We love art
The Hawaii Watercolor Society will help budding artists profess their love at the Hawaii State Art Museum’s Second Saturday event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9.
Patrons can design greeting cards at this month’s free event, which has a Valentine’s Day theme. Supplies are limited.
The Watercolor Society “will show people how to use painting and watercolor techniques, mixed media and principles of design to create one-of-a-kind expressions of love,” said museum educator Susan Hogan.
“We like to encourage people to come in to paint, play and express themselves,” added Patrice Federspiel, society president. “It’s easy to learn the basics of watercolor, and it can take a lifetime to master, so this event is fun for people of all ages.”
The museum is at 250 S. Hotel St., across from the state Capitol. Call 586-0900.
Snake slithers into the library
The Year of the Snake festivities are in full swing again today at the Manoa Public Library.
A four-week program coordinated by Amanda "Miss Panda" Hsiung-Blodgett kicked off Jan. 26 with a double lion dance blessing and storytelling, and continues this morning with a culture day at the library, including a calligraphy demonstration courtesy of the Lucoral Museum in Waikiki and Hawaii Taiwanese Center.
Amid traditional decorations courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu, children ages 5 through 12 will "take on activities like a chopsticks challenge this week, and learn how to make dumplings using Play-Doh the following weeks," Hsiung-Blodgett said.
"This entire program is a fun thing — lot of celebrations for kids and their families — that include talking about the background of the Lunar New Year."
2013 CHINESE NEW YEAR CULTURAL SERIES
» Where: Manoa Public Library, 2716 Woodlawn Drive
» When: 10:30 a.m. today, Feb. 9 and 23
» Cost: Free
» Info: 988-0459 (registration recommended)
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
» Today, 10:30 a.m. to noon: Calligraphy presentation; hands-on activities including a chopsticks challenge, Chinese brush writing, playing with Chinese toys and trying on a traditional Chinese outfit
» Feb. 9, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: The story of the mythological "Nian the Beast"; learning Lunar New Year traditions, customs and lucky phrases; traditional Chinese instrument performance of the "yue qin" (lute); making dragons, snakes and "yuen xiao" (Chinese dumplings) out of modeling compounds
» Feb. 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: The story of the lantern festival, making a paper lantern and fashioning "yuen xiao" out of modeling compound
Get ready, get set, strum at a musical picnic
Thousands of ukulele lovers of all ages from around the world are expected to gather in Honolulu for the fifth annual Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii on Feb. 9 and 10.
A contest and a concert under the stars take place Feb. 9, followed by a daylong picnic with activities for the whole family Feb. 10.
FEB. 9
» 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: The picnic begins with the third annual international ukulele contest at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa center hall stage. Players compete in three categories: solo, under age 13; solo, 14 and older; and groups. Free.
» 5:30 to 9 p.m.: Enjoy the inaugural Hawaii Ukulele Museum Benefit Concert on the Great Lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Entertainers from Japan and Hawaii will perform, including John Cruz, Raiatea Helm, Natalie Ai Kamauu, the Okinawan group BEGIN and the Ukulele Orchestra from Japan. Tickets are $35, $55 for reserved seating with cocktails, $100 for reserved seating and dinner. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org.
FEB. 10
» 9 a.m. to sunset: Musicians from Hawaii and Japan perform on the hilltop stage at Kakaako Waterfront Park. Check out ukulele-related exhibits and merchandise, food vendors and children’s activities. Lawn mats are welcome and admission is free.
The event benefits the Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii, which plans to build an ukulele museum at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
For a schedule and details, visit www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org or find information on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UkulelePicnicHawaii) or Twitter @UkulelePicnic.
