With the overwhelming amount of mainstream hip-hop being focused on violence, greed, material wealth and lust, the public conception of hip-hop music and culture is unfortunately not very positive. All too often, people who use hip-hop as an empowering form of expression are muted by overnight celebrities using a pre-fabricated formula to sell records. Fortunately, those who feel misrepresented by mainstream hip-hop do not stay quiet, and often educate and change peoples perceptions from the bottom-up. This is what Hip-Hop Away From Violence aims to do at York University on November 17th.

Hip-Hop Away From Violence is being organized by LOVE (Leave Out Violence), a non-profit organization that spans across Canada with different chapters in each province. Its goals are to help youth affected by violence in their lives and teach them to help others later on. This show will feature showcases in b-boying, popping, locking, MCing, DJing, graffiti, drumming, and hacky sack. In addition, there will be workshops available taught by the performers. All proceeds will go towards anti-violence prevention campaigns in high schools around the GTA as well as future events at York.

Here's the important stuff you need to know if you'd like to attend.

Hip-Hop Away From Violence @ York
Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, York University
November 17th, 2006, doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30pm.
Tickets are $8 for the show only and $12 for show and workshops. They are available by in person at York (Tuesday in front of the student centre, Wednesday in the hallway between Vari Hall and Central Square), by phone at 416-736-5888, or online at www.yorku.ca/perform (under online box office under "Hip Hop Away From Violence")

For more info contact Mike at leaveoutviolence@hotmail.com or call 416-938-9693

Photo Credit: Michael Prosserman