Add your voice to the collective call for safe and drug-free communities at TeenFest 2K12!  Substance abuse prevention and violence reduction are the themes of the day, Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 8th annual TeenFest(ival) at N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.  All activities are free and family friendly. 

TeenFest 2K12 kicks off with four concurrent workshops on topics relevant to the TeenFest themes; two for teens, one for adults and one for elementary-age youth.  The second part of the event is a teen talent showcase with a twist; all acts are original and have an anti-drug/anti-violence theme.  Contestants are students ages 14 to 19.  Celebrity judges select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners to receive cash prizes totalling $1,750.  Door prizes, audience participation, information booths and a living memory book help lend to the festive atmosphere.  Internationally acclaimed DJ Skaz will spin live on stage.  Love Jones Girlz, Leviticus and Matthew "16" Grady are guest performers. 

This year's celebrity judges are: Atlanta-based award winning music executive Amir Windom; New York-based Emmy award winning mixer and manager of "Love Jones Girlz" music group, Charlie "CJ" Jones; Atlanta-based social activitist and From Afros to Shelltoes founder Edward Garnes, Jr.; 4-Dimensional promotion company founder and image consultant Sheree Betts; and communications expert, journalism professor and musician Brett E. Chambers.  

This year's teen talent lineup is: 
Candice Kelly of S.E. Raleigh H.S.;
Brian Grant of Riverside H.S. in Durham;
Rysden Dunn of J.D. Clement Early College H.S. in Durham;
the Hispanic Liaison Youth Group from Siler City;
the rap duo "Brother's Keeper" from Durham;
J'mario Carter of Cary H.S.;
Sierra Smith of Wake Forest-Rolesville H.S.;
Martika Brooks of West Cary Middle School;
the band, "When Given Lemons" from Franklin Academy in Wake Forest;
and Camille White and Shaun Harris, both of Wake-Forest H.S. 

TeenFest Foundation works to help teens become peer health educators focused on substance abuse prevention and violence reduction, using their own creative voices.  TeenFest Foundation is a non-profit project under United Charitable Programs.