Hana Akai wants to see more connection in her industry.
The Redken hair artist has two decades of experience as a stylist, barber and blogger, and opened Akai Hair Design on VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Quadra Street in 2004.
As a barber and cosmetologist, Akai is organizing VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 first Barber Battle: Urban Beatz and Cutz 2, a competition open both to barbers and hair dressers.
While the one-day event is about cutting hair, itB次元官网网址檚 also a celebration of music, fun and connection. Described as a B次元官网网址渏am-packed, hip hop throw downB次元官网网址� the battle starts with a day full of hair industry education before shifting to the B次元官网网址渟ynergy of a barber battle with live hip hop and dance performances.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 wanted to put this on because Victoria has very few events like this,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about this industry of doing hair, itB次元官网网址檚 about showcasing what we do and letting people come to see what we do,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 love to see people from all over come and watch what we do. ItB次元官网网址檚 very intricate work and itB次元官网网址檚 very creative. I want a place to showcase it so people understand the time, commitment and training that goes into what we do.B次元官网网址�
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| Hana Akai providing a free hair cut on Quadra Village Day. The local stylist is putting on Victoria's first ever barber battle, Urban Beatz and Cutz 2 with partial profits going to the Quadra Village Teen Centre. (Facebook/Akai Hair Design) |
AkaiB次元官网网址檚 mission is to B次元官网网址渃hange the publicB次元官网网址檚 view of barbers and stylists as well as to highlight the life changing impact of the art form and skill set.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎s a woman organizing the first barber battle in Victoria, a field that is male dominated, I wanted to ensure that we celebrate our craft and elevate each other,B次元官网网址� Akai said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 striving for an ego-free event B次元官网网址� concentrating on plenty of knowledge exchange and healthy competition.B次元官网网址�
The competition draws talent from across B.C. and as far as Toronto, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Competing barbers and hair dressers will vie for the top spot in categories like free style, low fade with beard, fastest fade and even a student battle.
B次元官网网址淚 love my industry. I love the art of it,B次元官网网址� Akai said. B次元官网网址淚 am thrilled to be showcasing master international barbers from Chicago and Toronto here in southern Vancouver Island. Urban Beatz and Cutz 2 B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 all about bringing the community together.B次元官网网址�
While talent is coming in from across the border, AkaiB次元官网网址檚 passion project will benefit the local community. Partial proceeds will go to the Quadra Village Teen Centre to support VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 vulnerable youth.
Urban Beatz and Cutz 2 will be held June 16 at the Victoria Event Centre. For more information visit .
Tickets can be purchased at.
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