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Mele (Music)

The Hawaiian spirit is fertile with the soul of music from the traditional to the contemporary, from Hawaiian mele to Asian melodies to Western tunes. Discover the musical versatility of Hawaiian music and check to see if one of Hawaii's performers is celebrating the Hawaiian culture with a concert during your visit. Not to be missed are artists such as the Brothers Cazimero, Amy Hanaialii Gilliom, Jake Shimabukuro, Na Leo and Raiatea Helm. Venues along Waikiki fill the air with the sounds of local artists nightly. Set aside an evening or two for the Honolulu Symphony, the oldest American orchestra west of the Rockies. Check out a performance with an internationally acclaimed guest from their MasterWorks Season Collection. For those who seek something less traditional, choose a performance from the symphony's Pops Season. Or head to one of Honolulu's clubs and restaurants for jazz, rock and contemporary sounds island style. On Fridays, step back into time as The Royal Hawaiian Band plays on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Wherever one goes on Oahu, the song of the trade winds in the palm trees are accompanied by the sound of music.

MUSIC EVENTS

OCTOBER

AMERICAN IN PARIS
October 11 & 12, 2008; Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
A natural virtuoso hailed for her impassioned musicianship and expressive range, cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs Barber's captivating Cello Concerto. Notorious for its tremendous technical demands, the Concerto is a showcase for Weilerstein's awe-inspiring brilliance. Then, Gershwin's An American in Paris takes us on an adventure to the delights and flirtatious charm of the City of Lights.

BISHOP MUSEUM HULA FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS:
Hula Girls
October 14, 2008; 7 p.m.
$5 General Admission; Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
(808) 847-3511/ Bishop Museum/ 1525 Bernice Street/ www.bishopmuseum.org
[120 minutes, Color, DVD, 2006, Japanese with English sub-titles] Based on a true story, this feature film's heart-warming story is about a rural town in Japan that faces closure of its main economic source, a coal mine, which employs most of the town's wage earners. The town's leaders decide to build a "Hawaiian Paradise" theme park to attract tourist dollars. An aging hula star from Tokyo is hired to put together a troupe of female hula dancers that will perform at the park.

WORLD'S GREATEST PIANO CONCERTOS
October 18 & 19, 2008; Sat. at 8 p.m. & Sun. 4 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Three rising stars of the piano join the Honolulu Symphony as we continue our love affair with piano masterworks. This auditory feast shines the spotlight on the technical wizardry of pianist and orchestra alike. Enrich the musical fabric of your life with the exquisite artistry of Joyce Yang, Jie-Chen and Peng Peng.

THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES WITH THE HONOLULU SYMPHONY POPS
October 24 & 25, 2008
Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m.
$20, $34, $49, $59, $82; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
From country to blues, jazz, R&B and funk, the legendary Ray Charles set the standard for greatness during a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades, with hits ranging from "Georgia on My Mind" and "Hit the Road Jack" to "I Got a Woman," "The Night Time (Is the Right Time)," "What'd I Say" and "Unchain My Heart." Join the Pops for the premiere of this new concert program featuring multi-instrumentalist virtuoso Ellis Hall.

NOVEMBER

LIVE FROM THE LAWN – WORLD BEAT
Friday, November 7, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/ www.hawaiistateartmuseum.org
This month's free event is entitled "World Beat" and features Taiko drumming with Kenny Endo, Caribbean drumming with Reggae McGowan, and a steel drum group performing on the museum's front lawn. A rap poet emcee plus young poets from Youth Speaks Hawaii will give poetry performances on the museum's second floor lanai.

SECOND SATURDAY – DRAMA CREW
Saturday, November 8, 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (while supplies last), FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/ www.hawaiistateartmuseum.org
Members of the Drama Crew are featured in this month's free family event. Have fun and get creative with hands-on arts activities.

ALL-STRAUSS EXPERIENCE
November 8 & 9, 2008; Sat. at 8 p.m. & Sun. at 4 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Delve into the magical world of the "Waltz King," Johann Strauss II. Journey to the Vienna woods and delight in the waltzes and polkas that continue to charm the world today. Richard Strauss' virtuosic Oboe Concerto is a beautiful discovery, laden with joyous expression and romantic inspiration, featuring gifted oboist J. Scott Janusch.

SIBELIUS SYMPHONY NO. 2
November 15 & 16, 2008
Sat. at 8 p.m. & Sun. at 4 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Hailed as "the pre-eminent guitarist of our time," Grammy-Award-winner Sharon Isbin performs Rodrigo's dancing Fantasia para un gentilhombre in an elaborate tour-de-force of sparkling genius. Among Sibelius' most cherished works, the Second Symphony evokes images of serene landscapes and transports the imagination to a realm of divine melody.

BISHOP MUSEUM HULA FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS:
Kumu Hula: A Tradition of Teachers and Aloha from Paris
November 18, 2008; 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; $5 General Admission; Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187 (808) 847-3511/ Bishop Museum/ 1525 Bernice Street/ www.bishopmuseum.org
Kumu Hula: [30 minutes, Color, DVD, Michael Cowell and Hawaii Public Television, 1998]Through interviews with prominent hula teachers such as Robert Cazimero, this film shows how a student of traditional hula dance becomes a kumu, or master-teacher. Aloha From Paris: [63 minutes, Color, DVD, 2005, French and English] Arnaud Dufour's documentary film was made during the visit of Paris-based Halau Hula O Manoa to Hawaii in 2005 for the opening of the exhibition Hawaii in Paris: The Art of Hula at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Guest Speaker: Sandra Kilohana Silve.

"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL"
November 20, 21, 22, 28, 29; December 5, 6, 7:30 p.m.; $12-20
(808) 438-4480/Army Community Theatre/Richardson Theatre/Fort Shafter/ www.armytheatre.com
ACT continues its blockbuster series of musicals with the hit "High School Musical" based on the Disney Channel Original Movie by Peter Barsocchini when jocks and brainiacs, thespians and skater dudes learn invaluable lessons. Army Community Theatre's production is directed by CoCo Wiel, with choreography by Brett Harwood.

READERS THEATRE PRESENTATION "PARADISE LOST"
November 23, 30; December 7; 2 p.m., free
(808) 438-4480/Army Community Theatre/Richardson Theatre/Fort Shafter/
ACT is known for its highly-praised Readers Theatre series where actors read scripts and audiences sit on stage with them, using their imagination to see the set, props and costumes. John Milton's epic poem in blank verse about the fall of man continues the series, which is free to the public.

HAWAII THEATRE CENTER PRESENTS: HIROSHIMA IN CONCERT
November 29 & 30, 2008; Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m.; $25-$45
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./www.hawaiitheatre.com
Since Hiroshima's inception in 1980, the group has assumed the artistic mission of bridging cultural divides through the power of music. Hiroshima has borrowed from numerous cultures - Asian, Latin American, African American and more - and merged these influences into a unique and innovative whole that is solely their own. The result is a brand of music that speaks to nearly every aspect of contemporary culture.

DECEMBER

BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES WITH THE HONOLULU SYMPHONY POPS
December 5 & 6, 2008; Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m.
$20, $34, $49, $59, $82; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Critically-acclaimed Béla Fleck and the Flecktones bring their irresistible "blu-bop" mix of jazz and bluegrass to the Pops. Hailed as a banjo virtuoso, Fleck is a powerfully creative force in bluegrass, jazz, pop, rock and world beat – and will be premiering his brand new Holiday album with the Toyota Pops. His total Grammy count is an incredible eight Grammys. Don't miss Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' riveting musical blends in their Pops debut!

PETER PAN
DECEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 21, 2008
Thursday & Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.,
Sunday at 4 p.m.; Tickets are $12, $22, $32, $42
(808) 733-0274/Diamond Head Theatre/www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Peter Pan tells of a boy who won't grow up, instead spending his days battling pirates and Indians and avoiding Captain Hook. One day Peter loses his shadow and flies into the home of Wendy whom he convinces to fly with him to Neverland. Peter's trusty companion, Tinkerbell, however, sees trouble ahead!

NEIL SEDAKA IN CONCERT
Saturday, December 7, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; $25-$45
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./www.hawaiitheatre.com
Legendary singer and songwriter Neil Sedaka returns to the Hawaii Theatre for this special acoustic concert featuring the very best of Sedaka.

HAWAII THEATRE CENTER PRESENTS: A CAZIMERO CHRISTMAS
December 12-14, 2008
Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.; $30-$125; discount for students/seniors/military (ID required)
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./www.hawaiitheatre.com
Hawaii's inimitable award-winning duo, The Brothers Cazimero, celebrate the holidays "Hawaiian style" in their hallmark fashion of fine music, first-class dance and fun-filled moments for the entire family. Join Robert and Roland along with Leinaala Kalama Heine, the Royal Dance Company and Halau Na Kamalei for this special holiday offering.

PETER AND THE WOLF, NARRATED BY LOST'S JORGE GARCIA
December 13 & 14, 2008
Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 4 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808)792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf was created as an introduction to the orchestra and has undeniably captured the hearts of millions with its musical portrayal of a child's fairytale. Stravinsky's fairytale ballet score, Firebird, secured his undoubted position among the world's most innovative composers. The sensual Firebird Suite sparkles with bold orchestration and lyrical Russian folk songs. Then, enjoy Michael Giacchino's fun-filled and flavorful music for the film Ratatouille in a world premiere overture created especially for this program.

JUMP!
December 17-28, 2008, evening and daytime shows; $25-$68
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./www.hawaiitheatre.com
This internationally acclaimed Korean martial arts comedy landed off Broadway in 2007, and lands in Honolulu this December, bringing the kind of live action you'd see in Jackie Chan and Matrix ™ movies, but without second-takes, wires or special effects. JUMP is one part silent comedy, one part kung fu flick and one part gymnastic display – all delivered live in a thrill-filled, jaw-dropping display of martial arts prowess.

BALLET HAWAII'S "NUTCRACKER"
December 19, 20, 21
8 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; ticket prices TBA
Blaisdell Concert Hall/1-877-750-4400 Ticketmaster or 808-521-8600 for opening night gala information, www.ballethawaii.org
Ballet Hawaii, the State's largest producing and presenting dance organization, brings the holidays to life with its annual, lavish production of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker." Staged by Artistic Director Pamela Taylor-Tongg with stars from national and international companies and a large corps de ballet trained locally, the production features the live music of the Honolulu Symphony, beautiful new sets by Peter Dean Beck and amazing costumes by Honolulu's own Anne Namba.

BEETHOVEN'S NINTH SYMPHONY – A HOLIDAY TRADITION
December 27, 2008; Sat. at 8 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808) 792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
Beethoven's famed celebration of humanity –his ninth and final Symphony – is the jewel in the crown of the symphonic repertoire. The splendid choral finale, drawn from Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy," inspires and enlightens concertgoers around the world in its praise of democratic ideals. Join the Honolulu Symphony and Chorus for this annual celebration of new beginnings as we usher in the New Year.

JANUARY

LIVE FROM THE LAWN – WINTER BLUES
Friday, January 2, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
This month's free event entitled "Winter Blues" features Pierre and Ginai, James Ronstadt and the Dynamic Shuffle Kings, Bluzilla, Lovechile, Downtown Charley and the Humbones, and Jeff Said No!

FIRST FRIDAY HONOLULU
Friday, January 2, 2009, 5-9 p.m.; Free
For more info (808)521-2903
Downtown-Chinatown Gallery Walk. A self guided tour. Galleries, museums and studios open their doors for an evening celebrating artists, art and art making of all kinds.

FIRST FRIDAY AT FIRST HAWAIIAN CENTER
January 2, 2009; 7-9 p.m.; Artist Talk at 7:30 p.m.; Free
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum-FHC/ 999 Bishop Street/ www.tcmhi.org
Enjoy Hawaii's popular Chinatown art walkabout on the first Friday of every month. TCM at First Hawaiian Center is open from 7 until 9 p.m. on these nights with light refreshments and special programs designed to enhance your understanding of the contemporary art exhibition on view. An artist talk or tour is offered at 7:30 p.m. TCM members enjoy validated parking in the FHC parking garage.

ON THE SPOT: OUTRAGEOUS IMPROV COMEDY
Sat., January 3, 2009, 8 p.m.
$14 general; $10 students
(808) 550-TIKS or www.honoluluboxoffice.com/ The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu
Smashbox Productions presents: outrageous Improv. Comedy. The comedy troupe takes suggestions from the audience and improvises scenes incorporating a vast array of silly, spontaneous things.

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!
January 14 – February 1, 2009
Wednesday – Thursday 7:30p.m., Friday – Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.
$35 adults; $30 senior/military; $20 for patrons age 25 and under
(808) 988-6131/ Manoa Valley Theatre/ 2833 East Manoa Rd.
In this two-man musical spoof, a pair of aspiring playwrights perform a backers' audition for their new project: a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. With an unending supply of enthusiasm, Bud and Doug sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them a Broadway contract – fulfilling their ill-advised dreams.

GRAMMY AWARDS CONCERT
Friday, January 16, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
This month's free event is entitled "Grammy Awards Concert" and features artists nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Hawaiian Music Album." Musicians for concert to be announced after the Grammy Awards nominations are announced in December 2008.