AUDIO: Shanghai Children’s Palace visits Honolulu
August 26, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Audio, For the Family, Latest News, Stage
Video by Steven Mark / smark@staradvertiser.com
By Steven Mark
smark@staradvertiser.com
Imagine a Juilliard Institute, a “Fame” school and perhaps a Bela Karolyi Gymnastics Institute rolled into one, and you might have the equivalent of the Shanghai Children’s Palace.
The Children’s Palace, founded by Soong Ching Ling, wife of Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of modern China and an ‘Iolani grad, was the first arts and academic institution for children to be established in the Peoples Republic of China, and remains one of its most prestigious. A group of 45 children from the institution will be giving a performance tonight showcasing the many young artists who study at the school.
This is the fourth time that the Shanghai Children’s Palace has sent a group to Hawaii, but the first in nearly 10 years. The government-backed organization has also sent group to perform at the White House and throughout Europe and Asia.
The Olana Ai Hula Halau will be joining the visitors to make it a multicultural affair.
Shanghai Children’s Palace
featuring 45 of China’s most talented children
» When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
» Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave.
» Cost: $15-$35
» Call: 591-2211 or 286-0506
AUDIO/VIDEO: Five Minutes With… Dragon Chase
June 17, 2010 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Audio, Featured, Music, Video
Photo and video by Jason Genegabus / jason@staradvertiser.com
The members of Dragon Chase, from left, Randy Wheeler, Brian “B-Cap” Capobianchi, Ikaika Tecson, Mark Tanouye and Kapono Nailiili.
By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com
When you stop and think about it, downtown Honolulu is the biggest sandbox in Hawaii for our state’s most creative minds to play in.
During regular business hours, towering office buildings contain hundreds — if not thousands — of people working very hard to come up with the next big thing in their respective industries. At night, the focus turns to numerous music venues in the neighborhood that present both live music and DJs with enough talent to spin more than just the same old mainstream radio hits.
Last weekend at the Dragon Upstairs, five like-minded musicians came together for the first time in public to present a “unity of jazz and hip-hop” called Dragon Chase. Every Friday through July 2, they’ll share their new musical adventure with bar patrons from 10 p.m. until about 1 a.m. Cover is $5 at the door. Read more
[AUDIO] Raiatea Helm partners again with Hawaiian Host
November 4, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Audio, Featured, Music
Jason Genegabus / jason@starbulletin.com
Local entertainer Raiatea Helm has teamed up once again with Hawaiian Host to release a special, limited edition box of the chocolate maker’s Christmas Macadamia Medley.
Just as she did in 2008, Helm has recorded a new single to go with the boxes — “Foolish Ways” is presented in two versions, acoustic and an “Island Remix,” along with three other songs from three previous albums — and she’ll embark on a quick statewide tour in support of the promotion. Play the YouTube video above for a sample of the new song.
“As an entertainer, I am so often on stage and away from the audience, but with the Hawaiian Host tour I get to meet so many wonderful people,” she said in a press release. “Last year, I got the opportunity to travel to four islands and visit eight locations in one month.”
Once again, Helm will travel to the Big Island, Maui and Kauai in addition to making four appearances on Oahu.
Here’s the complete schedule of concerts:
» Nov. 7: Wal-Mart Mililani, noon
» Nov. 8: Wal-Mart Hilo, noon
» Nov. 11: Wal-Mart Keeaumoku, noon
» Nov. 13: Wal-Mart Pearl City, noon; Wal-Mart Kunia, 6 p.m.
» Nov. 15: Wal-Mart Maui, noon
» Nov. 20: Wal-Mart Kona, 6 p.m.
» Nov. 21: Wal-Mart Kauai, noon
Hawaiian Host’s Christmas Macadamia Medley is available in stores now; retail price is $6.99 per box.
[PICS] Pussycat Dolls complete ‘Doll Domination’ in Honolulu
June 15, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Audio, Featured, Music, Picture Blogs
Photos by Jason Genegabus / jason@starbulletin.com
Nearly 5,000 people watched Hawaii-born singer Nicole Scherzinger make her concert debut last weekend, as the Pussycat Dolls ended their “Doll Domination” world tour at Blaisdell Arena.
It seemed like an emotional evening for Scherzinger, who reportedly had dozens of family members in the audience and sported numerous lei around her neck at multiple points during the show. At one point, she took time to acknowledge her Native Hawaiian and Filipino heritage and thanked fans for their support; click here to listen to audio of her remarks.
More pictures from the concert, after the jump. Read more
Inside HILife: Island Mele
May 29, 2009 by John Berger
Filed under Audio, Island Mele, Latest News
Quartet sampler rocks
‘…here nor there’
Amitystreet
(no label)
It’s been years since Honolulu was short of talented rock acts. Amitystreet joins that long list of local rockers past and present with this six-song sampler. The quartet — Jason Everett (vocals/guitar), John Gonzalez del Solar (guitar), Jhon Lynch (bass) and Eli Oguma (drums) — is somewhat reminiscent of a young U2, but not to the point where they sound like either mindless clones or a “tribute band.”
Everett’s voice often serves as another instrument rather than as the focal point of the band’s sound. This makes careful listening a must for anyone trying to decrypt the lyrics. In “Better Man” the message is first broken into segments for insertion in the somber, well-crafted instrumental arrangement and then restated almost in its entirety as the song builds in intensity.
“The Setting Sun” is a pleasant change of pace because it doesn’t follow that same template. Poignant and romantic, it speaks of loneliness and the pain of separation in vivid terms.
“Sekai no tame ni,” although sung primarily in English, is as cryptic as the others in posing the age-old question, What are we living for?
Amitystreet doesn’t presume to provide an answer. But with “…here nor there” as a sample of what they have to offer, it seems safe to bet that they’ll be back.
Click here to read the rest of this week’s CD reviews.
