HoP Official Press Release

House of PainT: CONNECT 2011
Main event Aug. 6 Under the Dunbar Bridge
Satellite events Aug. 3 to 7

House of PainT: CONNECT 2011
Announces Festival Line Up

One day just isn’t enough! Ottawa’s Urban Arts Festival, the House of PainT, is pleased to announce a full five day line up for their 2011 event. This year’s theme - CONNECT - is woven throughout the week. Connect with us for a celebration of hip hop in the Nation’s Capital!

Wednesday, Aug 3

• Workshop: Hip hop is a powerful tool for youth engagement. Learn the tools to do it right from Bboy ‘Buddha’ aka Stephen Leafloor. Leafloor is an MSW with 27+ years in youth services and founder of ‘social work through hip hop’ program BluePrint4Life . 7-9pm; Fall Down Gallery

Thursday, Aug 4

• Top secret Guerilla Throwdowns – Commando style performances featuring breakdancers, MCs and graffiti artists in surprise downtown locations. Where will the party strike next?  

• Gala Launch and Fundraiser Get a sneak peak (and first dibs) at the CONNECT Art and Photo show, with live art by Kenji Tooyoka, D’Janau Morales and Mike Mesa, slam poetry by Vocab and tunes courtesy of DJ Zattar (Timekode). 6-8 pm at Fall Down Gallery; $30.

• CONNECT Art and Photography Exhibit: 18 giant, connecting puzzle pieces painted by local artists along side a group photography exhibit exploring Ottawa’s grittier side. Connect with a different view of Ottawa. Ambient tunes by DJ CPI. 8-11 pm; Fall Down Gallery; By donation

Friday, Aug 5

• Workshop: Taxes and money management for artists. This ‘Tools and Trade’ professional capacity session is facilitated by Julia Stanley, CA. Work the system! 7-9 pm; Fall Down Gallery

• Another super top secret Guerilla Throwdown – Contact us for details!

• 613 MC Showcase – Her t-shirts say “My favourite rapper wears a skirt” and Exclaim calls her “Canada’s Dopest Female MC.” Ottawa-native/NYC resident Eternia headlines along side locals like Jessie Dangerously as the House of PainT Releases it’s 613 Sessions CD – a compilation of 22 tracks by Ottawa hip hop MCs. Tunes by DJ Memetic; $10; Ritual Nightclub

Saturday, Aug 6 – Main Event

• This is where it all CONNECTS! Breakin’, MCing, DJing and graffiti-- all four pillars are represented. A free, all ages, outdoor festival in one of Ottawa’s most unexpected locations. Over 60 graffiti artists will paint the underside of bridge with art, connecting their work like puzzle pieces, while MCs like Ottawa’s Philly Moves perform for the crowd and breakdancers, poppers and rockers dance up a storm. This year the dance competition will be judged by B-boy YNOT, 2010 champion of Juste Debout, one of the world’s most prestigious street dance competitions, and member of legendary Rocksteady Crew (think Flashdance and Beat Street).  Montreal’s favourite WeFunk Radio DJs Professor Groove and Static will be in the house to make you move.

• Don’t miss our bigger-than-ever artists market, our Good Eats Kitchen and free workshops for kids in the basics of DJing, Rapping, Breakdancing and Graffiti.

Sunday, Aug 7

• Break dance Masterclasses at Arts Court taught by Bboy YNOT from 2-4 ($25) and Toronto’s Frostimus Prime ($15) from 4-5 (both workshops $35)
• Plus a Lazy Sunday writer’s jam and movie night at the Piece Park, noon – 9pm

For more info contact Melissa Wheeler / 647-215-9764 / press@houseofpaint.ca

For our fresh new website loaded with history and details about the event check out: www.houseofpaint.ca