Plan Your Weekend
It's a party, all weekend long!
The George H. Darden II Funkateers Ball isn't just one night or one show--it's a weekend of events where you can meet your Funky friends and make brand new ones! Plan to stay from Friday through Sunday if you can. Afternoon events are held at the Bethesdan Tapestry by Hilton hotel.​
Friday, September 27
8:00 PM Relax with Robin
First lady of Funk radio Robin Denson Austin will be on hand to play deep P-Funk cuts. Hang out as early or late as you wish in the Funkateers Ball hospitality suite, the Rugby Room, open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM through Sunday.
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Saturday, September 28
2:00 PM Shop, Swap & Share
Bring your art, crafts, and collectibles to sell, exchange, gift or simply share with P-Funk enthusiasts.
3:00 PM P-Funk Trivia Contest
Wigout Wednesday, the popular online P-Funk trivia game, gets another live session and an opportunity for fierce competition! If you don't feel like testing your skills you can watch the fun!
6:00 PM - Doors open
Doors open for the Funkateers Ball. The Bethesda Theater features a bar area and dinner menu. Lance Reynolds, host of The House of Soul on WPFW-DC, will DJ and the dance floor will be open. Be sure to visit the Afterglow boutique in the lobby for unique items from the personal collections of Donna Snead and Garrett Shider, benefiting the Boogie Mosson Foundation. Pre-show we will also feature a tribute to George Darden and Brenda Robinson, our event founders who have passed on.
8:00 PM The Funkateers Ball
The show starts promptly with an expected run time of 2.5-3 hours.
11:00 PM - 1:00 AM - We regret that the official afterparty has been cancelled due to illness of performers. Instead, we will keep the bar at the Bethesdan open for your post-show needs.
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Headquarters Hotel - The Bethesdan
Most Funkateers stay Bethesdan Tapestry Collection by Hilton, located a short-minute walk or even shorter shuttle bus ride to the Bethesda Theater. Our weekend activities and hangouts take place here as well.
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Venue and Parking
The Funkateers Ball is held at the Bethesda Theater (formerly the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club). Free parking is available in the Cheltenham Garage at 4720 Cheltenham Drive, directly behind the theater and accessible by elevator. Handicapped parking is available and the front entrance of the theater as well as dinner seats are accessible.
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Bethesda Metro station is a 10-minute walk from the concert hall. The Bethesdan Hotel provides a free shuttle.
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The Bethesda Theater (formerly Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club)
7719 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814-3521
Around the Area
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Manny & Olga's - Pizza joint half a block from the hotel at 8118 Woodmont, open until 1 AM.
Harris Teeter - Upscale grocery at 4805 Battery Lane, open until 11 PM
Tastee Diner - Famous old school diner at 7731 Woodmont, open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
CVS - Drugstore located a few minutes south of the hotel on Old Georgetown, open until 11 PM.
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