Another dope initiative! (Shouts to Amanda!)

T-DOT RENAISSANCE: DIASPORIC JOURNEYS COLLABORATIVE

ART INSTALLATION

TORONTO, ON,

December 3^rd-4^th, 2011

– Diasporic Journeys: Young

Toronto Artists Collaborate for Collective Art Installation.

 

T-Dot Renaissance announces it’s first-ever collective art installation exploring diasporic journeys, from December 3-4th, 2011 at Loft 404 (located at 404-263 Adelaide St. West). Join us in this experiential exhibit, where all guests will be invited to walk through our interactive space at their own pace, and take the journey with us!

 

T-Dot Renaissance represents a group of emerging and interdisciplinary artists, working and rooted in Toronto. Emerging from the successful staging of Amanda Parris’s theatrical production, 32C and inspired by the artistic movement of the Harlem Renaissance, this group of artists became inspired to further collaborate, by putting together interactive and interdisciplinary installations that would see their collaboration reach new depths.

 

Their purpose (in progress) is:

 

1. To Make Purposeful Time for Play

2. To Collaborate and Build Multi-Arts Installations

3. To Learn from Collective Mentors

4. To Mobilize Resources for Artistic Opportunities for Us All

5. To Create Healing Spaces for Artists to Push Limits

6. To Re-Define Ritual and Community and Build Solidarity Between Our Village

 

T-Dot Renaissance seeks to tell the stories that are not told, to give voice to those often silenced, and to encourage a kind of collaborative effort that is often missing from today’s individualistic and product-driven art market. This installation will trace the journey of so-called “third world” bodies they move across space into the “first world.”  Through poetry, photography, film, painting, sculpture and dance, the artists will “flip the colonial gaze” and tell a new story; one that is embedded in critique, challenge, memory and survival.

 

Artistic Director: Amanda Parris

Featured Artists: Colanthony Humphrey, Natasha Daniel, Neil “Logik” Donaldson, Nadijah Robinson, Quentin Vercetty, Nayani Thiyagarajah, Kim Crosby, Myk Miranda, Camille “Ciel” Lauren, Keisha-Monique Simpson, Jamiena Shah, Kemba King, Alana Lowe, Alix Muyoti and Kayla Carter.

 

The collective T-Dot Renaissance is extremely thankful to the Ontario Arts Council for their support of the team’s collective efforts, and to Loft 404 for providing a beautiful space for the installation.

 

We encourage people to follow us on twitter.com/TDotRenaissance, check out our Facebook event, and visit tdotrenaissance.squarespace.com for regular updates on all installation news.

It’s that time again. This call out probably applies to the R&B category as well. At the very least singers should be getting their submissions together too.

2012 JUNO AWARDS CALLING FOR

SUBMISSIONS IN THE CATEGORY OF RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Toronto, ON (October 20, 2011) – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced that the 2012 JUNO Awards is now accepting submissions in the category of Rap Recording of the Year. JUNO Week unfolds in the nation’s capital, Ottawa, ON March 26 – April 1, 2012. The celebration includes a series of exciting events leading up to the JUNO Awards presentation on Sunday April 1, 2012, which will be televised nationwide on CTV.

The Rap Advisory Committee includes seasoned label representative Jay Devonish (eOne Entertainment), David “Click” Cox (Stylus DJ Awards), Greg Baptiste (MuchMusic/CTV), Jody Laraya (Universal Music Canada), Jesse Plunkett (HipHopCanada.com), Melissa “DJ MelBoogie” Langley (DJ/Publicist), Jay Swing (Donnelly Group/NationOfMillions.ca), Kyle Kraft (Battle Axe/ Krafty Entertainment), Dice B (CINQ 102.3FM), Don Smooth (K103FM), Rez (CityOnMyBack.com), Darryl Rodway (Urbnet), and Marlon Wilson, (Music for Mavericks/Politic Live).

Collectively, the committee continues to make strides in developing outreach to rap artists across the country, both English and Francophone, to increase the number of submissions. As a result of these concentrated efforts, the number of submissions received by CARAS in the category of Rap Recording of the Year has been steadily rising since the category was established in 1990. By partnering with radio shows, online magazines and DJs across the country, the committee hopes to continue to raise awareness throughout the community about the submissions and judging process, specifically for rap artists. “We’ve assembled a great team of people from around the country who are actively working in various aspects of the urban music scene,” says Jay Devonish, Chairman / JUNO Awards Rap Advisory Committee. We’ve also worked closely with CARAS to ensure the jurors voting in this category are qualified and active within the urban community. We’re excited to work together with CARAS to ensure the rap community is properly represented at the JUNO Awards.”

The JUNO Awards have been proven to be an excellent networking vehicle, not only for artists who win, but also for nominees and/or participants in various JUNO Awards events.

Shad, winner of the 2011 JUNO Award for Rap Recording of the Year had this to say about his win: “The JUNO Awards have helped raise my profile both within and outside the music industry. My first nomination for “The Old Prince” and my second nomination and subsequent win for “TSOL” were both helpful in raising awareness for my music across the country.” The JUNO Awards have been proven to be an excellent networking venue, even for the nominated artists who don’t go home with the Award. Artist Prevail, from the four-time JUNO Award-winning rap group Swollen Members stated, “Before our win, there’s no questioning the positive impact that the JUNO Awards have had on our career. The momentum opened doors to more Canadian shows and the coverage elevated us to a new level and cemented our legitimacy.” Other previous nominees include Drake, K’Naan, Sans Pression, DL Incognito, Belly, Checkmate, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Classified, Dubmatique, Concise, D-Sisive, Eternia, k-os, Famous and Sweatshop Union.

Submission forms are available at http://junosubmissions.ca

All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2011.

More details after the jump!

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Another dope initiative from Tika Simone!

The Known [Un] Known is an event series and collaborative effort of artists that support one another to assist in garnering worldwide success.

The Known Unknown introduces BEATFACE Live ft. Opening Act @ Rashid St. James & The SHPDS

+ Audition-Only Open Mic

Sunday, October 2nd

Alongside Afterparty w/ DJ Sean ‘Smartiez’ Crooks

875 Bloor St. W

$10 before 9pm; $15 afterwards

Doors open at 7pm

Show begins at 8pm

See you there!

MANIFESTO FESTIVAL PRESENTS

LIVE AT THE SQUARE

Manifesto’s “Live At The Square” includes main-stage performances, a bboy/bgirl open dance floor, graffiti wall and open canvas artwork, the Freshest Goods Market, workshops, and more. Sunday’s all day outdoor block party transforms Yonge-Dundas Square into Toronto’s multidisciplinary urban arts playground backed by a free concert showcasing some of Canada’s musical legends and emerging talent, alongside a handful of international guests.

THE SUPER BLOCK PARTY featuring Rakim & Kid Capri, Blu & Exile, Phonte & 9th Wonder, Michie Mee & DJ X, Freedom Writers & Sweet Touch Foundation

AFTERNOON HEADLINER featuring Stalley

themanifesto.ca

MANIFESTO FESTIVAL OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
CELEBRATING OUR 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
11 days. 14 events. 100+ artists. One city.
September 15th-25th, 2011
Toronto. Canada.

Celebrating our significant 5-year anniversary for this upcoming edition, the Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture returns this year with an 11-day long festival featuring an unprecedented series of events including the ArtReach Pitch Contest, FRESH (New Artist Showcase), the 106 & York Urban Arts Festival, Wombmanifesto, Origins (an Indigenous Hip Hop Showcase), Manifesto Movie Night, the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash, a Conference on Community & Career, a Street Dance Tribute and many more.

In Manifesto tradition, the festival will culminate on Sep 25 with a massive FREE outdoor concert at Yonge-Dundas Square headlined by Rakim & Kid Capri, 9th Wonder & Phonte, Blu & Exile, Andreena Mill, Zaki Ibrahim, Michie Mee and more. The festival will also include the participation of legendary hip hop forefather Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, Mr. Wiggles, the Inside Out Project, and Indigo.

Manifesto will once again transform the city for 11 days into a hotbed of youth culture igniting 13 venues with over 100 artists offering something for everyone. With constant new additions to the festival, Manifesto returns bigger and more exciting than ever!

Full Details go here:
themanifesto.ca

follow Manifesto on twitter here:
twitter.com/​Manifesto_Fest

CREDITS:

Shot By:
Che Kothari & Char Loro

Produced By:
Wan Luv, David Delisca, ELMNT

Edited By:
ELMNT & Christopher Cole

Featuring:
Church Chizzle
pHoenix Pagaliacci
JellyTooFly
Element
Fresco P
DJ James Redi

Stretch BEFORE you come, lol.

An evening celebrating street dance culture in Toronto through showcase performances, battles, open cyphers, and Toronto’s First B-Boy award ceremony. The event will take place in two rooms – one devoted to bboying/bgirling and the other to all styles of street dance. Special guest Mr. Wiggles will be performing in both rooms throughout the night. Also, in partnership with SCION, 15 car hoods painted by Toronto artists will be auctioned off at this event.

99 Sudbury – 99 Sudbury Street (Lisgar, South of Queen St)

9pm to 2am: Doors at 8pm | Ticket: $20 advanced, $25 at door | 19+

Map

Tickets available at:
click here to Purchase Ticket
Play De Record – 357 Yonge Street
Soundscapes – 572 College St.
Slinky/Moog Audio – 442 Queen St. W.
Onyx Barbershop – 219A Yonge Street (across from Eaton Centre)
Broadway Fashions – Mississauga Square One & Scarborough Town Centre

Full details HERE!

Manifesto Festival in partnership with the Ontario Arts Council and World Famous Music are excited to present our debut Indigenous concert
showcase.  ORIGINS: The Firekeepers brings to together 6 Ontario based Indigenous artists/groups to recognize the talent among a segment of artists, who often receive minimal exposure to the mainstream Canadian market.  The event also provides an artist development facet, where all the performers will have the opportunity to sit-in on a discussion regarding a number of topics related to the Canadian music industry.

Tickets are 2 for $15 available at all Manifesto ticket outlets and online at ticketpicket.com.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145229162233126
Ticket Purchase: http://www.ticketpicket.com/manifestoorigins
Event Info: http://themanifesto.ca/festival/event6.php

K’naan and Sol Guy talk the famine crisis in Somalia as they attempt to make a difference at a grassroots and government level with the likes of U2’s Bono and Senator John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain.

Shot & edited by Jordan Haro.

Hit the jump for CNN coverage that featured K’naan and Bono plus a clip of the two artists singing “Stand By Me” during a U2 show in Minneapolis.

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It’s here!

Toronto, August, 23rd, 2011 – Celebrating our significant 5-year anniversary for this upcoming edition, the Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture returns this year with an 11-day long festival featuring an unprecedented series of events including the ArtReach Pitch Contest, FRESH (New Artist Showcase), the 106 & York Urban Arts Festival, Wombmanifesto, Origins (an Indigenous Hip Hop Showcase), Manifesto Movie Night, the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash, a Conference on Community & Career, a Street Dance Tribute and many more.

In Manifesto tradition, the festival will culminate on Sep 25 with a massive FREE outdoor concert at Yonge-Dundas Square headlined by Rakim & Kid Capri, 9^th Wonder & Phonte, Blu & Exile, Andreena Mill, Zaki Ibrahim, Michie Mee and more. The festival will also include the participation of legendary hip hop forefather Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, Mr. Wiggles, the Inside Out Project, and Indigo.

Manifesto will once again transform the city for 11 days into a hotbed of youth culture igniting 13 venues with over 100 artists offering something for everyone. With constant new additions to the festival, Manifesto returns bigger and more exciting than ever!

Ian Kamau in conversation with Bob Marley’s granddaughter?! I’m down.

This Friday, August 5th (in Toronto) I am organizing an informal Gathering on youth and spirituality with Rita & Bob Marley’s granddaughter, Donisha Prendergast. This session is connected to a film called RasTa coming out this September; the session on Friday is called RasTa Sessions: Reasoning On Youth and Spirituality, it is a FREE and informal conversation in Alexandra Park in partnership with Scadding Court Community Centre (where I worked for years in my teens and early twenties). The session will explore tradition, spirituality, culture and knowledge and give young people the opportunity to speak with Donisha about their own spirituality, ask questions and contribute to the conversation. You can find more information about the film at www.rastaonline.ca

Aug 5 | 6pm in Alexandra Park (PO)
South of Scadding Court Community Centre
(707 Dundas St. at Bathurst)

Visuals after the jump!

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