Shows & events
Comedy tourney hits Kona, Hilo this weekend
KMA Productions and Rolling Rock present the inaugural Big Island’s Best Comedy Tournament this weekend.
Big Island comedians will be competing in a round-robin tournament with the best of Kona on stage tonight at My Bar and the best of Hilo on stage Saturday at Hilo Town Tavern.
The top comic will win $100 and the chance to open up for a national touring headliner on an upcoming KMA Productions show.
Doors open at 7 for the 8 p.m. shows at both My Bar (tonight) and Hilo Town Tavern (Saturday). There is a $10 cover charge to attend.
Info: www.facebook.com/KMAProductionsHawaii.
World dance event raises consciousness about water crisis
On Saturday, people will gather at more than 100 sites around the world to take part in Global Water Dances, a multi-continent celebration of the importance of water.
Prince Dance Theatre, based in Waimea, will lead the dances and represent Hawaii in this movement at 9 a.m. at Hapuna Beach in South Kohala.
Global Water Dances grew out of a conference of dancers and environmentalists who met to come up with ways that dance could mobilize people to protect the planet.
“When people dance together, they connect in powerful ways and they generate a sense of agency in themselves and others,” said Vannia Ibarguen, the artistic director of Global Water Dances.
Global Water Dances began in 2011, and has taken place every two years since then. The event has brought performers and audiences together in more than 250 cities, unified around a call to action to honor and protect water. Choreographers at each site create a dance for that site, whether it is a river, lake, beach, park, or pool. All performances are free of charge, and family friendly.
Info: www.globalwaterdances.org.
Ola Hau headlines Hui Kakoo Benefit Concert
Ola Hau headlines a Hui Kakoo Benefit Concert Series performance Saturday at Keauhou Shopping Center.
The concert, a benefit for The Food Basket, starts at 5 p.m. Admission is two cans of food to be donated to the organization, which is Hawaii Island’s lone food bank. Each can beyond the minimum two for admission provides entry to win a prize from one of the series’ sponsors: Jam’s World, Paradise Found Boutique and Kona Stories.
The concert will feature an opening performance by Halau O Poohala.
Hui Kakoo is a monthly concert series held at Keauhou Shopping Center. Hui Kakoo means “Coming Together in Support.”
Info: http://www.keauhouvillageshops.com.
‘Bring it! Hawaii’ Saturday in Waimea
Kahilu Theatre presents “BRING IT! HAWAII” in the Mike Luce Studio on Saturday in Waimea.
“BRING IT! HAWAII” is an uncensored open stage for original performance pieces for adults. For writers/creators, it is a local community voluntary run organization.
Inspired by the “No Shame Theatre” format on the mainland, participants may perform only original material in less than 5 minutes.
Artist can sign up starting at 7:30 p.m. with performances beginning at 8. Cost is $10; cash only.
Info: www.kahilutheatre.org
Peterson to perform at Kealakekua library
In celebration of the 2017 Summer Reading Program, slack key guitarist Jeff Peterson will discuss his life in music and perform instrumental songs on Wednesday at the Kealakekua Public Library.
Peterson’s focus on slack key guitar, classical and jazz music has allowed him to develop a unique voice on the guitar while being deeply rooted in the traditions of his Hawaiian heritage.
The performance takes place at 5:30 p.m. It is suitable for all ages but an adult caregiver must accompany young children.
Info: 323-7585.
Lecture to cover Kona coffee exhibit
Kona Historical Society Museum Curator Mina Elison and Assistant Program Director Gavin Miculka on Wednesday will share stories and photos from “The Kona Coffee Story: Along the Mamalahoa Highway, an exhibit at the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum.
The exhibit tells the rich history of coffee in Kona through the eyes of families and farmers who built the lucrative industry. With the introduction of coffee to Kona in 1828, the development of Kona’s world-famous coffee industry experienced its highs and lows. Voices of hard working coffee farmers and community leaders can be heard through personal accounts, historic photographs and artifacts featured in this exhibit, all of which tell the compelling story of the early days of Kona coffee.
The free lecture is slated 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday at West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.
Info: 323-3222, www.konahistorical.org.
Kona Town Night Market is July 1
The Kona Town Night Market is slated July 1 at Brewery Block in Kailua-Kona.
From 6 to 10 p.m., the area, located at the end of Pawai Place at Kona Brewing Co., is rendered into a free night market featuring a summer wear fashion show, car club, keiki fun zone, artists and vendors. Also planned is live entertainment by Victoria Prince, The D. Ramos Band and LT Smooth, as well as a hula performance by Halau Kaeaikahelelani.
Proceeds from Kona Brewing Co.’s beer garden will support the 501(c)(3) Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa.
Info: www.facebook.com/KonaTownNightMarket.
‘Opera on the Rocks’ coming to Hilo, Hapuna
Hawaii Performing Arts Festival will present two performances of “Opera on the Rocks,” featuring classic drinking songs from the world of opera, on July 1 in Hilo and July 2 in South Kohala.
The concert will feature artists from the festival’s faculty and young professionals. The Hilo show is slated 7 p.m. July 1 at Palace Theater and the South Kohala show is slated 4 p.m. July 2 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel Coast Grill.
Performed annually during the HPAF’s summer festival, “Opera on the Rocks” offers easily recognizable opera highlights, like “Libiamo, The Drinking Song,” loosely translated as “Let us drink from the joyful cups” from La Traviata and “The Champagne Song” from Die Fledermaus.
Tickets for the Hilo performance are $30 in advance ($35 at the door) and are available online at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org, or by calling HPAF at 333-7878 or the Palace Theater at 934-7010. Tickets for the Hapuna performance are $50 and available online at www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org or by calling HPAF at 333-7878.
Info: www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.
Film screenings
Movies Under the Stars Saturday in Waikoloa
Queens’ MarketPlace will host its monthly Movies Under the Stars on Saturday with a showing of “The Secret Life of Pets.”
Attendees should bring a beach chair or blanket for the free outdoor movie that gets underway at dusk, about 7:05 p.m., at the Coronation Pavilion.
In the PG film, the quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.
Info: www.queensmarketplace.net.
‘The Great Gilly Hopkins’ screens Monday
Honokaa Public Library will host a free screening of “The Great Gilly Hopkins” on Monday.
The 2015 drama comedy film is based on Katherine Paterson’s classic 1978 middle-grade novel about an unfriendly foster kid who finally opens up to others after being placed with a devout older woman who’s already fostering a little boy. The movie will be shown from 4 to 6 p.m.
Info: 775-8881.
‘Finding Dory’ to be shown in Kapaau
The North Kohala Public Library will show “Finding Dory” on Monday in Kapaau.
Every Monday at 6 p.m. the library shows a free family film. The event is open to ages 5 and up.
“Finding Dory” is a 2016 sequel/spinoff to 2003’s “Finding Nemo.” In the PG film, the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, begins a search for her long-lost parents, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.
Info: 889-6655.
Announcements
Waimea Ocean Film Festival set
The eighth annual Waimea Ocean Film Festival kicks off the new year Jan. 1-9 at various locations in South Kohala and North Kona.
The festival brings an immersive visual experience to the island each January, offering guests heart-pounding adventure, giant surf, marine life, international expeditions and ocean action, all while garnering greater insight and understanding into the ocean environment and island culture. More than 60 films feature ocean experience, ocean environment, island culture, inspiring stories and epic adventure.
In addition to the program of films, interactive presentations, exhibits and Breakfast Talks, ocean-based activities add a dynamic element to the festival. Breakfast Talks provide an intimate setting for guests to connect with filmmakers and special guests to ask questions and hear the behind-the-scenes stories that bring the films to life
Films and programs will be held Jan. 1-4 at venues in Waimea, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Kona and The Fairmont Orchid in North Kona, before moving on Jan. 5 to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai where the festival will continue through Jan. 9. New this year are film screenings each evening outdoors at Four Seasons at Hoku Amphitheatre. Waimea venues include Kahilu Theatre, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Parker School Theatre and Anna Ranch.
A painting by Sophie Twigg-Smith Teururai, “Parea,” has been chosen as the festival’s 2018 cover art. Born and raised on Hawaii Island, Teururai lives in Tahiti with her husband and paints scenes of the islands. She is the granddaughter of noted Hawaii artist William Twigg-Smith and an exhibit of her work will be on display during the festival.
Info: www.waimeaoceanfilm.org, 854-6095 or info@waimeaoceanfilm.org.
Call for entry
Entries sought for Abstract Only! exhibit
The seventh biennial Abstract Only!, a multimedia, juried exhibit sponsored by the Hawaii Island Art Alliance and Wailoa Center, will be receiving art entries through 9 p.m. July 16.
There is a five-entry limit (with a $15 donation per entry); any media and any size may be submitted.
The committee from the State Foundation on Culture and Arts will be reviewing this exhibit for possible acquisition awards nominations. Abstract Only will be exhibited Aug. 4-30. An opening reception will be held 5-8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Hilo-based Wailoa Center.
This year’s juror is Hiroki Morinoue, who is the director and printmaster at Donkey Mill Art Center. For more than 50 years, Morinoue has explored painting, printing, ceramics, photography, sculpture and mixed media. In much of his work, there is a compelling sense of place: shorelines, rocks, lava fields, skies and rainforests of the Big Island. Lately, concerns with the war, global warming, immigration and the depletion of our natural resources are depicted in Morinoue’s work.
Awards will be presented to first, second and third place winners. A People’s Choice award and honorable mentions are also planned.
For the Abstract Only! entry form and prospectus, visit www.wailoacenter.com, email wailoa@yahoo.com, or call Wailoa Center at 933-0416.
Info: www.wailoacenter.com ■