What a weekend–the weather was perfect and the funk was most definitely in effect with sets by Roy Ayers, WAR and The Ohio Players–but the show-stoppers of the weekend were Philly’s own supremely funky Urban Guerilla Orchestra on Sunday afternoon! Check out their clip below.
This year’s Festival exceeded all expectations, doubling last year’s attendance record with crowds topping 200,000 and drawing audience from all over the country! Our hats are off to festival organizers and the West Oak Lane community for their dedication and hard work in making this world-class event a reality. It’s now recognized as one of the largest and most eclectic free outdoor festivals in the nation. And thanks again to the folks at uwishunu for sponsoring the free shuttle!
Visit the uwishunu Flickr page to see more photos from the weekend!
The crowds have begun to gather at the West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival’s Stage 1 at Middleton and Ogontz in anticipation of the OHIO PLAYERS… Festival organizers have indicated that attendance numbers overall have far surpassed previous records.. during last night’s show by WAR, this reporter found several city blocks in front of the stage completely jammed due to the crowds..
Philly’s Urban Guerilla Orchestra will be warming up the audience beginning at 5:00pm ~ get here early and ready to shake something..
uwishunu sponsors the FREE round-trip shuttle Saturday and Sunday, leaving the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market) every hour, on the hour. For complete information, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com.
It’s Festival weather today — high 70′s, sunny, a slight breeze in the air .. You don’t want to deal with the weekend traffic on I-76, though … trust me.
Instead, take the uwishunu free Festival Shuttle and travel in style! The shuttle makes the round-trip from the Independence Visitors Center at 6th and Market every hour, on the hour throughout the rest of the day!
In addition to another full day of music by Philadelphia’s greatest Jazz artists .. including a headline performance at 7pm by the OHIO PLAYERS .. and in addition to food, music and an array of crafts and vendors from around te world, today’s program is also dedicated to the visual arts! Starting at 1:00, painters and visual artists Paul Goodnight, Kelvin Henderson and Adrienne Mills will be giving live demonstrations of of Body Painting and brush techniques..
Stay tuned to uwishunu for updates and podcasting from the Festival throughout the day, including audio highlights from the stage!
uwishunu sponsors the FREE round-trip shuttle Saturday and Sunday, leaving the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market) every hour, on the hour. For complete information, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com.
This year’s Festival couldn’t have asked for better weather .. get your lawn chairs and get ready to experience a Jazz-Funk-Funnel Cake-induced coma! Today’s lineup features sets by WAR, Pat Martino, the Sun Ra Arkestra and many, many more.
Catch the free shuttle at 6th and Market Streets every hour, on the hour, sponsored by uwishunu, and stay tuned here for audio and video updates from the scene!
Podcast 3: Saturday’s lineup & excerpts from Roy Ayers and Pieces of a Dream..
In 1968, iconoclastic Jazz composer Sun Ra relocated his 30-member Arkestra from New York to Philly in order to, in his own words, “Save the planet.”
Like a true Philadelphian, Sun Ra never thought small. And neither does the West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival, now in it’s fourth incarnation with four outdoor stages, hundreds of musicians and crowds expected to top 100,000 this weekend!
From the sound of Philly’s avant-garde to funk and straightahead Jazz, there’s literally something for everyone starting tonight and running through Sunday. You can check out the schedule in its entirety here. The free events kick off this evening at 7:00 with Mt. Airy’s own Pieces of a Dream and the “Godfather of Acid Jazz,” Roy Ayers!
We’ll be bringing you updates and artist profiles live from West Oak Lane all weekend long , but if you just can’t wait, take a listen to our exclusive interview with Kevin Diehl of Philly’s own Sonic Liberation Front. See you there!
uwishunu sponsors the FREE round-trip shuttle Saturday and Sunday, leaving the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market) every hour, on the hour. For complete information, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com.
FUNK ADVISORY: Near-perfect weather conditions and early summer hormonal recalibration patterns will leave residents of the Philadelphia region on the verge of getting it on throughout the weekend.
Under no circumstances should you be caught indoors from Friday through Saturday. Adverse effects may include dizziness, excess clothing, cheap beer and other indicators of hipsterati nervosa.
Residents are advised to proceed immediately to the 4th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival for a four-stage infusion of Soul, Skronk and Old Skool Funk courtesy of The Ohio Players, War, Roy Ayers and some 500 of Philadelphia’s finest musicians and spoken-word artists.
It all kicks off Friday night with sets by Roy Ayers, Pieces of a Dream, and a complete city block of food, drink, art and street vendors!
uwishunu is providing free round-trip transportation from 2pm-10pm on the hour this Saturday and Sunday from the Independence Visitors Center on 6th and Market.
For more information, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com or stay tuned to uwishunu for audio & video updates from the scene!
{photo: Jorge Shell}
