Kahilu Theatre celebrates the ukulele in November

Hawaii’s favorite instrument will be showcased in more than 16 ways at the Ukulele Perspectives and Big Island Ukulele Guild exhibits beginning mid-November at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

Ukulele Perspectives will feature the work of 16 artists who redesigned ukulele using various materials including, acrylics, silk decoupage and mixed media. Guest artists include Ethan Froney, Pegge Hopper, Kristi Kranz, Clem Lam, Miles Mason, Marcia Ray, Frank Snow, Mary Spears, Spar Street, Chelsea Tarnas, Deborah Thompson, Dan Trublood, Cassandra Wagner, Adam Williams and Kuhao Zane. The Big Island Ukulele Guild exhibit will feature handmade instruments from the personal collections of guild members. These two exhibits also coincide with the 12th annual Waimea Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute and Festival at Kahilu Theatre from Nov. 20 to 23, which features concerts, master classes and free events.

Both exhibits are free and scheduled from Nov. 14 to 23 at the theater. The Ukulele Perspectives exhibit will also be on display at Merriman’s Restaurant and Tommy Bahama’s at the Mauna Lani resort from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4. The 16 redesigned ukulele will be auctioned at the Kahilu Theatre Masquerade Ball on Dec. 5 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, along with an ukulele signed by Jake Shimabukuro.

The opening reception launching both exhibits is free to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in the theater lobby and will include an ukulele performance and refreshments catered by Redwater Cafe. The Kahilu Theatre galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and during all Kahilu Theatre shows.

For more information, visit kahilutheatre.org, facebook.com/kahilutheatreorg or call 885-6868.