Manifesto Festival 2013

The 7th Annual Manifesto Festival returns to Toronto from September 19 to 22 at venues across the city. This non-for-profit grassroots organization with a focus on youth and hip hop culture aims to educate, unify, and entertain the masses. From live events featuring musicians, producers, visual artists, and dancers, to panels with industry experts and even mentor sessions, this year's festival has even more in store than previous iterations. Fans of hip hop, electronic music, dance and bold visual art will find lots to love in this year's lineup. Here's what's in store:

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Common Thread: Launch Party

Measure, 296 Brunswick Avenue

9pm, $10 tickets, 19+

The festival's launch party, presented by Pirates Blend Records, features a lineup curated by Eon of Bedouin Soundclash and includes DJ Nana, DJ L'Oqenz, as well as Montreal-based NinjaTune DJ/producer Poirier. This is slated to be the first of many Common Thread events, and is being held in one of Toronto's newest live music venues in the form of Measure.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

The Beat: Producer Showcase

Adelaide Music Hall, 250 Adelaide Street West

9:30pm, $15 early bird, $20 advance

Co-presented by Mansion, this evening will showcase talented beat makers such as Sango and Oddisee, as well as Toronto-based producers Elaquent, Sunclef, Lancecape, and Rich Kidd. It's also being held at a relatively new live venue. Adelaide Hall is getting rave reviews from concert-goers, so if electronic music is your thing, this is the night for you. Advance tickets are available at Play De Record, Soundscapes, and MOOG Audio.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

So Much Things To Say: Evolution Summit

George Brown College, Waterfront Campus, 51 Dockside Drive

12:00pm - 9:00pm, $5 advance, $10 door

This is the more explicitly educational segment of the festival. A wide array of topics will be covered in the panel sessions, ranging from how to translate art into a viable business venture to a look at the lives of successful women in the entrainment industry. At the end of the day, singer songwriter Jhené Aiko will have the final word in what is bound to be an impactful talk. Mentor classes will allow listeners to hear from and pick the brains of experts in social media, public relations, and musical production.

Sacred Seven: Art Exhibition

918 Bathurst Street

6:00pm - 1:00am, $5 minimum donation

In an effort to explore the notions of connectedness and evolution, this show will display works from over 25 artists across Canada and internationally, with a special headlining exhibit from Aboriginal artist and elder Paul Dazaunggee Shilling. The evening will also include a pre-show panel discussion, live art battles, and musical performances.

The Floor Awards

918 Bathurst Street

6:00pm - 11:00pm, $5 minimum donation

The 3rd annual Floor Awards have become the perfect platform to honour and celebrate the best urban dance artists, educators, youth and community catalysts in Toronto. Aside from the actual awards, prepare to be wowed all night long by dance cyphers and special mixed duets from MNFSTO dancers. Before the awards get underway, "Dinner Dance & Dialogue" will set the table with a conversation on vital issues in the dance community.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Live At The Square

Yonge - Dundas Square

12:00pm - 11:00pm, Free

All of the festival's elements will mesh together for one final hurrah at Yonge-Dundas Square. A long list of local acts will warm up the stage for headliners Souls of Mischief and Jhené Aiko. Make sure to catch trap all star duo Thugli's high energy performance alongside choreographed street drummers and dancers. Other than music on the main stage, there will also be dance battles, live art shows, and the 7th Annual Freshest Goods Market, with a variety of clothing on offer.

Writing by Markit / Photo by Christian Bobak

by Staff via blogTO