Will Funk For Food: A Fistful of Funk

In the piece, three lonely cowboys set out together on an epic journey across the desert. Along the way, 1970s funk dance merges with text by playwright Juho Keränen, inspired by the toxic machismo and hypermasculinity of Sergio Leone’s westerns.

Locking is a dance style that originated in the 1970s on the West Coast of the United States within African American communities. It is characterised by sharp freezes, grooving steps, and acrobatic moves. The performance delves into one of Locking’s essential elements: character — the dancer’s distinctive quality. Through characters and play, the piece explores alternative expressions of masculinity while showcasing each performer’s unique style and personality.

Will Funk For Food, founded in 2008, is one of Finland’s most internationally successful street dance groups, specialising in the Locking style. WFFF promotes the art form in Finland, striving to establish street dance as part of the country’s cultural landscape and to bring joy and excitement to audiences of all ages. Among the group’s biggest achievements are three consecutive Finnish Championship titles, as well as performances in Japan, France, and across the Baltic Sea in Sweden.

A Fistful of Funk was premiered in June 2024, at Dance House Helsinki’s Pannu Hall. The performance presented at Zodiak Stage in January 2026 is an adapted version for four performers, designed for touring.