The 3d Annual Evolution of Hip Hop Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct 1, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Somerville’s Union Square Plaza. This FREE ArtsUnion festival is by the City of Somerville and Somerville Arts Council in partnership with Wat’s da WURD and Xperience Creative. The festival will be hosted by Crystal Chandler & Shardai Sam-Clarke and feature rappers, singers, spoken word poets, dancers, beatboxers, and visual artists from the Somerville community and surrounding cities. Attendees can also enjoy live art and interactive activities, and visit information tables offered by local community groups. Thank you to Boston Smoke Shop for helping to sponsor the festival.

• Musical performances by Oompa, Marcela Cruz, Notoriety, Devin Ferreira, DJ Slipwax, Genie Santiago, BusyBars, Anturazh, Dzidor Azaglo, Lil’ Static & JDel, CeloDAMF, Von Don, Vid the Visionary
• Dance performances by QWAM, VibeStyle & Friends, and CrewNex.
• Live art by Acoma Art, B. Cartier, V.Kash, Marisa Kang, Jessie Nocella, Joey Free, Nic Nak, Basement Trybe, and Baboon

This is an ArtsUnion festival. About ArtsUnion:

Now in its 12th year ArtsUnion has been instrumental in reinvigorating the artistic and business landscape of Union Square. ArtsUnion presents numerous events and markets, and leads cultural tours. In addition, ArtsUnion has commissioned temporary art installations and artisans to fabricate street furniture and advocated successfully for zoning incentives for arts-related development in the square. The Somerville Arts Council and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development created ArtsUnion, in partnership with numerous other local organizations through funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s John and Abigail Adams Program and the City of Somerville.

Please contact lisa@xperiencecreative for available vendor opportunities. For questions about the festival, please contact Special Events Manager, Nina Eichner at 617-625-6600 ext. 2998.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s Director of Human Services, Nancy Bacci, at 617-625-6600 x2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.