Long Beach Funk Fest

Am I catching a plane? No star for security. TSA DOESNT GO THAT FAR. Will I come back? Hell no
No chairs at an outdoor concert? What? Makes no sense.

This was our first year going to the Funk Fest. I agree with Krn K. The pat downs were over the top. I had to throw out medication because it wasn’t in the prescription bottle. I think the staff were concentrating on pills, that they let everyone with pot slip through. We decided to get VIP tickets and got there around 1:30 to get seats. We were shocked to find that there were only 24 seats in VIP. ONLY 24 SEATS! Michael Hampton was the best thing at the show and he wasn’t on very long. Needless to say I was very disappointed. Did I say VIP had only 24 seats! I will not return to the Funk Fest.

Want to know how to ruin a good thing? LB Funk Fest has it figured out. The music was good in spite of nothing starting on time, set-​up and timing issues, abruptly pulling the plug on acts to try to get back on schedule. The pat-​down at the gate was the worst most intrusive search I’ve ever seen. There were few choices of vendors in both food and merchandise, prices were high $ 20 won’t go far. You couldn’t bring in your own food, water, cooler, though some folks managed to do so. This could have been a much better experience.

Of course, the music was great! This was our 3^rd time going to this event. My husband and I shared a garlic-​filled sausage, which was delicious. We paid for the Monday/​Labor Day VIP tickets which were $ 45 per person and $ 20 for parking. There were black pleather couches under a large Heineken blow-​up tent, which provided lots of shade. Unfortunately, my husband sat down on one of the couches, but was kicked out by another customer that claimed several couches for invisible people that never showed up. Whatever! At 8:15pm my husband and I stepped out of the VIP area to get a hamburger and at 8:30pm we were not allowed back into the VIP area. We were very upset about the bouncer’s attitude especially since they didn’t tell us that we would not be allowed to reenter once we left & the cut off time was 8:30. There were several customers who were also upset about this. We eventually talked to one of the promoters and he said he would «help» us get reimbursed some money. We’ll see what happens… What would’ve made the night better is if the promoter walked us over to the VIP area and allowed us to reenter. We would’ve felt much better and respected.

This was my groups favorite and most anticipated event since the first year. Our group got larger and larger every year since the first year. After this afternoon. none of us are ever going again. the physical pat down was rediculous. No chairs, no shade. The worse, is you confiscated my chemo — methotrexate and compozine for my nausea from last night treatment !! What the hell. then for the few minutes I’m in there I’m surrounded by your employees and friends puffing the weed! Wow. my most favorite event is now the last place on earth I’ll ever go…

This event doesn’t even deserve 1 star! The worst! No chairs? No water? Water? Really??? The pat downs and searching through personal belongings was over the top. Hell, even TSA doesn’t go this far! What exactly did it accomplish? Anyone, and everyone (who wanted it) had their weed/​cigars/​vaporizer. There were chairs/​coolers/​umbrellas, all of which were allegedly not permitted. So, exactly what was the purpose?
I’ve been to many music/​jazz festivals, and none did pat downs, or went into purses to search wallets, and take things out of my purse. Hell, you even went as far as opening my mint box! WTF! I had to stop your so-​called security and told her it was enough. She even questioned my perfume.
I will NEVER waste my money on another Funk Fest again!

UPDATE! Fast forward a couple years later and now LBFF is bigger and better. Yes the event is no longer free, but you can definitely see that your money is going to the right things! For a small $ 15 all day entry fee you have a bigger area, better stages, more organization (even fireworks!) and the best part — bigger beer gardens! And they hand out wrist bands so you can still come and go and wander between sides.
Funk Fest takes place in the open areas by Beachwood BBQ and Congregation Ale House and extends all the way on the other side of Broadway past Wokano. There is still two stages, an area for djs, an area for dancers, the shops/​vendors, capoeira circle, but everything just has better quality and organization to it. The grassy area back on the Wokano side has a nice shady area to rest too.
There is much more community involvement and presence at LBFF. I love that the nearby shops get involved, especially good ol Congregation and Beachwood Bbq providing two great beer gardens on either side of the lots. This is definitely a Long Beach treasure! Keep the funk alive, its worth the nickle and dime!

Entry fee $ 20. They do check bags there, so don’t think about sneaking anything suspect in there! ;P
Across the street same building as Wokcano, we found parking for $ 9 which is decent given we didn’t have to walk very far at all.
This is a wonderful event held at a very hip part of town. The music (and the smell of weed) fill the air, and you almost instantly want to just break out into dance. ;) The people who attend are fun-​loving, vibrant individuals who smile at everyone who passes by, and there are so many old souls here who come here for the music that you end up learning a thing or two from their dancing and story telling. :)
The food choices were a tad subpar, but I really loved the atmosphere. There were two stages set up, and the group of us went to both. We actually liked the atmosphere at both locations! As we were walking along the walkway in between the two stages, a few friends decided to start dancing to the DJ who had set up a small booth. Soon, a big crowd gathered as more and more people joined in to dance. These are the kinds of things that make events like this worth visiting. You see talented individuals at every turn!
I am definitely coming back to the Long Beach Funk Fest next year. I can’t believe this is my first time coming out! If any of you go next year, I’ll see you around. ;)

I love the funk fest in Long Beach! It brings long beach together, diversity is our strength! BUt I have one major concern, you guys are charging this year for the first time! No Good, but i understand. I hope even though things will be gated and more controlled it doesn’t take the fun out the funk and give birth to a mainstream event that will get ruined. Perfect example… Long Beach every year has a zombie walk, this past halloween they dedided to have it near the shorline village and charge and make it into a festival, well it fucking sucked and bombed and I will never go back. The funk is different but do you get my point. Long Beach is not LA and Not OC we have our own identity! We are fun free spirited non judgemental everyone is welcome attitude! Give up the FUNK!

Loved The Long Beach /​funk Fest. Another Year filled with Fun & Funk!!! Thanks!!!

This is my third year, but not my last. I brought my fiancée and I wasn’t sure how she’d take hours and hours of funky music and people. We can’t wait until next year!

So grateful to have an event like this in the LBC and for free. A great place to let the beats wash over you and dance like no one is watching… because in all reality, they aren’t. Love the unity vibe and the street feel. I’ve been to all 3 and will likely return again though I would like to also see some of the acts from year 1 and year 2 return, especially the old school originators who put funk on the map to begin with.

Had an amazing time! The only problem was that I couldn’t be everywhere at once! Thanks for a great show, Bob!

Don’t fake the funk.