Ukulele virtuoso, songwriter and theatrical producer Taimane Gardner makes her debut at the Kahilu Theatre headlining her staged production of “Elemental: A Musical and Theatrical Odyssey” at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Taimane is best known for her fierce and inventive style of playing the ukulele but has also garnered recent praise for her ethereal vocals. Her attraction to the four-string island staple began at age 3, and by 10, she regularly performed in public, in Waikiki every Friday night with her father holding down security duties and Waikiki Beach Boys serving as her band. By age 13, Taimane landed a position in Don Ho’s show literally playing in the spotlight every week until Ho’s passing. Fast forward to today, and you have an artist who tours the world and has carved out a unique niche in music — merging a wide-array of genres.
“Elemental: A Musical and Theatrical Odyssey” first debuted on Oahu at the Hawaii Theatre Center in 2016, drawing over 1,000 concertgoers and receiving rave reviews. The production brings to life Taimane’s vision of the elements — earth, water, air, fire, ether — and related spheres through music, dance, narration and costume. The show features two acts, featuring Taimane’s Elemental band, comprised of Jonathan Hearaux on percussion, Rachel Look on guitar and vocals, and Jake Staron on cello.
Tickets are $65/$45/$25 and can be purchased at kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868 or at the Kahilu Theatre box office located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, HI, 97643.