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Press
Reviews:
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"Funkademia returns!
Dave Payne is the man behind the legendary
Funkademia and Northern Funk nights he also
masterminded the overhaul of Zumeba on Oxford Road
Having sold Zumeba recently his two club nights
found themselves without a home which was a shame as
they have both been mainstays of Manchester's club
scene since 1995, attracting a membership of no less
that 17,000 people.
Put it like this: it's been a long time since Dave
has needed to print flyers to fill either of his
nights, which is why it's great for the city that
Funkademia now returns to that upmarket slip of a
thing, One Central Street, for a new weekly Saturday
night.
"We opened last Saturday for the first time," says
Dave," and I'm pleased to report that everything
went fantastically."
Along with the usual party people the launch night
saw Ricky Hatton, Vernon Kay, Shaun Ryder and Mick
Hucknall make a guest appearance. They weren't all
out together of course. That would be plain weird.
"Hatton was, as ever, a true gentleman," says Dave.
"He refused any form of special treatment, insisting
on going to the back of the queue like anyone else
would and paying his way in. A really nice guy,
according to staff and punters.
"Hucknall had, of course, just done a secret Simply
Red gig at Life Café so was just after a relaxing
drink after the show."
Shaun Ryder, we suspect, was just out.
"Doors were opened at 10.30pm and by 11pm the
dancefloor was full," says Dave. "By 11.30pm the
club was completely sold out with queues stretching
right down the block all night."
Just like old times then. Which is why Funkademia's
'if it ain't broke don't fix it' philosophy still
works so well.
"We've still got our original core line-up of DJs,"
says Dave, "including Jon Busstop, Fritz Great
Lakes, Myk Nolan, Dave Booth & Trafford Lovething.
In fact the only DJ missing is Jason Vereker who now
lives in Amsterdam - having just got a great new job
- but he will be flying into Manchester once a month
just to DJ his favourite gig.
"We've also drawn in Mancunian favourites Good for
the Soul to play for us this Saturday which is great
because we're big fans of Jamie Scahill and the
gang."
So if you're fans of funk and soul make your way
down to One Central Street. Mine's a margarita." |
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"Funkademia\Northern
Funk - ass shakin bass quakin' funk that keeps 'em
coming back for more" |
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"Funkademia
- Manchester's roadblock soul session - you couldn't
imagine having more fun anywhere else" |
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"If
you are a dedicated disco Dr or Diva there is nowhere
better to go in the City than funkademia" |
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"Copping
off potential - very, very good. It gets so packed
you can have copped off without knowing it" |
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"The
Funkademia crew bring you the full funk experience
from 70's soul to 2005 r&b. rammed every week
- unbeatable" |
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"One
of the country's best kept clubbing secrets. So busy
they don't have to advertise it. Quality dj's quality
club nights. Do yourself a favour & check it out.
Get there early though the queues go right round the
block" |
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After years of sell out events Funkademia & Northern
Funk keeps movin on. Regulars will be glad to hear
that their new home is no great distance. The
residents roster continues to supply a fun back
order of soul, funk, disco with DJ's the calibre of
Blues & Soul's Pete haigh and Jason Vereker involved
you're assured a deeper more refined selection
alongside the party classics on which the nights
strong reputation is built. |
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(The
Go Guide)
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Funkademia is a long running and
consistently
busy night exploring soul & funk with a sprinkling
of disco. A chronological history of black music
which means every week is a different journey
to the same musical conclusion. The night takes
in guests like Trafford Lovething, Jason Vereker
& fritz Great Lakes - solid dj's one and all.
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(City Life Clubbing)
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The
funkademia team the collective of dj's who've been
providing the city with 'entertaining, elevational
and educational' weekly night funkademia for years
demonstrate more of the variety and energy thats driven
the nights success since day one. The classic northern soul based Northern Funk came
into the world as a much demanded spin off - good
news for the fans of Manchester's funkiest weekends.
Its impressive that Mancunians are still so enthusiastic
about dancing - and a testament to the triumph of
content over style. |
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SOUL
POWER: Funkademia
WHEN it comes to being an institution in Manchester
you'd have to go pretty far to beat Dave Payne's weekly
nights.
"I was reading about The Twisted Wheel's 40th
anniversary last week," says Dave, "where
the promoter said that he thought that Manchester
truly is a soul city. I completely believe that to
be true."
And so he should, for week in week out Dave's club
nights are packing 'em in, creating a bustling night
for those who like to dance the night away but don't
want the thumping of a 4:4 beat.
"Whenever
anybody asks about Funkademia I always tell them it's
'a chronological history of soul and funk',"
says Dave. This means they start off with the old
sounds and work their way up to the present day with
the capable support of a revolving team of eight or
so resident DJs.
"We
don't even do flyers any more," says Dave rather
surprisingly, which begs the question: How on earth
do people know about the night?
"It's largely word of mouth," comes the
reply. "We concentrate very heavily on our membership
database which is now up to 10,000 people."
If all of them turn up on the same night you'd have
serious crowd safety issues, surely?
"Luckily
that's not happened yet," says Dave, "Though
by the end of the night the dancefloor does get pretty
packed."
With a packed and friendly crowd week in week out,
it's good to know that there's a fixed point of reference
in Manchester's ever-evolving club culture. |
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Customer Reviews:
From Manchester
After Dark
Cinders: This has to be one of the best saturday nights
going. the music, without question, is always good, the
dj's play such an eclectic mix and the venue gives you
much more room to move and also to chill out. what ever
mood you're in this place will lift your spirits and make
it impossible for you not to move your feet!
Rating: 5/5
Sidney:
I don't know what can i say - I am all funked out. YEAH!
Rating: 5/5
Mongoose:
This has to be one of the only places in Manchester that
is A- not up its own ars*e, or B- Full of idiots. Fantastic
music, great club!
Rating: 5/5
Kev:
Funkademia...put simply, is the best night out I've had.
It's the dictionary definition of cool, and if you can't
dance here, then you've got no legs. Great tunes, great
atmosphere...what more could you want?
Rating: 5/5
Andy:
Have been a regular at Funkademia for the last few years
and it never disappoints! Friendliest in Manchester with
the best tunes....if you've never been, then you dont
know what you're missing!!! Now this is what I call dance
music....
Rating: 5/5
Big
Joe: What a night! Went there for the first time last
weekend and the atmosphere is fantastic. There was a great
variety of funky tunes which make you wanna dance allll
night! Everyone in there is really friendly and that goes
for the staff too. If you get a flier from one of the
Pr's near by you get all this for £2.50 entrance!!!
Highly reccomended for a great night out.
Rating: 5/5
Col:
Finally, after many years trying to find a place thats
in tune my needs, I find one!! With music that makes me
wanna funk the night away.
Rating: 5/5
Niki:
Cannot fault this place! The best music in Manchester,
Drinks aren't badly price and the crowd and bar staff
are always so friendly. Go there if you want a good night!
Rating: 5/5
From
Funky Towers:
Jayne, Didsbury. "Just wanted to say thank you for
Northern Funk last Friday. I've never had such a good
night clubbing in my life. Keep up the good work. Heading
back this week with my girls"
Simon,
Alderley Edge. "What a good night you guys have got
going. Manchester has needed a night like this for ages
- wish I had discovered it sooner"
Sarah,
Sale. "Had to write in to tell you how bowled over
I was to hear the new Motown Remix of Lets Get it On -
never heard it in a club before and it sounded fantastic.
More, more, more."
Simone,
London. "Can you lot move your night to London please.
Came up last Saturday & it was all that a funky club
night should be. Beats the pants off anything down here
& everyone was soooooooo friendly. Will be bringing
a crew up again very soon"
Ashley,
Bury: "Cool place, top tunes, fit birds and all for
under a fiver. I think I've found soulful heaven."
Michelle,
Mcr City Centre. "As an air hostess I've been clubbing
literally all over the world but I can honestly say your
nights are the ones I've enjoyed more than anywhere. Flying
back from NYC tonight & we'll be coming straight there.
Keep that podium free"
Ross,
Cheshire. "Been hearing about your nights for a while
now & tried it out on Friday. Got to say it was fantastic.
Not sure who was dj'ing but he was top drawer - knew his
tunes & kept us on the floor all night. Definately
be back soon for some more good funk."
Your
views on our nights are always appreciated. If you feel
sufficiently inspired let us know what you think: Funky
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