The 2012 edition of the Manifesto Festival has landed in Toronto. In its 6th year and spanning three days, Manifesto brings together art, dance and music with a focus on youth and hip hop culture. A not-for-profit, youth-led organization celebrating Toronto's diverse arts community, the festival was founded based on a concern that there isn't enough value put on youth arts. This initiative still informs the programming today. Here are the main events on tap this year.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21

Doin' it in The Park
Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre, 585 Dundas Street East
The festival kicks off Friday night with an art show, The Floor Awards, Djs, food, dancers and a spoken word performance by 15-year-old Mustafa Ahmed (who's been known to make adults break down into tears and garner standing ovations). 9:00pm - 1:30am, minimum $5 donation.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22

Fresh Arts 20 x Manifesto Summit
Ryerson University George Vari Engineering Building, 299 Church Street (at Gould)
Saturday features an afternoon of keynote speakers sharing how art has positively influenced them. Pharoahe Monch, d'bi young and Kardinal Offishall make up the panel. A second panel will discuss the shortcomings and triumphs of youth programs in our city, while the last of the day focusses on often under-discussed business side of the arts industry. Throughout the day, a number of "mentor classes" are planned, including Jully Black and Shad sharing their expertise on the art of performance. 12:30pm - 7:30pm, Free.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23

Walk for Youth Arts
Northeast corner of Yonge and Bloor
The walk starts at Yonge and Bloor and heads at Yonge and Dundas Square where there is over 10 hours of live (free!) music in celebration and solidarity of youth arts. The walk departs Yonge and Bloor at 2:45pm, Free.

Live at the Square
Yonge & Dundas Square
Pharaohe Monch and Toronto's jazz-hip hop trio BADBADNOTGOOD team up to headline along with Nova Scotian DJ and producer Scratch Bastid and over a dozen other performers. If that isn't enough to entice you there's also a fashion show, a ton of great food vendors, workshops on everything from reiki to spoken word and a break dance battle. Runs from 12:00pm - 11:00pm, and it's all free!

For more information and scheduling times please visit the Manifesto Festival website.

Photo by Matthew McAndrew