The undisputed heavyweight champion of funk, George Clinton, is coming to Mr. Small’s… The undisputed heavyweight champion of funk, George Clinton, is coming to Mr. Small’s Theatre Friday night, and he’s bringing Parliament Funkadelic along for the ride. Although ticket prices may seem a little steep at 40 bucks a head, try to keep in mind that Clinton is the reason we have funk. If Dr. Funkenstein wants 40 bucks for an intimate appointment with only 549 other concertgoers – 550 is the maximum capacity for Mr. Small’s – you should consider yourself lucky.

There is no other artist in the history of music who has played a more influential role in the development of funk. Traces of Clinton’s unprecedented work have found their way into nearly every genre of popular music we love today. Whether it be in rhythms used by Eminem or in the music of Lenny Kravitz, it’s not hard to find traces of Clinton’s work in popular music today. It’s also not a coincidence that most successful pop music artists have George Clinton listed on their list of most influential artists of all time.

Parliament Funkedelic is a collection of some of the most gifted and awe-inspiring funk musicians around today. This band will spurt out more ear candy, whether it be avant-garde guitar and bass sounds mixed with a live drum set or horns and electronic keyboards, than a morning radio DJ reading off a list of school cancellations during a blizzard.

Let’s face it folks – you can beat around the bush, you can tell yourself you shouldn’t spend the cash, but come 9 p.m. Friday, there are going to be 550 concert-goers who are going to be the envy of Pittsburgh’s night life. We have all been to parties and heard the question “Who wants the funk?” Not uncommon. But when was the last time you heard it directly from the lips of the man that made it cool for the rest of the world to say for the last three decades?

While you’re standing in some cramped line in a poorly lit, damp basement, waiting an ungodly amount of time for a single warm beer from an almost-kicked keg of Milwaukee’s Best Ice during a campus party Friday night, try not to think about how much fun I’ll be having yelling, “Ain’t no party like a P-funk party, cause a P-funk party don’t stop!” with the Doctor Of Funk himself.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic play an all ages show at Mr. Small’s Theatre in Millvale Friday, Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 and can be purchased by calling (888) 549-TIXX or by visiting www.mrsmalls.com.