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Hilo, HI – December 12, 2008 - Performing and Fine Artists for World Peace (PFAWP) and Amnesty International present the ‘Earth Patriot Hip Hop Music and Dance Concert’ on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Palace Theater in Hilo, Hawai`i. The concert will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is a project of PFAWP’s ‘Artists in Action for Human Rights’ program, which brings awareness of local and international human rights issues to classrooms in Hawai‘i through discussions and presentations by guest artists, resource educators, native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and community outreach staff.

“We believe the language of music, dance and the hip hop culture speaks to young people positively and powerfully,” stated Howard Shapiro, Executive Director of PFAWP. “Using the medium of hip hop music and dance we want to share with our young people on the island of Hawai`i how important it is to protect our human rights here at home and around the world.”

Dance “teams” of youth from around the island of Hawai`i will be performing at the event. They will be using ‘positive conscious rap’ music by artists such as NAS, Common, Sudden Rush, I. A.and Kumanu for their performances

Well-known hip hop artist I. A. from O`ahu will be the emcee for the dance competition and will perform some of his award winning music.  Other artists who will also be sharing their creative talents are Ace Espejo and ‘Bolo’.  Footage from the movie ‘Rize’ will be shown during the dance competition. The movie features young hip hop dancers from the inner city of Los Angeles and tells the story of how they overcame gang violence through their dedication to become world class hip hop dancers.

The Earth Patriot Hip Hop Music and Dance concert celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It also incorporates the theme of President Obama’s inauguration "Renewing America's Promise" by
promoting The National Day of Service. Those attending the event are encouraged to commit to a service project in their community and to help those less fortunate by bringing canned goods and other non-perishable items to the concert. These will be donated to The Food Basket (Hawai`i Island Food Bank).

Co-sponsors for the concert are Recycle Hawai‘i, The Big Island Dance Council, KHBC Radio, Peck Tunes, Perryscope Records, Kumanu Music and the Palace Theater. The Earth Patriot Hip Hop Music and Dance Concert is an alcohol and drug free event and is funded in part by a Healing Our Island Community Fund grant, administered by the Hawai‘i County Resource Center

For more information, please call 985-8725 or e-mail artpeace@hawaiiantel.net or visit www.artistsandpeace.org.

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2007-2008 Healing Our Island
Information & Application Packet
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