This August, What the Funk?! returns with a cast of all BIPOC performers from across the continent putting on shows at the Triple Door and giving classes at the Give Inn.

The festival will showcase 30 performers over three days and is co-produced by Mx. Pucks A'Plenty and Rebecca Mmm Davis. It's the first time it's at the Triple Door and is one of the venue's first all-BIPOC events.

Founder Mx. Pucks A'Plenty discussed the performers, classes, and stories behind the festival, and what makes it different from other burlesque shows. "We're honored to be [at the Triple Door], but I also think that they are honored to have it there too — there's definitely a reciprocal feeling that this is good for everyone." They also mentioned that the venue helped ensure that tickets are accessible, so the festival's prices are lower than others in the area, from $20 to $35 for each day. Mx. Pucks added, "I have felt really strongly that accessibility isn't just physical access; it's also financial access."

Performances at the Triple Door will feature 30 performers, many of whom are from Seattle. On the third day, there will be a competition for the title of Grand Master Funk, last held by Twirlisha Devine.

The headliners from Seattle are Moscato Extatique and Ms. Briq House. Other headliners are GiGi Holliday (an award-winning performer from Washington, DC) and Samson Night (also known for his work on Broadway and in film performances).

The other performers over the weekend include Pacific Northwest favorites like Willy Nilly, Ava D'Jor, Lola Coquette (who is creating a database of worldwide Latin and Hispanic burlesque performers), and Monday Blues (who performed at the first festival).

What the Funk?! will also bring in nationally known and award-winning guests RedBone, Jeez Loueez, and Foxy Tann. RedBone will emcee the opening night. Jeez Loueez has been known for two years as the world's number one burlesque performer, and Foxy Tann is a titleholder from the 2006 Miss Exotic World Pageant.

As for classes, the Give Inn will host eight workshops with performers on the Friday and Saturday of the festival. The workshops, said Mx. Pucks, are open to anyone, adding, "If you've ever thought 'Oh, I really want to try it,' this is a really good time to try it." Classes will cover movement to funk, makeup skills, twerking, and more. Each class runs at 90 minutes and costs $25, and the entire fee will go directly to the burlesque performer teaching it.

The festival's history
What the Funk?! was created in 2018 by Mx. Pucks A'Plenty. While working on a classic burlesque project, they were told that their funk songs, "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder and "Use Me" by Bill Withers, were not appropriate or allowed. Being told that was a catalyst for organizing what is now a three-day festival.

"Especially for people of color, especially for Black folks," Mx. Pucks said, "there are a lot of memories attached to funk music." Funk music can be a soundtrack for Black joy, which Pucks notes is often scrutinized.

In their own life, funk music is reminiscent of family. Mx. Pucks has a challenging relationship with their father and no longer talks with him, but still associates funk music with him.

"All the happy memories that I have [of him], like my dad showing up in my life and being present — funk music is the soundtrack of that," Mx. Pucks said. "It's the only time that I remember seeing my dad and his brothers, my uncles and stuff being, like, relaxed and not having their guard up. I think about family barbecues."

Recognizing the importance of funk music in burlesque to them, Mx. Pucks decided to produce What the Funk?!. It began in 2018 as a two-night show at the Rendezvous, with Café au Lait Olé and Rebecca Mmm Davis emceeing and spICE! headlining.

Mx. Pucks then decided it needed to be a full festival, and was approached by Davis to help turn that into a reality. Said Mx. Pucks, Davis "has what I call 'big auntie energy,' and so she just kind of wraps you up and she's like, 'Here, let me help support what you're doing.'" Mx. Pucks also worked with other people of color in the community, including artist Lori Collins, who designed the mascot AfroDite.

Reflecting on the festival, they added, "Most people of color don't want to keep being in the position of making history by being the first or the only. We want to make it so... when [our kids and our kids' kids] do these amazing things... it's not this earth-shattering thing. Striving for excellence is exhausting for people of color, especially Black folks."

What the Funk?! has become important to the community. The festival relies on community support to run and is sponsored by Shunpike. They are still working to reach their fundraising goal and looking for continued support to run the festival. As Mx. Pucks said, "This is an opportunity for folks to put their money where their mouth is in terms of how you're choosing to show up for your community."

For tickets and more information, go to www.whatthefunkfest.com. To support the festival, donate at www.poweredbyshunpike.org/c/PBS/a/puckduction.