2008-2009 season preview
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(Listings and descriptions provided by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.)
HO'ONANEA
The finest in contemporary Hawaiian music
Willie K: Willie-kalikimaka - Castle Theater, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The incomparable Willie Kahaiali'i is an amazingly multi-talented, wide-ranged singer and guitarist who has long been held in esteem for his energetic and eclectic live performances. As a special Christmas concert treat for fans old and new, he and the Kahaiali'i ohana present their own special brand of holiday magic in an exciting evening full of favorite songs and new surprises.
Keali'i Reichel with the Maui Pops Orchestra - Castle Theater, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.
In an entirely new format this year, Keali'i Reichel teams up with "a score - or more" of musicians from the Maui Pops Orchestra to showcase Maui musicianship as never before. Keali'i is known both here on his home island and around the world for his work as a singer/guitarist, and as a kumu hula with his acclaimed Halau Ke'alaokamaile.
Jake Shimabukuro - Castle Theater, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views his ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential." To that end, his repertoire is just as likely to include jazz, blues, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco and rock. This ukulele virtuoso is a true phenomenon who has to be seen - and heard - to be believed.
HAPA - Castle Theater, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.
The slack-key guitar/vocal team of Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau create evocative island music that has made them a favorite of folks near and far. Like the Hawaiian Islands, Hapa's sound is a fusion of influences: from the strummed ballads of old paniolo days to modern acoustic folk/rock, to sweet contemporary mele. Add Charles Ka'upu's soul-stirring chant and the hula stylings of Malia Peterson, and it's the recipe for one gorgeous evening.
NaaLeo Pilimehana - Castle Theater, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Their name translates as "voices blending together in warmth" and that is what Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales have created, both as singers and as longtime friends. All three live ordinary lives as family women in their community, but together they also write lyrics, compose music, perform and record on their own record label as Na Leo: one of the most popular, award-winning, and best-selling female Hawaiian groups ever.
Brothers Cazimero - Castle Theater, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
The annual Maui May Day Concert continues with the beautiful harmonies and showmanship of Robert and Roland Cazimero. Matched with lovely hula, it makes for a grand Lei Day festivity with a pervasive spirit of aloha that lasts well beyond the evening's entertainment.
HAWAI'I MAOLI
Presentations of authentic Hawaiian cultural arts
KuuMai Ka Hula/"Hula Appears" - Castle Theater, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
This international hula competition will feature Japan halau winners and halau from Hawaii, presenting adult females and males in solo and group performances. The dancers compete in kahiko (traditional hula) and auana (modern-day hula stylings); there is also a kupuna auana division for dancers 50 and older.
The following presentations are partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Presenting Initiative.
Kahekili - Castle Theater, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Returning home to the Castle Theater from their national and Hawaii island tour, hula master Hokulani Holt and her halau, Pa'u O Hi'iaka, present the story of Maui's great chief Kahekili in an original hula drama which includes chant, traditional hula kahiko, Hawaiian martial arts, and dramatic storytelling. Kahekili's wildly successful premiere on this stage a year ago brings them back again by popular demand, for another compelling performance.
Ho'oulu I Ka Na'auao - Castle Theater, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Sonny Ching and Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu present the reconstruction of this riveting epic masterpiece that tells of 3000 years of Hawaiian cultural and political history through chant, song, dance, video and storytelling. Sonny Kahakuleilehua Haunu'u Ching, a respected kumu hula and Merrie Monarch Festival winner, presents powerful choreography that reflects his dedication to living and preserving Hawaiian culture.
Art of the Chanter - Castle Theater, May 16, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Keali'i Reichel, an extraordinary program featuring chant by kumu hula and Hawaiian practitioners from kupuna to opio. Some of these oli have not been heard for more than 100 years and have only recently been discovered in Hawaiian-language newspapers.
GLOBAL RHYTHMS
Exciting events in music and movement from stages around the world
Lakota Sioux Indian Dance Theatre - Castle Theater, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
This world-renowned Native American company performs "Cokata Upo!: Come to the Center," a work which celebrates the culture of the Lakota people in traditional pow-wow dance, sacred songs, legends and creation stories, all narrated against a backdrop of spectacular video imagery.
Te Vaka - Castle Theater, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
The vivacious, award-winning band Te Vaka ("the canoe") joins the traditional rhythms and dances of their Oceanic roots to the global music culture. Log drum rhythms and dance moves indigenous to Tokelau and Samoa are sparked by electric guitar and keyboards and fired up with world beat and funk grooves to give Te Vaka performances a uniquely modern Pan-Polynesian personality.
Salaam Ensemble - McCoy Studio Theater, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
A lively ensemble of composers and master musicians performing Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Armenian music of the Near and Middle East - a dazzling array of world-renowned musicians who represent a variety of diverse countries, playing exotic and rare instruments. The musicians share stories about the music and instruments as well as some of their own personal experiences as artists and as teachers.
Angelique Kidjo - Castle Theater, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Influenced by her West African homeland yet fluent in multiple languages and cultures, Angelique Kidjo mesmerizes audiences with her impassioned voice and striking stage presence. She is a much-celebrated singer, composer and performer who has won respect across international borders, from audiences, critics and fellow performers.
Poncho Sanchez - Castle Theater, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Infectious and joyous Latin rhythms, slathered with smokin' R&B and soul sounds: that is the product of Poncho Sanchez's early musical experiences in 1960s Los Angeles, spiced with the influence of the Afro-Cuban Latin jazz movement. This Grammy-winning bandleader and drummer is guaranteed to get you movin' to the beat.
DANCE
Great international performances and choreography, classical to modern
Lula Washington Dance Theatre - Castle Theater, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
"A beautiful blend of African and modern dance movement Songs that rocked the house!" (LA Times) "Modern dance at its best. Exciting technique and challenging repertoire that provide food for the heart and mind." (Honolulu Weekly) "The strength of Lula Washington's troupe is its ability to project drama and human connection through the dancing touching and uplifting." (Herald Examiner)
RubberbanDance Group - Castle Theater, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Montreal-based RubberbanDance features an extraordinary collection of world-class dancers in a true hybrid of dance forms - the explosive physicality of hip-hop and the nuances and technique of contemporary ballet. Artistic directors Victor Quijada - street-smart and classically-trained - and ballet-trained Anne Plamondon, create a mash-up of dance theatre, hip-hop and ballet that fuse seamlessly in the pure joy of movement.
Mark Morris Dance Group - Castle Theater, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Praised as a refreshingly irreverent master, Mark Morris has earned his reputation as one of the world's leading modern dance choreographers (both as a "bad boy" of modern dance and as a MacArthur Genius Awardee). MMDG challenges the dance world's notions of the perfect body, presenting works set to anything from Bach to rock. The works inspire superlatives; the accolades can not fail to note Morris' "force of imagination" and ability to mix emotions "intensely musical, insinuatingly sensual, fabulously funky."
LINES Ballet - Castle Theater, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
"The artistic equivalent of a shooting star." (LA Times) Notes Dance Magazine "Audiences are drawn to King's daring, skewed classicism, his arresting choice of music, his enveloping sensuality." Internationally renowned Artistic Director Alonzo King is "one of the few bona fide visionaries in the ballet world today," gushes the San Francisco Chronicle. "His LINES Ballet company is beautiful and brilliant as only ballet can be."
India Jazz Suites: Chitresh Das & Jason Samuels Smith - Castle Theater, March 19, 7:30 p.m.
An unique collaborative experience between two wildly diverse dance artists - one of India's foremost Kathak masters and one of the world's fastest and Emmy-Award winning tap dancers - who converge in the intricacies of each other's footwork. The result is high entertainment which crosses all boundaries of age, race and culture, a blast of incredible speed and power, grace and beauty, epic storytelling, and the pure joy of dance. Both are traditionalists, yet both are innovators, and together they bring the house down.
TUNE-IN
Strings and things, from the classic repertoire to new music
Jupiter Quartet - McCoy Studio Theater, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.
A particularly intimate chamber ensemble, named by Chamber Music of America as "best rising young string quartet," features violinists Nelson Lee and Megan Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel and cellist Daniel McDonough. The group's name references the happiness and strength attributed to the Roman god Jupiter and the reviews on this young quartet are indeed out of this world!
Ebb & Flow Arts Ensemble Robert Pollock - McCoy Studio Theater, Nov. 23, 5 p.m.
Celebrating a decade of modern music presentation, E&FA presents the world premiere of a commissioned piece by Scandinavia's leading composer, Per Norgard of Denmark, who will be on hand
to describe his composition, with Danish pianist Anne Marie Fjord Abilskov performing works by Norgard and Carl Nielsen, along with Hawaii's finest musicians to present exciting New Music works.
Leon Fleisher - Castle Theater, Jan. 25, 5 p.m.
His musicianship is the stuff of legends, as is his personal story. Well on his way to a successful music career at 16, a rare neurological disease took the use of his right hand. Undeterred, Leon continued to play piano repertoire for left hand only, and he became an inspirational teacher and conductor. Then, after years of unsuccessful treatment and the dire predictions of the medical professions, the use of his right hand returned!
Hawai'i Opera Theatre: "Carmen" by Georges Bizet - Castle Theater, March 13, 7:30 p.m. and March 15, 2 p.m.
Escape to the mountains of Spain with Bizet's "Carmen" and surrender to the seductive power and fiery sensuality of the Temptress of Seville. One of the world's most popular operas, the story is set in 1830s Seville where a beautiful gypsy, free with her love, woos an inexperienced corporal, then moves on to the bullfighter driving the soldier to rebellion, madness and murder. Love! Passion! Despair! All the operatic elements are there, including HOT's sublime vocalists. Presented in French with English supertitles.
POPPIN' ROCKIN'
Contemporary music from all genres
Styx - Castle Theater, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Although they began as an artsy '70s progressive rock band, Styx transformed into the arena rock band prototype in the early '80s, known for grandiose tours and power-ballad hits: "Lady," "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man " and "Fooling Yourself." Now this legendary band is on the road again and bringing its litany of hits to a legion of loyal fans.
Kool and The Gang - Castle Theater, Oct. 15, 7:30 pm
Their special sound lives at the unique intersection of jazz, R&B, funk and pop, created by the same core of players for over 30 years: Robert "Kool" Bell, his brother Khalis Bayyan, Dennis "DT" Thomas and George "Funky" Brown. "I Want to Take You Higher," "Funky Stuff," "Jungle Boogie," "Ladies' Night" "Celebration," "Get Down on It," and more Celebrate the hits that have won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top 10 R&B hits, nine Top 10 Pop hits, and 31 Gold and Platinum albums.
Cecilio and Kapono - Castle Theater, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Together for 35 years, "C&K" as they are fondly known, have won lasting stature on the contemporary Hawaiian music scene as well as in the hearts of their audiences. Between the two, Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono have released more than 20 albums and received 18 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards as both duo and solo artists. Their unique blend of Hawaiian and folk/rock harmonies bring home all those fond "back in the day" memories.
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Castle Theater, Nov. 30, 5 p.m.
Bela Fleck is considered the premier banjo player in the world, and one of the most innovative and prolific pickers who demonstrates the versatility of his instrument with music from traditional bluegrass to progressive jazz, pop, country and world music (and has been nominated for Grammy awards in all). Bela and the Flecktones, comprising FutureMan Royel, Victor Wooten and Jeff Coffin, promise a zesty fusion of music and a rollicking good time.
Diana Krall - Castle Theater, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Grammy Award-winning sensation whose cool, heavy-lidded vocals and strikingly sensitive piano-playing transcend the boundaries of genre on her stellar career path, with crossover success as a popular artist who also enjoys an eminent position at the top of the Jazz lists.
LOCAL VOICES
Spoken word productions by, about, and for people of the islands
Kumu Kahua Theater:?"Da Mayah" - McCoy Studio Theater, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 26, 4 p.m.
Set in Hilo, newly-elected Mayor Lester Perez is not too bright, but his administrative assistant/second-in-command/ mistress Sandralene Leialoha Ferreira tries to keep him in line with the aid of her gangster cousin, Dukie. The hilarious action, written by Lee Cataluna, takes us from the mayor's office to Jazzmin's Karaoke Bar and Washerette, complete with whacky assassination attempts and bad plate lunches.
Home: Inside & Out - McCoy Studio Theater, Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Through hula, music and narrative, the audience sees the world through the eyes of three young Hawaiians, born and raised on three different islands, who have come together in Honolulu. A series of vignettes explores the connections to "home" in the deepest sense of belonging and identity, within the backdrop of place, family, friends, values and emotions. Featuring Lono Padilla of Maui, Robert Ke'ano Ka'upu of the Big Island and Chadwick Pang of Oahu - all of whom are hula-trained, musically-educated, and firmly grounded in Hawaii.
Da Braddahs - McCoy Studio Theater, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
James Roche and Tony Silva make up this loco local duo that has been making Hawaii people 'jus buckaloose' laughing for years with their Pidgin-style comedy skits and cast of only-in-the-islands characters: a resurrected Don Ho; Samoan faddah/son tree-trimmers; hapless cops; a flagrant "kumu" and his cuz. Da Braddahs just have fun acting nuts, and they want you to come along with them all the way: gigglin' and snickerin' and bustin' out the laffs out loud.
Augie T - McCoy Studio Theater, March 14, 7:30 p.m.
On the radio, TV or live onstage, there's no doubt that da kine local comedian Augie Tulba is one funny guy. Augie T was named Best, Favorite, and Funniest comedian by Honolulu Magazine, Honolulu Weekly, and Honolulu Star Bulletin, respectively, and has won two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and a Hawai'i Music
Award for his comedy recordings. It seems the votes are in: Augie T is one funny guy.
Frank DeLima - McCoy Studio Theater, April 3, 7:30 pm
One of the Islands' most popular and beloved comedians who entertains all generations with his silly parodies, zany characters and spontaneous wit. Frank personifies and celebrates Hawaii's diverse cultures, and integrates it all into his "Chop Suey Nation" skits. Classic island-style comedy!
MELE
A diverse menu of music and songs of the islands
HokuuZuttermeister and Napua Greig - McCoy Studio Theater, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Two Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winners: Best Male Vocalist and Best Female Vocalist of 2008 together on one stage. A rising star in falsetto and guitar, Hoku won this latest of his five Awards for the album "Aina Kupuna," on which he fully demonstrates his enormous vocal range and versatile instrumentation. Napua - a kumu hula, kahiko dancer, and now recording artist, won the award based on her debut album, "Pihana," an homage to traditional Hawaiian values blended with her own contemporary tastes. Napua and Hoku perform both separately and together this evening, for one amazing show.
Makana - McCoy Studio Theater, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.
One of the hottest young musical artists to emerge from Hawaii, on both the slack key and world music charts. A protege of some of Hawaii's slack key greats, he is considered a pioneer in his own style of contemporary world rock and has released four highly acclaimed and diverse albums; in fact, his self-titled debut album was voted "Best World Music Album" at the Hawai'i Music Awards. Makana has opened for greats like Sting and Santana, receiving roars of approval.
Sam and Howard Ahia: "Generations" - McCoy Studio Theater, March 6, 7:30 p.m.
Another legendary family in MACC's "Generations" series, showing how the flame of Hawaii's traditions are passed from one generation to the next. This program features singer/songwriter/guitarists, Sam Ahia and his son, Howard Ahia, known for mellow melodious renditions of favorite songs, as well as beautiful original tunes with messages of love and life that keep audiences hanging on every word and every note.
FESTIVALS
"Year of the Hula" Film Festival
2008 has been named Year of the Hula for the County of Maui and MACC presents outstanding hula films to pay tribute. A must-see for anyone who loves hula. At each screening, a special guest speaker will give a perspective of the film topics.
NaaKamalei: The Men of Hula and Kumu Hula: A Tradition of Teachers
McCoy Studio Theater, Sept. 14, 3 p.m.
Ka Po'e Hula Hawai'i Kahiko (The Hula People of Old Hawai'i
McCoy Studio Theater, Dec. 7, 3:00 pm
Third annual Maui 'Ukulele Festival - A&B Amphitheater lawn, Oct. 19, 2 to 7 p.m.
Bring the lawn chairs or roll out a blanket on the lawn to enjoy a full afternoon of music, featuring some of the islands' favorite ukulele players - all for free!
Storytelling Festival - Nov. 1: workshops from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; performance at 3 p.m.
The art of storytelling is presented in this free event as one of the authentic traditional cultural art forms of Hawaii. Storytellers present both legends and contemporary tales, highlighted with the use of props and through the voice, in dramatic interpretation, mele or poetic form.
18th annual Kii Ho'alu Festival - A&B Amphitheater lawn, June 28, 2 to 7 p.m.
Bring the lawn chairs or roll out a blanket on the lawn to enjoy an all-afternoon, all-star line-up of Hawaii's best slack key guitar musicians - all for free!
Maui Film Festival
CandleLight Cafe and Cinema Castle Theater, most Wednesdays, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
"Entertainment that enlightens" Weekly screenings of intriguing films, hand-picked by festival founders Barry and Stella Rivers.
FirstLight Film Festival, Dec. 17 to 30
Best-of-the-year and Academy-Award-worthy films for extra holiday sparkle.
Maui Film Festival at Wailea, June 11 to 14
The annual summer film extravaganza: three outdoor venues in Wailea, two indoor venues at MACC, and and a bounty of special events and celebrity sightings.
EXHIBITS
Schaefer International Gallery
The Inspired Line: Selected Prints of Albrecht Drer and Rembrandt van Rijn from the Thrivent Financial Collection of Religious Art
This traveling exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view 40 original works in etching, woodcut and engraving by two renowned masters. A program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and The National Endowment for the Arts.
Continuing Lines: Jean Charlot, Paul Mullowney and Artemio Rodriguez
A contemporary survey of printmaking: 20th century French artist Jean Charlot and Maui artist Paul Mullowney and Artemio Rodriguez of Mexico.
Sept. 9 to Oct. 18, 2008
9th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition - Nov. 6 to Dec. 21, 2008
A popular exhibit demonstrating how artists creatively handle the challenge of space and scale dictated by the size of an ordinary shoebox. Featuring dozens of small sculptures by artists from Hawaii and around the world, organized by the University of Hawai'i Art Gallery.
Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009 - Jan. 6 to Feb. 22, 2009
MACC's signature triennial: a prestigious statewide juried exhibition that has become
a showcase of outstanding Hawaii artists and a chronicle of the changing face of our community. The selected explorations in portraiture include a broad range of interpretation and styles - from representational to experimental in drawing, painting and sculpture - all of which reveal the rewards of observation and the essence of human connection.
Crosscurrents: Jun Kaneko and David Kuraoka - March 15 to April 30, 2009
Two master artists of the ceramic revolution who share a long friendship and a love of clay. Kaneko (who created the sets and costumes for the opera "Madama Butterfly") exhibits a range of exploration, with drawing, painting, ceramic and glass. Kuraoka crosses boundaries through mysterious surface effects created with pit
fire and raku, countered with smooth wheel-thrown porcelain and cast bronze forms.
Celebrating The Artist In Us - May 10 to 24, 2009
This annual student exhibit gives Maui students an opportunity to show their work in a world-class gallery, and gives the community a chance to see what is on the minds of our youth. This year, high school students put themselves on the line with works that focus on image and text. Gallery visitors will be offered a chance to leave a message for their favorite artist on the Comment Wall.
Art Maui - June 7 to July 5, 2009
Celebrating its 31st year
in exhibiting Maui's extraordinary growing community of visual artists, Art Maui brings forward a wide range of
contemporary work, including drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and digital technology in this popular annual juried exhibition. Always a favorite for young and old, the juried exhibition of Maui's best promises something for everyone.
