EVENT PICTURE BOOK

Catalog Title

KEEPERS OF THE ART

KEEPERS OF THE ART 2011—LOCK3

AKRON Page 2

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 col-

lective 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 enter-

tainment 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 com-

mented on the versatility of the event and the group’s growth say-

ing, “It was always our goal to provide just more than entertain-

ment. Hip hop, when used correctly, has the power to change com-

munities 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 ana-

lyze 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 legen-

dary 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 amaz-

ingly 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.

Keepers of the Art uses ‘Beats,

Rhymes’ to feed ‘Life’ into the

community

Page 3 NEEDLE&GROOVE

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.

KEEPERS OF THE ART 2011—LOCK3 Page 4

Page 5 NEEDLE&GROOVE