urbanNOISE '08

urbanNOISE Ramps Up the Ruckus Against Violence in Rexdale!

An urban arts festival that unites communities
against violence - Saturday September 27

Toronto, September 12, 2008… Expect Theatre and Arts Etobicoke are pleased to announce the third annual urbanNOISE festival featuring some of Canada's top urban performers in partnership with marginalized youth who want to harness the power of urban art to 'take back' their streets and speak out against violence in their communities.

Centred this year on the theme of 'unity', emphasizing the need for community members to join forces, get involved and address this serious issue, this FREE, all-ages festival takes place Saturday, September 27 from 3pm-7pm on the grounds of Rexdale's North Kipling Community Centre near Jamestown and will be hosted by comedian Gilson Lubin. MTV Canada's resident funny man will kick off the festivities alongside performers that are reflective of the multiculturalism of Rexdale, one of the most diverse communities in North America.

Designed as a response to the violence and negative forces that continue to decay many communities in the GTA, urbanNOISE acts as a platform for youth to address issues of violence. It takes place in the heart of this at-risk community so that residents can have their voices heard.

As the federal election kicks into high gear, the topic of violence becomes a hot-button campaign issue. urbanNOISE provides a shining example of how the arts can be an agent of unity and change; an innovative and extremely effective tool for combating the violence that plagues many parts of the city.

Mayor David Miller has applauded urbanNOISE previously for its efforts in "changing the perception of Rexdale - as the home of the gun, gangs and drug-related crime - to a new home featuring the beauty, artistic talent and inventiveness of its youth."

The festival is a culmination of workshops where high-risk youth from Jamestown and the surrounding Rexdale area have been learning urban arts such as music production, deejaying and breakdancing. Youth will showcase their skills and have an opportunity to share the stage with acclaimed artists like four-time Juno-nominated rap group BrassMunk and bhangra sensations Joti Dhillon, Bal-E-Lasara and MC JD. Local youth can see their peers onstage and groove to acts on the urbanNOISE Main Stage, dance-battle in the urbanNOISE Boogie Zone as well as take part in a live DJ workshop.

Other highlights include performances by stand-up comedian Ali Rizvi, emcee/singer-songwriter Kae Sun, international globetrotting female emcee Masia One, South Asian DJ and radio host, JoN-E of BBC Soundcrew, MuchMusic's Video On Trial juror and comedian Trixx, dancers from Axé Capoeira and trance sitarist Prosad, whose fusions of sitar with edgy electronic beats can be heard in the 2008 Mike Myers comedy, The Love Guru.

Expect Theatre was established in 1996 by Artistic Directors Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley. With a strong focus on hip, diverse story lines, Expect's shows have attracted international media attention and have been embraced by a wide range of audiences, from rural east-coast Canada to inner-city New York City. Previously, Expect Theatre produced Static, a site-specific exploration of fear and Romeo/Juliet Remixed, a large-scale multi-media production nominated for five Dora Awards. Arts Etobicoke, helmed by Executive Director Louise Garfield, is recognized as one of Canada's foremost community arts councils, committed to creating a more livable city by integrating the arts into the fabric of its community.

urbanNOISE is an initiative of Expect Theatre and Arts Etobicoke. urbanNOISE is funded by: The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canadian Heritage, The Geoffrey H. Wood Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, The Laidlaw Foundation and The Toronto Raptors Foundation. urbanNOISE Community Partners include: Albion District Library, Albion Neighborhood Services - Boys and Girls Club, Elmbank Community Centre, Father Henry Carr Catholic High School CHS, Humber College, School of Media Studies, North Albion CI, North Etobicoke Revitalization Project, North Kipling Community Centre, Rexdale Community Health Centre, Rexdale Pro Tech Youth Media Centre, Rexdale Youth Resource Centre, Royal Conservatory of Music, Thistletown CI, Toronto Police Services, 23 Division and West Humber CI.

The third annual urbanNOISE festival
Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 3pm-7pm
FREE - ALL AGES EVENT
Rexdale's North Kipling Community Centre, 2 Rowntree Road (off Kipling north of Finch).
Check out www.urbannoise.ca for updates and info
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Media Contact: Dianne Weinrib / Savi Pannu - DW Communications 416-703-5479 dw@dwcommunications.net