By Brendan Shriane | West Hawaii Today If you need to get out and dance this weekend, Kanani’s in King Kamehameha Shopping Mall might just be your place. ADVERTISING The Colin John Band will be there hitting the stage at
By Brendan Shriane | West Hawaii Today
If you need to get out and dance this weekend, Kanani’s in King Kamehameha Shopping Mall might just be your place.
The Colin John Band will be there hitting the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday for your rocking enjoyment. Cover for the 21-and-over show is $5.
“It’s a kind of a funky blues rock dance party,” said Colin John Greenan, who drops his last name for performance purposes.
It’s part of a Big Island mini-tour for one of the island’s most accomplished guitarists.
“It’s good to be back home,” he said.
John played before a packed house at the Akebono Theater in Pahoa this past Saturday, was at Boston Basil’s last night and is at Big Island Brewhaus at 6 tonight.
Next week, he’ll be playing at the Hilo Burger Joint Thursday at 7 p.m.
He’s playing in support of his latest album, “Aurora Guitarealis,” a collection of new instrumentals.
John spends about half the year on the Big Island and the rest of the year on the mainland entertaining crowds with his guitar mastery.
“It’s kind of a necessity,” John said of his travels to the mainland. “I love it here but I have to reach out to the rest of the world.”
He’ll be traveling all over the world this summer, playing gigs in England, France and Spain.
In addition to his guitar virtuosity, John also has a keen sense of music history. That’s the reason he ended up in Hawaii — he first traveled here to research the history of slide guitar and fell in love with the islands.
“I’m a professional musician and an enthnomusicologist,” he said.
He explained that the history of slide guitar can be traced back to Oahu native Joseph Kekuku, who is credited with its invention in the early 20th century.
Backing him at the Saturday Kanani’s gig will be Thomas Zablan on drums and Robert Villegas on bass.
Also on Saturday, another part-time Hawaii act, the eclectic “thump-hop” band/nonprofit Medicine for the People, co-headlines a 7 p.m. show at the Honokaa People’s Theatre with gypsy funk all-stars Leche De Tigre for what should be an extensive night of spirited dancing in Hamakua.
If you’re in the mood for comedy, Robert Dubac brings his act to The Club in Kona tonight.
The show starts at 7 p.m.
Dubac, who has decades of experience as a writer, actor and stand-up comic, calls it “the funniest show you’ll ever think at.”
For more information, visit bigislandcomedy.com or call The Club at 326-CLUB.
entertainment@westhawaiitoday.com
