Post by Atticus Pizzaballa on Feb 17, 2023 16:37:19 GMT -5
Sophistafunk brings hip hop, jam and funk to the Stanley: What to know
Mark SistiSpecial to the Observer-DispatchAs all Central New Yorkers are aware, for years, musical acts have been used to showcase the jewel that is the Stanley Theatre.
Stanley’s events manager, Anthony “Zee” Donaldson, thinks it can also work the other way around, that the theater can be used to showcase the wealth of talent in upstate New York.
To that end, the Stanley will be bringing in Syracuse’s genre-defying hip hop, jam, and funk outfit Sophistafunk, together with special guests, for a special 7:30 p.m. show on Feb. 18.
“With this show we are showcasing some of the best musicians in all of Upstate NY. Proudly every corner of the state is being represented,” explains Zee. “This band has been touring nationally for over a decade now. They’re ready to bring their sound to the big stage.”
Sophistafunk will perform at the Stanley Theatre in Utica Feb. 18.
No one has a better understanding of the depth of the local talent pool than Donaldson, who introduced scores of fans to numerous up-and-coming bands when he ran the fondly-remembered Electric Company, and he wants to share that experience with music lovers in the area.
“We wanted to give some love to locals and regional bands, and to display how rich in talent musically we are in CNY and the rest of the region,” says Zee. “The Stanley has always opened its stage to many local and regional artists.”
If the band seems more familiar to you than most regional bands, there’s a reason for that. In addition to having built a local following with numerous performances at the Electric Company, the Devereux and the Levitt Amp Concert Series, you may have caught them Wednesday nights as the house band on Food Network’s new show “Guy Fieri’s Ultimate Game Night.” Or, for that matter, on Fieri’s TV show “Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives” or during their four-episode stint as the house band for four episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Games.”
More:Optimize your concert experience by avoiding these pitfalls
www.uticaod.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/17/sophistafunk-will-perform-at-utica-stanley-theatre/69819147007/
I kinda like this.