The Underground Storm: New Music Festival Breaks Ground By Uniting 5 Genres Under One Roof

The Underground Storm Festival launches a series of music events aimed to create new cross markets for independent artists while supporting local charities and uniting communities. End Quote

Philadelphia, PA-NJ (1888PressRelease) June 15, 2007 - The Underground Storm Festival Series breaks ground at the University of Pennsylvania's artist hot spot, the Rotunda, located 4021 Walnut Street in the City of Philadelphia on Sunday, July 15, 2007, 12 noon until 10:00pm.

Inspired by the desire to unite communities through music, The Underground Storm Festival Series was formed to create true harmony by uniting diverse musical genres under one roof at events the entire family can enjoy. DJs along with Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, and Spoken Word artists will unite while impacting the community through support of local charities.

On July 15th the festival's activities benefit the HOUSE OF UMOJA[1], an organization founded by Queen Mother Falaka Fattah whose 39 year history of working with at-risk youth, ending gang warfare and community service has garnered it international acclaim.

The Underground Storm Festival is a series of four events taking place at the Rotunda between July 2007 and March 2008. Each event is 10 hours, and showcases some of the finest local and national underground acts in several categories. Throughout the day there are open mics with spotlight features on the "second stage", then a DJ battle along with R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, and Spoken Word sets take center stage in the main arena. Vendors, book signings, featured charity presentation and a CD store featuring the works of all participating artists enhance the festival experience.

At this time the City of Philadelphia has the highest murder rate in the United States. The Underground Storm Festival seeks to promote peace and unity and has chosen to support the House of Umoja's mission to create a culture of peace. Umoja's Imani Peace Pledge will be distributed to and collected from all youth college age and under. The Imani Peace Pledge is modeled after The Imani Pact, an instrumental tool used in the House of Umoja's "No Gang War In '74" campaign which virtually ended gang turf wars in the City of Philadelphia in 1975. The Imani Peace Pledge recognizes that the youth in the City of Philadelphia in 1975 brought peace to the city by signing the Imani Pact and keeping their word and the youth of today have the power to do the same.

Each festival features a headline act in the genres of Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, and Spoken Word. Philadelphia native and Hip Hop mogul Montana Blak headlines the festival on July 15, 2007. He is a Hip Hop artist with his own record label and entertainment corporation. Montana Blak has gained the respect and loyalty of his fans by remaining true to his Philadelphia roots and doing everything possible to promote Philly's wealth of talent. His mastery of storytelling and distinguishing musical characteristics will ensure his spot in Philadelphia's Hip Hop history.

There will also be a special guest appearance by trailblazing history making Philly born poet Black Ice. Other main stage performers include the Dirty Saints, Shauna K. of Fahrenheit Records, Master Griot artists Just Greg, Infinite Life, Quiet Rage and Bernard Collins and a DJ Battle led by DJ Able. Poet/Writer Chris Cream of Chris Cream Music and Phillyz Babe, JuJu are the hosts with the most bringing wit, fun, and personality to the main stage.

Producers produce each genre segment and are assigned the task to find talent within that genre. The producers are as follows: Damali (Rock), DJ Able (DJs), Jacqueline Taylor-Adams (Spoken Word), Rich Tucker of Rich Boy Music/Fahrenheit Records (R&B), Tough Act To Follow (Open Mic), and Ccelli (Hip Hop).

The Underground Storm Festival Series is organized by a concerned collective of artists and small businesses: Dap Stallion Productions, Shereen Clark, Timothy P. Hines, Alyson Robinson, Exponent Entertainment and The Master Griot Project[tm].

The open mic sign-up in the "Upper Room" is open to any artist interested in performing. Event admission is $10.00 and all ages are welcome. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theundergroundstorm.com.

For more information contact The Underground Storm Festival at 267.544.1014, toll free at 1.888.371.1770.

[1] Umoja is the Swahili word for unity

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Visit Jacqueline Taylor-adams/the Underground Storm Website

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