Cuban artist Cimafunk headlines the Olympia Funk Festival Jan. 29-31, 2027. The three-day event returns for its fourth year across multiple downtown Olympia venues.

Tickets range from free to $179, according to the festival's website.

The lineup includes Cimafunk, Toyesauce featuring NOLA All Stars, Super Sonic Shorties, Polyrhythmics, Diggin' Dirt, Big Sam's Funky Nation, McTuff, Outer Orbit and more.

Performances will take place at Capitol Theater at 206 5th Ave., The Olympia Ballroom at 116 Legion Way SE, and other venues.

Cimafunk, whose full name is Erik Iglesias Rodriguez, blends Afro-Cuban rhythms with classic American funk, according to NPR.

An olyarts.org preview suggested the festival's ideas of funk music "seem to be expanding more into the global sphere" with Cimafunk's booking.

From a suggestion to a growing festival

The festival traces back to 2023. Amid activity in the Thurston County planning community, Danielle Westbrook suggested that some Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funds go toward a music festival.

That suggestion became the Olympia Funk Festival roughly six months later, according to olyarts.org.

Westbrook, described as an established member of the Olympia nonprofit scene and a musician who spent time in a funk group, spearheaded the event alongside Alan Rose and Richard Williams.

The festival has grown steadily since. Westbrook told olyarts.org that Capitol Theater is the festival's largest venue, capping overall attendance. "After the first year, we grew, by adding a third venue, which is the Olympia Center," Westbrook said.

"Third year, we added a fourth, free venue, which is the Elk Lodge. So, we keep adding places to grow into, but we're still capped at our biggest venue. We grow by giving the community more opportunities to engage."

Free events and community programs

Beyond ticketed shows, the festival has expanded its free programming over the years. That includes workshops on creating funk music, shows open to the public and programs that provide instruments to people in need, according to olyarts.org.

The festival is presented by Ecstatic Sound Collective.

Residents can find the full lineup and ticket details at olyfunkfest.com.