Shows & events
Hawaiian Island Roots Jam Tour tonight
The inaugural Hawaiian Island Roots Jam Tour comes to Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill this evening.
Rockin’ the house from 7:30-10 p.m. will be OzoMatli featuring G. Love. Doors open at 7 for the 21-and-up event.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at http://hawaiianislandrootsjam.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 238-0571.
Info: Visit http://hawaiianislandrootsjam.brownpapertickets.com.
Ohrlando at the Opera concert Saturday
Ohrlando’s Chamber Ensemble brings music enthusiasts to the opera on Saturday in Kailua-Kona.
Roland “Ohrlando” Maurer on oboe/bassoon, and Ursula Hesse, on piano, will present Ohrlando at the Opera, a rich and colorful collection of opera music from Antonio Vivaldi to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Gioachino Rossini to Richard Wagner to Richard Strauss and others.
The special journey through 250 years of opera history with ouvertures, arias, intermezzi, fantasies and paraphrases begins at 3 p.m. at the Kailua-Kona Public Library. The performance is free, however, donations are welcome. The event is hosted by Friends of the Libraries Kona (FOLK).
Info: Call the library at 327-4327.
Ensemble to play pair of new year concerts
Start the new year with some nice, sweeping music with Roland “Ohrlando” Maurer on oboe, bassoon and saxophone, and his wife, Ursula Hesse, on piano, who will offer a special musical gift to the community: A colorful bouquet of salon music from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Two concerts comprising classical program of waltzes, polkas, dances and more, are slated.
The first is 3 p.m. Sunday at a private residence in Kailua-Kona. Contact Maurer at roland.maurer@gmx.ch or call 315-7666 for reservation and directions. The performance is free, however, a $20 donation is suggested.
The second concert is Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Holo Holo Ku Gatehouse, 67-5000 Holo Holo Ku Way, in Waimea. The performance is free, but a $15 donation is suggested.
Info: Call 315-7666 or email roland.maurer@gmx.ch.
Concert features rarely heard piano duets
Kahilu Theatre presents Moore and Maroudas at 4 p.m. Sunday in Waimea.
Hawaii island artists Cheryl “Quack” Moore and Anthony Maroudas present a program of rarely heard piano duets, designed to explore the extraordinary dimensions of Kahilu’s beloved Steinway D concert grand. Four-hand works by Antonin Dvorak, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Paul Schoenfield, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Samuel Barber and Maurice Ravel will be featured.
Tickets are $28/$48/$68 and can be purchased online.
Info: Visit www.kahilutheatre.org.
Guitarist from Brazil headlines Jan. 12 event
Direct from Brazil, Badi Assad will headline a community party Jan. 12 at The Pyramid House in Kailua-Kona.
Voted by Guitar Magazine as one of the best guitarists in the world, Assad combined beautiful singing, unique mouth percussion and rythmic body movement.
The evening gets underway at 6 p.m. with Kristin Aria Shaw on the harp. Assad to perform at 7. Pupu will be served.
A $20-$25 donation to the artist is suggested for attending the performance.
Info: Visit www.facebook.com/thepyramidhouse.
Hawaii Wood Guild’s Invitational Masters Show opens Jan. 13
The Hawaii Wood Guild 32nd Invitational Masters Show hosted at Isaacs Art Center in Waimea opens next weekend.
The show will feature 17 master woodworkers who’ve created 42 pieces including that includes furniture, sculptures and woodturning. An opening reception is slated 5-7 p.m. Jan. 13.
The free exhibition will remain on display through Feb. 23.
Guild members offer a talk story every Saturday. All items in the show are available for purchase.
Isaacs Art Center, located at 64-1268 Kawaihae Road at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Info: Visit www.isaacsartcenter.hpa.edu or www.hawaiiwoodguild.com.
VAC hosts exhibit by glass artist
“Passage and Place,” an exhibition of hand-blown, chiseled and etched glass by Heather Mettler goes on display Jan. 13 at Volcano Art Center Gallery.
Mettler will be present for an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Jan. 13 at the gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through Feb. 11.
The exhibition showcases new glass work by Mettler exploring themes of migration, navigation and immigration.
Using a combination of hand-blown, chiseled and etched glass, the artist reflects patterns and designs which illustrate her reverence for the mountain environment and the ocean which surround these islands.
Mettler has been working in glass for nearly 20 years and says she is “continuously inspired by its versatility, fluidity, and textural capabilities. I draw creative energy for my pieces by watching the changing water of the Pacific, which reminds me of the liquid potential of my medium. I’m always looking for patterns and similarities in what I see, translating these elements into artistic language within my work. Glass has always been my canvas, but the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands is my true inspiration.”
Mettler, is well known for her unique “Basket Series” of glass vessels. That collection combines layers of woven copper baskets, blown glass, and sandblasted imagery to create a watery and ethereal experience for the viewer.
Her new works have taken that concept and expanded on it. The “navigation cylinders” specifically in this new body of work expose the woven baskets on the exterior of the vessel instead of being contained within. The woven copper forms reference the use of woven star charts used by ancient navigators.
This exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is open The gallery is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Info: Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Kona Jazz Experience returns
The seventh annual Kona Jazz Experience has been set.
The annual benefit for the Aloha Performing Arts Company will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at Aloha Theatre.
Current featured musicians are Loren Wilken and Friends, Sarah Bethany with Glen Goto, Jesse Snyder, Pat Eskilden, Matt Spencer and Michael Suprenant.
Tickets are $20 and are available online.
Info: Visit www.apachawaii.org.
Community Cares fundraiser coming up
The 11th annual Community Cares fundraiser takes place Jan. 20 at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion
The 10 a.m.-3 p.m. event will help raise money to supply the Community Cares Cancer Resource Center and Wig Closet, which provides wigs and head covers at little to no cost to cancer patients and survivors with treatment-induced hair loss. The center is located in event organizer Tiana Steinberger’s shop, Tiana’s Avon and Wigs in the Old Kona Industrial Area.
In addition to the fundraising and raising cancer awareness, the event also includes community outreach booths manned by local organizations, face painting and makeup, massages, haircuts, food and vendor booths, and a silent auction.
There will also be live entertainment with performances by Soul Town, Justine Smith and others. Hosting the event are PonchoMan Kuanoni, who was featured in last week’s Big Island Entertainment Scene, and Karen Rose, a freelance writer for West Hawaii Today.
Entry is a $5 donation.
Info: Call 896-6310.
DMAC Art Auction set
Donkey Mill Art Center’s 11th annual art auction will be held 5-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at BMW of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona.
This curated auction provides a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts and patrons to purchase from a range of work by renowned artists while enjoying a black-tie optional party all in support of the arts in our community.
The black-tie-optional event will combine live and silent auctions featuring the work of both local and international artists in a festive, upscale venue along with music, pupu and drinks.
Info: Visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org.
Workshops & classes
Youth dance classes offered
Kona Dance and Performing Arts offers two new youth classes with Miss Jaque Collier.
Both classes require registration classes and take part in KDAP’s spring dance concert. One begins Tuesday and the other Jan. 13 and continues through May 15.
Keiki Musical Theatre, for kids ages 6-8, will be held 2:45-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. In this class, young dancers will be introduced to dancing, swinging, acting and theater improv.
Intro/Beginner Ballet/Jazz, for kids 7 and older, will be held 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, starting Jan. 13. This class, recommended for dancers who have already taken keiki classes in the past or are older dancers trying dance for the first time, will cover ballet foundation and jazz technique.
Tuition information is available online at www.konadanceandperformingarts.org.
Collier is originally from Kailua-Kona and just returned back home after six years of training and working in New York City. After studying musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, she continued her education at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in a dual major of theater and early childhood education. In addition to teaching at various elementary schools in NYC as a music and dance instructor, she worked in multiple off-Broadway shows including “The FairtyTale Project” for which she won a Best Actress Award from The Kennedy Center. Other professional credits include TV and films on Netflix, MTV and Amazon Prime.
Collier has also taught and performed on the Big Island with West Hawaii Dance Academy, Aloha Performing Arts Company and Waimea Community Theatre.
Info: Visit www.konadanceandperformingarts.org.
Announcements
DMAC welcomes new ceramic studio manager
Donkey Mill Art Center recently welcomed Erin Skelton as its new ceramic studio manager.
Skelton, who has previously volunteered at DMAC, has a foundation in ceramics first began through the craft of throwing pots on the wheel in Canada. After studying functional ware, she continued on to earn a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in ceramics at Concordia University in Montreal.
Former Studio Manager Erik Omundson is moving on to pursue other projects, residencies and adventures.
Info: Visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org.
DMAC closed for maintenance, repairs
Donkey Mill Art Center remains closed.
The closure of the Holualoa-based nonprofit began Dec. 24 to allow for cleanup, maintenance and termite tending. It will reopen Wednesday.
Volunteers will be needed to bag food and consumables, move art, trim plants away from the building, and prepare the space for tenting today through Saturday. Contact Emily at emily@donkeymillartcenter.org if you can help.
Info: Visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org.
Anne Namba plans pop-up boutique, trunk show
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel welcomes back renowned Hawaii designer Anne Namba for a one-day-only pop-up boutique and trunk show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday at Lloyd Sexton Gallery.
In addition to featuring her signature garments made from vintage Japanese kimonos and obis, Namba will also be offering her ready-to-wear washable knits alongside her collection of silks and one-of-a-kind couture designs.
Info: Visit www.annenamba.com or www.maunakeabeachhotel.com.
Blue Sea Artisans featuring Barbara Denman this month
The Blue Sea Artisans featured member artist for the month of January is acrylic painter and ipu (gourd) designer Barbara Denman.
Denman’s desire to explore various art forms has led her through music, dance, painting and into ipu (gourd) design. She studied at New Mexico University and University of Texas. In the 1980s, she moved to Kailua-Kona where a workshop in watercolors launched her into a serious painting career. She continues her studies and added acrylics and silk painting to her repertoire.
Denman also grows, designs, carves and decorates ipu (gourds) using the “umeke pawahe” or “Ni’ihau method.” This is a very special process where the gourd is dyed from the inside out. This ancient process was lost to history for a long time and was only rediscovered about 20 years ago. Denman’s uniquely designed gourds and paintings have won both juror’s and people’s awards at several artshows. Her art features flora and fauna and the marine life of Hawaii. A couple of her featured pieces are: ipu “Protea” and her acrylic painting “Lilli-Koi.”
Meet the artist when she is working from 2-6 p.m. today and Jan. 11, 18, 25 and 30 at The Blue Sea Artisans Gallery located in the Keauhou Shopping Center. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Info: Call 329-8000.
Kailua Village Artists names Marilyn Koschella January featured artist
For the month of January, oil and watercolor painter Marilyn Koschella is the Kailua Village Artists featured artist.
Koschella wil be featuring “Seahorse,” a watercolor painting, and “Spinning in the Sunset,” an oil painting illuminating dolphins at play during sunset time.
Kochella grew up in Southern California, swimming and spending time at the beach was her favorite past time. This is reflected in her paintings of the ocean. Before purchasing a home in Hawaii in 2008, most of her paintings included lakes and rivers around the Lake Tahoe area. After moving to the Big Island, she has added seascapes of the Kona Coast to her repertoire. Koschella specializes in “suitcase-size” paintings of the beach during the day and at sunset.
She also hand-crochetes a varitety of “keepsake” Hawaiian leis.
The Kailua Village Artists Gallery is located at the Kona Marketplace on Alii Drive in Kailua Village. It is open 9:30 am.-5:30 p.m. daily.
Info: Call 329-6653.
Calls for entry
Entries sought for 2018 Quilt and Fibers Arts Show
The Society for Kona’s Education and Art (SKEA) is accepting entries for its 2018 Quilt and Fiber Arts Show that will be held on Feb. 17-18.
Themed “Something Fishy,” the Aloha Quilters and SKEA quilt and fiber arts show is open to all full-time and part-time residents of the Big Island. They can be amateur or professional quilters, and do not have to be members of Aloha Quilters and/or SKEA.
Quilts or other fiber art may be entered in one of two categories: general or specific to the quilt challenge, “Something Fishy.” Full instructions can be found online at www.skea.org/events.
Entry fee is $10 per item for SKEA members and $15 for nonmembers. Completed entry forms with photos and fees must be received no later than Jan. 26.
Quilts must be hand-delivered to SKEA between 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 14. They can also be delivered to Quilt Passions in Kailua-Kona no later than Feb. 13.
Info: Visit www.skea.org/events.
New releases
‘Tutu’s Favorite Songs’ released
George Kahumoku Jr. released his new CD, “Tutu’s Favorite Songs — Melodies of Old Hawaii” in December.
Kahumoku Jr., who will be entered into this year’s Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, is known as the Hawaiian Renaissance Man is a multiple Grammy Award-winning master slack-key guitarist, songwriter, world-traveling performer, teacher, artist, story-teller and writer, farmer and entrepreneur, according to his bio.
“Tutu’s Favorite Songs” is a collection of 14 songs from Kahumoku Jr.’s childhood. They are songs he learned with his musical ohana that he wanted to share with everyone. He sings
the songs while playing his distinctive 12-string guitar style of Hawaiian slack-key.
The CD, funded by Kahumoku Jr.’s fans and supporters through a Kickstarter campaign, is available online at www.kahumoku.com.
Info: Visit www.kahumoku.com.