At Catch One, a funk concert transports you to 1974 — and it’s immersive theater at its finest

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The man I’m talking to tells me he has no name.

He only answers when called “Hey,” and refers to himself as a “travel agent”—but his knowing smile suggests this is a cover for illegal activity.

Eight of us are squeezed into a small corner of the nightclub with him. It’s usually a makeup room, but tonight it’s our secret spot where he’s giving us psychedelic mints to help us forget the harshness of life. It’s really noisy too, with the loud funk band playing next door trying to make itself heard.

Someone told me to close my eyes, and I let the mint dissolve in my mouth, trying to imagine it would transport me somewhere else. As the man selling the mints spoke, it became obvious he was still deeply affected by his experiences in Vietnam. Despite the serious undertones, the atmosphere wasn’t sad. We could understand what he meant without needing anything artificial – especially his feeling that even if music can’t fix the world’s problems, it can still offer a lot of solace.

Travel & Experiences

The Immersive Invitational is an annual event, now in its fourth year, that highlights the collaborative spirit of interactive storytelling. Teams compete by creating a 10-minute show within a 48-hour timeframe.

“Brassroots District: LA ’74” is a unique experience blending a live concert with interactive storytelling and a bit of experimentation. It’s an evening where you can dance and celebrate, but also witness a dramatic story unfold – and how it unfolds depends on you. You can follow the actors to learn about the hidden history of the LA music scene and how it became a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Alternatively, you can focus on the band as they struggle with the challenges of balancing artistic integrity and commercial success on the eve of their first album release. Or, you can simply enjoy the music and let loose on the dance floor. It’s up to you how you experience the show.

Currently playing at Catch One, “Brassroots District” creates a fantastical take on 1974, but it’s not just about looking back. The show’s central band is inspired by Sly and the Family Stone, a group whose message of unity and resilience during turbulent times still feels relevant today. “Brassroots District” also pays tribute to the history of Catch One itself, featuring a character based on the club’s founder, Jewel Thais-Williams, a key figure in L.A.’s music scene who created a safe space for Black LGBTQ+ people and music lovers.

Herstand explains the choice of 1974 as a deliberate reference to the Watergate scandal and President Nixon’s corruption. She sees strong political similarities between the early 1970s and 2026, and while they don’t want to be overly confrontational, they aim to explore how far we’ve come since then.

This isn’t the first time the idea behind “Brassroots District” has been brought to life. Musician and author Herstand and artist manager Leib have been developing the concept for ten years. It started when Herstand was in New Orleans, staying with family and researching his book, “How to Make it in the New Music Business.” Originally, it was envisioned as a band – a way to generate buzz around a new musical group.

I’ve been following Brassroots District for a while now, and it’s fascinating to see how they’ve evolved. They started as a band, but they really fell into the world of immersive theater – you know, those shows where the audience isn’t just watching, but actually participating and interacting with the performers. It’s become less of a concert and more of a full-blown experience, and they’ve really embraced that shift. Like a lot of people in this kind of performance art, the creator, Herstand, pointed to ‘Sleep No More’ in New York as the production that first opened his eyes to the potential of immersive storytelling.

Herstand explains that the performance offers a different kind of experience than a typical stage show, allowing the audience to move around and explore as they choose.

The show features eleven actors and is directed by DeMone Seraphin. It was created with help from immersive theater experts Chris Porter and Lauren Ludwig. While I only interacted with a few of the performers, the show culminates in a lively, all-audience dance party when the band takes to the crowd. It’s a dream experience for music lovers, offering a glimpse behind the scenes and celebrating the energetic, unifying spirit of funk music.

Travel & Experiences

I recently went to see “asses.masses,” that touring video game show, when it hit Los Angeles, and wow, the energy was incredible! The crowd was absolutely pumped and ready for some serious gaming action.

A major advantage for “Brassroots District” is that, at its core, it’s a concert. The group released their first album, “Welcome to the Brassroots District,” earlier this year, and attendees who prefer a more passive experience can simply enjoy the performance while still understanding the main story – a band deciding whether to sign a record deal with a questionable executive. However, Herstand and Leib believe around half the audience actively wants to engage with the experience on a deeper level.

The opening weekend, especially Saturday, seemed to draw a large crowd. During the show, when the two lead performers – Herstand as Copper Jones and Celeste Butler Clayton as Ursa Major – unexpectedly left the stage mid-concert, the audience instinctively followed them to another room while the band continued playing. The creator, Leib, calls these unplanned moments “side quests,” explaining they offer a chance for the audience to connect with the performers, the venue owner, and the manager on a more personal level.

Even though the main action happens elsewhere, the central stage area still offers interesting moments. A journalist will question a record executive there, and both will mingle with attendees, potentially sharing contact information to continue the story after the show. The goal is to make the audience feel like they’re part of the performance. In fact, the main plot of “Brassroots District” often begins when someone in the audience discovers props intentionally left out that hint at the record label’s conflicts. Actors, like Herstand, will subtly guide attendees if they need help finding their way.

According to Leib, when you’re in the audience, you’re also playing a role of sorts, and you have the power to influence the atmosphere. The audience, many dressed in their best ’70s attire and asked to put their phones away before the show starts, might need a moment to distinguish the actors from everyone else, but a microphone usually helps identify who’s performing.

People attending ‘Brassroots District’ often dress up in costumes, and they really go all out with it, but it’s totally optional, according to Herstand.

The show, “Brassroots District,” lasts about two hours and is currently scheduled to run until the end of March. However, creators Herstand and Leib are hoping for a much longer run. Earlier versions of the show, with different stories, were performed outdoors, shortly after the peak of the pandemic. They always intended to bring it indoors, and they specifically embraced the history of the venue, Catch One, in this production.

According to Leib, the building itself holds a history of providing a haven for queer men and the Black community. It was a place where people could feel safe and be themselves, and the show will explore this history, highlighting how art and music were used as forms of resistance.

The band’s message really shines through in their music, especially in the song “Together.” It’s inspired by Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People” and is an upbeat, feel-good tune with a hopeful message about creating a better world – you can even hear the finger snaps that drive the rhythm!

According to Herstand, the song’s central message – ‘We are stronger when we unite’ – is a call for togetherness. The goal is to inspire people to connect, believing that collective action is the key to positive social change.

Tonight, this is what real progress feels like: a joyful celebration where everyone is welcome and connected.

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2026-02-12 14:03