Kona International Film Festival making debut
Kona International Film Festival will be bringing classic and contemporary feature-length films, short films, and music videos from around the world to West Hawaii in the summer of 2020.
The purpose of the event is to entertain, enlighten, and stimulate audiences with a diverse international program, while providing a platform for cultural understanding and the advancement of knowledge. To this end, the festival will showcase independent films by emerging talented filmmakers as well as established directors, performers, and screenwriters.
“We embrace the passion and spirit of these artists, in the hope of stimulating the interest in and appreciation of cinema, filmmaking, and screenwriting among aspirants and audiences of all backgrounds, experiences, and ages,” Festival coordinator Dennis Lee Foster stated. “As a world-class venue with the world’s best beach, diverse activities, and an amazing range of accommodations from ultra-luxury to simply affordable, Kona is destined to become one of the world’s most coveted film festival venues.”
The festival are accepting film submissions.
Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa and Kona Brewing Company are sponsors. Selected films will be screened before a live audience.
Filmmakers, performers, and screenwriters interested in participating can find more information about the festival online at: konafilmfest.com
HPA Handbell Choir performances set
WAIMEA — The Hawaii Preparatory Academy Middle School Handbell Choir, under the direction of Georgia Polakova, will present a free holiday performance at the Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library of the Hawaii State Public Library System at 3 p.m. Dec. 12.
The performance will be followed by light refreshments, hosted by the Friends of Thelma Parker Memorial Library.
Polakova, who is retiring after 40 years at HPA, is the founding and beloved director of the handbell choir, which has been part of the HPA Middle School experience since 1985. The choir currently consists of 10 students who take the semester-long class and present free holiday performances across the island.
Musical highlights include “Carol of the Bells,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Ode to Joy,” “Hatikva,” and a holiday medley.
The HPA Handbell Choir also will perform at:
Prince Kuhio Mall, 12:15 p.m. Nov. 23.
Parker Ranch Tree Lighting at Puu Opelu, 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Waimea Farmers Market (Parker School), 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7
Kamuela Farmers Market (Pukalani Stables), 10:45 a.m. Dec. 7
Big Island Giving Tree Event, Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, 11 a.m. Dec. 8.
Info: 887-6067.
Tom Holland of ‘Nervous Jenny’ coming to Waimea
Singer-Songwriter Tom Holland of the Portland, Oregon indie band “Nervous Jenny” will play a free solo show 6-9 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Big Island Brewhaus in Waimea.
Holland will be featuring songs off the band’s CD “Silverado,” songs from his original repertoire as well as some tasty covers. Influenced by British blues invasion to modern and Americana rock, Holland’s songs are lean and strong with stories and characters — from grocery store checkers to male strippers to midnight lovers and will have you singing along by the end of the first chorus.
Kona Choral Society presents Handel’s ‘Messiah’
What is Christmas without the singing of Handel’s Messiah?
Kona Choral Society and Orchestra, under the direction of Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey, presents its annual performance of Part I of Handel’s “Messiah,” 4 p.m. Dec. 8, at the Ohana Court at the University of the Nations.
A 100-voice chorus, four talented local soloists, and a 21-person orchestra and organ will put on show. The first part of the program includes “For a Breath of Ecstasy,” a work by up-and-coming composer Michael John Trotta. This will be the Hawaii premier of this work and includes chorus, string quartet, and oboe.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and $50 for reserved seating. Tickets are available through konachoralsociety.org or at Kona Stories Book Store.
Info: KonaChoralSociety@gmail.com.
Kona Aloha Singers holiday concert Dec. 1
KAILUA-KONA — The Kona Aloha Singers, a new adult contemporary/popular music chorus launched this year, presents a holiday concert titled “Mele Melodies” 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
The chorus will be singing songs from Elton John, Abba, Portugal, The Man, Pentatonix and more including holiday favorites. The 19-member chorus will be accompanied by a variety of musicians and soloists including Binti Bailey, Reggie Koffman, Bill Noble, Nick Wong, Roy and Michael McGrath and Misty Mistler. Justine Smith serves as emcee.
Chorus artistic director is Katya Neelova-Eaddy, a Russian native and graduate of one of Moscow’s most prestigious music colleges. She has a master’s degree in choir conducting and worked in Moscow’s Russian Orthodox churches and schools in both Russia and Alaska.
Piano accompanist Dale Ross, a lifelong Big Island resident, has played piano for as long as she can remember.
Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for keiki and available online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4428040. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $7 for keiki.
Isaacs Art Center hosts Ukulele Guild show
WAIMEA — The Isaacs Art Center at Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) presents the Big Island Ukulele Guild’s 15th Annual Stringed Instrument Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15-27.
Guild members will be available each day to “talk story” and answer questions. There is no charge for admission.
The guild, founded in 2001, is a diverse group dedicated to making the finest stringed instruments and sharing that knowledge with others through fellowship, quarterly meetings, educational workshops, and exhibitions.
The Isaacs Art Center is located at 65-1268 Kawaihae Road, adjacent to the HPA Village Campus. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; admission is free. Proceeds from the Isaacs Art Center benefit the HPA Scholarship Fund.
Info: 885-5884, or visit isaacsartcenter.hpa.edu.