Auditions at Aloha Theatre for ‘Wonderland’
Aloha Theatre will be conducting open auditions for volunteer performers from age 8 to 88 for “Wonderland,” the final production of the current season, on May 6 and 7. “Wonderland” is a new script by California playwright Susie Burke, based on the works of Lewis Carroll. Aloha Theatre’s production will be the world premiere of the play. Perusal copies are available for checkout, by arrangement with the Aloha Theatre office.
Director Jerry Tracy is planning for a cross-generational cast of approximately 25 performers. He is looking for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Children must be at least age 8, and be able to read well. Older actors will be encouraged to serve as mentors for specific younger performers.
All roles are available, and include: Alice, Red Queen and King, Dodo, Duck, Lory, Eaglet, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, March Hare, Dormouse, Duchess, White Queen and King, White Knight, Pig Baby, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, Twin Alice, Daisy, Lily, Rose, and the Executioner. Some actors will play more than one character.
Auditions will be conducted at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu beginning at 6 p.m. on May 6 and May 7. Candidates need attend only one of the evening sessions. A possible invitational callback audition may be held on May 8, if necessary. Those auditioning should arrive on time and expect to stay two hours. Closed toe shoes are required and comfortable clothing and a water bottle are recommended. Each candidate will be asked to introduce themselves and deliver either a one to two minute memorized monologue or share a one to two minute account of a personal adventure. The remainder of the audition will consist of readings from the script.
Rehearsals will begin May 14 and will generally be conducted Monday through Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Not every actor will be needed at every rehearsal. Time commitment varies, according to the role. Cast members must be available for the rehearsal schedule with a minimum of conflicts, and must commit to the entire performance run, which is June 22 through July 1. The rehearsal and performance calendar will be posted at auditions, and is also available online at AlohaTheatre.com.
Info: For more information, or to request a perusal script, call 322-9924.
Calling all quilters on Hawaii Island
Volcano Art Center announces its second Biannual Quilt Show, “Quilts in the Forest – Where the Path May Lead.” The exhibition opens July 13 and continues through Aug. 4 at VAC’s Ni‘aulani Campus.
“Quilts in the Forest – Where the Path May Lead” is open to all full-time and part-time residents of the Island of Hawaii, whether they are amateur or professional quilters. This year’s show hopes to inspire quilters to explore new and innovative ways in quilting. The prospectus and entry forms are available online at http://volcanoartcenter.org/gallery/call-to-artists/. The deadline to register is May 26.
Info: Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Kahilu Theatre celebrates 33 years with Robert Cazimero
Robert Cazimero, Hawaii’s revered and beloved kumu hula, singer, song writer, and entertainer, returns to Kahilu Theatre at 7 p.m. May 13. He will carry on a 33-year-old tradition of offering Hawaii Island residents and visitors a memorable evening of music, hula, and story-telling.
Recognized throughout the world as a talented and influential ambassador of Hawaiian culture, Cazimero has performed both traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music and dance throughout his life and around the world, from Japan to Moscow, in venues from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl.
Cazimero has family roots in North Kohala and his shows at Kahilu Theatre often invite special friends and relatives from near and far to join him on stage.
This year, Kahilu Theatre’s Season presentation of Robert Cazimero is sponsored by Marianne Maynard, Betty and Lee Meyerson and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Tickets are $68/$48/$25 .
Info: For tickets, visit kahilutheatre.org or call 885-6868.
Jewish Jazz at Gertrude’s
Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band returns to Gertrude’s Jazz Bar to offer an afternoon of lively Jewish jazz, including Yiddish, Israeli, European and klezmer music and Israeli dancing from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, honoring Israeli Independence Day. The band includes Bill Noble on clarinet, Sue Garrod on trombone, Joel Gimpel on violin, Judy Olson on keyboard, “Boom-Boom” Cannon on percussion, Gloria Blum and Auntie Lani Lee as vocalists and Barry Blum on contra-bass balalaika. Cover charge is $5.
Info: For best seating call 327-5299.
The Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association bringing back Honokohau Harbor Market
The Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association will hold their Honokohau Harbor Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Honokohau Harbor.
There will be boat hardware and accessories, diving equipment, local arts and crafts, clothing, fishing gear as well as food and beverage.
Memberships for Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association will be available as well as HF&BA T-shirts.
Vendors so far for this event include Sundot Marine Flags, Jack’s Diving, Rizzuto Estate Sate, Pacific Boats &Yachts, Big Island Divers, Fish Sacs, Shyn Marine Fabric, Feshamon Lures, private sellers of used dive and fishing gear, clothing and arts and crafts.
The Market is held to support the Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association in their efforts to improve Honokohau Harbor and other small boat harbors across the state.
Info: Visit hawaiifishingandboating.com
Lauhala bracelet weaving class
One of the most significant trees in the Hawaiian culture is the hala tree. Learn the varied traditional uses for each part of the tree, including how to gather and prepare leaves for weaving, and create your own bracelet at Christ Church Episcopal on Konawaena School Rd. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Cost is $20. Please bring a hand towel.
Info: To register for class, contact Cindy Ku’upua Whitehawk at blossoming_whitehawk@yahoo.com or 987-2662.
Big Island Chocolate Festival offers decadent gala
Chocolate is the star at the seventh annual Big Island Chocolate Festival gala 5-9 p.m. April 28 at Hapuna Beach Resort. Indulge in both savory and sweet creations prepared by top chefs and chocolatiers, plus unlimited wine and beer pours, in the spacious ballroom and twinkle-lit courtyard.
A silent auction will offer a variety of local activities, art, jewelry, dining certificates and more.
The evening’s theme is “Chocolate Around the World” and culinary stations will be judged on their depiction of the mood, plus a host of “best” culinary categories: savory, plated dessert, bonbon, bean-to-bar, cacao and People’s Choice for Best Savory and Best Sweet. Prizes will be awarded at the gala, plus winners will be announced for the event’s Friday college culinary competition.
A trio of celebrity chefs will present three creative chocolate demonstrations during the day. The chefs are Alicia Boada of Cacao Barry, one of few individuals accredited as an executive pastry chef, culinary administrator and culinary educator by the American Culinary Federation; Stéphane Tréand, MOF of The Pastry School; and Donald Wressell, executive pastry chef of Guittard Chocolate Company. Seminars for local cacao farmers will be presented on April 27 and are being finalized.
General admission tickets to the gala are $85 presale, $100 at the door.
Presented by the Kona Cacao Association (KCA), 2018 Big Island Chocolate Festival proceeds will benefit Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, University of Hawaii Maui College’s Culinary Arts Program, Waimea Country School, and founding event organizations Kona Pacific Public Charter School and Kona Dance &Performing Arts.
Info: Find gala, daytime seminars and room/event packages at https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com/tickets
Gold leaf and illumination workshop at Volcano Art Center
For all painters seeking a little light in their life, artist Rose Adare will offer the “Gold Leaf and Illumination” workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Volcano Art Center Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Students will learn how to lay out and prepare their materials to implement gold, copper, or silver leaf in the most effective way possible. Tutorials will include how to incorporate leaf with under-paintings and over-paintings, how to work highlights and shadows into their paintings, the distinction between warm and cool light, and how to seal leaf properly. Other topics include metallic pigments and metal paints.
All levels are welcome. Please bring all of your painting supplies, including three different photos to work with and two small canvases, no bigger than 11×14. Class fee is $65/$60 for VAC members plus a $15 supply fee. The supply fee will be waived for those who bring their own gold leaf sizing and sealant.
Info: To register, call Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Annual Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest set
Experience the beauty of Hamakua at the Annual Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest located at the intersection of the Mamalahoa Highway and Mamane Street just outside of Honokaa.
The festival is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20, and will feature locally produced goods and artisanal food from numerous vendors, as well as an all-day line-up of some of the best local musicians.
The festival begins with Joshua Lanakila Mangauil of the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua opening the festivities with a traditional Hawaiian protocol, and with the cultural center’s hula halau taking the stage to entertain and inspire.
Hamakua Harvest is a 501©3 non-profit organization and corporate sponsorships and tax deductible donations are welcomed and publicly acknowledged.
Info: More details on the Annual Farm Festival and the overall Hamakua Harvest project may be found at www.hamakuaharvest.org, and questions may be directed to info@hamakuaharvest.org.
The West Hawaii County Band announces next free Friday concert
The West Hawaii County Band, a 20-piece wind band comprised of community members announces April Jewels, will play their next concert at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Hale Halawai Park on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.
The West Hawaii County Band will present an hour of wind band music including the classic jazzy tune “Take 5” made famous by the Brubeck Quartet, Beatles Gold a collection of Beatle’s favorites including “I Saw Her Standing There,” “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout” and more. The band will also feature saxophone Richard Shields in a soulful ballad called Harlem Nocturne and the stirring march “America Victorious” by E.E. Bagley.
Come and enjoy live band music performed by local musicians from all walks of life who live right in your own community.
The West Hawaii County Band is conducted by Bernaldo Evangalista.
Info: Visit the band’s website at westhawaiiband.com
Kahilu Theatre producing Future Voices — a performance by Prince Dance Institute
Kahilu Theatre presents Future Voices, directed by Angel Prince, a multimedia theatrical dance performance created by Prince Dance Institute at 7 p.m. May 5 and 4 p.m. May 6.
Written by students, the theatrical aspect of the show was developed over the course of several spoken word workshops led by Prince, and Oahu-based spoken word poet Jonathan Sypert.
Future Voices features choreography from instructors Prince, Elizabeth Brawner, Kat Reuss, Leia Lawrence, Mana Ho’opai, Nolani Anderson and Angela Alforque, dramatic work by Kendyll Howard, and music with Candie Duggan. The performance also includes the students’ spoken word pieces as the underlying narrative to each segment.
Future Voices will also play for local schools and children in two performances for young audiences at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. May 2.
Tickets are $38/$28/$22 and can be purchased at kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868 or at the Kahilu Theatre Box Office located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Kamuela.
Info: Visit kahilutheatre.org
Give back on Earth Day
Join other community members and participate in an Earth Day community workday from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday at the Kaloko Fishpond. Spend the day opening fresh water springs, opening habitat for native fish and birds and maintain areas previously cleared. Please wear loose long sleeve clothing. Tools and water provided. Close with potluck and sharing.
Info: Call 785-0211 or email ruthaloua@gmail.com.
Chamber Orchestra of Kona holding concert
Join the 40-plus member Chamber Orchestra of Kona [COOK] from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sheraton Kona Resort for a live orchestral concert featuring music “From Beethoven to Broadway and Beyond.”
The COOK orchestra is under the direction of Bernaldo Evangelista, and the concert master is Ursula Vietze-Koehler.
The venue is at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa. There will be a no-host bar, and parking is free.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $20 for preferred seating, and children under 18 are free.
Info: The public is encouraged to purchase tickets online now at ChamberOrchestraOfKona.com.