SATURDAY
Jake ‘Travels’ back to Oahu
Jake Shimabukuro returns home Saturday for his annual Jake Shimabukuro & Friends Concert.
He’ll undoubtably feature some tunes from his latest album, “Travels.” Considering that he’s toured 140 cities this year, it’s an appropriate title, but it’s a statement about his musical journey. The album features more diversity than his previous albums, with tunes like the upbeat “Passport,” which has a Latin feel, the popular “Kawika” and Hawaiian standard “Hi’ilawe,” performed on a baritone ukulele. Shimabukuro performed on the baritone in last year’s “Friends” concert, and it was heavenly.
Look also for something completely different when pianist Brent Nitta joins Shimabukuro to perform part of Byron Yasui’s “Concerto for Ukulele: Campanella.” The work premiered in June with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and is unlike anything else written for the instrument. It’s a testament to Shimabukuro’s musicianship and dedication that he’s been able to master it.
Shimabukuro’s other guests this year are Kalihi-Kai Elementary School’s Ukulele Club, dancer Malia Yamamoto, bassist Nolan Verner and keyboard player Michael Grande.
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $30-$60
Info: hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
SATURDAY – WEDNESDAY
Events feature holiday music done right
You’re hearing holiday music on the radio in your car, on TV and at shopping malls, but that’s all background and you’ll probably only hear the melody of a familiar carol, which you might shut out just to try to get that earworm out.
But there are some substantial holiday works, too, and even a well-known jingle can be pleasant when presented well, so you might want to take a moment and go to a more formal event to hear them in all their glory. Here are some suggestions:
>> Holiday Pops with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and Na Leo Pilimehana: The program includes “Sleigh Ride,” by Leroy Anderson; “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; and tunes from holiday films such as “The Polar Express.” Award-winning trio Na Leo Pilimehana will sing “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and other standards. Rob Fisher, known for directing top-flight Broadway productions, is the guest conductor. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; $27-$79. ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
>> A Holiday Carol with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu: The chorus takes the grumpy Scrooge on a journey through the holidays of every season, from Valentine’s Day to the Fourth of July to Halloween and Christmas, trying to change his perspective on life. Hawaii Theatre, 5:30 p.m. Sunday; $20 and $40. hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506.
>> Joyful Days & Silent Nights: Honolulu Chorale’s 50th Annual Holiday Concert offers a service based on the four themes of the holiday season: hope, love, joy and peace, with familiar Christmas carols, poems and short-story excerpts, and choral selections from Bach, Rutter and Robert Cazimero. Kawaiaha‘o Church, 957 Punchbowl St. 5:30 p.m. Sunday; free. honoluluchorale.org
>> A Classical Christmas with the Oahu Choral Society: The “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” gets a proper rendition by the chorus, accompanied by the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Bach’s “Magnificat” in D major and a Vivaldi quartet also are on the program. Hawaii Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; $24-$65. hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506.
WEDNESDAY
Vocal students take the stage at the Honolulu Museum of Art
In June the Erin Smith Band threw an album launch party at The Republik for her new solo album, “American Boy.” At the show, bandleader Smith brought 14 of her vocal students onstage to sing backup. Afterward, inspired by the concert, some of these young performers began writing songs.
Working with the students inspired Smith to co-present a concert with the Honolulu Museum of Art as part of the “Music of Hawaii” series.
It features 10 talented vocal, songwriting and stagecraft students, ages 10 to 17: LIV (Olivia Cargile), Chloexox (Chloe Aquino, aka the current Miss Teen Kailua), Lyjah (Elijah Tamale), Owen Cargile, Sloane Shapiro, Storm Hillman, Acacia Barnes, Zoe Campora, Joey Cuba and Molly Jones. All will perform solo pieces, many of them originals. All approach music from different angles.
LIV has one single on iTunes with another one on the way: At the Doris Duke show, she’ll debut her upcoming single. Chloexox is releasing an album next year.
Lyjah will be live-looping his original song, “Gone,” creating a soundscape with pedals, vocals and beyond-his-years guitar skills. Owen throws down the sass with high-energy rap/rock.
“This concert is a great spotlight for the new, young generation of rock and pop performers in Hawaii,” says Owen. “Everyone is up and coming, and you can see them perform in a really cool environment.”
Sloane and Storm, members of the Blaisdell-crushing Jack White opening act Random Weirdos, will perform solo rock pieces. Acacia wrote several songs in the fall for her own powerful pop pipes.
Zoe Campora is a vocalist with power and nuance that will draw Adele comparisons. Joey Cuba has Michael Jackson-esque control and a clear high range. Molly brings it with a rap verse in the middle of her solo. Smith praises Molly’s vocals for “the kind of deep rich tones that vocalists strive for.”
“These young performers are an excellent addition to Hawaii’s music scene,” says Smith. “You just might find a new favorite.”
Where: Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Cost: $10-$15
Info: honolulumuseum.org or 532-6097
SATURDAY – DEC 20.
‘Gorilla’ comes to life in UH-Manoa’s play
To enjoy a good puppet show requires a little imagination, but that sensibility is taken to new heights in “Gorilla,” a fanciful children’s story staged by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
Based on a story by U.K. Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne and adapted for the stage by Rachel Barnett, “Gorilla” is the story about a young girl, Hannah, who loves apes. Her father is too busy to spend time with her, and on her birthday he disappoints her by giving her a toy gorilla instead of a real one. Through the magic of puppetry, however, the gorilla grows and comes to life as she sleeps, and Hannah joins it on an adventure in the city.
UH theater professor Mark Branner, who is directing the play, saw the original 2013 production of “Gorilla” with his daughter in London. “It was simply magical,” he said in a release. “I was able to see it through her eyes. That’s what I hope to do with the production: bring everyone back to the realm of childhood, where anything is possible.”
This 45-minute production is the U.S. premiere of “Gorilla.” Branner went to the source for help in staging the play, bringing director Roman Stefanski, director of the London production, to Hawaii to work with the actors. Branner also got help from Nick Ash, who made the puppets.
Lest you worry that the play is too childish, here’s some advice from critic Howard Loxton of the British Theatre Guide: “If you have children, then take them; if you haven’t, sneak in on your own.”
Where: Commons Art Gallery, UH-Manoa Art Building, 2535 McCarthy Mall
When: 10 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday; 4 and 6 p.m. Dec. 19; 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 20
Cost: $8-$15
Info: www.etickethawaii.com or 944-2697
Washington Place, the traditional governor’s residence, has its annual holiday open house 5-8 p.m. Dec. 18. Reservations required by Wednesday: 586-0248.
