Whenever the Maui Arts & Cultural Center unveils a new season you can always count on something appealing to all tastes. For the new 2012-2013 season there's everything from Hawaiian legends, rock gods and jazz greats to world fusion pioneers, dance masters, top comedians and classical virtuosos.
Here's a sampling of some of the wonders heading our way in the next few months.
October kicks off with "The Sun of Latin Music," pianist Eddie Palmieri on Oct. 5. With an extraordinary musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of salsa and Latin jazz orchestras, Palmieri has been bestowed with nine Grammy Awards. He's joined by trumpeter/bandleader Brian Lynch.
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The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue
Photo courtesy Maui Arts & Cultural Center
The unique global fusion of Delhi 2 Dublin will rock the Pavilion on Oct. 6, with an exciting blend of traditional Indian influences, Celtic wizardry, hip hop and electronic beats. The band includes a classically trained tabla percussionist, a Korean guitarist and a Japanese Filipina fiddle player.
Classical pianist Haochen Zhang (Oct. 12) has captivated audiences with a unique combination of deep musical sensitivity, fearless imagination and spectacular virtuosity. And the free "Maui 'Ukulele Festival" on Oct. 14 assembles such artists as Ohta-san with Nando Suan, Kamakakehau Fernandez, The Hula Honeys, and the Kalama Intermediate School 'Ukulele Band.
Destined as one of the highlights of the year The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue on Oct. 25 combines the talents of Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, performing their classic tunes and soul gems.
And the month closes with Iranian virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor, a master of classical Kurdish and Persian music, performing with the Brooklyn Rider string quartet on Oct. 28.
Henry Kapono brings his "Home in the Islands 2012" tour to the MACC on Nov. 3, featuring his band and dancers, with a little "Wild Hawaiian" and all the favorites.
The "Under A Jarvis Moon" documentary on Nov. 4 details the true story of young Hawaiian students who were sent by the U.S. government to occupy remote Pacific islands from 1935 to 1942.
The hip, Los Angeles-based group On Ensemble (Nov. 15) adapts the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms, infusing the powerful rhythms of Japanese drumming with elements of hip-hop, rock, overtone singing and electronica.
Slack key guitar master Keola Beamer performs on Nov. 17 presenting music from his superb new CD "Malama Ko Aloha," based on the nationally televised PBS Hawaii special. Keola will be joined by acclaimed Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai, and jazz piano virtuoso Geoffrey Keezer.
November comes to a close on the 30th with Hawaii's brilliant musician, chanter and kumu hula Keali'i Reichel returning to the MACC for a Solo Sessions show in the intimate setting of McCoy Studio.
And Ozomatli fans will rejoice that the exuberant, L.A.-based septet will once again ignite Maui (outside under the Pavilion this time) with their intoxicating mix of Latin rock, hip-hop and funk on the 30th.
Entertainment in December opens with Makana playing a "moonlight" show at the Pavilion on the 7th. This innovative artist adds an exciting dimension to his music, teaming with acclaimed percussionist Lopaka Colon and Lono on bass and vocals.
It wouldn't be Christmas at the MACC without a Willie Kalikimaka concert. Willie K and friends celebrate the holiday season on Dec. 9.
And for laughs you can't go wrong with Rita Rudner on Dec. 15. With the longest-running, most-successful one person comedy show in the history of Las Vegas, Rudner specializes in relationship observations like- "men would like monogamy better if it sounded less like monotony." She's funny.
The New Year opens in style on Jan. 5 with a concert featuring the combined talents of three esteemed Hawaiian women, Haunani Apoliona, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Helene Woodward. The trio's individual legacy includes performing with Olomana and The Islanders, and winning a number of Na Hoku Awards.
Holy moly-Zygonians! Get ready for epic Indiana Jones-style action as the earth faces invasion from sludge monsters on Jan. 9, when "The Intergalactic Nemesis" arrives with a unique, live-action graphic-novel radio drama set in 1933.
Artistic Director Larry Keigwin is acclaimed for capturing audiences with wit, a theatrical sensibility, and, mostly, terrific dancing. He brings his electrifying contemporary dance company to Maui on Jan. 17.
Kuana Torres Kahele swept the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2012, winning six awards including Male Vocalist of the Year and Hawaiian Album of the Year for his amazing CD "Kuanaloa." He will perform a Solo Sessions show on Jan. 18.
We've been awed and stunned by those amazing Chinese acrobats in the past and now the New Shanghai Circus returns Jan. 21 and 22 for some spectacular displays of marvelous feats.
The MACC's original hula drama "Kulanihako'i: Living Waters" returns to Maui for a final curtain call on Jan. 26. This beautiful production draws from epic Hawaiian myths over 2000 years old.
The Ebb & Flow Ensemble performs Arnold Schoenberg's "String Quartet #2" for soprano and string quartet on Jan. 27. The Ensemble will also perform Robert Pollock's "Contrast" for soprano and string quartet among other works.
January closes on the 31st with Toubab Krewe, an innovative, instrumental band from North Carolina which fuses the music of Mali with American rock and folk musical styles. Expect mass bopping to this jamband/Afropop fusion.
On Feb. 7 the the Giordano Dance Chicago company brings their "kinetic excitement and technical wizardry," to Maui. Founded in 1963, they've captivated audiences with dynamic performances and widely appealing repertoire.
Enjoy a mix of poetry, chant and jazz when U.S Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin, Ulalia Woodside and Gene Argel team up on Feb. 10 for an afternoon inspired by forests. An annual tradition over Valentine's weekend sees Hawaii's renowned entertainer and kumu hula Keali'i Reichel presenting "Kukahi 2013" on Feb. 16 & 17. Always a sellout, it's a fundraiser for Merrie Monarch Festival winners Halau Ke'alaokamaile.
See something exotic when the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble performs on Feb. 21. Celebrated practitioners of Odissi classical dance, Nrityagram is regarded as one of India's foremost dance companies. "A modern devotion to a sacred Indian ritual," praised The New York Times.
Filipina actress/singer Lea Salonga returns on Feb. 22. Acclaimed for her starring roles in the musicals "Miss Saigon" and "Les Miserables," she arrives fresh from successful roles in "God of Carnage," and "Allegiance-A New American Musical," about Japanese American internment during World War II.
And February closes with a young ensemble of classical musicians, Catalyst Quartet, on Feb. 27.
Chicano rockers Los Lonely Boys hit the Castle Theater on March 1.
Championing "Texican Rock n' Roll,' this power trio's latest, "Rockpango," ranges from Latin-tinged funk and bluesy, Stevie Ray Vaughan style guitar blowouts to sweet ballads.
The Lindsey Ohana Generations concert on March 2 assembles the combined talents of mother Carmen Hulu Lindsey and daughters Kahulu Maluo and Napua Makua for a wonderful evening of Hawaiian music and hula.
On March 8, there's a rare opportunity to see Hawaiian legends Olomana play a moonlight concert at the Pavilion. The group features founder Jerry Santos, Wally Suenaga and Haunani Apoliona.
March also includes the documentary Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai'i on March 10, soprano Dawn Upshaw with pianist Gilbert on March 16, Edward Sakamoto's play Fishing for Wives on March 22 and 23, guitarist Jeff Peterson teaming with Nathan Aweau on March 21, and a Legends of the Celtic Harp concert on March 27.
Finally legendary comedian Bill Cosby will perform on March 29.
And the season closes with the chant and hula 'Aukelenuiaiku on April 14, the Toronto-based folk duo Dala on April 19, Hawaiian legends the Brothers Cazimero on April 27, and the free annual Ki Ho'alu Guitar Festival on June 23.
