BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:adamgibbons/ics METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VEVENT UID:27381@offbeat.amsterdam SUMMARY:Funk Baptism DTSTAMP:20260915T230703Z DTSTART:20261010T140000Z DESCRIPTION:Part II\n\nFunk Baptism returns to Felix Meritis – bigger\, bol der and funkier than ever.\nGet baptized in the funkiest sounds\, wildest dance battles\, groovy cyphers\,\nunique showcases and tasty food. Rooted in the legacy of funk and reimagined by\nAmsterdam’s Ghetto Funk Collectiv e\, we honour the foundations while exploring\nwhat funk can be today. Fro m the raw energy of James Brown and the soul of\nAretha Franklin to Betty Davis and the otherworldly grooves of\nParliament-Funkadelic\, the groove continues.\nThe day kicks off with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust Dance Battle\ , followed by a\ntalk and tasty food. In the evening\, everything comes to gether for the Funk\nBaptism showcase – featuring the final Dance Battles\ , live performances and\nfunky tunes\, ending the night with a deep groove session and afterparty until\nlate.\n\nCheck out the full program\, pract ical information and ticket options below.\n\n\nWHAT TO EXPECT + PRACTICAL INFORMATION\n\nDay Program — From 4:00 PM\nWe’re kicking off the day prog ram at 4:00 PM with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust\nDance Battle. All styles ar e welcome – hip-hop\, house\, popping\, locking\,\nbreaking\, waacking\, v ogue\, contemporary\, or something that doesn’t even have a\nname yet. It’ s your movement\, your language\, your groove.\n\nWant to compete?\nGet a Dancer Registration Ticket to sign up for the battle.\n\nJust want to watc h and enjoy the battles from the crowd?\nYou can add a €5 Add-on to your r egular ticket\, or purchase the battle access\nseparately.\n\nAfter the ba ttles\, we’ll continue with a talk\, live music and dance\, films\nexplori ng the culture and history behind the groove\, and a panel bringing\ntoget her artists\, makers\, and voices from the community.\nEvening show – From 8 PM\nIn the evening\, we will have our big showcase. With our DJ providi ng the funky\nbeats\, our MC and judges will guide the final battle\, wher e the winners of the\nday’s battles go head-to-head. We’ll end the night w ith an afterparty.\n\n\nTICKET INFORMATION\n\nWe didn’t just want to bring you the showcase in the evening – we also wanted to\ngive you the chance to experience the dance battles and talk happening before.\nAre you a comp eting dancer\, or do you simply want to enjoy the battles from the\ncrowd? Either way\, we’ve got several tickets available for you.\nEvening Show | €15\,00\n8PM – 9.30PM + Afterparty till late\nAdd-on Dancers registration ticket | €5\,00\n2.30PM – 4PM: Dancer registration\n4PM: Dance Battles\n6 :45PM-7:30PM: Talk\nAdd-on Audience registration ticket | €5\,00\n3.30PM: doors open\n4PM: start Dance Battles\n6:45PM – 7:30PM: Talk\nYou’re free t o decide to watch the battles and/or talk.\n\n\nLINE-UP\n\nAbout Ghetto Fu nk Collective\n\nGhetto Funk Collective is an Amsterdam-based crew of danc ers\, musicians\, and DJs\nunited by a deep love for funk. Inspired by the spirit of the ’70s\, they give\nfunk a fresh\, contemporary twist. Their mission: to keep funk culture alive and\nget new generations moving. From their signature club night Dancing Machine at\nParadiso to collaborations with The Ruggeds performing their hit show Groove\, as\nwell as choreograp hing music videos for artists like Jungle\, they carry the\nlegacy of Jame s Brown\, Aretha Franklin\, and Marvin Gaye into the present.\n\n\nDJ’S & MC\n\nROB MANGA | DJ\n\nAmsterdam selector and co-founder of Legends and I Love Vinyl\, Rob Manga has\nbeen shaping the city’s club culture for deca des. Known for taking diverse\ncrowds on a journey through house\, disco\, funk\, techno and beyond\, he has shared\nstages with artists such as The o Parrish\, Kenny Dope and Lady Alma\, and played\nvenues and festivals in cluding Berghain\, Panorama Bar\, Paradiso and Lowlands. A\ntrue student o f music\, culture and the dancefloor.\n\nLUCAS BENJAMIN | DJ\n\nAmsterdam- based DJ\, promoter and musicologist\, Lucas Benjamin is deeply rooted\nin funk and soul culture. A member of Ghetto Funk Collective\, founder of Wi cked\nWax and co-founder of Steppin’ Into Tomorrow\, he brings music to li fe through\nDJing\, events\, live shows\, screenings\, lectures and educat ion. Always digging\,\nalways sharing\, always learning.\n\nFAIZEL PLAYFAI R | MC\n\nFaizel Playfair is an experienced MC and host with roots in hip- hop\, house and\ntechno. From clubs and festivals to dance battles\, his e nergetic and creative\napproach brings personality and connection to every room. A member of Ghetto\nFunk Collective\, Faizel is all about the inter action between music\, people and\nmovement – with a little freestyle and soul on top.\n\n\nJUDGES\n\nSEIJI | JUDGE\n\nOne of Japan’s leading Lockin g dancers\, SEIJI has been active in the culture for\nover 20 years. A mul tiple Juste Debout Japan winner and international battle\nchampion\, he ha s judged\, taught and performed across Europe\, Asia and beyond.\nBased in the Netherlands since 2022\, SEIJI continues to connect generations and\n communities through the culture of LOCK.\n\nLORENA V | JUDGE\n\nWith over 20 years in dance\, Lorena V is a respected force in the international\nPu nking / Whacking community. Originally from Mexico and formerly based in L os\nAngeles\, she has performed\, taught and judged around the world\, whi le producing\nStrike with Force\, Latin America’s biggest Whacking festiva l. Now based in the\nNetherlands\, she continues to build community throug h dance\, theatre and\nunderground initiatives.\n\nREVO | JUDGE\n\nAmsterd am-born Revo is a former Popping dancer\, teacher\, organizer and coach\,\ nand a member of Soul Selected. After more than a decade of teaching and\n co-founding OrokanaWorld\, he now supports the culture from behind the sce nes —\nbacking dancers\, projects and initiatives that create opportunitie s through\ndance. From the floor to the community\, Revo remains a student of the culture.\n\n\nCURATORS\n\nROCHÉ APINSA\n\nWith over 20 years in th e culture\, Roché Apinsa is a respected dancer\, teacher\nand coach\, and co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective. He has helped shape a new\ngeneratio n of dancers\, including internationally recognised artists such as\nJoshu a Markiet\, Shay Latukolan and Bobbi Eveleens. A two-time Locking Forever\ nJapan champion\, Roché remains active as a performer\, battler and judge at major\nevents around the world.\n\nRUBEN CHI\n\nRuben Chi is a movement artist and choreographer whose style is rooted in street\ndance\, with in fluences from jazz and soul. Juste Debout World 2026 and Summer\nDance For ever 2019 Locking champion\, he is recognised as one of the leading\nLocki ng dancers of his generation. As co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective\,\nR uben bridges street dance with theatre\, film and live performance\, creat ing\nwork that combines musicality\, storytelling and a deep respect for f unk culture.\n\nWould you like to attend this program\, but don’t have the means to pay for a\nticket? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl\, we ca n work something out.\n\nNote: By booking this ticket\, you agree to poten tially be photographed during\nthe event. URL:https://offbeat.amsterdam/event/funk-baptism-1 GEO:52.3699902;4.884254 LOCATION:Felix Meritis - Keizersgracht 324\, 1016 EZ Amsterdam STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:amsterdam-centrum,community,dance,dj,festivals,film,food,funk,ja zz,jungle,keizersgracht,lecture,live,music,performance,soul,talk,techno,th eater,vinyl X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Part II

Funk Baptism return s to Felix Meritis – bigger, bolder and funkier than ever. Get baptized in the funkiest sounds, wildest dance battles, groovy cyphers, unique showca ses and tasty food. Rooted in the legacy of funk and reimagined by Amsterd am’s Ghetto Funk Collective, we honour the foundations while exploring wha t funk can be today. From the raw energy of James Brown and the soul of Ar etha Franklin to Betty Davis and the otherworldly grooves of Parliament-Fu nkadelic, the groove continues.
The day kicks off with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust Dance Battle, followed by a talk and t asty food. In the evening, everything comes together for the Funk Baptism showcase – featuring the final Dance Battles, live performances and funky tunes, ending the night with a deep groove session and afterparty until la te.

Check out the full program, practical information and ticket op tions below.

What to expect + practical information

Day Program — From 4:00 PM
We’re kicking off the day program at 4:00 PM with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust Dan ce Battle. All styles are welcome – hip-hop, house, popping, locking, brea king, waacking, vogue, contemporary, or something that doesn’t even have a name yet. It’s your movement, your language, your groove.

Want to compete?
Get a Dancer Registration Ticket to sign up f or the battle.

Just want to watch and enjoy the battles from the cr owd?
You can add a €5 Add-on to your regular ticket, o r purchase the battle access separately.

After the battles, we’ll c ontinue with a talk, live music and dance, films exploring the culture and histo ry behind the groove, and a panel bringing together artists, makers, and v oices from the community.
Evening show – From 8 PM
In the evening, we will have our big showcase. With our DJ providing the f unky beats, our MC and judges will guide the final battle, where the winne rs of the day’s battles go head-to-head. We’ll end the night with an afterparty.

Ticket information

We didn’t just want to bring you the showcase in the evening – we also wanted to give you the chance to experience the dance battles and talk hap pening before. Are you a competing dancer, or do you simply want to enjoy the battles from the crowd? Either way, we’ve got several tickets availabl e for you.
Evening Show | €15,00
8PM – 9.30PM + Afterparty till late
Add-on Dancers registr ation ticket | €5,00
2.30PM – 4PM: Dancer registration
4PM: Dance Battles
6:45PM-7:30PM: Talk
Add-on Audience registration ticket | €5,00
3.30PM: doors open
4PM: s tart Dance Battles
6:45PM – 7:30PM: Talk
You’re free to decide to watch the battles and/or talk.

Line-Up

About Ghetto Funk Collective

Ghetto Funk Collective is an Amsterdam-based crew of dancers, musicians, and DJs united by a deep love for funk. Inspired by the spirit of the ’70s, they give funk a fresh , contemporary twist. Their mission: to keep funk culture alive and get ne w generations moving. From their signature club night Dancing Machine at P aradiso to collaborations with The Ruggeds performing their hit show Groov e, as well as choreographing music videos for artists like Jungle, they ca rry the legacy of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye into the p resent.

DJ’S & MC

ROB MANGA | DJ

Amsterdam selector and co-founder of Legends and I Love Vinyl, Rob Manga h as been shaping the city’s club culture for decades. Known for taking dive rse crowds on a journey through house, disco, funk, techno and beyond, he has shared stages with artists such as Theo Parrish, Kenny Dope and Lady A lma, and played venues and festivals including Berghain, Panorama Bar, Par adiso and Lowlands. A true student of music, culture and the dancefloor.

LUCAS BENJAMIN | DJ

Amsterdam-based DJ, promoter and musicologist, Lucas Benjamin is deeply rooted in funk and soul culture. A member of Ghetto Funk Collective, founder of Wicked Wax and co-founde r of Steppin’ Into Tomorrow, he brings music to life thro ugh DJing, events, live shows, screenings, lectures and education. Always digging, always sharing, always learning.

FAIZEL PLAYFAIR | MC

Faizel Playfair is an experienced M C and host with roots in hip-hop, house and techno. From clubs and festiva ls to dance battles, his energetic and creative approach brings personalit y and connection to every room. A member of Ghetto Funk Collective , Faizel is all about the interaction between music, people and m ovement – with a little freestyle and soul on top.

Judges

< p>SEIJI | JUDGE

One of Japan’s leading Locking dancers, SEIJI has been ac tive in the culture for over 20 years. A multiple Juste Debout Jap an winner and international battle champion, he has judged, taugh t and performed across Europe, Asia and beyond. Based in the Netherlands s ince 2022, SEIJI continues to connect generations and communities through the culture of LOCK.

LORENA V | JUDGE< /strong>

With over 20 years in dance, Lorena V is a respec ted force in the international Punking / Whacking communi ty. Originally from Mexico and formerly based in Los Angeles, she has perf ormed, taught and judged around the world, while producing Strike with Force, Latin America’s biggest Whacking festival. Now based in the Netherlands, she continues to build community through dance, theatr e and underground initiatives.

REVO | JUDGE

Amsterdam-born Revo is a f ormer Popping dancer, teacher, organizer and coach, and a member of Soul Selected. After more than a decade of teaching and co-foun ding OrokanaWorld, he now supports the culture from behind the scenes — ba cking dancers, projects and initiatives that create opportunities through dance. From the floor to the community, Revo remains a student of the cult ure.

Curators

ROCHÉ APINSA

With over 20 years in the culture, Roché Apinsa is a respected dance r, teacher and coach, and co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective. He has helped shape a new generation of dancers, including internat ionally recognised artists such as Joshua Markiet, Shay Latukolan and Bobb i Eveleens. A two-time Locking Forever Japan champion, Ro ché remains active as a performer, battler and judge at major events aroun d the world.

RUBEN CHI

Ruben Chi is a movement artist and choreographer whose style is rooted in street dance, with influ ences from jazz and soul. Juste Debout World 2026 and Summer Dance Forever 2019 Locking champion, he is recognised as one of the leading Locking dancers of his generation. As co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective, Ruben bridges street dance with theatre, film and live performance, creating work that combines musicality , storytelling and a deep respect for funk culture.

Would you like to attend this program, but don’t have the means to pay for a ticket ? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl, we can work something out.

Note: By booking this ticket, you agree to potentially be photog raphed during the event.

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