March 2007: Make It Funky! was featured at the 14th International Dixieland Festival of Tarragona along with a photographic exhibit by the New Orleans Photo Alliance. Musicians from Germany, the Balkans, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cuba, the USA, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine played at the Festival.
New Orleans was the "guest" city, with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, probably the most representative band of the city devastated by the hurricane Katrina.

"Please don't mistake this fine documentary for some sort of "cash in on the tragedy" sort of release. Directed by Michael Murphy, populated by several of the Neville Brothers, laden with fascinating interview segments, and swollen with wonderful music, Make It Funky! may just be the finest documentary ever made about the life and times of New Orleans music and musicians... Scott Weinberg DVD Talk

“It's a jubilant movie, but, in Katrina's aftermath, it jarringly serves to show us all the more what's been lost in the destruction of New Orleans. Murphy's walk through musical history makes the point that New Orleans music is very much a form of street music. The town's sound was born on the pavement -- in the singing of slaves on Congo Square, in the playing of funeral parade bands, in the rhythmic contests of Mardi Gras Indians…For the time being, at least, the only way we can honor the city's tradition is to revisit it.” Chris Morris, Hollywood Reporter about “Make It Funky!”

“An apt, wrenching elegy for (New Orleans) unique contribution to American Culture.” A.O. Scott, New York Times about “Make It Funky!”

“In the wake of Hurricane Katrina comes “Make It Funky!” … Watching it, you only hope that this cultural gem will be able to recover and thrive again.” Rob Lowman, Entertainment Editor, LA Daily News.

“Make It Funky! reminds us of what has been lost in the Flood, and of an artistic spirit that will never dissipate”. R Emmet Sweeney, Village Voice

page2