National Get Funky Day – October 5, 2022, history, significance
Since October 5 is always National Get Funky Day, follow orders! As “One Nation Under a Groove,” we have a collective opportunity to pay homage to the power and majesty of The Funk. We’re not talking funk as in depressing, but funk as in get-happy-and-celebrate-life!
National Get Funky Day is the brainchild of Funkytown Fitness, a fitness center in St. Augustine, Florida. After Hurricane Matthew slammed into Florida, a group of Funkytown Fitness folks assembled to create National Get Funky Day every year on October 5 as a way to “help people break free of their comfort zones.” Today, make it funky anyway you want for as long as you want!
History of National Get Funky Day
It’s true that the word “funk” originally began in the early 17th century and was taken to mean “a strong odor”. And it can still mean that today. But the word has also evolved into something a little bit different.
It seems that in the early 1900s, the term “funk”, which had come to mean something along the lines of “musty, was taken to mean something earthy or even something deep or felt strongly. In the budding world of jazz music, musicians would often encourage each other with phrases like “put some stank on it”, or “make it funky, now”. This was perhaps related to the idea that a musician who was working hard might end up sweaty and maybe a little stinky. But it was usually associated with doing a good job.
Not long after, jazz albums began to be released with the word Funk or Funky in the title. This has been particularly true in the genre of black music, starting with African American jazz, R&B and soul, and eventually turning into a genre of its own. Many people in the black culture consider the idea of funk to be part of artistic expression not only in music but in writing, drama, theater and more.
The idea of getting “funky” spread beyond the African American subculture and was embraced by many different people in the US and around the world. And eventually National Get Funky Day was established.
Founded by Funkytown Fitness, a health club located in St. Augustine, Florida in the US, National Get Funky Day got its start in 2016 (though not officially proclaimed until 2017). Having just gone through Hurricane Matthew, the idea was to help people who had been devastated or discouraged by the storm.
The idea for National Get Funky Day is simply a time to allow people to break free from what they normally do and move a bit outside of their comfort zones. This means showing how happy they can be by dancing, singing, laughing and generally sharing a positive mood so that people can come out of their “funk”.
NATIONAL GET FUNKY DAY TIMELINE
1971
The Godfather of Soul makes it funky
No one understood the mystery of the funk like James Brown, but he breaks it down so anyone can understand with the iconic powerhouse song, “Make It Funky.”
1976
Wild Cherry releases the funkiest song of the year
Wild Cherry, a predominantly white band, admonishes a colleague to “Play That Funky Music, White Boy”— which gets Americans of every color on the dance floor shaking that thang.
1992
The Beastie Boys release “Funky Bass”
Straight out of New York City, the Beastie Boys release their hit, “Funky Bass,” which definitively proves that funk is a feeling not bound by race, creed or color.
1995
“Bring in da’ Noise — Bring in da’ Funk” debuts Off-Broadway
Playwright George C. Wolfe collaborates with tap dancer extraordinaire, Savion Glover, on “Bring in da’ Noise — Bring in da’ Funk,” a musical journey of African-American history using tap dance.
1997
George Clinton commands the Mothership
Funk pioneer, George Clinton, releases “Give Up the Funk” — proving once again why he is the Master of the Mothership.
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OUR 5 FAVE FACTS OF FUNK
Grace Jones understands it
When Grace Jones told us to “pull up to the bumper, baby,” we did as we were told.
Blondie turned it into rapture
Blondie wrote one of the first rap tunes in the modern era with “Rapture,” even mentioning veejay Fab Five Freddy of Yo’ MTV Raps in the lyrics.
Fowl can also be funky
Both the Funky Chicken and the Funky Duck were dance crazes that dominated the dance floor for about a funky minute.
It’s in food
If you want to taste the funk, try hoghead cheese, which is really a kind of meat jelly made with bits of flesh from the head of a calf or pig and set in aspic — and considered a delicacy.
It’s a dictionary
In 1893, Funk and Wagnalls created a dictionary of the English language emphasizing accurate phonetics and simple spelling of words.
How to Celebrate National Get Funky Day
Check out some of these fun ideas for getting to celebrate National Get Funky Day:
Start Dancing
Whether going out to a club or just getting a little funky in the kitchen while cooking dinner, dancing is a vitally important part of Get Funky Day! Dancing is actually a healthy form of exercise that can produce positive hormones in the body and truly allow people to get beyond anxiety, depression and “funk”.
Change That Appearance
One fun way to celebrate National Get Funky Day is by adding a little bit of pizzazz to that wardrobe or style. Try a bit of colorful hair dye, a new piercing, a new tattoo (temporary is okay!) or something else that makes a person stand out and be unique.
Cheer Someone Up
The best part about National Get Funky Day is sharing it! Encourage someone else to celebrate by inviting them to go dancing, dress in ridiculous outfits, enjoy some funky music and just generally spend the day being different and helping others to be happy.
