Music Box: JH Late Night Fundraiser with Fort Knox Five, All Good Funk Alliance, Cut La Whut

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Jackson Hole, Wyo. - As with most social experiments, working out the kinks is inevitable. JH Late Night (Transportation) has been working hard to up the ante each time it encounters a new scenario. Originally spearheaded this past New Year’s Eve to decrease impaired driving, the event-specific transit system is picking up steam.The organization’s second fundraiser—featuring two of the nation’s premiere funk producers, Fort Knox Five and All Good Funk Alliance—aims to help sustain and expand its efforts.“Some of our biggest challenges have been working with the constructs of our insurance policy, trying to determine the best way to run the service (on a schedule, on call, what times are busiest, event based vs. regular service), and trying to help the community make a habit of using the service,” explained co-founder Jessica Weeman.“We have to change how we do things as we learn where problems pop up, and based on feedback from the drivers and passengers, it’s constantly evolving. Our goal is to try to keep the tickets to $3, so we do have to get creative with our fundraising. Our next focus will be on grant funding and local business sponsorships.”Potential proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards paying for the lease on the vans, maintenance, gas, and saving up for the purchase of its own vehicles in time for the summer season—which is the primary way to make the program sustainable.With Fort Knox Five, All Good Funk Alliance, and Cut La Whut all billed together for this Pink Garter Theater fundraiser, helping the ultimate cause will be but a part of the motivation to attend—especially for freakers by the speakers. The four-turntable setup will go off battle-style, with each producer aiming to get bodies grooving harder and harder through the evening.Having rocked the Halloween party back in 2010, the Fort Knox Five DJs are no strangers to the Pink Garter stage. Funky electronic breakbeats is their mixing style, self-described as “reminted.” FK5 and the Eighteenth Street lounge scene of Washington D.C. was influential in the uprising of mid-tempo club bangers and the swanky down-tempo lounge sounds of Thievery Corporation. More recently, FK5’s music was featured on Fox TV show, Fringe, as well as over a dozen video games. Their knack for producing heavy-hitting records can even be experienced on remixes for Tito Puente, Louis Armstrong and Bob Marley.Made up of Frank Cueto and Rusty Belicek, All Good Funk Alliance has opened up for the legendary James Brown, written songs for Coca-Cola, and appeared on the Breakspoll (International Breakbeat Awards) Top 50 List. Apart from Fort Knox Recordings, All Good Funk Alliance’s new album is Jacks of All Trades, which branches out into go-go drums and spaced-out synths to match the heavy grooving and percussion breakdowns they are known for. Take note that JH Late Night’s current policy states that the service runs until 2:30 a.m. or until the bar is closed, whichever comes first. So be proactive by buying your tickets in advance and know where to catch your ride.JH Late Night fundraiser, 10 p.m., Friday, at the Pink Garter Theater. A $12 donation is suggested at the door. Late Night shuttle tickets are $3, available at the show or in advance at Pinky G’s and The Liquor Store at Albertson’s.