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Miami Light Project has announce the schedule of events and line-up for Miami/Project Hip-Hop, their annual cultural exchange that celebrates the global Hip-Hop movement by exploring the social and cultural influences that have contributed to its development worldwide. This year, the focus of the program will be on the voices of the very artists leading the Hip-Hop Theater charge in the 21st Century. 

In the Hip-Hop realm, the questions that are usually asked are: What is Hip-Hop? Where did it come from? Where is it going? Rarely, however, is "Who is Hip-Hop?" asked. Whose voice does Hip-Hop represent, who are the individuals leading the Hip-Hop charge into the future, and where do they want to take it? 

During Miami Light Project's 3rd Annual Miami/Project Hip Hop, they will pose precisely these questions, focusing on the voices and perspectives of the artists that are at the forefront of non-commercial Hip Hop culture and those who have become the vanguard of Hip Hop Theater. 

From May 5th to the 15th, Miami Light Project will host leading Hip-Hop artists and practitioners from around the world, the nation and the local South Florida community to engage in a dialogue that will give voice to the struggles and triumphs of the artists forging new perspectives in theater.  Artists participating in these conversations and round table discussions will include Will Power, Anita "Rokafella" Garcia, Ron "Zen One" Wood, Giovanni Luquini and Fernando Lee. Additionally, we will present an art exhibition featuring work from resident artists at their partner organization, El Faro de Oriente in Iztapalapa, Mexico and a lecture demonstration about Capoeira and its historical relevance and present-day connections to Hip-Hop and Contemporary Dance with Brazilian and American capoeiristas. 

They also will present the world premiere of Miami Light Project's latest commission, Scratch & Burn, written and directed by Fringe First award winning playwright, Teo Castellanos. Scratch & Burn mixes ancient Zulu, Maori and Butoh rituals and movements with Hip Hop and urban street combat to create a powerful dance theater work about our primal urge to battle for supremacy and domination, begging the question: "When is war not the answer?" 

MIAMI/PROJECT HIP HOP 2005 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES SUNDAY, MAY 7, 3PM Youth Expressions'' Performance The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami Hip-Hop Culture can be proud to have given birth to Youth Expressions (YE), a not-for-profit organization committed to helping at-risk urban youth develop into self assured, focused, productive and skilled adults.  Now in the 2nd year of a 3 year partnership with MLP, the kids will perform their original music and present the project that was developed during their MLP led residency. FREE 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 7PM  Art on the Walls @ The Light Box: El Faro de Oriente Art Exhibit The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami Visual art exhibition featuring work from resident artists at our partner organization, El Faro de Oriente in Iztapalapa, Mexico FREE 

8PM  La Fabri_K a film by Lisandro Pérez-Rey The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami Commissioned and produced by Miami Light Project, La Fabri_K follows along as two popular Cuban rap groups launch an unforgettable summer tour that takes them from their humble homes in Havana all the way to the Apollo Theater in New York. FREE 

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 8PM Scratch & Burn, Byron Carlyle Theater, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach Battles and wars rage in boardrooms, on street corners, in deserts, in jungles and now on stage in Miami Light Project's newest commission, Scratch & Burn. Written and Directed by Teo Castellanos with choreography by D-Projects members and Ricardo "Speedy Legs" Fernandez and original music by Brimstone127, Scratch & Burn encompasses ancient Zulu rituals, modern political war games and urban street combat told through Hip Hop vernacular in a potent and energetic investigation into human nature and our primal urge to battle for supremacy and domination--begging the question when is war not the answer. $20 

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 8PM Scratch & Burn and post-show Q&A, Byron Carlyle Theater, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach, Stick around after the show and join the cast and creators of Scratch & Burn for insight on the making of this original Hip Hop dance theater piece!!. $20 

SATURDAY, MAY 14 12pm-2pm Capoeira Lecture Demonstration The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami Taught by Giovanni Luquini (Miami), Ron "Zen One" Wood (Philadelphia) and Fernando Lee (Brazil), this lecture demonstration will explore the history of Capoeira and modern-day connections to Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance FREE 

3pm-3:30pm Opening Address by Will Power, The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami A pioneer in the genre of Hip Hop Theater, Will Power has created his own style of theatrical communication, fusing original music, rhymed language and dynamic choreography to produce powerful theater. FREE 

3:30pm-6pm Roundtable Discussion The Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd #100, Miami FREE 

8:00pm Scratch & Burn, Byron Carlyle Theater, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach, see above description$20 

SUNDAY, MAY 15 12:30pm-2pm Pre-Show discussion: Creating Hip Hop Theater Byron Carlyle Theater, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach What is makes Hip Hop theater and what makes theater Hip Hop? With Teo Castellanos (D-Projects), Anita "Rokafella" Garcia (Full Circle Productions), Will Power and Ron "Zen One" Wood (Zen One Dance Collective) Free with Scratch & Burn admission 

2:00pm Scratch & Burn Byron Carlyle Theater, 500 71 Street, Miami Beach, see above description $20 

Tickets: Call MLP 305.576.4350 or visit www.miamilightproject.com