Live hip-hop concert Never Alone, with local artist 519 WaywarD headlining

The symbol of light and recovery represented in the stories told through artists with lived experience. Experience this event May 8t at Impact Lounge in the Rodeway Inn.

An outside the box, high-energy live hip-hop concert dubbed Never Alone will be the highlight of the evening of May 8 at Impact Lounge located in the Rodeway Inn. The production is brought to Stratford by Northern Ninjas Promotions and resident Robert Crowley Smith.

Hip-op is a genre close to the heart of Crowley Smith as one of the first he was interested in, saying that it is a touching genre with a lot of soul and heart. It is also underrepresented locally with only one other concert in the last six years he has been here.

“Our headliner, 519 WaywarD has a slogan: Never Alone. He is very strong on believing that being together, talking, community – together we shine brighter is another of his slogans – so Never Alone; together we shine brighter,” explained Crowley Smith of the show’s name and theme.

There will be several artists appearing from near and far, representing southwestern Ontario and as far away as Sarnia and Timmins. In addition to Stratford’s 519 WaywarD will be Eli The Prophet from London, Molly Gruesome from Guelph, Antha Lee from Guelph, Greasy Goods from Sarnia and surprise opening act Zedward from Timmins. Together they bring positive messages of resilience, respect, recovery, hope, community and togetherness in a high energy impactful way.

“Attendees can expect a wholesome family-friendly positive vibe. We are not an all ages show but that doesn’t discourage younger people from coming for the first hour of the show where they would see the first three acts. While it may be worthwhile for the younger generation, it is mainly focused for the older generation, as it is a licenced event,” said Crowley Smith.

The goal of Northern Ninja Promotions is to bring more genres to Stratford. The city is a very blues-, rock- and jazz-oriented town without much representation of the likes of hip-hop or punk rock.

“With these groups, 519 WaywarD is in a group called Lost Cause and with Lost Cause is an amalgamation of multiple groups. So, hip-hop, punk rock and some other artists that create the group and it’s just a wonderful vibe that they bring to their events, and I want to bring a similar vibe to my events,” Crowley Smith said.

This multi-artist concert takes place May 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are available $15 online in advance through Eventbrite.ca and $20 at the door.