“Most Outstanding Group”

-Chicago Music Awards

“Best World Music Group”

-Chicago Reader

For over 25 years, wowing crowds with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, Funkadesi emphatically personifies inclusive joy. This 10-time Award-Winning Chicago-based band delivers a virtuoso high energy musical experience. With members who are unprecedentedly diverse (Indian-American, African-American, Jamaican, Latino, and European-American), their music expresses their motto: “One family, many children. . . . Insisting we all belong.”  

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:

 

Maine West High School

April 6
noon-5pm

school performance


 

Highland Park High School

April 20

school performance and wellness workshop


 

Hard Rock Cafe
San Diego, CA

May 6

conference performance


 

Fitzgerald's

May 19
6615 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL
7:30pm Doors, 8:30pm show

TIX/INFO


 

Old Town School of Folk Music Gala After-Party

June 2
dets

TIX/INFO


 

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston Gala

June 10
Palmhouse 7pm-11pm

TIX/INFO


 

Main Street Nights

June 14
Park Forest, IL

TIX/INFO


 

Juneteenth Celebration

June 17
Evanston, IL
8am-8pm

TIX/INFO

 


Curious about private events? Bring us in for one of your own! Weddings, Birthdays, Neighborhood Parties, Conferences, and more!


 

Thank you family, friends, and fans for the recent Chicago Music Awards "Most Outstanding Group" honor!

“There’s a lot of funk in that desi!”
– Barack Obama
“Funkadesi knows how to be fun and accessible, while grooving your socks off with their
reggae / Bhangra / roots music brew.”
Latin Beat Magazine, Los Angeles

Photos courtesy of TEDx Chicago

TedX Stage

Funkadesi on the TEDx Chicago stage

leading the TEDx crowd in a guided meditation with live improvised music.

Funkadesi at TedX Chicago

Funkadesi had the honor of leading the TEDxChicago crowd through a guided visualization set to live music, followed by a performance. All band members are gifted healers, educators, and community advocates who are passionate about combining entertainment with education, experiential learning, and becoming better global citizens. Learn more about interactive workshops here.

Our 25th Anniversary

In December of 2021, Funkadesi turns 25! Here’s a snippet of a feature documentary to be released this year, as part of the grand celebration! Thanks to filmmaker Sree Nallamothu for this collaboration!

Experiential Drumming & Dialogue Workshops