Jazz Funk Fest at The Talking Stick

In the tradition of the Venice West Cafe (the legendary Beat hangout at 7 Dudley Ave., known as the Sponto Gallery from 1984-2008), local Venice musicians will celebrate the rebellious liberation of melodious creativity.

At 6 p.m., MAP - Steve Binder, Gerry Fialka, Clifford Novey and guests improvise live music (often with avant garde films) evoking sonic sculptures that drive through the boundaries of consciousness and unconsciousness. GPS may let you down, but MAP never will. 
 
At 7 p.m., BLACK SHOE POLISH. Fiery poetic painter Rex Butters slaps sense into words through multi-dimensional discourse. Clifford Novey and Gerry Fialka combine fantastical funky fretwork with keyboards and a cauldron of controlled chaos, creating ink-stained improvisational interplay. Black Shoe Polish reconvenes the spoken word and free improvisation.

At 8 p.m., FREDDY GINNS & ZEBRA PARTY provide original witty lyrics to their jazzy blues in the style of Mose Allison and Detroit funk keyboardist Lyman Woodard. 

At 9 p.m., lyrical multi-instrumentalist ERIC AHLBERG'S JAZZ WORKSHOP recall the explorations of Public Enemy, Hank WIlliams, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, George Carlin and John Coltrane with world beat tangents.