A True Soul Powerhouse: Danielle Ponder

Friday, Dec. 7

Let's face it: A good bit of what may sometimes pass as modern funk and soul — while often fun to get down to, no doubt — gives off a sort of anodyne (ya know, familiar and safe-as-milk) kinda feel.

Danielle Ponder & The Tomorrow People … don't.

The Rochester-based fantastic frontwoman and her band have poured booming, heart-deep sound from their truly (and truly original) funky souls on stages in and around Erie before — at a supporting gig at the King's Rook Club last spring, and during a daylight set at the Night Lights Music Festival in nearby Sherman, N.Y. the summer prior.

And they amazed, well, everyone.

This time around, they're center-stage, headlining for the first time at the King's Rook's downstairs concert complex on Friday, Dec. 7 with up-and-coming Connecticut-based funksters West End Blend opening.

It's about damn time — to get seriously spellbound and down. — Ryan Smith

10 p.m. to 2 a.m. // 1921 Peach St. // $7 for members, $10 for non-current members // 21 + // facebook.com/kingsrookclub