Akron Hip-Hop Showcase Weekend Returns 9/2

Once again, the Akron Hip-Hop Showcase Weekend is closely upon us. The Labor Day "edutainment" extravaganza has become one of the most anticipated annual events in the City of Akron. The Akron Hip-Hop Showcase 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.

This year's Showcase weekend will consist of:

The Akron premier of actor Michael Rapaport's "Beats, Rhymes & Life-the Travels of A Tribe Called Quest." A film about the legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic. Tickets are $5. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic ticket office or via Ticketmaster.
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. Guest speaker will be international recording artist MC Lyte. There will also be three breakout sessions on issues relevant to youth and pop culture. This takes place Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Quaker Hilton from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, send an e-mail to register@keepersoftheart.com.
Showcase Concert featuring MC Lyte, EPMD, Stalley, Tanya Morgan and DJ Krate Digga. To be held Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at 5 p.m. at Lock 3 located at 200 Main Street in the heart of downtown Akron. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under age

1. To help the City of Akron attract and retain young professionals inspired by hip-hop culture.

Provide an opportunity for businesses to market their product/brand to thousands of consumers.
To encourage young professionals to establish themselves as mentors and role models for the City of Akron's youth.
To raise awareness for various social issues and create a platform for community organizations.
To serve as a springboard for the creation of a more appealing social environment for the City of Akron's young professional demographic inspired by hip-hop culture.