For Immediate Release
(Toronto) 106 and York UrbanArts Youth Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary youth arts festival that happens in Toronto’s North-West communities. Now in its fifth year, this community event has grown from a one-day production, to a two-date festival, celebrating the talent of performers and visual artists from across the city. Headliners for this year’s events include JD Era, (signed to the label of Raekwon, of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan), Juno-nominated Producer/MC Rich Kidd, one of Toronto’s most exciting new vocalists, Shi Wisdom, and more.
The festival is divided into two distinct events:
Culture Shock, presented by UrbanArts & 106 and York
Saturday August 11th, 2012
1-8PM
Cover: FREE
Weston Road Farmers Market
Shi Wisdom is the headlining performance for this free outdoor community concert.
106 & York UrbanArts Festival
Friday August 31st, 2012
Doors open at 4 (food and red carpet pictures)
Show Starts at 6pm
Cover: $5 at the Door
Yorkwoods Theater – 1785 Finch Avenue West
Performers include JD Era, Rich Kidd, Shi Wisdom, JD Keyz and more!
“The best part of the festival, is the energy at the show.”, says Show Producer, Leandra LeGendre. “It’s unmatched. It’s a fresh and fearless crowd with a grassroots energy.”
With the support of festival partners UrbanArts, N.I.S.E. Clothing, High Class, and Manifesto, the organizers have developed a stellar showcase of Toronto’s talent and continues to give artists a platform from which they can build their careers. 106 and York also helps to build the capacity of the community to organize similar events by taking on community members as staff and interns.
In addition to performances, community merchandise/info tables allow local organizations and entrepreneurs to get involved by displaying information about their group. Some of the groups represented at our festival are: Urbanology Magazine, Hip Hop Canada.com, and other Toronto vendors will be selling their art and merchandise, so please feel free to bring the family enjoy the entertainment, and support this all ages event.
About 106 and York:
106 and York is a youth-led collaborative that supports youth in the urban arts through various initiatives. Our most prominent initiative is our multi-disciplinary youth urban arts festival that is presented in collaboration with other youth-led organizations such as Highclass and N.I.S.E. Clothing and larger organizations such as UrbanArts and Manifesto. This festival develops and showcases the talent of emerging musicians, recording artists, dancers, theatre groups, visual artists, film makers, photographers and fashion designers of North West Toronto.
Using mentorship to train younger and less experienced youth on the positions required to make the festival happen. This is not only a means of community building, but it also creates opportunities for youth to gain experience and employable skills within the arts sector. Additionally, the collective offers artist development workshops that train local emerging artists on art and business skills needed for their professional development. Beyond the festival, 106 and York supports and motivates young people who have been alienated from mainstream institutions to organize and create spaces for artistic expression in meaningful and professional ways.
For more information, please visit us online:
facebook.com/106ANDYORK
Twitter: @106andyork
