Ardwick’s ARMR Store is a Caribbean cafe, health food shop and community space. Owner Raph Evans has overcome a stalled professional football career and a spell in prison to become an inspirational figure in the area, and beyond. He’s currently crowdfunding for the kitchen facilities it needs to continue its unique work.
Raph does most of the cooking for ARMR Store at his mum’s house round the corner, before bringing it into the cafe to serve to customers. It’s not an ideal way to run things. He needs a proper fitted kitchen for ARMR so that he can serve more people more quickly, expand the menu and extend opening hours, offering fresh and healthy food to the community.
“Raising this money for the kitchen means ARMR Store can provide more training and mentoring opportunities for local young people. We can run more events promoting mental and physical wellbeing. We can carry on supporting local business owners and artists in the shop. And we can keep supporting non-profit groups and providing food to people in need.” Raph explains.
To help raise the £25,000 needed, artists from Manchester’s hip-hop community are putting on a series of small intimate gigs at ARMR. Guests will also enjoy vegan Caribbean food while enjoying the musical talents of local musicians OneDa, Superlative & Karis and KinKai
The campaign finishes at 10:00am on Friday, so there isn’t much time left to secure your tickets.
An evening with KinKai. Amongst Manchester’s hip hop and soul community, KinKai is a man who needs no introduction. During his career KinKai has worked with musicians and producers from Manchester and beyond, including Glue70, The Mouse Outfit, IAMDDB and most recently ENNY & Children of Zeus.
This is a rare chance to see KinKai perform in a small intimate gig, with only 50 tickets available. Delicious Caribbean Food and a welcome drink included. The event date is still being confirmed – new releases affecting dates – this is a chance for fans to secure a guaranteed place at the gig before the date is announced.
An evening with OneDa. More than your average rapper, OneDa’s unique sound, skilful wordplay combined with her commitment to staying lovable powerful and worthy truly makes her one of a kind. Selected as One to Watch by BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra, OneDa resurrects Hip Hop in her truly unique style. This is an opportunity to see OneDa up close and personal with only 50 tickets available. Event date: Friday 9th of September.
An evening with Superlative and Karis Jade. Award winning rapper and producer Superlative is an artist ahead of his time. A combination of the bounce of modern trap-inspired beats, golden-age hip-hop production style and charisma that shines on stage. Superlative has penned a number of collaborations; including Manchester legend Mr Scruff, and the hip-hop collective The Mouse Outfit. This is a chance to see Superlative perform with his regular collaborator and sister Karis Jade, a talent in her own right with an outstanding soaring soulful voice.
