The Alohahas perform March 29
The Alohahas, an improvisational, comedic sketch company, will perform its “Almost April Fool’s” show March 29 at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Box office opens at 6:30, doors open at 7, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per person, 18 and older, at the door.
The lineup consists of members performing a series of improvisation games with audience suggestions and participation. The show will also feature original comedy sketches written and performed by the company.
Tickets priced at $10 per person for those 18 and older may be purchased by contacting The Alohahas at thealohahas@gmail.com or by calling 938-2091. Tickets also available online at apachawaii.org.
Ostraka performs Sunday in Kealakekua
Founded in the San Francisco Bay area in 2005, by viol virtuoso Josh Lee, Ostraka has been described as “an utter intellectual and aural delight.” Including lutenists John Lenti and David Walker, the ensemble will perform “Leaving Parnassus: French Baroque Refinement” at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Queen Emma Community Center at Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua.
This will be a rare opportunity for Kona audiences to enjoy the playing of the traditional baroque instruments, viola da gamba (also referred to as “viol”), theorbo and baroque guitar.
The viol family most likely evolved from a desire in the 15th century for bowed instruments resembling the size and tuning of the Spanish guitar. Lee, an alumnus of Peabody Conservatory and the Longy School of Music, has been cited for his “stylish and soulful playing.”
Theorboes were developed during the late 16th century, inspired by the demand for extended bass range for use in opera and new musical works based on basso continuo. To create this new instrument, musicians adapted bass lutes with a neck extension, allowing the theorbo to accommodate open bass notes.
The ensemble Ostraka traces the rise and fall of the refined French baroque style and its efforts to counter the fashionable forces of Italianism. The program includes virtuosic solo and ensemble music by Lully, Marais, Hervelois, Boismortier, Corrette and Forqueray.
Tickets are $25, or $10 for students with ID, and available at earlymusichawaii.com. For more information, call Garrett at 960-3650.
Third annual Big Island Jazz &Blues Festival scheduled
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will present the third annual Big Island Jazz &Blues Festival June 6 through 8.
The experience begins June 6 with a VIP meet and greet at Kaunaoa Bar &Grill. The cover charge is $40.
The main event will be held June 7 at the North Pointe Luau Grounds and will cost $60 for general admission and $85 for premium seating. Performers include Grammy winner Skip Martin, The Iguanas from New Orleans, jazz saxophone legend Donald Harrison, American Jazz Ambassador Jason Marsalis, New Orleans harmonica player Johnny Sansone, Saturday Night Live Band trombonist Steve Turre, and Na Hoku winner Benny Uyetake.
The festival concludes with a Sunday brunch June 8 at Manta &Pavilion Wine Bar, accompanied by live jazz and blues entertainment.
For more information, call 866-977-4589 or visit maunakeabeachhotel.com/jazz.
Students invited to submit artwork
The Wyland Foundation is teaming up with the Monk Seal Foundation to host the first Conservation Through Art contest. The theme is the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, Hawaii’s state mammal. The contest will be offered to all students in public and private schools in kindergarten through 12th grades starting Monday. This is an opportunity for children to display both their artistic talent and ocean awareness to one of the world’s leading environmental artists, Wyland.
Students will create “The Hawaiian monk seal, a living treasure” through paint, drawing, collage or sculpture. Art mediums can include: chalk, charcoal, clay, crayon, marker, paint, pen, pencil or watercolor. The students will register and submit their original artwork online at monksealfoundation.org/artcontest. One winner from each grade will be selected by a panel of judges including Wyland. An overall best of show winner will also be selected for a total of 14 winners. Winners will be announced in late May and each will receive prizes and awards.
The goal of the contest is to engage and inspire students to learn more about the Hawaiian monk seal and its unique role in Hawaii’s ecosystem. Endemic only to Hawaii, the seal has existed in the archipelago for 13 million years but its population is at a critical low 1,100 seals.
By local sources