Funksters Chili Willie warmed up a sparse International Festival crowd on the green. This festival has gotten a little weaker in recent years, and a pandemic and ensuing “protocols” didn’t help matters. The evolution back to normality not only requires de- virusing the world, but convincing people that normal is possible. Funk is some good glue, even if Chili Willie coaxed a mild hip swivel from the crowd, it’s live music.
Ladama is billed as an international female activist collective. A member from Brazil, one from Colombia, one from Venezuela, and one from Brooklyn. They sang in multiple languages, played percussion, guitar, drums, and congas. They were very happy to be in front of a live audience after a year of international zooming. Show highlight was a speedy rendition of the Eugene McDaniels/ Roberta Flack chestnut “Compared To What”.
