Funk Baptism

Funk Baptism returns to Felix Meritis - bigger, bolder and funkier than ever. Get baptized in the funkiest sounds, wildest dance battles, groovy cyphers, unique showcases and tasty food. Rooted in the legacy of funk and reimagined by Amsterdam’s Ghetto Funk Collective, we honour the foundations while exploring what funk can be today. From the raw energy of James Brown and the soul of Aretha Franklin to Betty Davis and the otherworldly grooves of Parliament-Funkadelic, the groove continues. The day kicks off with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust Dance Battle, followed by a talk and tasty food. In the evening, everything comes together for the Funk Baptism showcase - featuring the final Dance Battles, live performances and funky tunes, ending the night with a deep groove session and afterparty until late. Throughout the day, a visual artist will create a special Funk Baptism canvas live, capturing the energy of the room and translating the groove into colour, movement and image.. And for the first time, we’ll screen a brand-new Ghetto Funk short film - a fresh statement from the collective and another chapter in the ever-evolving story of funk. Check out the full program, practical information and ticket options below. This programme is made possible by the Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland. Day Program — From 4:00 PM We’re kicking off the day program at 4:00 PM with the 2vs2 In Funk We Trust Dance Battle. All styles are welcome - hip-hop, house, popping, locking, breaking, waacking, vogue, contemporary, or something that doesn’t even have a name yet. It's your movement, your language, your groove. Want to compete? Get a Dancer Registration Ticket to sign up for the battle. Just want to watch and enjoy the battles from the crowd? You can add a €5 Add-on to your regular ticket, or purchase the battle access separately. After the battles, we’ll continue with a talk, live music, dance, and films -exploring the culture and history behind the groove, and a panel bringing together artists, makers, and voices from the community. Through the perspectives of musicians, dancers and cultural thinkers, the conversation explores the relationship between groove, community and the body, and asks what funk and dance can teach us about listening, freedom and collective spirit. What happens when the dancefloor becomes a ritual - and the groove becomes a shared language? Evening show - From 8 PM In the evening, we will have our big showcase. With our DJ providing the funky beats, our MC and judges will guide the final battle, where the winners of the day’s battles go head-to-head. We’ll end the night with an afterparty. We didn’t just want to bring you the showcase in the evening - we also wanted to give you the chance to experience the dance battles and talk happening before. Are you a competing dancer, or do you simply want to enjoy the battles from the crowd? Either way, we’ve got several tickets available for you. Evening Show | €15,00 8PM - 9.30PM + Afterparty till late Add-on Dancers registration ticket | €5,00 2.30PM - 4PM: Dancer registration 4PM: Dance Battles 6:45PM-7:30PM: Talk Add-on Audience registration ticket | €5,00 3.30PM: doors open 4PM: start Dance Battles 6:45PM - 7:30PM: Talk You're free to decide to watch the battles and/or talk. Line-Up About Ghetto Funk Collective Ghetto Funk Collective is an Amsterdam-based crew of dancers, musicians, and DJs united by a deep love for funk. Inspired by the spirit of the ’70s, they give funk a fresh, contemporary twist. Their mission: to keep funk culture alive and get new generations moving. From their signature club night Dancing Machine at Paradiso to collaborations with The Ruggeds performing their hit show Groove, as well as choreographing music videos for artists like Jungle, they carry the legacy of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye into the present. DJ'S & MC ROB MANGA | DJ Amsterdam selector and co-founder of Legends and I Love Vinyl, Rob Manga has been shaping the city’s club culture for decades. Known for taking diverse crowds on a journey through house, disco, funk, techno and beyond, he has shared stages with artists such as Theo Parrish, Kenny Dope and Lady Alma, and played venues and festivals including Berghain, Panorama Bar, Paradiso and Lowlands. A true student of music, culture and the dancefloor. LUCAS BENJAMIN | DJ Amsterdam-based DJ, promoter and musicologist, Lucas Benjamin is deeply rooted in funk and soul culture. A member of Ghetto Funk Collective, founder of Wicked Wax and co-founder of Steppin’ Into Tomorrow, he brings music to life through DJing, events, live shows, screenings, lectures and education. Always digging, always sharing, always learning. FAIZEL PLAYFAIR | MC Faizel Playfair is an experienced MC and host with roots in hip-hop, house and techno. From clubs and festivals to dance battles, his energetic and creative approach brings personality and connection to every room. A member of Ghetto Funk Collective, Faizel is all about the interaction between music, people and movement - with a little freestyle and soul on top. Judges SEIJI | JUDGE One of Japan’s leading Locking dancers, SEIJI has been active in the culture for over 20 years. A multiple Juste Debout Japan winner and international battle champion, he has judged, taught and performed across Europe, Asia and beyond. Based in the Netherlands since 2022, SEIJI continues to connect generations and communities through the culture of LOCK. LORENA V | JUDGE With over 20 years in dance, Lorena V is a respected force in the international Punking / Whacking community. Originally from Mexico and formerly based in Los Angeles, she has performed, taught and judged around the world, while producing Strike with Force, Latin America’s biggest Whacking festival. Now based in the Netherlands, she continues to build community through dance, theatre and underground initiatives. REVO | JUDGE Amsterdam-born Revo is a former Popping dancer, teacher, organizer and coach, and a member of Soul Selected. After more than a decade of teaching and co-founding OrokanaWorld, he now supports the culture from behind the scenes — backing dancers, projects and initiatives that create opportunities through dance. From the floor to the community, Revo remains a student of the culture. In Funk We Trust Showcase INA SEIDOU | SINGER Ina Seidou is a powerful vocalist and performer with a natural ability to move both body and soul. Her stage presence is warm, inviting and full of energy, with a sound deeply rooted in soul, funk, disco and groove. JOSHUA LUTZ | MUSICAN Joshua Lutz, also know under his producer alias Halfpastseven, is one of the few Amsterdam based jazz pianist that’s digging deep into the roots of synths and electric keys. Working with bands such as RADIOHOP and ROSEYE but also since recently as a live solo artist, Halfpastseven is setting a foot in the Amsterdam jazz scene and pushing it to international audiences. JAWGEM | VISUAL ARTIST JAWGEM, also known as Jochem van Aller (1989), is an artist and illustrator from The Hague, the Netherlands, who graduated from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Working across a variety of disciplines, his practice includes paintings, murals, 3D objects, drawings, illustrations, and animations. JAWGEM often describes his work as “cynical yet optimistic.” His work frequently explores things in life and society that he finds frustrating, intriguing, or simply worth questioning. He translates these themes into images in a naïve and absurd way. FUNKY FEMME | SHOWCASE ACT Funky Femme is a collective of young women in the Netherlands who share a deep passion for funk. By highlighting the talent of their female dancers, they celebrate the fun and spirit of funk while honoring the strength and beauty of women. JUAN | DANCER Juan is a Rotterdam-based multidisciplinary artist working as a dancer, performer, MC, model, barber, and beatmaker. His movement language blends Hip Hop, Locking, House, Afro, and Contemporary into a personal freestyle style. A graduate of the Rijn IJssel Dance Education, he has performed in theatre and commercial productions, won multiple national and international battles, and collaborated with collectives such as GhettoFunk Collective, Amenti Collective, and Theater Rotterdam. He has also modelled for Nike, Puma, and Tommy Hilfiger. Curators ROCHÉ APINSA With over 20 years in the culture, Roché Apinsa is a respected dancer, teacher and coach, and co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective. He has helped shape a new generation of dancers, including internationally recognised artists such as Joshua Markiet, Shay Latukolan and Bobbi Eveleens. A two-time Locking Forever Japan champion, Roché remains active as a performer, battler and judge at major events around the world. RUBEN CHI Ruben Chi is a movement artist and choreographer whose style is rooted in street dance, with influences from jazz and soul. Juste Debout World 2026 and Summer Dance Forever 2019 Locking champion, he is recognised as one of the leading Locking dancers of his generation. As co-founder of Ghetto Funk Collective, Ruben bridges street dance with theatre, film and live performance, creating work that combines musicality, storytelling and a deep respect for funk culture. Would you like to attend this program, but don’t have the means to pay for a ticket? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl, we can work something out. Note: By booking this ticket, you agree to potentially be photographed during the event.