Exhibit of handmade ceramic ware and raku demonstration
Keahole Klay Co-op is holding a Valentine’s Day ceramic exhibit and sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
There will be a varied selection of functional and decorative pieces, including bowls, plates, mugs, tea cups, vases, sculpture, pit fire and raku ware. These unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces will make wonderful gifts for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion throughout the year.
Co-op members will also be demonstrating the firing of raku. The raku pottery technique has its origins in Japan. Raku potters were producing wares expressly for the Japanese tea ceremony beginning in the 16th century. Raku, meaning “pleasure” or “enjoyment,” was not introduced to the western world until the first half of the 20th century. During raku firing, the pot is placed in a kiln and rapidly heated until the glaze melts. Then using tongs, the potter removes the pot, still glowing hot, from the kiln and allows it to cool quickly in the air, causing the glaze to shrink from the pot and to crackle.
All work has been made by members of the co-op, which was founded in 2009. The exhibit and sale will be held at Hawaiian Gardens on Pukiawe Street — look for signs at the bottom of Kaiminani Drive, off Queen Kaahumanu Highway, near the airport.
Anyone interested in joining the co-op as a new member who has experience with clay, come by the day of the sale for questions.
Info: Contact Lou at 896-4803.
Baroque music concert with Ohrlando’s Chamber Ensemble
Two Baroque music concerts will take place this weekend with Ohrlando’s Chamber Ensemble. The first performance is at 4 p.m. Saturday at Queen Emma Community Center at Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua. The second is at 3 p.m. Sunday at a private residence in Kailua-Kona.
In Europe, Ohrlando worked for many years together with real experts in this genre and will provide his experience and knowledge. Garrett Webb will join the group with his recorders. Garrett, as founder and leading member of “Early Music Hawaii,” can also be called an expert in this kind of music. Ursula Hesse is the reliable accompanist at the harpsichord.
With Handel, Telemann, Quantz and Schaffrath, German composers are the most prominent in this program, including Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, one of the lesser known sons of Johann Sebastian. Compositions by Italian, French and Bohemian masters get performed as well.
Info: For reservations and directions, contact roland.maurer@gmx.ch or call 315-7666.
Blue Sea Artisans featured artist in Feb. is Denise Bird
The Blue Sea Artisans Gallery featured artist for the month of February is photographer Denise Bird.
Denise Bird describes her work as a study in gratitude for God’s creations. “I see His hand in all things which gladdens my heart and enlivens my senses. How truly grateful I am for the beauty that surrounds us,” Bird said in a press release.
Her photographs have been seen and sold around the world and her work has been in state, national and international magazines, publications and television as well as online. Bird travels a bit but concentrates most of her efforts on the Big Island, where she is blessed to live with her husband and four furry kids. She also puts in many hours each week volunteering with her church and welcomes requests for donation of her art for worthy causes in our community.
Bird’s “Big Island Collection” and “LDS Collection” are available as photographic prints, canvas giclees, and on metal plates where the images are fused into the metal with heat and pressure.
In celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Bird will be holding two drawings for her art. One on Feb. 14 for a “Sweetheart’s Basket” and one on Feb. 28 for a 8×12 signed metal print.
The Blue Sea Artisans Gallery is located in the Keauhou Shopping Center, Courtyard, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Info: Call the gallery at 329-8000.
Kahilu Theatre holding auditions for Leonard Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’
The Kahilu Theatre Youth Troupe will hold auditions for this year’s Youth Troupe production of the musical “West Side Story,” from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this Shakespeare-inspired Broadway musical was nominated for six Tony Awards in 1957 and the 1961 film received ten Academy Awards, making it one of the most well-known musicals in American history.
Director Beth Dunnington is looking for male and female actor/singer/dancers, ages 13 to 25, to play teenagers and young adults (principals, supporting roles, and ensemble) and four adult males (mid-thirties and up) to play supporting roles. These adult roles are non-singing, non-dancing parts. Actors auditioning for the adult roles should not attend the vocal/dance portion of the audition.
Singing auditions will be held from noon to 2:30 or 3 p.m.; dance auditions from 2:30-5 p.m.; acting auditions from 5:30-8 p.m. There will be a half-hour dinner break from 5-5:30 p.m.
Those interested in auditioning are asked to bring a theatrical resume and to come prepared both vocally and physically. Part of the audition will require participants to learn and perform choreography. No monologue preparation is necessary as performers will be provided with script materials and asked to read sides. Materials will be posted under “Arts Ed” on the Kahilu Theatre home page by Feb.18.
Participants will be asked to sing a song from the West Side Story score, or another classical musical theatre song of their choice. Sheet music will be provided for those who wish to sing songs from “West Side Story.” For those who want to audition with a piece from another musical of the same period, we ask that sheet music be brought for the accompanist, in the correct key, or an instrumental recording on your phone that will be played on the speaker. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear; no open-toe shoes. Callbacks are from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Kahilu Theatre.
Info: For audition materials please visit the Kahilu Theatre website at www.kahilutheatre.org or for more information, please email director Beth Dunnington at bethbornsteindunnington@gmail.com.