Quincy Henry, Q-Dot professionally and on stage, knows a thing or two about the music industry. He's been around the hip-hop block, so to speak.

An MC and producer, after crafting a surprisingly slick demo in his dorm room, Henry left college at Central Washington University in 2003 for the allure of a record deal with Interscope - a deal that never materialized. Later, Henry would have a similar experience with Epic. The A&R reps got fired, or died, or got pregnant - possibly all three. I'm not sure. In reality, it's not very important. It's a chain of events the South Sound music scene is better for.

"At first I was bitter," says Henry of the experience of being screwed around by Interscope and later Epic. "But I was fortunate enough that the people from Interscope and Epic really taught me a lot. A lot of people have a warped idea of what the music industry is."

What the experience taught Henry, more than anything, is the music industry, hip-hop included, is a business - and the sooner people start realizing it the better. He's used any negative taste left in his mouth from interactions with the majors to go on what he calls an "indie crusade," starting a record label, releasing his own efforts - like 2009's Underground Railroad - and delving into Internet radio ... among other things.

Things like the upcoming, first annual, Grit City Fest, which will fill small local music venues all over Tacoma June 17-19. Incorporating a diverse array of genres, music and art workshops, along with film and spoken word - Grit City Fest is as much an event designed to promote Tacoma's arts and music communities as it is something to show us all the way.

To hear Henry tell it, it's an idea that stems from the general idea that Tacoma needs something like this, a non denominational, non genre specific festival, to bring out all sides of Tacoma's artistic diversity - and most importantly lead us to work together. A festival where the city's creative types can come together, work together and learn from one another. After throwing out a message on the TacomaArt listserv, and recruiting the sole help of local artist extraordinaire Suzanne Skaar, who's taken the reigns as the Grit City Festival's artistic director, the two have worked since September to create what will come to fruition next week. It's a modest start for a grand vision.

One can't help but note the similarities between what Skaar and Henry have created and a teeny, tiny, baby version of Austin's yearly SXSW festival. SXSW, as you know, is an orgy of epic proportions that fills every club or ramshackle space in town with music for an entire week - drawing hordes of industry types to Austin for classes, seminars, guest lectures and an all around cool factor of the city - which is, of course, reinforced by an event like SXSW. It's no coincidence Grit City Fest takes after it.

"Basically, I'm ripping off SXSW," Henry eagerly admits, saying he envisions future Grit City Festivals including a "non stop vendor, industry and trade convention area." "If I could stop going to Austin, that'd be great."

But lets keep this discussion grounded in the present. Whether or not Grit City Fest goes on to take over the world and rival SXSW (admittedly, two FAIRLY MAJOR question marks), the main purpose of the festival is being felt right here, right now - completely in the present. By creating something that blends a diverse slice of Tacoma's musical identity, from the obvious hip-hop Henry is known for, to the artistic world Skaar is in tune with, to singer/songwriters, indie rock, poets, filmmakers and beyond, Grit City Fest will not only put Tacoma's gleam on full display, and expose Tacoma to outside talent - the festival has the potential to act as guidance and inspiration to artists and would-be creators all over our underdog city.

In other words, and if all goes as Henry and Skaar hope, Grit City Fest could be a big fucking deal.

"I felt like we'd be doing a disservice to the whole community if we didn't incorporate all of it," Henry says of the decision to make Grit City Fest about more than simply hip-hop. "The festival is really just a representation of Tacoma."    

"The only way to get support from a community is supporting a community," says Henry of the personal drive behind Grit City Fest. "And it's got to be sincere."

By all indications, when it comes Henry, Skaar and what they've created in Grit City Fest - it certainly is.

Grit City Fest

June 17-19, times vary, $20 weekend pass, $40 VIP, $12 selected single events
Tacoma venues include The Den @ urbanXchange, Hell's Kitchen, Metro Coffee, The Swiss, The Harmon Tap Room, Speakeasy Arts Cooperative, Library at Sanford and Son
more details at gritcityfest.com