Sunday January 15, 2017 local artist came together under the event name of FORTIFY to network and talk about the political climate in our country and how local artist and art can have a influence, and also how local artist need to support one another.
Hip Hop producer Monstalung spoke about wanting more local artist to create more art about the current times saying “I like dance and love songs too, but we do need more conscious music right now, if it is in your heart, because good art shouldn’t be forced, but if you have something to say, now is the time”.
The event was hosted by DJ Dollar, who also was spinning the tunes that afternoon. It was a family friendly environment, with performances from Haley Slagle, singer songwriter, Crystal Good, poet
Chris Allen, hip hop Poetry, Raymond Thompson, documentary photographer
Brandhi Irvon, hip hop artist Konz,and Nigerian hip hop artist King Demi. The kids loved the performances, and food was being sold by West Virginia 00Bagel Company, LLC, which was delicious. Also they served coffee, and as many times I been to 123 pleasant St, getting a hot cup of coffee and hearing live music was pretty awesome!

The event organizers Gleen Taylor, Louis Giuliani, and Eric Jordan said the next Fortify event will be at the end of April, make sure to come out to the next one!