THURSDAY — APRIL 2
Rough Riders take to stage at Blue Note
Saddle up with the Rough Riders, the trio of superstar singer-songwriters, making their debut at Blue Note Hawaii.
John Cruz, Henry Kapono and Brother Noland all have a slew of hits individually, and their appearances as a trio over the last few years have been treasured by local audiences. They got together after they were invited as individuals to perform at a Kokua for the Philippines fundraising concert after Typhoon Haiyan struck the island chain in 2013. After impromptu jam sessions at Sandy Beach Park, they dubbed themselves the Rough Riders, taking the name from a trio of Hawaiian paniolo who became world rodeo champions in 1908.
Expect some classic tunes at the Blue Note, which along with internationally known jazz acts is making a special effort to highlight local artists. Cruz is a Grammy Award-winning artist who performs often with Jack Johnson. His album “One of These Days” is considered one of Hawaii’s greatest. Kapono is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter of hits like “Friends,” “Sailing,” “Highway in the Sun” and “Home in the Islands.” Brother Noland is considered an originator of Jawaiian music, whose hits include “Big Ship,” “Pua Lane” and “Coconut Girl.”
Where: Blue Note Hawaii, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.
When: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday through April 2
Cost: $21.25-$45
Info: bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890
THURSDAY — APRIL 1
Catch live comedy by isle, mainland acts
Hawaii Sketch Comedy Festival returns to the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre with two shows featuring live sketch comedy performances, music and comic video shorts.
The festival opens Thursday with a reception in the museum’s courtyard at 6 p.m., with live music by Simple Souls and refreshments for purchase, followed by “Live From Honolulu” featuring comedian Sam Brown, founding member of the group the Whitest Kids U’Know. Their edgy, somewhat raunchy sense of humor earned them the title of best sketch comedy group at HBO’s 2006 Comedy Arts Festival and led to a comedy show on IFC.
Ann Maddox, who’s had roles in “The Office” and “Two Broke Girls” and is known for her portrayals of oddballs and stoners, will also appear, along with Steenk, an L.A. comedy duo.
Hawaii talent is included, too, with new sketch comedy troupe Beet Box and musician Chris Lind taking the stage.
The laughs continue April 1 with the “Two Scoops Funny” show, which opens a screening of the classic sketch from “Rap’s Hawaii,” the Emmy Award-winning special by Rap Reiplinger. Look for Honolulu sketch group Goof Troop Riot and Improvhi, a local comedy group that performs regularly at the Pagoda. Musical guest Erika Elona and videos from OC16’s “Almost Local” round out the entertainment.
“Funny people creating funny stuff,” said festival organizer Kimee Balmilero.
Where: Honolulu Museum of Art
When: Opening reception 6 p.m. Thursday, show at 7:30 p.m.; April 1 show at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20-$35
Info: honolulumuseum.org or 532-6097
Up-and-coming band Houndmouth brings its bright Americana sound to The Republik
There’s a dichotomy between the band’s often-moody lyrics and peppy sound, but that has captivated many listeners. The band’s debut album, “From the Hills Below the City,”had Rolling Stone’s David Fricke praising its “earthy melancholy with a rude garage-rock streak.” The group was named “Band of the Week” by The Guardian and madeappearances at the Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, labeled a “must-see” band by Esquire.com.
The group’s second album, 2015’s “Little Neon Limelight,” features the single “Sedona,” which it performed on “Last Call With Carson Daly.” The music website musicohm.comcalled it “infectious” but reserved its highest praise for another track, “Darlin’,” calling it “an excellent, blues-soaked soulful effort.”
Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Katie Toupin (keyboard, vocals), Zak Appleby (bass, vocals) and Shane Cody (drums, vocals) hail from New Albany, a small town in southern Indiananear Louisville, Ky. They formed the band in 2011 and got attention after performing at the 2012 SXSW music festival, signing with Rough Trade Records.
Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Cost: $28-$33
Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867. All ages accompanied by an adult.
— Steven Mark
SATURDAY
Rubber duckie race returns to Ala Wai
Float a duck and join in the battle against cerebral palsy at the 29th annual Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race on Saturday.
About 20,000 rubber duckies will be dumped into the Ala Wai Canal from the Kalakaua Avenue Bridge at 1 p.m. and will “race” with the wind and tide to the finish line about 50yards away. Join in pre-race activities at nearby McCully Shopping Center, where you can adopt a duck for $5 and enjoy entertainment provided bykumu hula Sallie Yoza and her halau, and music from duo Ben and Maila. Chelsea Hardin, 2016 Miss Hawaii USA, also will appear, and you can pick up duck-related items likepencils and bags.
“We have the best duckie paraphernalia store on the islands,” said Donna Fouts, executive director of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii. The race raises about$50,000 a year for the group.
Where: Pre-race activities, McCully Shopping Center; race begins at Kalakaua Avenue Bridge and runs behind Hawai‘i Convention Center
When: Entertainment 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday; race at 1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: ucpahi.org or 532-6744
TICKER
Watch the movie “Hop” and visit with the Easter Bunny at Sunset Mele on the Rooftop, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Hawai‘i Convention Center. fb.com/hawaiiconventioncenter
