F-M Symphony Rocks the Hub with Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome

Most fans of funk probably aren’t thinking ‘symphony’ as they’re looking for a hot concert on a regular Saturday night. The good news for funk fans, and lovers of the symphony, is that this Saturday night looks to be a bit out of the ordinary.

The Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and the 12-piece classic funk and horn music band, Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome join forces Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 in The Venue at The Hub.

According to the F-M Symphony Orchestra’s webpage, http://www.fmsymphony.org, “The orchestra and band will perform together pieces specifically arranged for this concert, mixing up selections by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Moussorgsky with Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power and more.”

This collaboration came about after Russell Peterson, principal bassoonist for the Symphony and saxophonist with PTFS, had the idea to combine the groups for a live performance.
“Last year I suggested it to Linda Coates, executive director of the symphony, and Jane Capistran, assistant conductor,” Peterson said.  “I wanted the symphony and PTFS to team up for a pops concert show. Most of the tunes we, PTFS, do, have orchestra in there in the background on the original recordings. I told Linda I would write out all the orchestral parts and we’d do a show together. She loved the idea and we decided on the coolest rock club in the Midwest to do it in, the Venue.”

PTFS vocalist, Sarah Morken, said she thinks playing with the Symphony will help the band reach an audience outside of their regular fan-base. Morken said, “Typically we see younger fans, college-aged or in their twenties, to those in their forties and fifties.” She said that she thinks the band already brings out “a diverse group of people who might not usually go to a lot of shows.”

Peterson and Morken agree that PTSF brings a great deal of positive energy to a room when they put on a show.

“When PTFS plays the place is always electrified,” said Peterson. “It’s an amazing group of guys playing, what I consider to be, the best rock tunes ever written. Combine that with an awesome full symphony orchestra like F-M Symphony? We expect it to be fantastic. Together with the lights and sound of the Venue, people are in for a real treat. The only thing I’m curious to see is if people sitting at tables can stay seated for the whole show. Lord knows I can’t sit or stand still when this band plays. Has there ever been dancing on tables or in the aisles at an F-M Symphony concert?”

If You Go

What: The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome
Where: The Venue @ The Hub
When: 21+ show, Sat, Oct 18, 7pm (cash bar available); All ages show, Sun, Oct 19, 2pm
How Much: $25 at the door, $15 in advance, $6 student
Info: 218.233.8397