George Clinton, D.L. Hughley and Joe Torry coming to Tampa for Omega Psi Phi global conclave

Omega Psi Phi has an impressive list of distinguished alumni (Michael Jordan, Count Basie, Jesse Jackson), but none are as funky as George Clinton, who was inducted into the fraternity as an honorary member in 2020.

The 82-year-old leader of Parliament Funkadelic even re-recorded his hit song, “Atomic Dog” into "Que Dog" to mark the occasion, and Clinton is coming to celebrate with the Tampa Ques later this month.

Clinton headlines a concert on June 27in Ybor City in celebration of the Purple Reign Reception and welcome party happening in conjunction with the international grand conclave for Omega Psi Phi. Greenville rapper C-Blaque, who appeared in the “Que Dog” video with Clinton will also be there.

Tickets to see George Clinton play George Clinton play 1920 Ybor on Thursday, June 27 are still available and start at $65.

Festivities throughout Omega Psi Phi’s 84th grand conclave—which runs June 25-July 2—include a June 26 comedy show at Tampa Theatre featuring Ques like Peabody Award Winner D.L. Hughley, Rickey Smiley, Joe Torry and local chapter member Goldie.

Tickets to the Ques of Comedy show with D.L. Hughley, Rickey Smiley, Joe Torry and  Goldie at Tampa Theatre on Wednesday, June 26 start at $68.50.

A “Shades Of Purple Cruise” also happens on June 29, along with praise and worship with William Murphy (June 27), and Rep Michelle Rayner’s Justice Over Everything takeover on June 30. All told, nearly a dozen events are planned, including a large festival in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

It’s the first time Tampa has hosted the gathering, and more than 50,000 people from across the globe are expected to attend, according to BN9 .

Friendship is essential to the soul, say the Ques, but proceeds to the conclave will also go towards supporting the fraternity’s work in the community. While Omega Psi Phi has always had done educational outreach (G.V. Stewart, educator and first deputy superintendent in Hillsborough County, is one of the founding members of the Tampa Chapter, Pi Iota), but also has a philanthropic arm that doles out more than $40,000 a year in a scholarships, helps kids get drone license, opens doors to STEM education and provides mentoring opportunities for local youth.

“We’re also going to feed at least 200 families during the conclave,” Brother Al Sheriff, Basileus of the Pi Iota Chapter, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in talking about the good work the Ques do with donations.

More information is available via tampaconclave2024.com .

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter