FunkFest celebrates the music generated over the years by influential legends such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and The Ohio Players. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid-to late-1960’s when African-American musicians blended soul music, soulful jazz, and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk music was a major influence on the development of 1970’s disco music, and has even impacted house music and hip-hop. FunkFest features bands in free concerts on a stage on the beach at 24th Street. Food, merchandise, and dance contests all contribute to a festive, “funky” vibe!