Showcase on the street

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Block-O Street Festival 2000, a family fun and music event taking place this Saturday from 1:30-9 p.m. at 852 St-Martin in Little Burgundy, is about more than about having a good time, says Youth in Motion director David Austin.

"We have some amazing talent in this neighbourhood, some remarkable young musicians," Austin says. "But sometimes they don't have the encouragement or materials they need. This event will be a showcase for that."

Austin says that social problems plague many Montreal districts and cultural groups, but that Little Burgundy is among the worst affected.

"It's a matter of public knowledge that the unemployment rate in this neighbourhood is astronomical," Austin says. "And there are the social problems which stem from this. And then you add to that the fact that we have no neighbourhood post office, no local grocery store, no local health clinic. And then there are the problems of racism."

While the event will focus on music--R&B, reggae, hip hop, calypso and salsa--Austin says music is like a metaphor for life.

"If young people can do this well, they can see that they are able to succeed in any domain in life. This world belongs to them."

For more info call 931-5510.

--John Edmonds