A rap music festival will go on as scheduled now that security concerns have been worked out between the organizers and convention center. “We had to come to the table and just work out the differences. It was pretty much a misunderstanding,” said Edward Bailey, president of the Manatee County branch of the NAACP. Last week, the show’s promotions had been cut back by the Manatee Convention and Civic Center because security details weren’t worked out, said Elliott Falcione, director of facilities.

Those issues were resolved after the promoters met with Palmetto Police and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and agreed to provide more security guards, he said. Leshia Murrell, who is promoting the show, said she’s trying to re-advertise and get the out the word that the show is on. “After going through all of the details, they just wanted to make sure we had enough security,” she said. “We basically have a little more security.

I think it’s going to be a good show.” There had been some confusion that some performers are members of gangs, but promoters say that’s not the case. “These are family guys. They are husband and fathers. They agreed to clean up the music and put on a good show,” she said. “It’s going to be a positive show.” “If this event is successful, he’s going to let us do another one and help us with it. The purpose was to get some of these guys noticed,” she said.

Murrell said the convention center is the ideal place for a show because it allows families to see performers in a safe environment who otherwise perform in clubs. If you go What: Manatee Rap Fest When: 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday Where: Manatee Convention Center Tickets : $20/$30 (plus service charge). Tickets available through the box office or Ticket Master. Parking is $5. For ticket information, call 722-3244, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.