EVENT PICTURE BOOK
Catalog Title KEEPERS OF THE ART
Keepers of the Art uses ‘Beats, Rhymes’ to feed ‘Life’ into the community Page 2
KEEPERS OF THE ART 2011—LOCK3 AKRON
By FELICIA C. HANEYStaff Reporter
Once again, the Akron Hip-Hop Showcase Weekend is closely upon us. This Labor Day extravaganza that pairs education with entertainment has become one of the most anticipated annual “edutainment” events in Northeast Ohio. Initiated four years ago by native Akronists Keeper’s of the Art, Inc. – a seven-man collective that strives to bring the city of Akron well-rounded positive events through the catalyst of music. With the Akron Hip Hop Showcase, Keepers of the Art, Inc. cleverly combines live entertainment with community education in order to help counter-act the negative impact that popular culture, the media and especially hip hop music is having on urban youth and their communities. So what’s the format? To raise the bar. This year’s Showcase has been extended to an entire weekend’s worth of activities so that all ages may become involved, enlightened and inspired. In the past three years this event, that previously consisted of a concert only, has drawn close to the double digit thousands in numbers to see performers such as KRS-One, Rakim, Whoodini, Slum Village, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick Doug E. Fresh, the Ill Style Rockers, Cleveland’s DJ Mick Boogie and a host of others take to the stage. Keepers of the Art edutainment coordinator Donovan Rogers commented on the versatility of the event and the group’s growth saying, “It was always our goal to provide just more than entertainment. Hip hop, when used correctly, has the power to change communities in a positive way. This year, we were blessed to expand the showcase to include a youth and community conference. The youth conference will not only encourage youth to critically analyze popular culture and the media but will expose teachers, social workers, administrators and parents to non-traditional approaches to educating today’s urban youth. The plan to have an impactful weekend begins with the The Akron premier of actor Michael Rapaport’s “Beats, Rhymes & Life – the Travels of A Tribe Called Quest.” This is a film about the legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest who topped the charts with positive and impactful lyrics during a time when hip-hop wasn’t all about money and its trappings. Though their music, which peeked throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, is now amazingly considered old school, it serves as a new lesson for today’s youth. The screening will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the Akron Civic Theater. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Civic ticket office or via Ticketmaster.
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Next, Keepers of the Art attempts to dig deeper inviting everyone to attend a free community conference entitled “Popular Culture & the Media – Their Impact on Urban Youth and their Communities.” The Conference will examine the psychological and social impacts that popular culture and the media play in the lives of urban youth. The keynote speaker will be international recording artist and actress MC Lyte. There will also be three breakout sessions on issues relevant to youth and pop culture. This takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Quaker Hilton hotel in downtown Akron. To register, send an e-mail to register@keepersoftheart.com. Last but not lease, the Showcase will conclude with an outdoor concert featuring MC Lyte, EPMD, Ohio’s own Stalley, Tanya Morgan, DJ Krate Digga and local Akron/Cleveland talent. The concert kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at Lock 3, 200 Main Street in the heart of downtown Akron. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Ohio, this is an event that’s For more information on the 4th annual Akron Hip Hop Showcase please visit www.keepersoftheart.com.
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KEEPERS OF THE ART 2011—LOCK3
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