Shows &events
West Hawaii County Band performs
West Hawaii County Band offers a free concert this evening at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona.
The concert, “January Breeze” is the first monthly concert of the 2017 lineup of free Friday concerts offered by the 20-piece civic band. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
The repertoire of the band includes march favorites, traditional brass band music, big band tunes and Hawaiian traditional tunes. Band members are from all walks of life with talent ranging from student musicians to Grammy-nominated professionals.
The band will also perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace. It is tentatively scheduled to perform at 11:30 a.m. that day during the 34th anniversary Birthday Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Info: www.westhawaiiband.com
Hawaii Wood Guild hosts opening reception for show
An opening reception for the Hawaii Wood Guild Invitational Masters Show will be held Saturday at Isaacs Art Center at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea.
The reception runs 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature 55 pieces on display, as well as for sale. The show runs through Feb. 24. Each Saturday there will be at least one artist to answer questions and offer information on woodworking.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The public is invited to peruse the works and vote for a People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the end of the show.
Sponsored by the Hawaii Forest Industry Association, as well as Isaacs Art Center, proceeds go to scholarships for students of Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
Info: www.hawaiiwoodguild.com.
Volcano Art Center featuring Dietrich Varez
Volcano Art Center Gallery presents a unique collection of original paintings by Big Island artist Dietrich Varez in an exhibition titled “Timeless Treasures.”
The exhibit, which opened to the public on Jan. 7, will continue through Feb. 12 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A special reception honoring Varez and his art will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Varez is best known for his extensive collection of linoleum-block and screen printed images of which over 250 have been published. He typically begins each image with reading and research. A particularly colorful or visual passage in a legend is often the stimulus. Based on oral traditions, some of the images can be viewed as the first visualizations of these myths and legends. Shunning publicity and working in simple fashion Varez shapes his strong personal expression of Hawaii. By nature, a quiet and private man, he lives with his wife Linda (also a noted painter) in a remote rain forest setting near Volcano.
The subject matter in most of Varez’s work is inspired by traditional Hawaiian legends, integrating mythological figures in scenes with flora and fauna typical of the diverse Hawaiian environment. He boldly outlines the adventures and passions of his Hawaiian cast of characters in his direct and unmistakable style. Varez, greatly influenced by the early print makers of Japan shares their belief that art is for the people.
“I don’t care if they put my prints up with four tacks in the corner, just as long as they are up,” he said in a press release.
For over 40 years, Varez produced new print images each year, personally printed each image by hand, refused to number his prints and maintained extremely affordable prices. As of June, Dietrich has officially retired from his printmaking process. His print images will continue to be offered as fine art giclee reproductions and still at affordable pricing. The remaining hand pulled prints by Dietrich himself are available in limited supply.
“This exhibition will highlight Dietrich Varez’s original paintings,” said gallery manager Emily C. Weiss. “Although not as prolific as his print collection, Varez’s colorful depictions of Hawaiian traditions, life and legends provide audiences an authentic visual expression of Hawaii Nei.
In typical Varez fashion, he will not attend the reception in his honor. Volcano Art Center encourages all those who have been touched by his story as told through his prints, paintings, books and illustrations to visit during the show. VAC will be collecting sentiments of appreciation to share with Dietrich and Linda.
The exhibition and reception are both free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply.
Info: www.volcanoartcenter.org
Workshops &classes
Ching to lead 2 workshops
Patrick Ching will lead two Forest Bird Painting Workshops starting Jan. 17 at Volcano Art Center in Volcano.
From 6-9 p.m. Jan. 17, will offer an acrylic experience with his “Drawing Lesson and Acrylic Painting Party.” Class fee is $60, and includes all paint, plus a 9-by-12-inch canvas board and all materials. Participants should bring pictures of a bird they would like to paint.
The next day, Jan. 18, from noon to 5 p.m., Patrick will lead his “Intensive Oil Painting Techniques Workshop” using Genesis Heat-Set oil paints. Class fee is $250 and includes 9-by-12-inch canvas, plus all paints and materials. Patrick will offer concentrated personalized instruction. Attendees should bring pictures of a bird they’d like to paint.
Ching is a renowned Hawaiian conservationist and wildlife artist, author, and ornithological illustrator who has garnered international recognition for his realistic renderings of nature; Hawaii’s native birds, insects, plants and ferns come alive through his vibrant art.
“During that experience I decided to devote my life to educating people about Hawaii’s native wildlife through my art. I paint the places and things that I love with the colors that have surrounded my life. My objective is to take the beauty that I have experienced and bring it into people’s homes and their lives so that they may appreciate the things that are naturally Hawaiian,” he said in a press release.
The nonprofit Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus is located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village.
Info: www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Arleo to lead ‘Inside-Out Ceramic Portraits’ workshop
Adrian Arleo will host a workshop titled, “Inside-Out Ceramic Portraits” on Jan. 19 at Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa.
The two-hour workshops gets underway at 3 p.m. and is geared for children ages 9 to 12. Attendees will explore portraits in an unusual way: The way we look on the outside, and what we contain unseen on the inside. The goal is to make a portrait or self-portrait that expresses both sides.
The portraits will be mask-like and will open in an unexpected way to reveal that secret self inside. Participants should be ready to get a bit dirty and bring a snack and something to drink. Cost is $15.
Info: donkeymill@gmail.com, 322-3362.
Awards &accolades
Glass artist honored for work
Local glass artist Leilani Pacheco-Datta was recently honored for work for Pueo’s Osteria in Waikoloa Village.
“Holding Wisdom,” which was gifted by close friend Kosti Shirvanian, president of BioEnergy Hawaii and Pacific Waste, Inc. to Chef James Babian of Pueo’s Osteria last Friday night. Kosti and his wife Marian flew in from Newport Beach to their home at Hualalai, to be there for the unveiling of the custom stained glass art.
Info: www.hokulaniglass.com
New releases
Nailiili, one half of HAPA, releases debut solo album
Kapono Nailiili kicked the New Year off with the debut of his contemporary fusion album, “In Transition.” His first solo project since departing as half of the super duo, HAPA, the new album features 10 songs (nine of them are original compositions) and the talents of fellow artists including Will Yokoyama, Joshua Kaye, and Mark Lindberg.
Nailiili, a musician, producer and avid surfer, is regarded for his beautiful vocals (pop to falsetto) and his mastery of a multitude of instruments that include drums (kit and percussion), bass (upright and electric), guitar, and ukulele. He is equally comfortable playing R&B, jazz, soul, gospel, and pop, as he is with traditional and contemporary Hawaiian as currently showcased in the Polynesian hit show, “Ka Waa.”
The album is currently available for streaming online and will be released in CD format later this month.
Info: www.kaponomusic.com.
Landeza releases new slack key instrumental album
Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist Patrick Landeza recently released “Hoomanao” (To Remember), his slack key instrumental love letter to Hawaii.
The 12-track album produced by musician/producer, Chris Lau, is available via streaming services including iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora. Physical copies of Landez’s eighth album will be available in February at www.mele.com.
“Hoomanao is a re-telling of my younger days when I was just learning how to play slack key guitar from my Uncles who were also the slack key masters in the music business,” said Landeza. “These were not just lessons on the guitar but lessons in life, and my interpretations of these timeless classics.”
Landeza was born and raised in Berkeley, California, to Hawaii-born parents. Surrounded by music his entire life, he learned guitar as a teenager by observing his uncles at backyard family gatherings. Later, he went on to study with slack key royalty including Raymond Kane, Cyril Pahinui, George Kuo, and Dennis Kamakahi.
A veteran musician, composer, and producer, Landeza earned a Na Hoku Hanohano Award (the first musician from the mainland) for his 2013 “Slack Key Huakai,” which won for best slack key album of the year.
He is currently penning his second book, “From The Island Of Berkeley,” and in the middle of filming his upcoming narrative film, “Aloha Everywhere, The Story Of Patrick Landeza,” which chronicles the life and times (and sometimes struggles) of growing up Hawaiian on the mainland.
Info: www.patricklandeza.com.
Auditions &casting calls
Park Service casting for new visitor center films
The National Park Service is producing new visitor center films for several sites on the Big Island.
The new films will be created for Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.
Told from the Native Hawaiian perspective, the inspirational films will tell rich stories of Hawaii’s past, from A.D. 300 to the age of King Kamehameha I (1790). To bring the stories of these sacred places to life, the Park Service will recreate key historical events and lifestyle scenes.
Casting roles include:
King Kamehameha I, age 30-35
Keoua Kuahuula, age 30-35
8-12 Hawaiian warriors, ages 18-30
3-6 kupuna (men and women – ages 50-plus) to portray Alii and High Priests
2-3 children (ages 10-13)
2 English sailors (approximately 30 years old)
Applicants must be physically fit and acting experience is not required. Knowledge of Hawaiian language is a plus. Accepted applicants will receive compensation, meals, and possible dormitory accommodations. The film shoot will occur over six consecutive days on location at the west side parks and trails in May.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 15. Submit applications to gdpcasting@gmail.com with “NATIONAL PARKS FILMS” in the subject line. The email should include two photos (a wide body shot and a face close-up), height/weight, and a short paragraph that conveys your passion for Hawaiian History and Culture. Those unable to send an email can send the items via postal mail to Rae Godden, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, 73-4786 Kanalani St, #14, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
The Park Service will contact applicants if they are selected for further review.
Info: Jackie Pualani Johnson, 937-6600.
Calls for entry
Vans announces Custom Culture Art competition
Vans is inviting high school art students throughout the country to join in the eighth annual Vans Custom Culture art competition to embrace youth creativity and support arts education.
School art teachers can register their classes to compete for the grand prize of $50,000 toward its art program by creating their most artistic and inventive designs using blank Vans shoes as their canvas. Four runner-ups schools will receive $4,000 for art programs.
Classes will be provided with four pairs of blank Vans shoes, which they will re-imagine to represent four themes of the Vans’ “Off the Wall” lifestyle. They will be submitting their creations for multiple rounds of judging until five finalist are chosen and awarded an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to showcase their designs to a panel of celebrity judges.
Registration ends Feb. 10. To register, visit www.customculture.vans.com.