And, yes, to clarify: Talib Kweli will headline the second annual LKWD Music Fest, a dynamic little gathering based out of Lakewood's own Mahall's 20 Lanes. That's awesome for the attendees, and it's a boon to the cred building at the 100-year-old west side bowling alley.
Even cooler: It's also good news for 17-year-old hip-hop artist Ezzy, a Cleveland guy garnering a name for himself among the local circuit. Earlier this year, he entered a nationwide video contest sponsored by Talib Kweli. And he won. So there's the sort of "rising star" narrative that'll bring an emotional smile to the faces among the LKWD Music Fest crowd; the young buck from Cleveland will share the stage with the internationally regarded underground hip-hop icon. ...And that's just one thread strung through the festival's day-long fun.
The rest of the day's lineup, which covers three stages at the venue, includes: Phony Ppl, Jamaican Queens, The Max Power Trio, JP and the Chatfield Boys, The Commonwealth, Seafair, and many more.
Vendors of fine local merch, top-notch craft brew and some of the best food in town will border the building along Madison Avenue.
Bonus points: All outdoor beer sale profits will benefit the Poultry Project, a nonprofit that helps AIDS-affected youth in Uganda start smallholder poultry businesses.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on Saturday. The fun starts at 3 p.m. at Mahall's, 13200 Madison Ave.
