Almost a tradition, the second annual Sun Valley Nordic Festival free concert and party plans to be a festival highlight. Thanks to the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, the very funky and charismatic Brooklyn-based Pimps of Joytime will heat up the night at a free outdoor concert on Thursday, Feb. 3. The concert will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the future site of The Center's new home, across from the Ketchum Post Office at Second Avenue and Fourth Street. In addition to the music, the event will have a bonfire, ski races, a snowshoe dance competition, chili, hot chocolate, beer and wine.
Many people will know the Pimps of Joytime from their debut in the Wood River Valley at the Rhythm and Ride Festival. If not, prepare to enter a world of infectious dance grooves and indelible melodies.
The band's diverse sound and spirited attitude is strongly influenced by funk bands, Brooklyn DJ culture and the live music scene from which they emerged. The exponential growth of the band's fan base can be attributed to its artful blend of musical styles, including Afrobeat, salsa, rock 'n' roll and electronica. Bandleader Brian J's classic songwriting and the band's undeniable stage presence consistently energize dance parties wherever they appear—which, in January alone, spans from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
Recent collaborations with legendary artists Cyril and Art Neville of the Neville Brothers and Roy Ayers have helped vitalize the band's connection to its roots. Their audacious new album, "Janxta Funk," is scheduled for release in early 2011.
This night is an event for the whole family. Walk from town, bring snowshoes for the dance competition, or slap on skis and a headlamp and cruise down the groomed Wood River Trail to The Center's lot in Ketchum. The finals of the ski races will take place at 5:15 p.m. The band starts immediately following the ski races. Mid-way through the concert, The Center will host the second annual "World Snowshoe Dance Championships." All are welcome to compete and prizes will be given to two people—one under 12 and one over 12. After the races and music, head to Perry's for an end-of-the-night meal. It will be staying open late for revelers.
Evening events schedule
Thursday, Feb. 3
- Free concert and party across from the Ketchum post office at Second Avenue and Fourth Street.
- Nordic Town Sprints coed relay race heats begin at 4 p.m.
- Lighting the bonfire at 5 p.m.
- Final race for $1,000 purse at 5:15 p.m.
- Live music by Pimps of Joytime at 5:30 p.m.
- Second annual World Snowshoe Dance Championships at 6:30 p.m.
- Perry's open until 9 p.m.
For details, visit www.sunvalleycenter.org or call 208.726.9491.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The Pimps of Joytime will give a free concert for the Sun Valley Nordic Festival at the future site of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ new home, across from the Ketchum Post Office at Second Avenue and Fourth Street Feb. 3. Photo by
