TORONTO, CANADA.- The Gallery of Ontario presents "H.Y.P.E 2: The Art of Hip Hop". The AGO Teen Council and 4Unity Productions Present H.Y.P.E 2: The Art of Hip Hop Saturday February 9, 2002 2 pm to 6pm Art Gallery of Ontario. H.Y.P.E 2 (helping young people excel): the Art of Hip Hop is a one-day celebration of Hip Hop culture in Toronto. Through the contributions of performers, seminar leaders, artists and youth from across the GTA, H.Y.P.E.2 facilitates an understanding of Hip Hop culture by emphasizing those aspects that empower young people. Seminars will be delivered on topics such as Poetry and Voice in Hip Hop, Emceeing, Building a Hip Hop Community, Breakdancing and Graffiti. In addition, a showcase will feature the work of young, up-and-coming Hip Hop musicians and dancers from across the GTA. This year's event will build on last year's H.Y.P.E., which attracted over 900 youth to the AGO to learn more about Hip Hop Culture. Since the event last year, youth from 4Unity Productions have visited other youth organizations to hear their responses to H.Y.P.E. Youth leaders have suggested that young people in their communities are looking for ways to have their voices heard and to speak out against the violence in their communities. As a result, this year H.Y.P.E 2 will focus on how young people can use Hip Hop to spread positive messages in their communities. This event is a partnership between The AGO Teen Council and 4UNITY Productions. The Teen Council comprises 12 youths aged 14-19 from across the city who meet every week to discuss and design arts events for their peers. Teen Councilors visit other youth groups and individuals across the city to design and develop programs that "bridge barriers between art forms and showcase the art of young people at the AGO".