We Will Funk For Food: A Fistful of Funk
A Fistful of Funk is a performance combining street dance, absurd theatre, and live music. Through play, humor, and virtuosic street dance, it explores themes of friendship, gender roles, and masculinity.
In the piece, three lonely cowboys set out together on an epic journey across the desert. Along the way, 1970s funk dance meets text by playwright Juho Keränen, inspired by the toxic machismo and hypermasculinity of Sergio Leone’s Western films.
Locking is a dance style that emerged among African American communities on the U.S. West Coast in the 1970s. It is characterized by sharp stops, groovy steps, and acrobatic tricks. The performance delves into one of Locking’s core elements: character — the dancer’s individual quality and presence. Through characters and play, the piece explores alternative expressions of masculinity while showcasing each performer’s unique style and personality.
Will Funk For Food, founded in 2008, is one of Finland’s most internationally successful street dance groups, specializing in the Locking style. The group promotes the dance form in Finland, aiming to establish street dance as part of the Finnish cultural landscape while bringing joy and energy to audiences of all ages. Their major achievements include three consecutive Finnish Championship gold medals and performances in Japan, France, and across the Baltic Sea in Sweden.
Choreography: Will Funk For Food
Performers: Akim Bakhtaoui, Wilhelm Blomberg, Jeffrey Kam
Sound Design, Musician: Sebastian Kurtén
Drums: Elias Ojutkangas
Dramaturg, Texts, Voice-over and Spoken Scene Direction: Juho Keränen
Costume Design: Antrea Kantakoski
Lighting Design: Jaakko Sirainen
Set Design: Oscar Dempsey
Production: Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Wilhelm Blomberg, Akim Bakhtaoui, Nordic Soul ry