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Today marks the release of a great new book from Edmonton writer, broadcaster, community activist and recent TEDx presenter Minister Faust.  The book, which is entitled The Alchemists of Kush, is set in both contemporary Edmonton and ancient Sudan and tells the story of two Sudanese "lost boys."  Both lost fathers to civil war and mothers along the path of escape. Both boys were hunted and fell into violence to survive. Both came under the guardianship of mystic madmen who promised to transform them. And both vowed to become leaders who would transform their worlds, or die trying.

One of those lost boys is Raphael Garang, known to the streets of E-Town as the Supreme Raptor.

The other lost boy was Hru-sa-Usir, who lived 7,000 years ago in the Savage Lands of the Lower Nile, and known to the Greeks as Horus, son of Osiris.

The book is ONLY $2.99.  If The Alchemists of Kush hits the Kindle Top100 TODAY, Minister Faust will be donating $500 of the book’s sales to the South Sudan Development Foundation.  So we encourage you to purchase this book TODAY!!!

Got Kush???

Following on the heels of her February 2010 release A Different Kind of Fire, Pop/Soul artist Manuela has released a new 3 song EP.  Entitled, The Golden Story EP, the project features a newly produced version of her fan favorite "Circling Numbers" and two new songs. 

To purchase the EP visit: http://themanuela.com/store

To hear the song visit: http://soundcloud.com/kreeshaturner/rockpaperscissors

Last night at the RISE 2011 Gala celebration at the Tucker Amphitheatre Music For Mavericks recording artists TOA were rewarded with a Youth Achievement Award – recognizing their success as immigrants in Edmonton.

One for the Mavericks Team. 

The Stylus DJ Awards recently put out a call to urban music artists from all across Canada to appear on their 2011 Who’s Got Next compilation.  After carefully screening close to 70 submissions a panel of Stylus DJ Award Nominees narrowed the selection down to 18 songs.

Music For Mavericks is proud to announce that Politic Live made the final cut alongside artists like Famous, Rich Kidd, SonReal and Reema Major.  Who’s Got Next 2011 features all new unreleased songs including Politic Live’s “NYE” featuring Zellust.

To hear the complete compilation visit: http://stylusgroup.ca/2011/06/07/whos-got-next-compilation/

Tonight, Music for Mavericks recording artists Politic Live will begin the first of three shows in Ontario over the next week.  Out in Toronto for the 2011 Stylus DJ Awards, Politic Live has scheduled two shows in Hamilton and one in Toronto.

TEDxEdmonton is about bringing together the best and brightest that our community has to offer, locally and internationally, from the fields of technology, entertainment, and design. Under this year’s theme, “Seeds of Innovation”, we sought out stories, visions and passions of emerging and bold artists, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are transforming seeds of new ideas into bold new works, companies, and products.

After reviewing numerous speaker applications, videos, proposals and interviews, today TEDxEdmonton to unveil some of the presenters we’ve invited to share the TEDxEdmonton 2011 stage this year.

Last year Edmonton celebrated its inaugural Open Sky Music Festival. An outdoor festival showcasing Surf Rock, Island Rock, Acoustic and Reggae music, the event is an all ages event that appeals to the masses of Edmontonian music lovers.

This past week the organizers released the list of performers:

PopFizz Productions is Edmonton’s newest entertainment and arts brokerage, headed up by Edmonton music's multi-hyphenate renaissance woman, Jinting Zhao. On June 15, 2011 PopFizz Productions is hoping you will help them kick off this exciting new opportunity, and meet and network with creative individuals both within and outside of Edmonton's urban music community as they hold their launch party at Yellowhead Brewery.

On June 15, 2011, Minister Faust's long awaited third novel, THE ALCHEMISTS OF KUSH, will be launched. 

The Alchemists of Kush is  the story of two Sudanese "lost boys" fleeing war, oppression, violence and horrible alienation, each of whom finds a mentor to guide him towards manhood through the chaos of pain.

The Alberta Music Industry Association will be hosting two Live Performance Workshops led by special guest, Darlene Reece, owner of ear4sounds Entertainment & Productions from Houston,Texas.

Darlene has years of experience in the Global Career Path Planning of high profile music and film industry clients. While working with Music World Entertainment, she was part of the management team for such artists as Beyonce’ and Solange.

On June 14, 2011 Edmonton-based Pop/Soul artist Manuela will be releasing her new EP, The Golden Story, which will feature a newly produced radio version of her fan favorite “Circling Numbers” as well as two never before heard songs, “More Than a Friend” and “Golden.” With a national radio campaign already in place, targeting family friendly commercial stations, Manuela will also be heading out on the road for a national solo promotional tour starting on June 6, 2011.

To help fund the tour Manuela is asking for your help. Visit indiegogo.com/themanuela, for more information on how you can help Manuela raise $5,000 to support her national tour.

On Tuesday April 12, 2011, Arlo Maverick competed again in Edmonton’s Poetry Slam Qualification Rounds.  Placing first, Arlo Maverick advanced to the finals.  Holding his own against some of Edmonton’s best wordsmiths, Arlo Maverick made the official 2011 Edmonton National Slam Poetry Slam.  Arlo Maverick will spend the next five months creating and rehearsing with this year’s team as they prepare for the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word this year in Toronto.

This coming June Music For Mavericks recording artists Politic Live will be opening for legendary hip-hop producer, DJ and occasional MC, Pete Rock.  Part of the 2011 TD Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the event will be held at Pyramid Cabaret on June 23, 2011. 

FrameBlender, Stylus, CP Records, and AUX TV are on a national hunt for the next hottest Canadian Rapper/MC. To find this MC, they are producing a TV show series that will air on AUX TV this summer.

For Edmonton's 2011 African History Month, Music For Mavericks's recording artists TOA help kick off the month with an explosive performance.  Check some footage of their performance courtesy of Swingz.

Be sure to catch TOA at the Stanley A Milner Library for the Keshotu Leadership Academy's final production A Better Tomorrow on Friday March 11 and Saturday March 12, 2011.

Politic Live's DJ Sonny Grimezz has a brand new mixtape out called Itman Ah Come V.2010.  The mixtape is a mix of some of the biggest reggae jams of 2010. 

 Download Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?b0qenfsxga4cy1l

For more information on DJ Sonny Grimezz be sure to follow him on Twitter @DJSonny_Grimezz or vist http://www.mixcloud.com/djsonnygrimez/

T.E.D.D.Y of CJSR's Black Experience In Sound was recently inducted into the Stylus DJ Awards Hall Of Fame.  Some of you will know T.E.D.D.Y as the Godfather of Edmonton's Urban Music Scene others may know him as the father of Cadence Weapon. He unfortunately passed away many years ago, but his legacy and impact on culture in Edmonton won't soon be forgotten.

T.E.D.D.Y's Hall of Fame Induction Video can be watched at http://vimeo.com/12274863

For anyone who might be on the fence about this Friday’s Check The Rhyme Concert at Edmonton Event Centre Foundation concerts currently has a 50% off sale

2009 Juno Award Nominated Reggae Band Souljah Fyah is in need of your support. For the second year in a row, Alberta’s Best Reggae Band has received nominations for the annual Reggae Music Achievement Awards.

Unlike the Junos, the RMAA are based on fan votes. Make sure you vote today to not only support Souljah Fyah, but the scene that they continue to open doors for through their talents and hard work. It is this kind of national exposure that will continue to feed this music scene and open up our nation’s eyes, eventually the world, to what is going on in our scene.