Kona Music Society slates open house
The Kona Music Society welcomes all interested singers to its open house rehearsal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kealakehe Intermediate School band room. No audition is required.
Regular rehearsals are from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
The Kona Music Society is a nonauditioned chorus of mixed voices. It is community-based, encompassing singers from different backgrounds, ages and vocal experience. Singers rehearse weekly and prepare concerts in two major seasons: Christmas and spring, either alone or in partnership with guest artists and orchestral groups. It is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. It was founded in September 1990.
Spring rehearsals will culminate in several concerts, to include a performance of Ariel Ramirez’s “Misa Criolla” at 4 p.m. April 27 and a Kanikapila Hawaiian Choral Music Concert at 4 p.m. May 18. The organization also has planned a June 7 to 14 cruise around the islands singing tour with Kona Music Society and Windward Choral Society.
Scripts sought for Original Play Festival
Aloha Performing Arts Company is accepting new stage plays that have not been published or produced for its 21st annual Original Play Festival, which will be presented Aug. 13 to 16 at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Scripts of any length and on any subject will be accepted, and must be received by May 2.
Entries must be typewritten and securely bound, with sequentially numbered pages. Three hard copies of each script and one electronic copy on CD as a single document in PDF or Word format are required. Each copy of the script must contain a list of characters and a brief description of the play. Scripts should not contain the playwright’s name. One separate cover sheet with the title of the play and the playwright’s name, address, phone numbers and email address must be included, unattached to the bound scripts. Musical entries must be accompanied by three sets of performance quality CDs. Each set must contain all the songs with voice tracks, as well as all songs with accompaniment only tracks.
Plays selected will be mounted as staged readings, with minimal rehearsal, actors holding scripts, and simple technical presentation. All entry materials should be sent to: APAC OPF XXI, P.O. Box 794, Kealakekua, HI 96750. The OPF XXI committee’s official selections will be made by early June, notifications will be made by mid-June, auditions for actor-readers will be held in late June, and rehearsals will be conducted from early July through mid-August.
For more information, visit alohatheatre.com or call 322-9924.
‘Vagina Monologues’ staged next weekend
The Kahilu Theatre and V Day Kamuela present two benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, “The Vagina Monologues,” at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 and 2 p.m. Feb. 9.
Hailed by The New York Times as “funny” and “poignant” and by the Daily News as “intelligent” and “courageous,” “The Vagina Monologues,” which was first performed off-Broadway, dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences.
Last year, more than 5,800 V-Day benefits were held around the world raising awareness and more than $5 million toward ending violence against women. Last year’s Kahilu Theatre production included a cast of stars from the Big Island including Sen. Malama Solomon and Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter — and sold out days before opening night.
This year’s cast will include Roseanne Barr, actress, comedian, writer, television producer, director and 2012 presidential nominee of the California-based Peace and Freedom Party. Barr is also a resident of the Big Island, with a home in Waimea and a macadamia nut farm in Honokaa. Several new and some returning actresses fill out the cast. The performance will again be directed by Jane Sibbett, who has now joined the board of the Kahilu Theatre Foundation.
One hundred percent of proceeds go to services helping women and children in crisis, with the majority staying on the Big Island. The Light On Foundation, Child and Family Services and Hamakua Youth Center will all benefit from tickets sold. The performance is suitable for ages 13 and older.
Ticket prices range from $10 to $25 and are available from the Kahilu Theatre website at kahilutheatre.org, the box office, which is open 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, or by calling 885-6868.
Auditions for ballet coming up Feb. 8
West Hawaii Dance Theatre and Academy will hold auditions for its upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz” ballet Feb. 8. The performance is May 24 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. Interested performers may report Feb. 8 at the West Hawaii Dance Academy, 74-5626 Alapa St., according to the following schedule: ages 4 to 6, 2 p.m.; ages 7 to 11, 2:30 p.m.; and ages 12 and older, 3:15 p.m.
Class rehearsals will be at West Hawaii Dance Academy’s Alapa Street studio beginning March 1, and will continue weekly through the end of May.
For more information or for those interested in participating but unable to attend the audition, call 329-8876, email vh2dns4@ilhawaii.net or visit whdt.org.
Voyager Concert slated for Saturday
Na Kalai Waa and the Ohana Makalii is hosting its first Voyager Concert at 5 p.m. Saturday at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. The public is invited to attend and support the nonprofit educational organization and its voyaging canoe Makalii while enjoying the sweet sounds of Hoku Award winner Kainani Kahaunaele, Big Island Music Award winner Hawane Rios, Kindy Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Contest winner Kealii Bertelmann, and Kalani Souza. Tickets are $20 to $35 and available at kahilutheatre.org.