A&E Wrap-Up: 01-24-20

Kona Crossroads celebrates Chinese New Year

Kona Crossroads celebrates Chinese New Year from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Kailua-Kona.

Festivities will include a traditional Chinese Lion Dance to celebrate the Year of the Rat. Accompanied by rhythmic drums and percussion, the lion will visit around Kona Crossroads. The lion will be fed donations in red envelopes, known as lai see (lucky money), believed to bring prosperity to the giver throughout the year. Families are welcome to participate in the tradition, which often delights keiki.

Kona Crossroads is located at 75-1027 Henry St.

Library features science author

Scientist Louise Riofrio will be reading from her book, “The Speed of Light,” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

Light is a key part of our lives, even before our eyes open at birth. Riofrio is educated in physics and astronomy. While working as a scientist at NASA in Texas, she found that the speed of light is changing. This discovery could affect everything from theories of the universe to the size of cells in our bodies, according to Riofrio, who now resides on the Big Island where she writes books and works for a lunar observatory.

She will be available afterward for questions and to autograph copies of her books.

Festival seeks signature art

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii’s oldest food festival, announces its Call for Signature Art for the official image of this year’s 50th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

Hawaii artists are invited to submit original Kona coffee art in all art forms including fine art, graphic design and photography. Artwork should reflect the Festival’s 2020 theme “Kona, the Gold Standard of Coffees” reflecting the special 50th golden festival celebration.

The winning design will become the official image of the 2020 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and will be featured on all official festival merchandise, including the festival button, event poster and retail merchandise. The winning design will also be featured on the festival’s magazine cover, website and other promotional materials.

Artists of traditional media including oil, acrylic, tempera, watercolor, illustrations as well as computer graphics and photographers are invited to participate. Typography should not be included within the art.

There is no entry fee to participate and the competition is open to all Hawaii Island residents 18 and older. Artwork submissions are due March 30 and should be delivered to Malia Bolton Hind at the Kona Coffee &Tea Company located at 74-5588 Palani Road. Entries can also be submitted electronically via email to maliabolton@gmail.com. Be sure to include “Festival Submission” in the subject line with electronic entries.