Shows & events
DMAC hosts Pidgin storytelling and poetry reading
Donkey Mill Art Center will host a potluck community lunch, followed by family friendly Pidgin storytelling and poetry reading by artist and writer Jozuf “Bradajo” Hadley on Saturday.
Hawaii Pidgin is a language that developed organically in the Islands to bridge the gap between the native languages of plantation laborers (mostly Hawaiian, Cantonese, Japanese, Okinawan, Tagalog, Ilokano, and Portuguese) and English.
A third generation Kauai resident, Hadley recalls it was around seventh grade at old Lihue Grammar School when he became aware that he was switching from the grass roots Hawaii folk talk (Pidgin) spoken among his multi-ethnic classmates on the playground, to “straight talk” in class or at home.
But it wasn’t until summer 1969, during his master’s degree project in Sculpture at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, that he and three friends trekked down into Kauai’s Waimea Canyon, where Hadley experienced an epiphany. Shortly thereafter, the poetic notes he was jotting down suddenly shifted to a phonetic cursive that Hawaii locals recognize as “the way we talk.” The poet terms this voice Bradajo (Brother Joe).
Bradajo’s first book of his Pidgin calligraphy, accompanied by a recorded narration, was distributed through Liberty House in 1972. Since, he has produced six books and seven CD recordings of his Pidgin poetry and lyric short stories. He presents at schools, colleges, professional groups, and private gatherings, in the hope of preserving Pidgin as a viable expression of Hawaii’s multicultural heritage.
The event is free and will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the center in Holualoa. Attendees are asked to bring a potluck item to share.
Info: www.jozufhadley.com.
Queens’ MarketPlace offers free concert
Queens’ Marketplace at Waikoloa Resort offers a free concert for residents and visitors featuring Johnny Shot Band from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Coronation Pavilion.
With an electrifying mix of high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and popular dance music, the versatile Johnny Shot Band gets a crowd up and moving in no time. Its play list includes songs by the Stones, Springsteen, B-52’s, Pink, Bruno Mars and more.
Info: 886-8822.
Five small solo shows showcased in Waimea
Waimea Art Council’s Firehouse Gallery will showcase small solo shows by Marty Allen, Jim Carlson, Bernt Grundseth, Han Choi and Anna Sullivan through May 6.
Allen works in oil, acrylic, watercolors and photography; Grundseth is a photographer and is experimenting with digital manipulation on some of his images; Choi has a number of lovely small watercolors in the gallery; Sullivan does mixed media work on wood; and Carlson starts with a digital photo on transfer film and then transfers the image to watercolor paper that has been painted in acrylics.
The Firehouse Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Info: www.waimeaartscouncil.org.
Big Island Biennial of Contemporary Art returns April 21
“From Hand to Hand,” Donkey Mill Art Center’s second Big Island Biennial of Contemporary Art opens next weekend.
From “Hand to Hand” celebrates the gift of knowledge and the relationship between the artist and mentoree by selecting recognized masters in their media, and showcasing an artist who they have directly taught and influenced. The exhibition features artists dedicated to long-term studio practice, as well as mid-career and emerging artists working in a variety of disciplines.
An opening reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21 at the center off Highway 180. Featured artists in this year’s exhibition are woodworker Tai Lake and his sons, Jonah and Noa Lake, weaver Ed Kaneko and Barbara Watanabe and multimedia artist Henry Bianchini and Eve Furchgott.
Info: www.donkeymillartcenter.org.
Kalani Pe’a plans Hilo CD release party
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Kalani Pe’a will return home to Hilo on April 21 to sing at his very own CD Release Party.
The Mele Manaka 2017 Music Series will be held at the Grand Naniloa Hotel’s Willie K Crown Room. The show, for those 21 and older, starts at 10 p.m. and tickets are $35.
Although his CD came out last August, hitting No. 1 on iTunes on the World Music Charts and No. 11 on the Billboard Music World Charts, Pe’a is excited to share his music and storytelling with Hilo.
Pe’a’s debut album “E Walea” recently received a Grammy Award in the Best Regional Roots Music Album Category during the 59th annual Grammy Awards. Pe’a composed and co-composed seven haku mele (Hawaiian music compositions) and performs five of his favorite covers on this award-winning debut album.
The CD release celebration will also feature multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole. She and Pe’a are graduates of Ke Kula ‘O Nawahiokalani’opu’u in Kea’au.
Tickets can be purchased at Sig Zane Designs, Manaola Pop Up Shop, Aloha Grown and Hana Hou or online at www.kalanipeamusic.com.
ATT presents ‘No Strings Attached’
Aloha Teen Theatre, a component of Aloha Performing Arts Company, will present a musical adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic “Pinocchio” called “No Strings Attached.”
Written by Patrick Rainville Dorn with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur, the local presentation is directed by Engela Edwards, ATT’s adult adviser. Performances are slated at 7:30 p.m. on April 21 and 2:30 p.m. on April 22. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
“No Strings Attached” features Tabitha Robbins, Lydia Robbins, Olivia Loney, Seth Kirbow, Alessa Stephens and Noelani Loughery-Kawailoa. In addition, the show will showcase children from Hookena Elementary School and Wai’aha International Family School, as Cricket’s “bug entourage.”
The musical is a modern take on the traditional story, in which Geppetto carves the puppet Pinocchio from a magical log, and then sells his own coat so he can afford to send Pinocchio to school. On his way to school, the gullible Pinocchio encounters Fox and Cat, who cleverly con him out of his school money. Cricket tries to get Pinocchio to return home, but the puppet boy goes on an adventure where he meets the Blues Fairy, Mary Annette, and Dipstick. He gets into all kinds of trouble and finally learns that things aren’t always what they seem.
Finally, doing something for someone else, he risks his life to rescue Geppetto and takes care of him when he’s sick. Pinocchio becomes selfless and hardworking and finally gets what he wants most.
Aloha Teen Theatre is a free, ongoing program for teens, which teaches leadership and cooperation through performance. The group meets at 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Teens may join at any time.
Info: 322-9924.
Joke grenadier ‘Geechy Guy’ brings the funny
Veteran stand-up comedian Geechy Guy, best known for his tall, thin and goofy deadpan delivery and dumbfounded arsenal of joke grenades, will headline the laughs at a pair of “Even Stranger In Paradise” dinner shows at Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill on April 22 and 23.
He will perform an after-dinner special at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday and a pre-dinner Sunday Funnies matinee show at 4 p.m.
With more than 75 national television appearances to his credit, Geechy Guy originally coined the phrase “joke grenade” during his 11-week appearances on the original “Star Search” hosted by Ed McMahon. A “joke grenade” is basically an off-the-wall one-liner that he knows will get a delayed reaction because his audience may have to think about it for a few moments to “get it.” So he tosses it from the stage followed by an animated pin-pull.
In addition to stints on “Entertainment Tonight,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Late, Late Show” with Craig Ferguson and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” he recently reprised his role as a contestant reaching the quarter finals on the sixth season of “America’s Got Talent.”
A Guinness World Record setter for the most jokes (676) told in an hour, Geechy Guy became a longtime radio favorite on “The Bob & Tom Show,” appearing on its concert tours and all-star comedy albums. Following a four-year, 200-show stint as the opening act for the “Righteous Brothers” national tour, he moved to Las Vegas in 1996.
Tickets for both Big Island Comedy Club shows are $15 advance and $20 at the door and are available at Jackie Rey’s. For dinner reservations call 327-0209.
Info: www.bigislandcomedy.com.
Film screenings
Kealakekua Public Library hosts first-ever movie night
The Kealakekua Public Library hosts its first-ever movie night on Wednesday with a showing of Walt Disney’s “Moana.”
In ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the demigod Maui reaches an impetuous chieftain’s daughter’s island, Moana answers the ocean’s call to seek out the demigod to set things right in “Moana.”
The free movie screening gets underway at 4:45 p.m. Popcorn will be served; beverages in closed containers are allowed.
Info: 323-7585.
‘Sing’ to be screened in Naalehu
Naalehu Public Library screens an afternoon family movie at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
The library shows a different family-friendly movie each week at no cost. Tuesday, the library will screen “Sing,” released in 2016. Free popcorn will be served, while supplies last.
Info: 939-2442.
Library to show historical Peace Corps training footage
Historical footage of Peace Corps training on Hawaii Island during the years of 1962-71 will be shown at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.
The film documents the history of Peace Corp training on the Big Island through slides, photos and stories from the former volunteers and staff. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corp in 1961 and Hilo was selected as the main administrative and training site for prospective volunteers preparing to serve their two-year service throughout Asia and the Pacific islands.
The screening is free and will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Info: 327-4327.
Classes & workshops
Masaki to lead 5-part ‘Dance Imagined’ workshop
Instructor Karen Masaki will explore basic movement technique and building strength and fluidity in the joints and spine to support movement during her 5-part workshop, “Dance Imagined,” at Volcano Art Center.
The series will start on May 2 with 90-minute classes opening with a general warmup before attention shifts to explorations of spinal and joint movements and breathing exercises to build fluidity and strength. An improvisational dance segment follows.
Classes are 10 to 11:30 a.m. on May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. No experience is necessary.
Cost for a single class is $15 for VAC members and $20 for nonmembers. If paid in advance, the cost is $50 for the entire series for members and nonmembers.
Masaki has performed in dance companies in Philadelphia, New York and Honolulu and taught at private studios and community colleges on Oahu. She holds a master’s degree in fine arts in dance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has studied with renowned Limon technique teachers Betty Jones and Fritz Ludin and ballet with Alaine Haubert, director of American Ballet Theatre’s William Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in California.
Info: www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Call for entries
Pieces sought for upcoming textile show
Firehouse Gallery is seeking entries for its upcoming textile show in the front gallery exhibiting sporting textiles in all shapes and forms from May 27 to June 24.
Items can be fine art or functional items using fiber, yarn, weaving or sewing. Possible entries could include quilts or wall hangings, woven items, mixed media fiber, cross stitch art, knit or crochet pieces or fabric collages.
This is a Waimea Arts Council member show, meaning it is open and there is no entry fee to members. New members may join and participate for only $25. Items must be for sale with 50 percent to go to WAC (25 percent with full membership and four hours of volunteer time when your items are in the gallery).
Maximum size is 40 by 40 inches. Several pieces can be entered for sale, but how much can be displayed depends on space. Larger quilts can be on a table or on a quilt hangar.
The take-in deadline is 3 p.m. on May 27. Items may be brought in any time the gallery is open during the week prior, as well.
Info: Pat Dinsman at pldinsman@hawaii.rr.com or Jay West (artglass@aloha.net).
