From Megacityhiphop’s youtube channel.

Headliners Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) performing “Get By” at this year’s Manifesto Festival!

“Theatre for people who hate theatre! — Secrets of a Black Boy speaks to a new generation – urban non-theatre goers. With a soundscape of music meets theatre, this hot new production is a concert, a party and a play all in one. Secrets of a Black Boy will have theatre newbie’s and theatre lovers cheering for more!

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SO MUCH going on in the city this week! Big shouts to everyone at Manifesto for what looks to be a great festival again this year! There’s so many events between now and Sunday night (capped off by a free show with Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek headlining at Nathan Phillips Square)  but all you gotta do is go to www.themanifesto.ca for all the schedule details!

Some real heavy-hitters in the line-up! Should be ill.

Live Performances by:
Tona, Gangis Khan aka Camoflauge, Mayhem Morearty with Navy Sealz+Adam Bomb, Alex Dimez, King Jus, General, Sporadic, 9th Uno, Empire, Mason Payne, Blake Carrington, Scorsese, Rich Kidd with Junia-T, Reps Up, Shing Shing Regime and Mazaman.

Saturday, September 12, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Metro Convention Centre
255 Front St. West

Peep the FB event page for more info.

As part of the whole Manifesto movement check out this dope event coming up next week. Flyer above and deets below. Key points…FREE and REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! Chyea!

Manifesto and ArtReach TORONTO present:

The Youth Arts Pitch Contest!
Tuesday September 15, 2009

Whipper Snapper Gallery, 587A College Street (College and Bathurst)

11 youth ARTS finalists pitch it out for $15,000 in cash prizes!

Open Mic for youth 5-6pm: Win Raptors tickets!
Hosted by Famous (Recording Artist)
Music by DJ Dalia (Never Forgive Action/Hip Hop Karaoke)

Contest starts at 6pm sharp!

Judges:
Farley Flex (Canadian Idol)
Nawa Simon (Actress, Dancer)
Adrian MacKenzie (Urbanology Magazine)
Rich Kidd (Rapper, Producer)
Sora Olah (Host: SUN TV’s Street Eats)

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Ian Kamau celebrates his birthday today with the release of his “September Nine Mixtape Vol.2” @ Anitafrika.

Happy Birthday Kamau!

Previously: Ian Kamau feat. The Voyce – “Make You Love Me”

My homegirl Ilona sent this over to me. Should be a cool, eclectic cultural event. If you’re looking for something new to experience come through. From about 7-10pm will be light music and the art show and then it will turn into a party with DJ Slum1 and DJ Serious manning the boards. I’m going!

It’s that time of year again.  The glitz, the glam, the uber fashion and more lavish than life parties. Not to mention, the hordes of celebrities and socialites that will add to the sparkle of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.  But, along with all the drama, comes one major headache: scheduling the real stars of TIFF, the films themselves.
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Any time an event brings the “priority neighbourhoods” together for a good cause it’s definitely a good look. Details below:

On August 27th Literature for Life hosts this year’s largest and most controversial event. Youth from Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods
have united to display peace of city streets. They are  mentored by
hip-hop artists Famous and JB, Flow 935, CUIT Radio, Urbanology Magazine,
Hustle and Flip Entertainment, HITM Entertainment and are supported by
Mayor David Miller, Toronto Police Services and many more.

Poetic Fashion will welcome upwards of 500 guests and features more than
five designers, 10 spoken-word artists, 17 performers, and 20 models.
Prizes and free product from our sponsors will be provided.

WHO: Literature for Life
WHAT: Poetic Fashion – Building Bridges… Not Barriers
WHEN: Thursday, August 27th, 2009
WHERE: Capitol Events Theatre, 2492 Yonge St. (North of Eglington)
WHY: To deconstruct labels built on youth stereotypes

Tickets $20 in advance, $30 at the door.
For more info: 416-725-2285 or visit www.literatureforlife.org.

From the official Manifesto Press Release:

“Toronto, ON – August 25, 2009 – Once in a while music, art, culture and technology collide in a way that opens up unique possibilities and shifts consciousness – a catalyst for creative evolution and social change. Get ready Toronto – MANIFESTO returns for their Third Annual Festival of Community & Culture from September 16th – 20th! Toronto will host events around the city with live musical performances, art exhibitions, a film festival, a professional breakdance competition, workshops, an artists’ market and a massive after party showcasing local, national and international artists in the hip hop community.

Event highlights for this year’s festival include the Manifesto Film Festival that will debut a secret cinema in the heart of the city; the high energy, crowd-pleasing Canada Pro Bboy Championship that will see top crews from across North America battle for a $5,000 cash prize; a 3-floor Art Exhibition featuring top notch, cutting edge artists in graffiti, street art, design, illustration, photography and new media with guests that include Montreal’s Roadsworth and world-renowned street artist NUNCA from Brazil; two block parties spotlighting GTA-wide community talent at the Parkdale Youth Festival and 106 & York Urban Arts Festival, a Featured Party with special guest and superstar producer 9th Wonder, the dual-venue Manifesto After Party with special guest DJ’s to be announced; and of course the festival’s Main Event – a FREE family-friendly day of arts and music at Nathan Phillips Square that escalates into an epic outdoor concert, this year featuring a rare free performance by headliners and hip hop royalty Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek as REFLECTION ETERNAL! The Main Event also includes the “Freshest Goods” market where young designers and collectives sell merchandise and gain exposure; “Know Your Craft” workshops including capoeira, hand drumming, breakdancing, DJing, and a variety of other art forms; a 70-foot mural painted live throughout the day by Toronto’s cream of the crop, and an open collaborative mural and community dance floor for those itching to get involved!

More special guests are being added to the Manifesto Festival 2009 lineup. The final lineup will be announced by September 8th.”

www.themanifesto.ca

See the Manifesto 2008 Recap Video HERE!