Manifesto Festival Announces Discovery Series August 9-14
Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture presented by Aurora and Vancity Community Investment Bank, is pleased to announce this year’s Manifesto Discovery Series August 9-14. Taking place across multiple Toronto venues and DIY spaces, the series offers an opportunity for promoters, agencies, record labels and local organizations to celebrate community and culture through music, comedy, visual arts, dance and more leading up to the free concert at Nathan Phillips Square with headliner Chronnix, August 17. Joining the main stage performance is UK rapper, poet and activist Akala, stay tuned for full line up.
The Manifesto Discovery Series features a variety of genre-spanning artists including Indigenous rapper, activist and multiple Indigenous Music Award winner Drezus, Remix project alumni, Toronto’s dreamy slow jam R&B act LIZA along with producer, musician and Jesse Reyez’s DJ, Junia-T whose highly anticipated album Studio Monk is set for release this fall with a sneak preview during the Blue Crane x Pirates Blend x Bandbox showcase. UNCDTNL presents an all-female identifying performer showcase of artists from African and Caribbean origin including R&B singer / songwriter Staasia Daniels, BET’s #FreestyleFriday finalist DijahSB and more.
In addition to the many musical performers, the Series will also host The MRSOE (Most Races Show on Earth) comedy show. Bringing diverse comedians and audiences together. Featuring stand-up performance by critically acclaimed comedian, singer, songwriter, podcast host and chef ‘Big Norm’, the comedian has shared the stage with Russel Peters, Micheal Blackson, Lunelle Ghost Face Killa, School Boy Q, Machel Montano, Chronnix and Jhene Aiko.
RPM, the global new music platform for Indigenous music from across Turtle Island and around the world, celebrates its 2nd anniversary and mixtape release on Saturday, August 11. Featuring performances by DJ NDN (formerly of Tribe Called Red), Drezus, electronic-tribal music duo DATU along with DJ sets and surprise guests will take place at The Rootdown (225 Geary). The SNDTRK6 event at SoSo Food Club on August 12, will bring together various presenters of producer based monthlies and series in Toronto, as well as tributes and appearances from locally based producers who have worked on multi-platinum international records.
For full Manifesto Discovery Series schedule see below, and stay tuned for additional announcements.
Full Discovery Series Schedule:
Thursday, August 9
Blue Crane Agency x Pirates Blend x Bandbox
Showcase
Drake Underground
Artists: LIZA, Haleek Maul, Junia-T the Studio Monk, Terrell Morris + a surprise 2018 Polaris nominated special guest
Host DJ: DJ Loqenz
Time: 9pm – 1am
Friday, August 10
UNCDTNL presents
SUNSHINE
Superwonder Gallery
(all female showcase of African and Caribbean origin)
Artists: Staasia Daniels, Vanessa Lu, DijahSB, Charmie, Tamara Madison, Durreyl, ZENE
Hosted by: Cheffy
Time: 8pm – 2am
Saturday, August 11
RPM 2-Year Anniversary
& Mixtape Release
The Rootdown (225 Geary Ave.)
Artists: DJ NDN, Drezus, Ziibiwan, Obuxum, DATU
DJ Sets: Wolf Saga
+ special surprise guests
Time: 9pm – 2am
Sunday, August 12
SNTRK6
SoSo Food Club
Presenting partners: Sampler Café, CDR, Subtle Blend, Beat Academy, The Build
Time: Sampler Café (2-5pm) / Beat Academy Producer Tribute (5-7pm) / Producer Showcasing (7-midnight)
Monday, August 13
Remix Showcase
Drake Underground
Artists: LIZA and more
Time: 7pm – 10pm (early show)
StayOutLate
presents MIDNIGHT CLUB III
Drake Underground
Artists: TBA
Time: 10:30pm – 1:00am
About Manifesto
Founded in 2007, Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture is a celebrations of hip hop culture and beyond. The non-profit, youth-powered platform was designed to showcase local artists and create events aimed at cultivating multi-disciplinary artistic and professional development for young people across a variety of mediums.
Now in its 12th year, the festival continues to provide carefully curated programming in music, visual arts, dance and more – through concerts, art shows, block parties, workshops, summits. New this year is the Manifesto Discovery Series, a dynamic group of community and arts events in partnership with Toronto’s up and coming arts collectives, organizations, artists and move-makers.
Manifesto seeks to address barriers for young creatives including:
-Insufficient income-generating and employment opportunities for young people and artists
-Unrealized benefits of greater collaboration between artists, organizations, institutions & genres
-A lack of mainstream support infrastructure for homegrown artists (venues, media, industry, etc.)
-Systemic exclusion and under-resourcing of marginalized and racialized communities.
