Pretty Daze
today’s soooooooo f*cking beautiful out!
i’m a tad annoyed im stuck inside today and not out enjoying the sun, but hey money calls right?
ahh i welcome Spring and Summer with open arms :)
Tickets for TIFF.
after carefully consideration i chose which films i will go see for this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
they go in order of interest:
- “The Day” - Directed by Doug Aarniokoski & written by Luke Passmore. A band of survivors must fight to keep humanity alive in a bleak post-apocalyptic world.
- “Doppelganger Paul” - Directed by Dylan Akio Smith & Kris Elgstrand, also written by Kris Elgstrand. Doppelganger Paul is a comedy about alienation, plagiarism and identity in an increasingly fragmented world. Although it’s never explicitly asked, Doppelganger Paul constantly poses the question: in a fragmented world, is any sense of belonging so valuable we’ll give up anything to hold on to it?
- “Death For Sale” - Directed & written by Faouzi Bensaidi. Three young men decide to rob a jewellery store. They are among the hopelessly unemployed street population of Morocco’s provincial cities, common thugs in the eyes of many but bound by solidarity and friendship. They see the heist as a means to break out of a cycle of poverty that weighs on their destiny like a life sentence.
now’s all i need is one to accompany me or a killer outfit if ‘tis a solo trip
The 5th annual MANIFESTO FESTIVAL of Community & Culture!
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, 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!
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
ARTREACH PITCH CONTEST
As part of this exciting event, ArtReach Toronto and Manifesto, in partnership with Toronto Cultural Services and Grassroots Youth Collaborative, will hold a live pitch contest to award prizes to young artists between 16 and 24 years of age, to support them in pursuing their careers and aspirations. Finalists will be chosen to participate in the live pitch contest in front of a panel of judges, and will be required to make a creative, inspiring and convincing, pitch or performance.
FRESH (New Artist Showcase) presented by Slaight Music
In partnership with Lyrics To Go and Yume, Manifesto’s FRESH concert is a new event added to this year’s festival. The showcase is an opportunity to witness some of the most promising emerging talents from across the GTA and beyond. The showcase will also provide an opportunity for these artists to connect with new fans and forge industry contacts.
Highlights: 88 Days of Fortune, Luu Breeze, Jeff Spec, Lord Quest + more.
106 & YORK
Highclass, N.I.S.E., Just BGRAPHIC and Manifesto present: 106 & York, a multi-disciplinary urban arts festival that will showcase some of Toronto’s finest young talent in music, fashion, dance, spoken word, and more. The event will include performances by emerging and headlining artists. The festival kicks off with Artist Development
Workshops on September 3rd and a photo exhibition on September 13th at York Woods Art Hub where we will be displaying photos of previous years’ highlights.
Highlights: Trish, Shi Wisdom, The Violinist, Church Chizzle, Chaotic Dance Crew + more.
WOMBMANIFESTO: THE REBIRTH
Where the rapper meets the actor, the painter meets the poet and the dancer meets the singer. For the first time in Manifesto his/story, women and trans artists will be coming together for a day-long celebration in honour of us all. The day will kick off with a conference full of panels and workshops, exploring everything from motherhood to body politics to the re-definition of feminism. Later in th evening, an all-star cast of Canadian women and trans artists artists will be taking centre stage and defining a new vision for Hip Hop culture. Alongside live these performances, Wombmanifesto will also be celebrating and paying tribute to some of the female pioneers of the game who helped to build the foundation for Canadian Hip Hop. Wombmanifesto: The Rebirth, was inspired by the vision and beauty of the event Omega Vibrations at Manifesto Jamaica 2010. Make sure you are there on September 18th to witness Toronto Hip Hop her/story.
CONNECTED (Meet & Greet)
CONNECTED is another new event added to Manifesto Festival 2011, a free entry, invite only, networking event where all artists, staff, and volunteers involved in Manifesto can mingle with label folks, managers, PR companies, promoters, sponsors, event partners, and other industry types.
Highlights: Perfeck Strangers, Shaun Boothe, Kabaka Pyramid, Big Jacks.
ORIGINS: THE FIREKEEPERS
Indigenous hip hop artists from across Ontario will throw down at The Great Hall, presented in collaboration with World Famous Music and the Ontario Arts Council.
Highlights: Plex, Kinnie Starr, 2OOLMAN & SESE, Q-Rock + more.
MANIFESTO MOVIE NIGHT
A night of groundbreaking & introspective documentaries and short films focusing on issues that resonate not only internationally, but domestically as well. Manifesto Movie Night will bring forth a blend of films that will engage and challenge our audience’s ideologies & perspectives while also shining light on some of the people and places that have had an instrumental impact on our Toronto arts and culture scene.
Highlights: Black August (documentary). View Trailer
BOOT CAMP CLIK
The legendary NYC crew Boot Camp Clik, which has contributed heavily to NYC’s hip hop scene, makes a return to Toronto for Manifesto Festival 2011. The Duck Down Music Inc. roster of Buckshot & DJ Evil Dee of Black Moon, Smif N Wessun, and Sean P will bless Toronto’s audience with a night of classics, alongside Toronto-based Promise, Monolith (a rare reunion performance), and Richie Sosa. A co-presentation of Union Events and Sound Academy.
Highlights: Boot Camp Clik, Promise, Monolith, Richie Sosa.
RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY WORLD TOUR – CULTURE CLASH presented by Manifesto
Four soundsystems. Four styles. One champion. A 4-stage DJ soundclash at Echo Beach that includes Afrika Bambaataa & Zulu Nation, Toronto All-Stars, LuckyMe Crew, and Mad Decent Crew.
Highlights: Afrika Bambaataa & Zulu Nation, LuckyMe Crew, Mad Decent Crew, Toronto All-Stars, hosted by Kardinal Offishall.
MOVEMENT: FLOOR AWARDS & SOLID GROUND
An evening celebrating street dance culture in Toronto through showcase performances, battles, open ciphers, and an awards 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, we are presenting 15 SCION CAR HOODS painted by Toronto artists which will be auctioned off at this event.
Highlights: Mr. Wiggles, Toronto vs. Montreal (b-boys & b-girls), Moonrunners, DJ Dopey, Dirty Dale + more.
CAREER & COMMUNITY: CONFERENCE
The conference includes a schedule of keynote speakers, and panel discussions around the theme of Community and Career in hip hop culture and concludes the evening with the Forgiveness Project where artists will give an intimate account of their trials and tribulations throughout their lives. The panel will include acclaimed industry professionals such as Ian Andre Espinet (nightlife expert), Bryan Espiritu (designer) and Katrina Lopes (Shawn Desman manager).
Highlights: Dream Hampton (keynote), One Nation (national hip hop festival network), North American blog panel, Forgiveness Project + more.
ALL ART EVERYTHING
Always a festival favourite, our 5th Annual Art Exhibition brings together our incredible Canadian artists this year for a celebration of ALL. ART. EVERYTHING. We decided to keep it fresh with our homegrown talents including Indigo from Vancouver, Toronto natives such as Totem Resolve, EGR, Bryan Espiritu of the TheLegendsLeague and much much more. We also have over 25 local photographers telling their stories in one the largest activations of a global arts initiative The Inside Out Project, featured through the streets of the T.DOT!
Highlights: Indigo, Inside Out Project, Bryan Espiritu, Mediah, Suritah Teresa Wignall + more.
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 Torontoís multidisciplinary urban arts playground ñ backed by a free concert showcasing some of Canadaís musical legends and emerging talent, alongside a handful of international guests.
Highlights: Rakim & Kid Capri, Blu & Exile, 9th Wonder & Phonte, Zaki Ibrahim, Andreena Mill, Michie Mee, Freedom Writers + much more. ALL FREE!
