Master slack-key guitar musician Cyril Pahinui will perform Nov. 22 at the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.
Master slack-key guitar musician Cyril Pahinui will perform Nov. 22 at the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.
Under the stars of Imiloa’s planetarium, Pahinui will entertain attendees with a night of talk story and slack-key guitar playing starting at 7 p.m. The performance is part of the center’s evening series, Imiloa After Dark.
“Uncle” Cyril Pahinui, the son of musical legend Gabby Pahinui, is one of Hawaii’s most gifted guitarists and singers, according to Imiloa. He has played twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City, has contributed to three Grammy Award-winning albums, and received several Hoku Hanohano Awards. He has also recorded more than 35 Hawaiian musical releases.
Pahinui grew up in Waimanalo, Oahu. He began playing music when he could hold an ukulele and picked up slack-key guitar at age 7. He performed on stage for the first time at age 12.
“Music was my dad’s life, and in many ways he was ahead of his time. He loved classical music, and liked jazz and Mexican music. As his children grew to share his love of music, he always told us, ‘Play whatever you feel, whatever makes you happy, but always respect Hawaiian music and keep it in your heart,’” Pahinui said in a prepared statement.
Tickets are $12 for Imiloa members and $15 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Imiloa front desk or by phone by calling 969-9703. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and JCB credit cards are accepted. Tickets are nonrefundable.
For more information, visit imiloahawaii.org.