Key Details For October 2026 Performances
- October 2026 is the final month to see You Can’t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk before it closes on October 25 at Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago.
- The production delivers high-energy performances of classic funk hits from Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Rick James, and Bootsy Collins.
- Multiple October dates remain, including Saturday double-headers on October 3, 17, and 24, with the October 25 matinee as the final performance.
- Tickets start at $65 plus fees, with discounts for seniors and youth, and a 5-Play Card that reduces the cost for multiple shows.
- OnesToWatch Live provides direct ticket links and tracks every performance date for this and other shows on the OnesToWatch roster.
Ticket Links For Remaining October 2026 Shows
The dates below are the remaining performances OnesToWatch Live is tracking for You Can’t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk at Black Ensemble Theater. Each link goes straight to purchase, while the theater’s own schedule remains the final authority for any changes or added dates.
Friday, October 2 — Evening
Saturday, October 3 — Matinee
Saturday, October 3 — Evening
Sunday, October 4 — Matinee
Choose Seats For Oct 4 Matinee
Friday, October 16 — Evening
Grab Tickets For Oct 16 Evening
Saturday, October 17 — Matinee
Saturday, October 17 — Evening
Sunday, October 18 — Matinee
Friday, October 23 — Evening
Saturday, October 24 — Matinee
Saturday, October 24 — Evening
Sunday, October 25 — Matinee (Final Performance)
OnesToWatch Live tracks every show on the OnesToWatch roster, so these links stay focused on the remaining October performances.
October 2026 Performance Schedule Overview
October follows a familiar weekend pattern for this run. Performances are scheduled Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Some Sunday evenings and one Friday evening do not have shows.
The numbered list below uses OnesToWatch Live first-party data as the core reference for each tracked October date.
- Friday, October 2 — Evening (7:00 p.m.): The first Friday of October opens the month’s performances and suits weeknight theatergoers who prefer lighter weekend crowds.
- Saturday, October 3 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The first of two shows on the opening Saturday in October, ideal for an afternoon outing.
- Saturday, October 3 — Evening (7:00 p.m.): The second half of the October 3 double-header, with Saturday evenings at Black Ensemble Theater often drawing full houses.
- Sunday, October 4 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The only Sunday performance in the first October weekend. No evening show appears on this date.
- Friday, October 16 — Evening: The Friday return after a mid-month gap. Some published schedules omit this performance, while OnesToWatch Live data lists it, so confirm availability with the box office.
- Saturday, October 17 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The first of two shows on the third Saturday in October.
- Saturday, October 17 — Evening (7:00 p.m.): The second October 17 performance, completing the mid-month Saturday pair.
- Sunday, October 18 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The only Sunday performance in the third weekend. No evening show appears on this date.
- Friday, October 23 — Evening (7:00 p.m.): The penultimate Friday of the run and one of the last chances before closing weekend.
- Saturday, October 24 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The first of two Saturday shows on closing weekend.
- Saturday, October 24 — Evening (7:00 p.m.): The final Saturday evening performance, a slot that historically carries high demand.
- Sunday, October 25 — Matinee (2:00 p.m.): The final performance of the entire engagement. The production closes after this curtain.
Earlier October Dates In Context
The OnesToWatch Live dataset begins with Friday, October 2, 2026 for this production. As of October 1, 2026, all listed October dates remain upcoming, so no tracked October performances have passed yet.
How This Run Fits Into The Season
You Can’t Fake The Funk began previews on September 5, 2026, and officially opened on September 13, 2026. The September portion of the run has concluded, so October now serves as the final window to see the show.
Black Ensemble Theater’s annual Gala takes place on October 15, 2026, between the first and second October weekends tracked here. The Gala requires a separate ticket from regular performances.
The next production after You Can’t Fake The Funk is Jackie Taylor’s The Other Cinderella, scheduled from December 12, 2026 through January 24, 2027. Black Ensemble Theater also offers a digital 5-Play Card priced at $280 including fees, which provides a $65 savings over individual tickets and remains valid for 18 months, with up to five tickets redeemable on a single date.
Patterns In The October Schedule
October 2026 functions as the closing chapter of a run that started in early September. You Can’t Fake The Funk is a musical revue written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Artistic Director Daryl D. Brooks. It premiered at Black Ensemble Theater in 2019 and returns in this 2026 revival.
The earlier production earned Brooks the 2019 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Musical/Revue. The current staging forms part of Black Ensemble Theater’s 50th Anniversary Season, which Choose Chicago highlights among 15 notable fall productions in the city.
Saturday double-headers on October 3, 17, and 24 give groups and couples several options to coordinate plans. The October 25 matinee stands as the only performance on the final day, which concentrates demand on that single time slot.
Reviewer Alan Bresloff of Around the Town Chicago wrote, “Vibrant, energetic, and highly entertaining, ‘You Can’t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music’ is a spectacular musical revue in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Black Ensemble Theater.”
Practical Details For Attending
What The Show Covers: This high-energy musical revue is narrated by Dwight Neal as Dr. Funk and traces the golden age of funk from its roots during the Civil Rights Movement through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The score features music associated with Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Rick James, and Bootsy Collins, performed by a live onstage band.
Ticket Prices: General admission tickets are $65 plus a $4 convenience fee, for a total of $69. Patrons 17 and under and seniors 65 and older with proof of age pay $59 total.
How To Buy: Use the affiliate links on this page for direct Ticketmaster checkout, or contact the Black Ensemble Theater Box Office at 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago, by phone at (773) 769-4451 or online at www.blackensemble.org.
Parking: Valet parking at Black Ensemble Theater is currently listed at $15, cash only, on the theater’s official Arrival & Parking page, although some other sources cite slightly different amounts.
Which Dates To Choose: Closing weekend on October 24 and 25 carries particular weight for audiences who want to be present near the end of the run. Saturday evening performances on October 17 and October 24 suit first-time attendees seeking a full night out. The October 25 matinee serves as the final curtain of the production.
Check Final Weekend Availability
FAQ
When Does You Can’t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk Close?
The production closes on October 25, 2026. The final performance is a Sunday matinee at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago.
What Are The Showtimes For October 2026 Performances?
The standard October schedule lists Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. According to Around the Town Chicago’s review, no performance takes place on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m., even though some resale sites show that time. There are also no Sunday evening shows on October 4 or October 18. Patrons should confirm specific showtimes with the box office before attending.
How Much Do Tickets Cost, And Are There Discounted Options?
General admission tickets cost $65 plus a $4 convenience fee, for a total of $69. Patrons aged 17 and under and seniors 65 and older with proof of age pay $59 total. Black Ensemble Theater also offers a 5-Play Card for $280 including fees, which provides a $65 savings over individual ticket prices and remains valid for 18 months, with up to five tickets redeemable on a single show date.
Where Is Black Ensemble Theater, And Is Parking Available?
Black Ensemble Theater is located at 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640, in the Ravenswood and Uptown area on the city’s North Side. Valet parking is available for $15, cash only. The box office can be reached by phone at (773) 769-4451.
What Is You Can’t Fake The Funk: A Journey Through Funk About?
The show is a musical revue written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Artistic Director Daryl D. Brooks. It premiered at Black Ensemble Theater in 2019 and returns in this 2026 revival. Dwight Neal narrates as Dr. Funk, guiding audiences through the history of funk music from its roots during the Civil Rights Movement through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The production features live performances of songs associated with Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Rick James, and Bootsy Collins, performed by a full onstage band as part of Black Ensemble Theater’s 50th Anniversary Season.