Main Source, The Sorority, TOBi and More Set for 9th Annual Unity Festival

The 9th Annual Unity Festival returns with the best visual art, spoken word, breakdancing, and beatboxing by local youth and International Artists July 13-15, 2017 at Geary Lane, Underpass Park and David Pecaut Square in Toronto.

Unity Festival will kick off with the MC/Spoken Word and Graffiti Showcase at Geary Lane on July 13, 2017. Toronto's most prolific poets, musicians and visual artists will showcase alongside the most promising youth performers from after school and drop-in programs. Unity graffiti artists will paint new murals on Geary Lane's garage doors during the event, and completed works will be on display throughout this creative hub.

On July 14, 2017 Unity will be the first community organization to host an event at Toronto's Underpass Park, located under the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide overpasses, with their Dance Exhibition and Beatbox Competition. This event will include all styles dance showcases and cyphers, followed by spits and beats from the best Beatboxers in Canada.

Unity Festival will close July 15, 2017 with an all-day concert at David Pecaut Square, spotlighting new and established hip-hop performers in music, dance, spoken word and graffiti. Headliners include the legendary trio Main Source, local rapper TOBi, and hip-hop collective The Sorority.

The 2017 Unity Festival line-up includes the following artists in various hip-hop art forms: DJ Andy B Bad, Zakisha Brown, Bubz, Lola Bunz, Chris Castello, DJ Adrian Chan, Charmie Deller, Jane Doe Smith, Ebhoni, Emstro, Full Circle, Keysha Freshh, Gene One, Yannick Green, Dr Audrey Hudson, Jayd Ink, Igho Itebu, Justus, Kizmet, Stephen "Buddha" Leafloor, Los Poetas, Main Source, DJ M4RS, DJ Mensa, Mobi Mawla, Millie Mogudala, Michael Morales, Nasim, Nekkrak, Obuxum, Sanae Paris, Phade, Peter Rahul, Red Slam Collective feat. Mahlikah Awe:ri, Rock, Prince Rose, Samba Squad Youth Troupe, The Sorority, Soulofjl, Maria T, TOBi, Vicki W, DJ Wavgods, Dynesti Williams, Brooke Whitely, XOLisa, and more!

The Unity Festival is Unity Charity's annual showcase event presenting the most dedicated and talented youth performers from across Canada recruited from Unity's school and community programs. Unity works with partners such as RISE, Beatbox Canada, SKETCH, Art Starts, and Vibe Arts to provide access to a cohesive community and a unique cultural experience; a place for self-growth, physical activity and artistic expression.

Founded in 2007 by Michael Prosserman aka "Bboy Piecez", one of Toronto's most preeminent B-boys, Unity Charity has reached over 200,000 youth across Canada with after school and community programs in break dancing, graffiti art, spoken word poetry, beat boxing and more. Through hip-hop arts based programming, Unity engages and inspires youth between the ages of 12 - 24 from underserved communities from Vancouver to Halifax.

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UNITY FESTIVAL 2017 SCHEDULE:

Thursday, July 13, 2017
MC/Spoken Word & Graffiti Showcase
5 - 11pm • Pay What You Can
Geary Lane, 360 Geary Lane

Friday, July 14, 2017
Dance Exhibition & Beatbox Competition
5 - 11pm • Free
Underpass Park, 29 Lower River Street

Saturday, July 15, 2017
Unity Concert
3 - 11pm • Free
David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West

For more information, visit unitycharity.com/unity-festival, or follow on Twiter, Instagram and Snapchat: @UNITYCharity / Facebook.com / UNITYCharity.

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