‘Funkle Fester’ To Perform At Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival Feb. 25

By  //  January 29, 2017

dirty heads, ballyhoo will also perform

Funkle Fester is a potent musical force - a group of talented musicians who will entertain at The 2016 Port Canaveral Seafood and Music Festival on Saturday, February 27.
Funkle Fester is a potent musical force – a group of talented musicians who will perform during the 2017 Cocoa Beach Seafood and Music Festival on Saturday, February 25.

Parking at the Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach will be easy as plenty of parking areas have been organized, along with free Park & Ride shuttle service. CLICK HERE TO SEE PARKING DETAILS

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Funkle Fester, one of central Florida’s hottest new bands, will perform at the Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival on Saturday, February 25 on the Space Coast Daily Stage, before DIRTY HEADS and Ballyhoo! take the stage.

Funkle Fester began in 2012 as a jam band in Satellite Beach with John Alison (Guitar), Keith Capizzi (Drums), and Michael McCutchan (Bass) playing every other Thursday at Alison’s house.

It wasn’t until they met Patrick Riordan on saxophone, Mark Sunderland on trumpet, Bill Hanney on keyboard, and Reid Siljestrom on percussion that they became a band.

By recording every jam during their weekly get-togethers, the band is able to listen to their recordings during play-back, pick out their favorites, loosely arrange them into songs, and create a set-list that authentically replicates their musical creations while always remaining true to the magic and spontaneity of the free-flowing jam.

This has become the formula for Funkle Fester’s full-flavored musical success.  Not only are these guys creative, fun, and brimming with talent, they truly enjoy the music they play.  If you’ve ever seen Funkle Fester live, you’ll know just how true this is.

Funkle Fester is a 7 (sometimes 8)-piece all-original Funk band that includes a keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, bassist, saxophone player (sometimes 2), trumpet player, percussionist (timbales, congas, bongos), and a drummer.

“Our style is funk and leans towards the New Orleans style of modern funk mixed with a little splash of bass-slappin’ Chili Pepper-like grooves….think Galactic, Lettuce, Dumpstaphunk,” said Bill Hanney, the band’s keyboardist.

FUNKLE FESTER IS:  

Bill Hanney – Keyboard
Bill Hanney

Bill Hanney – Keyboard

Bill is an analytical thinker with a mind for structure.  Bill keeps the band grounded and the songs in an organized musical arrangement.

Using his prized vintage Hammond-esque keyboard/organ, he evokes emotion and excitement for the listener as he adds his blazing keyboard runs and searing note-holds.  Bill’s vintage sound and innate vintage style is essential to maintaining the band’s footing in authentic old-school funk while his lead work transcends the era.

Bill’s ability to do this is an absolute reflection of his life experiences as a former VW bus driving surfer/skater turned practical family man and entrepreneur.  His favorite bands and musical influences at the moment are The New Mastersounds, Lettuce, and Soulive.

John Alison – Guitar

John Alison – Guitar
John Alison

John is a life-long surfer and all-around waterman who has lived inSatellite Beach most of his life.  The band gets together each week at his house to practice, jam, and record.  John’s simple riffs are percussive and catchy providing a fun and funky foundation for their danceable melodic grooves.

He is influenced by old-school funk and the multi-flavored New Orleans style music.  John Frusciante from his favorite band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as music from Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, Big Shirley, and The Meters also add to his inspiration and technique.

John has an affinity for a true-vintage guitar sound and plays through a variety of 40 and 50 year old amps and guitars to accomplish the authentic percussive funk feel that are regretfully lost to the highly compressed and digitally processed
modern guitar tones.

Keith Capizzi – Drums

Keith Capizzi – Drums
Keith Capizzi

Keith’s skills on the drums seem almost instinctual.  He was born with a heightened sense of coordination and this is reflected in more than just his skills as a drummer.

Keith is a long-time professional skateboarder and has been able to take those same skateboarding maneuvers into the water where he absolutely rips on his innovativeblunt-tipped surfboard as well.

His musical tastes are widely diverse and therefore add a musical medley of multi-style infusion into his funk drumming technique giving the band a unique flavor.  Keith ondrums and Reid on percussion provide a union of rhythmic funk and world-beat.

Keith’s favorite band is Cake and he is most influenced by the drumming techniques of the band Sublime.  Keith, aka ‘Crazy Capizzi’, has become a household name as the outspoken, uninhibited radio personality on the Spacecoast’s newest station, WRRJ.

Mark Sunderland – Trumpet

Mark Sunderland – Trumpet
Mark Sunderland

Mark is a much admired member of the band who is gratefully welcomed by the band any chance he is available to join them.  Mark is a highly skilled, multi-talented instrumentalist with a true passion and gift for playing the trumpet.

His ability to step-in and harmonize with other instruments, create memorable phrasings, craft the most intricate high-energy solos reaching almost unimaginable octaves, and improvise on the fly whether on stage or in the studio is indescribable.   He is a true professional and all-around fantastic guy.

Mike McCutchan – Bass

Mike McCutchan – Bass
Mike McCutchan

Mike’s dedication to funk keeps the band headed in the right direction by never straying far from those highly percussive, thumb-slapping, booty shaking baselines.  Mike lays down the grooves that get our listeners up and dancing.  His aggressive yet tasteful bass playing echoes his high-performance surfing style on his longboard.

In his home town of Cocoa Beach, Mike has become a well-known local figure easily recognized while either on his skateboard, surfboard, kiteboard, or just hanging out with friends and family on the beach.

His Flea-like bass attack is a prominent and distinguishing piece of the band’s catchy funk-inspired melodic grooves.  Mike’s favorite bands are Fishbone and Mr. Bungle while his greatest musical influence is Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Patrick Riordan – Sax

Patrick Riordan – Sax
Patrick Riordan

Knowing his way around most instruments, Patrick is a multi-talented instrumentalist as well as an amazing saxophonist and singer.  With Pat’s ability to write catchy musical hooks and infectious toe-tapping melodies on his saxophone, he gives each song definition and distinction.

Very often, it’s Pat’s ripping runs and screaming lead work on his sax that capture the most attention.  Pat’s highly tuned musical knowledge and tasteful collaboration play an integral part in the band’s success and forward momentum.

His quest for tone has led him to add a 100 year old silver tenor sax to his quiver to help him creatively release those low sexy notes, infectious grooves, and multi-octave runs that he is quickly becoming known for.  Whether Pat is laying down a melodic sax lick or belting out some remarkably soulful vocal lines, Patrick is a gifted performer and star front-man for the band.

Reid Siljesrum – Percussion

Reid Siljesrum – Percussion
Reid Siljesrum

Reid is a carefree, laid back, mustache wearing character and his skills and talents as a highly schooled musician are essential to the band’s overall sound and musical impact.

His playing style creates a percussive sensation that commands attention and transposes the band’s musical significance across several genres including Funk, Jazz, R&B, and Reggae while fusing the musical flavors of multiple ethnicities such as Latin, Cuban, African, and Polynesian.

This prominent world-beat in tight collaboration with the drummer creates a very unique rhythm structure for the band arguably necessitating a new genre of music.  Reid’s musical influences include Ginger Baker, Elvin Jones, and John Bonham.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES

Funkle Fester is a unique musical experience not unlike New Orleans funk with an added infusion of high-energy world percussion beats and bass-slapping danceable grooves.  Band influences include Galactic, New Master Sounds, Lettuce, and Dumpstaphunk.  At this point Funkle Fester is simply looking to have a good time and share their unique style of funk with world.

When Funkle Fester comes together, the collaboration is a unique blend that is easy to listen to and fun to dance to. “Every time we play it’s different, says Capizzi.  From their beachside home towns of
Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, Florida, Funkle Fester brings the fun, happy, party-like atmosphere of the beaches to any venue.

Whether listening to this band for the first time or having followed them since their conception in 2013, you’ll want to jump out of your  seat and hit the dance floor when Funkle Fester takes the stage.

COCOA BEACH SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL SET FEBRUARY 24 – 26 AT SHEPARD PARK

ABOVE VIDEO: Dirty Heads will be among the chart-topping music artists that will appear during the Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival set for Feb. 24-26, 2017. Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 23 at 10 a.m. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

COCOA BEACH SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, February 24: Gates open at 5 pm:

Live Shark Encounter Shows: located in large, blue pavilion tent, in south area of Alan Shepard Park: This is a free show included with festival admission: 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm.
Space Coast Daily Stage: located in the north area of Alan Shepard Park:
Jennifer Jeffries: 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm
Suzanah Free 6:30 pm – 7 pm
Don McLean 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 25: Gates open at 11 am:

Live Shark Encounter Shows: located in large, blue pavilion tent, in south area of Alan Shepard Park: this is a free show with festival admission:12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm.

Space Coast Daily Stage: located in northern area of Alan Shepard Park:
Special Guests 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Coastal Breed 2 pm – 5 pm
Concert venue cleared​ until 5:30 pm for preparations for evening concert.
Kash’d Out  5:30  pm – 6:15 pm
Funkle Fester: 6:30  pm – 7:15 pm
Ballyhoo! 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Dirty Heads 9:15 pm

Pirate’s Seafood Stage: located in the central area of Alan Shepard Park:
Kimberly Yoakum in concert: 12 pm – 12:45 pm
Pidjin live in concert: 1 pm – 3 pm
The Kindred Kilts: 3 pm- 4 pm
Pidjin live in concert: 4 pm – 6 pm

Pirate’s Cove Beach Stage:  Presented by the Brethren of the Space Coast pirate crew, hosted by The Kindred Kilts and located on the beach – accessed from central park area:
Kids & Adults come down on the beach and climb aboard the beautiful pirate ship – The Panama Pearl. Meet the mermaids, talk to a parrot and meet real pirates: 11 am – 8 pm.

Roving Pirate legends available for photo opportunities and fun: 11 am – 8 pm:
Meet RedLegs Greaves with Kosh the Parrot, Captain Jack Orlando, Panama Pearl the Sea Witch, Gary the MadHatter (Pirate Kedge), Outlaw Pirates Captain Cranky the Insulter and the captivating Rosalie the Red, co-captains of the Brethren of the Space Coast.
Enjoy a free sample of Code Rum – The Official Rum of the Cocoa Beach Seafood Festival – near the Pirate Stage & Brethren of the Space Coast booth.

Sunday, February 26: Gates open at 11 am:

Live Shark Encounter Shows: located in large blue pavilion tent in south area of Alan Shepard Park: this is a free show with festival admission: 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 5:30 pm.
Space Coast Daily Stage: located in the north area of Alan Shepard Park:
Special Guests 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Gary Lazer Eyes 1 pm – 3:30 pm
The Original Wailers 3:45 pm
Special Guests 5 pm
Paul Beach performs his smooth Jazz Celestialization in the Arts & Crafts village: 2 pm – 6pm

Tickets on sale NOW at all TICKETMASTER locations and at all central Florida Walgreens stores. 

TICKET-MASTER-LOGO-580-1
Tickets now on sale all TICKETMASTER locations.

The 2017 Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival at Shepard Park is sponsored by Cape Canaveral Hospital, Space Coast Daily, Florida’s Space Coast, News 6, Miller Lite and Savings Safari.

For more information, or if you would like to register for the Arts & Crafts Show, call 1-855-386-3836 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com.

CLICK HERE FOR SEAFOOD VENDOR APPLICATION

CLICK HERE FOR ARTS & CRAFTS APPLICATION

CLICK HERE FOR MARKETPLACE APPLICATION

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR EXCITING UPDATES

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ABOVE MAP: The three-day 2017 Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival will take place at Shepard Park, a beautiful 5-acre oceanfront park located at 200 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The park is named after America’s first man in space, NASA Astronaut Alan Shepard, who flew aboard a Mercury spacecraft he named Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961.

PARKING:

Parking at the Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach will be easy as plenty of parking areas have been organized, along with free Park & Ride shuttle service. 

LAST DAY! Cocoa Beach Seafood and Music Festival Concludes 3-Day Festival TodayRelated Story:
LAST DAY! Cocoa Beach Seafood and Music Festival Concludes 3-Day Festival Today

The exciting three-day Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music festival is set for February  24 to 26 at the beautiful 10-acre oceanfront Alan Shepard Park, located at the eastern-most end of State Road 520.

TRAVELING FROM THE WEST AND NORTH

Next To Sunrise Diner Parking Area:

NEXT TO SUNRISE DINER: Just 1/4 mile west of Shepard Park, along State Road 520, is a large parking area with FREE park and ride shuttle service, running frequently, to and from Shepard Park. You will find this parking area next to Sunrise Diner, located at 365 West Cocoa Beach Causeway (State Road 520) in Cocoa Beach.

PARKING LOT 1: Next to Sunrise Diner: Just 1/4 mile west of Shepard Park, along State Road 520, is a large parking area with free Park and Ride shuttle service running frequently to and from Shepard Park. Parking is $10 per car at this location, and the Park and Ride Shuttle service is free for people parking in that parking lot. You will find this parking area next to Sunrise Diner, located at 365 West Cocoa Beach Causeway (State Road 520), Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931.

TRAVELING FROM THE NORTH

Church of Our Savior Parking Area:

CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR: Church of Our Savior, located at 5301 North Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach, has a large parking area that is offering parking for $5, with a free Park and Ride Shuttle Service, running continuously, to and from Alan Shepard Park.

PARKING LOT 2: Church of Our Savior, located at 5301 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931, has a large parking area, offering parking for $5, with a free Park and Ride Shuttle Service, running continuously, to and from Alan Shepard Park, where the seafood festival is located.

Craig Technologies and Radisson Resort at the Port Parking Areas:

ABOVE RIGHT: The Craig Technologies parking lot is located at 8550 Astronaut Boulevard in Cape Canaveral. ABOVE LEFT: The Radisson Resort at the Port is located at 8701 Astronaut Boulevard in Cape Canaveral.

PARKING LOTS 3: Craig Technologies, located at 8550 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920, has a large parking area, offering parking for $10 per car, with free park and ride shuttle service for people parking there.

PARKING LOT 4: The Radisson Resort At The Port, located at 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 has a large grass parking area just south of the hotel. Turn at W. Central Blvd. and proceed west to the parking lot entrance. Parking is $10 at this location and the free park and ride shuttle service will take you to and from Alan Shepard Park, where the festival is being held. The Radisson also offers excellent accommodations for those wishing to stay overnight.

TRAVELING FROM THE SOUTH

Winn Dixie Shopping Center Parking Area:

ABOVE: The Winn Dixie Shopping Center in Cocoa Beach, pictured above in dark green, is located at 100 Canaveral Plaza Boulevard in Cocoa Beach. This parking area is a short walk west of Shepard Park.

PARKING LOT 5: Winn Dixie Shopping Center in Cocoa Beach, pictured above in dark green, is located at 100 Canaveral Plaza Boulevard in Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. This parking area is a short walk west of Shepard Park.

Festival and Surrounding Areas

FESTIVAL AREA AND IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS: Three parking areas lie within a ½ mile radius of the festival. These are noted above by the official parking symbol in the map. PLEASE NOTE: Parking restrictions in the residential area to the north of Shepard Park will be strictly enforced by the police, and will be clearly marked.

FESTIVAL SURROUNDING AREA: Three parking areas lie within a ½ mile radius of the festival. These are noted above by the official parking symbol in the map. PLEASE NOTE: Parking restrictions in the residential area to the north of Shepard Park will be strictly enforced by the police, and will be clearly marked.

Additional parking areas will be added to the list of parking lots above – stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for updated and additions. For information and assistance please call 1-855-386-3836, or 321-323-4460, or 321-302-6565 or 321-615-8111.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COCOA BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL WEBSITE 

Parking at the Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach will be easy as plenty of parking areas have been organized, along with free Park & Ride shuttle service.