Music fills the air
Choices abound in West and Central Maui next weekend
A major lineup of talent will perform at the 13th annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival 2018 on Sept. 30 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater in Kahului. Artists performing include Willie K, Paula Fuga, Kris Fuchigami, Arlie Asiu, Mika Kane, Andrew Molina, Halemanu, The Hula Honeys, Kamakakehau Fernandez, Brittni Paiva, Kalama Intermediate Band, Seabury Hall Hawaiian Ensemble, Nick Acosta and Two Sisters.
Two of the Maui musicians appearing, Molina and Asiu, both received Na Hoku Hanohano nominations this year in the Ukulele Album category. Molina’s “A New Journey” featured primarily original compositions that showcase his expressive playing, including “Dancing Strings,” where he dueted with Jake Shimabukuro. Asiu’s latest album, “My Dog Has Fleas,” ranged from the Asian inflected “Won Ton Min” and the lively “Cup O’tea,” to the entrancing “Mauka to Makai.”
In conjunction with the festival, a free ukulele workshop with Roy Sakuma will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in the McCoy Studio Theater at the MACC. The workshop is geared for all ages, child to adult, and beginning to intermediate players. Students must be able hold C, F, G7 chords and bring their own ukulele, notepaper and pencil. Attendees will participate in the festival with a song learned in the workshop. No reservations are required, and registration begins at 9 a.m.
* The 13th annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival 2018 is from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at the MACC’s A&B Amphitheater in Kahului. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. Ukulele advocate and teacher Roy Sakuma will serve as emcee. Ukulele will be featured as door prizes. The festival will feature displays of made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts, and ono-licious island food will be available for purchase. Admission is free. For more information, call 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org.
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The third annual Maui Salsa Bachata Congress running Sept. 27 through 30 at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali will feature some leading lights of Latin music including Grammy-nominated salsa legend Ismael Miranda.
Known as “El Nino Bonito de la Salsa” (The Pretty Boy of Salsa), Miranda is one of the most popular singers of the 1970s salsa boom. He has recorded more than 20 albums and performed with such notable artists as Nicky Marrero, Hector “Bomberito” Zarzuela, Reinaldo Jorge, Ismael Quintana, Willie Colon and Ray Barreto.
Several of Miranda’s hit songs have attained classic status, including “Arsenio,” “Pa Bravo Yo,” “Senor Sereno,” “Lupe, Lupe” and “Se Fue Y Me Dejo”
Born in Puerto Rico, Miranda grew up in New York City. As a former member of the legendary Fania All Stars, he toured Europe, Asia and Latin America with the famous band. Formed in 1968, the Fania All-Stars featured some of the best Latin musicians in the world. Miranda sang on 17 of their albums, and appeared with them in the movies “Our Latin Thing,” “Live In Africa” and “Salsa.”
In 1973, he formed his own group, Orquesta Revelacion, releasing the classic album “Asi Se Compone Un Son.” It was hailed as one of the best salsa records ever. He later went on to establish his own record label, IM Records, and record several boleros with Andy Montanez.
His most recent recordings include “De Regreso al Son” (2009), “Aferrado a Ti” (2011), and “Son 45” (2014), which included a Fania All-Stars reunion with Bobby Valentin, Richie Ray and Roberto Roena. The album’s title track rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart.
“El Nino Bonito (as he’s known in the salsa world), has shown the world that no matter your age, flavor is flavor,” praised a Salsa Power review. “The great opening ‘Victima inocente’ takes us back to the mid to late ’70s, when storytelling ruled the salsa landscape. No one did it better than Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano and Ismael Miranda.”
“The fact that this music is still played heavily on the airwaves worldwide is a testament to our message,” Miranda told Billboard. “I have been representing this genre for over 45 years, and salsa is here to stay.”
Among the other artists appearing at the Salsa Congress, Dominican pop-vocal group Voz a Voz is known for creating a new “R&B” sound — Rhythm and Bachata — featuring soulful, urban-influenced three-part vocal arrangements.
Formed in Santo Domingo by three youths of poor economic class and single-parent households, they were inspired by the rhythms and melodies of their native island. The trio was discovered performing in the Hotel Bavaro in Santo Domingo by a record producer from the Urban Box Office label.
Edwin Rivera is known as one of the most influential artists in Latin dance and music. Born and raised in the Bronx in New York of Puerto Rican decent, he has performed at some of the biggest festivals throughout the world. Rivera specializes in salsa/mambo, deep house, Latin, salsa electronic dance fusion and progressive house. His recordings include “Soul of a Dancer,” “Music Is My Everything” and the 17-minute “Fania All-Stars Latin/EDM tribute,” an electronica homage to the salsa legends.
A native from Mexico City, DJ Voss launched his career as a professional DJ more than 15 years ago in Los Angeles. He covers various styles and genres of music from Latin to Top 40 and EDM, but his passion is salsa.
The Son Caribe Band is Hawaii’s most popular Latin band. They have opened concerts for many major Latin music events, including shows starring Celia Cruz and Poncho Sanchez. Their albums include “Salsa in Paradise” and “Salsa from Hawaii II.”
“It’s going to be an amazing event,” says promoter Rafeal Ulloa. “We have the famous Ismael Miranda, a bachata group from New York and workshops with salsa champions.”
* The third annual Maui Salsa Bachata Congress is presented at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Sept. 27 through 30. It opens with a kickoff party at the Maui Grill Kaanapali for $20. The show with Voz e Voz on Sept. 28 is $50. Tickets for Ismael Miranda’s concert on Sept. 29 are $70. A pass for all four days (workshops and shows) is $200, or $150 for shows only. For tickets and more information visit www.mauisalsacongress.com.
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Disco legends the Village People along with Grammy winners A Taste of Honey will light up the MACC’s Castle Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. Fronted by original lead singer Victor Willis (the cop/admiral), the Village People are famous for such classic hits as “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy.”
Selling more than 100 million records worldwide, they were known for their distinctive costumes, catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics. On stage their personas were a cop, Native American, construction worker, cowboy, soldier and leather biker. They became an international phenomenon after the release of their second album, “Macho Man.”
In 2009, “Y.M.C.A.” was entered into the Guinness World Book of Records when more than 44,000 people danced to the song with the Village People singing live at the Sun Bowl Game in El Paso, Texas.
Famous for their disco anthem “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” A Taste of Honey features original lead singer Janice-Marie Johnson. After the release of their platinum-selling debut album, they won a Grammy in 1979 for Best New Artist beating out Elvis Costello, the Cars and Toto. In 1980, A Taste of Honey had another hit with “Sukiyaki.”
* Tickets are $45, $65, $85 and $125/VIP (plus applicable fees), which includes a meet-and-greet and photo with the band. For tickets or more information, visit the box office, call 242-7469 or go online to www.mauiarts.org.
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Celebrating Hawaiian culture in September and October at various sites throughout Maui County, the Festivals of Aloha will present award-winning kumu hula Uluwehi Guerrero and Halau Hula Kauluokala at 6 p.m. Friday at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului. Entertainment will also be provided by Kalama School Ukulele Band, Kamehameha Schools Maui Hawaiian Ensemble and falsetto singer Makana Arce of Molokai.
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Saturday marks the return of the annual St. John’s Kula Festival Upcountry in Keokea, with entertainment including Amy Hanaiali’i performing at noon.
The morning opens from 9 to 9:45 a.m. with Hula Wehena o ke Ao under the direction of Kumu Hula Maka’ala Palmore, followed at 10 a.m. by Bobbie Jo Curley. At 11 a.m., the Prem Brosio Trio plays, with the Mojomana Trio taking the stage at 1 p.m., followed by Soul Kitchen at 2 p.m. and the King Kekaulike High School Big Band closing out the entertainment from 3 to 3:45 p.m.
Admission is $1 or a donation of canned food for the Maui Food Bank. Kids under 10 are admitted free. Parking is available at Keokea Park. Funds raised will benefit Upcountry Children’s Giving Circle and Friends of the Children’s Justice Center.
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A “Fighting Cancer With Grace” benefit concert for Cynthia Clark, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Mulligans on the Blue in Wailea. The impressive lineup includes Amy Hanaiali’i, Eric Gilliom, Lily Meola, Soul Kitchen, Tom Conway, Merv Oana, Gina Martinelli, Cheryl Rae and Elua Kane. Admission is a $20 donation, with all proceeds benefitting Clark’s medical fund. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/fighting-cancer-with-grace-benefit-birthday-concert-for-cynthia-clark-tickets-49838171312.