80s Concerts in Kansas City | Kansas City Funk Fest 2017 to Feature 1980s R&B Artists at Providence Amphitheater
Magic 107.3 presents Kansas City Funk Fest 2017 at Providence Medical Center Amphitheater starring a myriad of ’80s and early-’90s R&B artists, including Keith Sweat, Bell Biv Devoe, Guy featuring Teddy Riley, Doug E. Fresh, En Vogue and SWV on Saturday, June 17. The concert performance is part of the official Juneteenth Kansas City event returning to the historic 18th & Vine district in celebration of African American culture and heritage.
As the oldest known event commemorating the end of slavery, the annual Juneteenth celebration first made its way to Kansas City in 1980 by Black Archives of Mid-America INC founder Horace M. Peterson III. Join this year’s festivities, which will include an array of food, retail, non-profit and youth-oriented vendors—in 2016, more than 6,000 people and 75 merchants took part. Admission is free of charge. Following the gathering, head out to Providence Amp for live entertainment courtesy of the city’s radio station offering the best mix of R&B music.
Keith Sweat, the innovator of new jack swing, is set to headline the night. His career began as a part of the band Jamiah before he went solo in 1984 and released a number of hit tunes, including “I Want Her” and “Make It Last Forever” in 1987, plus several throughout the early- and mid-’90s. The evening will also highlight several other R&B, hip hop and soul sensations from the time period. Bell Biv Devoe had a variety of hits throughout the ’80s as members of New Edition—”Candy Girl” (1983), “Cool It Now” (1984) and “If It Isn’t Love” (1987) to name a few—before branching off and releasing the chart-topping R&B album “Poison” in 1990. Guy, also a pioneer of new jack swing, released its self-titled debut album in 1988 and topped the R&B album’s chart as well with hits like “Groove Me,” “Teddy’s Jam,” “I Like” and “Round and ‘Round.” The show will also feature the “Human Beatbox” Doug E. Fresh and songs from his hit albums “Oh, My God!” and “The World’s Greatest Entertainer” plus early-90s female groups En Vogue, known for hits such as “Hold On” (1990) and “My Lovin'” (1992), and SWV, known for hits such as “Weak” and “Right Here” in 1992.
Tickets for Funk Fest are available online via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000, and range from $49.50 to $159.50. Providence Amp is located at 633 North 130th Street, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. Doors open at 5:30pm, show starts at 6:30pm.
