Morz 16.38 per- help his mother, a gospel singer, in Las Vegas. He’s cent for Performer of the Year and 17.83 percent to a multi-instrumentalist who likes the originality of 17.65 percent for Best Live Band. FWFO’s approach. King was understandably pleased, if somewhat Latchaw is well-known around town as a jazz perplexed. player, but he has also played with musicians from “It’s a little disarming,” he said. “I’m definitely around the world in a variety of genres. In addition surprised, I’m definitely super happy. I feel a lot of to his work with FWFO, Latchaw fronts his own jazz vindication in that I helped start this organization. trio, among other things. But I’m a little shocked about the oldies win. We play Pagan is a funk and hip-hop veteran who led Strut ‘Vehicle’ by the Ides of March and ‘Beginnings’ by Train to numerous Whammy wins about a dozen years Chicago. That’s about all I can think of.” ago. He has since made a name for himself throughout The Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra organization is the region with various bands. eight members strong, with King joined by lead sing- Brown founded the Afro-disiacs in Fort Wayne er Tony Didier, Jamont Simmons on drums, bassist, and gigged with the prog-rock/fusion band Particle. Drake Bates, keyboard player Dave Latchaw, guitar- Plus his dad was a recording engineer at STAX, Ar- ist, vocalist and rapper Dave “Catfish” Pagan, Jason Westerman on trumpet and Will Brown on congas Continued on page 7 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.whatzup.com -------------------------------------------------------- September 24, 2015 whatzup Volume 20, Number 8 t’s October, and around these parts that means haunted stuff and free fall fairs, as in the DeKalb County Free Fall Fair. Now, we’re unsure how many of our readers are into 4-H stuff, but we’re pretty sure that most of themI are into rock n’ roll, especially when it’s free. And so most of our read- ers will want to check out this week’s cover story on the free rock n’ roll shows coming to the fairgrounds just outside of downtown Auburn. That story’s on page 4. Also this week, we wrap up our “slow reveal” for the Best of 2014 whatzup Readers Poll winners with the year’s Performer of the Year – and Best Live UPCOMING EVENTS Band, and Best New Performer, and Best Funk/World Music Performer, and Best Oldies Performer. That’s one band, five Whammys, something no band has ever accomplished before. Of course, the band is Fort Wayne Funk Orchestra. Mark Hunter profiles this seven-man funk juggernaut on page 2. Our other feature stories this week are pretty big deals, too. Fort Wayne Ballet’s annual fall performance, always a unique event, is featured by Michele DeVinney on page 5; and Hunter profiles those sharp-dressed men who close CuteCute ByBy NatureNature out the Foellinger Theatre summer concert season on Sunday; and last but not October 11 | 4:30 & 7:30pm least, Hunter (again) profiles comedian/filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait who has JewelryJewelry two comedy shows at CS3 the following Sunday. HE LLUSIONIS T S That’s a whole lot to do, so what are you waiting for? Go have some fun, won’t T I you? All we ask in return is that you remember to tell ’em whatzup sent you. Artisan Jewelry Artisan jewelry Artisan jewelry inside the issue by Anita byby Anita Anita • readers poll winners OUT & ABOUT ...................................9 f Cosplay, Butcher Babies & Not My Kids www.etsy.com/shop/CuteByNatureJewelryf FORT WAYNE FUNK ORCHESTRA........... 2 ROAD NOTEZ ................................. 14 www.etsy.com/shop/CuteByNatureJewelry Performer of the Year, Best Live Band, Best New FLIX ................................................ 16 www.etsy.com/shop/CuteByNatureJewelry October 15 | 7:30pm Performer, Best Funk/World Music Performer, Best Grandma Oldies Performer SCREEN TIME ...............................16 LACK IOLIN • features Johnny Depp Can’t Solve the Maze B V CURTAIN CALL ...............................18 October 17 | FRIGHT NIGHT! DEKALB COUNTY FREE FALL FAIR .........4 Bend Us Rock Hard. Rock Free. CURTAIN CALL ...............................18 Scooby Doo Meets Batman ....3:30pm FORT WAYNE BALLET ...............................5 The Marvelous Wonderettes Beetlejuice ..........................6:30pm An Homage in Dance The Shining ............................11pm ZZ TOP .........................................................6 • calendars Bigger Than Shtick BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT .............................6 LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY ...................9 Saturday, Nov. 14 • 8pm • $20-$40 Very Much Alive MUSIC/ON THE ROAD ...................14 • columns & reviews ROAD TRIPZ ..................................15 STAGE & DANCE ...........................17 JOSHUA SPINS ...............................................8 ART & ARTIFACTS .........................18 Thunderbitch, Beach House THINGS TO DO ..............................19 DAVIS BACKTRACKS ..................................8 Oct. 23 | 7:30pm Cover by Greg W. Locke Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, The Barbecue of Deville (1972) Friday, Nov. 20 • 8pm • $15-$30 THE MERSEY BEA T LES TINSLEY ELLIS SAVE THE DATE! Festival of Praise ............................Nov. 4 Saturday, Nov. 21 • 8pm • $25-$40 Ragtime ............................................Nov. 5 Great Russian Nutcracker ..............Nov. 8 GREAT WHITE Girls Night: The Musical................Nov. 13 ACOUSTIC SHOW Easton Corbin ...............................Nov. 14 Jackson Browne ...........................Nov. 17 GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR TICKET INFO & MORE Embassy Theatre ALL SHOWS ALL AGES 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, Indiana ticketmaster.com September 24, 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------- www.whatzup.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: --------------------Cover Story • DeKalb County Free Fall Fair ------------------ 20 Past 4 and More .............................................................13 all for One productions/Bend Us .........................................17 The Alley Sports Bar/Pro Bowl West ...................................3 Arena Dinner Theatre/Kitchen Witches ..............................17 Bar 145 ....................................................................................9 Beamer’s Sports Grill .............................................................9 Rock Hard. Rock Free. 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