George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

“Now, this is what we want you all to do: If you got faults, defects or shortcomings—you know, like arthritis, rheumatism or migraines—whatever part of your body it is, we want you to lay it on your radio, let the vibes flow through. Funk not only moves, it can re-move, dig?”

They may not have the reputation as healers, per se, but something’s kept P-Funk alive, on the road, and just sane enough all these years. If it’s not some alchemical combination of technicolor hair and star-shaped glasses then it’s got to be that psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadooloop they’ve been dropping in our earholes since the ’70s. We know it’s fun, but can it heal? There’s only one way to find out: Put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip and come aboard the mothership.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic play Northern Lights (1208 Route 146, Clifton Park) tonight (Thursday, May 14) at 8 PM. Tickets are $22. Call 371-0012 for more info.

Young People’s Chorus of New York City

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City will perform Sunday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady, in a free concert that celebrates the varied and inspiring background of this multicultural ensemble.

The program will include contemporary songs by such composers as Karl Jenkins (“Kayama,” from Songs of Sanctuary), Meredith Monk (“Three Heavens and Hells”) and Toshiko Akiyoshi (“Hope”) and a range of spirituals and other songs of faith, ranging from Milos Blok’s setting of the Kyrie from Missa Brevis, and arrangements of “Take Me to the Water,” “Ain’t No Grave,” “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” and more.

This concert comes on the heels of an acclaimed performances last month at Carnegie Hall, for the 45th-anniversary performance of Terry Riley’s “In C,” and at Alice Tully Hall, where the Young People’s Chorus joined forces with the New York University singers to premiere Robert Kapilow’s “Jabberwocky.”

Founded more than 20 years ago by artistic director Francisco J. Núñez, the chorus has grown from a group of nine into a program that serves more than a thousand children each year—children from seven to 18 of any and all ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. The YPC’s core after-school program has grown to offer a satellite program in nine of the city’s public schools, and recently extended its program with the Young People’s Chorus of Erie, its new affiliate in Erie, Pa. Following the Schenectady concert, the Young People’s Chorus will set out on a tour of 18 Japanese cities.

Young People’s Chorus of New York City will perform at 3 PM Sunday (May 17) at the First United Methodist Church (603 State St., Schenectady). Admission is free. For more info, call 374-4403.

Knock It Off!

Now here is an entertaining idea for a benefit: Ask approximately 100 local artists to contribute works they’ve created in the style of the great masters, and sell each for $100 or less. This is the concept behind this Saturday’s Knock It Off! event at the Albany Center Gallery, which will benefit, naturally, Albany Center Gallery.

Here are a few of the local artist/well-known artist pairings we know about: Paul Bouchard, David Brickman and Joleen Button each worked in the style of Mark Rothko. Chris DeMarco channeled Christo; Dorothy Englander interpreted Andy Warhol; Jim Flosdord, Peter Leue and William Jaeger (pictured) followed Marcel Duchamp. Other famous creators who will also get “remixed,” so to speak, include Da Vinci, Picasso, Dali, Goya, Anselm Kiefer and Cindy Sherman. This is our kind of party.

Knock It Off! will be held Saturday (May 16) from 6 to 9 PM at Albany Center Gallery (39 Columbia St., Albany). Admission is free; there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. And don’t forget all the works available for $100 or less. For more info, call 462-4775.