Behind The Scenes: What it Takes to "Make It Funky"

A Trike Called Funk is a one-of-a-kind front-loading cargo tricycle converted into a mobile marketing vehicle and performance platform that's equipped with its own portable dance floor, power source, sound system, and DJ set-up. Co-founders A.a.Ron Myers and Ed Word Galan are dancers and DJs who created A Trike Called Funk in response to local artists losing their spaces to practice and perform during the pandemic. On the wheels of the Trike, they took their talents outdoors and into the streets, using music & movement to activate public spaces and bring joy to people in & around Boston. This was the formulation of A Trike Called Funk’s activations–community-based interactive arts experiences that have become a local sensation!

In the past year, we have partnered with businesses, community groups and local artists around the city to host what we call "activations." A typical activation involves our main funkers, A.a.Ron Myers and Ed Word Galan, community members, good music and of course, our trike.

Scroll down to see how we "Make It Funky"!

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Nonprofit organizations, city government departments and private companies often hire A Trike Called Funk to provide a fun-filled and family-friendly entertainment experience at their events. Before each activation, A.a.Ron Myers and Ed Word Galanroll out to and set up at their target location, which is typically an outdoor public place with limited infrastructure & amenities.

But no worries! A Trike Called Funk has its own portable battery that powers all of our equipment. For announcements or remarks, we’ve got a mic that together with our speakers double as a PA system. And our portable dance floor can be flexibly configured so we can get down anywhere around town.

Our founder with our trike

But if dancing isn’t for you, you can create art on the sidewalk with colorful chalk...

A person drawing on pavement with sidewalk chalk Three seated people playing tall drums Boston mayor Michelle Wu speaking into a microphone Kids pose with hand-painted graffiti on canvases

play an instrument...

or paint your own canvas to take home!

Paintings!

A Trike Called Funk’s activations include multiple forms of expression, and often feature workshops, dance lessons and/or DJ sets by local artists.

MC & Dance Lead A.a.Ron kicks off each activation by introducing A Trike Called Funk and thanking the event's sponsor.

DJ Ed Word then drops the beat and A.a.Ron starts to dance on and around the dance floor, interacting with people and inviting them to get down.

At first, people can be a bit hesitant to dance in front of others or with a group of strangers, but A Trike Called Funk’s enthusiasm and dance prompts make it fun and easy to get down together.

Kids are usually the first to get out on the floor…

Soon enough, everyone can’t help but join in. Our activations are full of laughter, dancing and creativity from all ages.

Six people dancing A group of children and adults dancing Children and adults dance on a dancefloor outside

Most of A Trike Called Funk's activations take place in public spaces that are accessible to everyone including but not limited to Pakrs & Gardens...

A group of people gathered in a park

Beaches & Islands…

A group of people dancing on a dancefloor at a beach

weddings...

A group of people dancing at a wedding

Festivals, Fairs, and more!

A group of people dancing on a basketball court
A group of people roller-skating on an outdoor dancefloor

This year, we're adding another Trike to our fleet and will have increased capacity for a greater variety of activations that go beyond the arts to also include educational offerings. In the coming year, we hope to further expand the variety of our activations. We’re especially excited to explore educational experiences and build on our past workshops in cultural appreciation and hip-hop at Suffolk University.

But the main aim of A Trike Called Funk's activations remains the same: unleashing creativity, connecting people and building community.

And now that you've gotten an inside look at our activations,w e'd love to explroe more collaboration. Contact us at atrikecalledfunk@gmail.com so we can "Make It Funky" for you, too!