FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Muscly Aussie men to light up Republik
Say g’day to Thunder From Down Under, the Australian version of the Chippendales, who give three performances at The Republik this weekend.
The beefy blokes have become female fodder around the world, claiming an audience of 10 million viewers across 15 countries. They’ve made appearances on shows like “The View,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “Project Runway” and “Ellen,” on which host Ellen Degeneres had one of them compete for the title of Australia’s Hunkiest Underwear Model.
Since 2001 they’ve had a standing gig at Las Vegas’s Excaliber Hotel and Casino, which has renamed its showroom for them.
Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Cost: $39.50-$49.50
Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
SATURDAY
Top bassist Rietveld sets show at theater
Benny Rietveld, bass player extraordinaire, can’t quite “let go” of Honolulu. The McKinley High graduate, who performed here in March with both Santana and at Medici’s jazz club, returns to the Doris Duke Theatre on Saturday bringing an all-star cast of musicians gleaned from his many years of playing music and visiting here.
He’s putting on a show titled “The Art of Letting Go,” which he said “speaks to the idea that ‘letting go’ is one of the cornerstones of our entire life cycle, and how essential it is for growth.”
“We have to let go of the safety of the womb at the beginning of our lives; we benefit from letting go of our fears, inhibitions, anger, addictions and other harmful thought patterns,” he said in an email. “When we let go we can love. When we let go, we can live.”
He’s gathered a large contingent of local musicians for the concert: Noel Okimoto on drums and vibes; Eldred Ahlo, Bart Howk and Travis Oh on brass; Reggie Padilla, Tim Tsukiyama and Scott Villiger on sax; Richie Hamada and Aron Nelson on keyboards; and vocalist Rachel Gonzales. He’s also bringing up-and-coming guitarist Alicyn Yaffee, who played with Rietveld here in March and recently released her debut CD on his label, Madman Junkyard.
The program will feature Rietveld’s tunes and works by Leonard Bernstein, Ray Charles and others. “Putting together a program, writing a song, even doing a solo, for me should be like telling a story,” he said. “Everything to me has to have a beginning, middle, and end, should have good arc, and a good balance of dramatic elements.”
Where: Honolulu Museum of Art
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $30-$35
Info: honolulumuseum.org or 532-6097
— Steven Mark
SATURDAY
Tattoos are on tap as Chinatown hosts events celebrating Sailor Jerry
Chinatown celebrates one of its most colorful characters, tattoo artist and radio host Norman Collins, with the return of the Sailor Jerry Festival.
Collins, known as Sailor Jerry during his more than 30 years as a tattoo artist, was a major figure in tattooing, with his work showcased in museums and books. His use of Asian themes in his tattoos was a first among Western tattoo artists, and he brought new colors into the art with his own pigments. He also is credited with helping develop modern safety practices.
Eight Chinatown locales will pay tribute to Collins and tattoo culture Saturday with music, cabaret and other entertainment.
Downbeat Diner and Lounge, 42 N. Hotel St., will screen “Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry,” a documentary about tattooing which focuses on Collins, at 6:30 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by performances by the bands Kapu, Siire, Grapefruit, Superfuct, Serpico & the Sinners, Dunes and Ivory City.
NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St., hosts Los Angeles band the Aggrolites and their self-described “dirty reggae.” They’ll perform at about midnight, but the music starts early with Pressure Down Soundsystem at 8 p.m., followed by Sistah Roz & the Treasure Tones and Smokestack.
At Bar 35, 35 N. Hotel St., hear Americana band Discord & Rye, followed by DJs Osnizzle and Tittahbyte. Manifest, 32 N. Hotel St., hosts live punk music.
Scarlet, 80 S. Pauahi St., offers a full night of stand-up comedy, burlesque, drag and fashion. And at Proof Public House, 1154 Fort Street Mall No. 10, visit vendors and see skateboarding demonstrations at Chaplain Lane.
Don’t forget to visit Chinatown’s tattoo parlors. Old Ironside Tattoo, site of Collins’ last shop at 1033 Smith St., will feature memorabilia and a collection of classic cars parked outside, and Black Cat Tattoo, 1111 Nuuanu Ave., will have an art display. The shops will have extended hours and tattoo specials.
Where: Chinatown, various locales
When: Events start at 6 p.m. Saturday and continue late into the night; 21+ for all clubs except Manifest, which will allow 18+ until 10 p.m.
Cost: $10 wristband, available at 808shows.com or at each venue
Info: sailorjerryfestival.com
TUESDAY-JUNE 19
Jazz guitar to reign at Blue Note Hawaii
Longtime contemporary jazz group Acoustic Alchemy comes to Blue Note Hawaii for a five-day gig.
The British guitar-centric group was founded by acoustic guitarists Nick Webb and Simon James in 1981, with Greg Carmichael replacing James shortly thereafter. It staked its claim to fame when Webb and Carmichael performed on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Los Angeles in 1986, winding up as the airline’s theme music. They eventually signed a recording contract with MCA and had a breakout album with their 1987 debut, “Red Dust and Spanish Lace,” earning a Grammy nomination with “Reference Point” in 1990.
Miles Gilderdal, who joined Carmichael after Webb died in 1998, provides a colorful contrast to Carmichael’s nylon-strung guitar with his steel-string acoustic and electric guitar work. Their work appears on seven studio albums, including the Grammy nominated “Aart” (2001). Acoustic Alchemy’s most recent studio release is 2011’s “Roseland.”
Drummer Greg Grainger, bassist Gary Grainger and keyboard player Fred White fill out the band.
Where: Blue Note Hawaii, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave.
When: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tuesday through June 19
Cost: $21.85-$45
Info: bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890
TICKER: Puzzlemeister Will Shortz crosses you up at Hawaii Theatre, 7 p.m. Thursday, $27-$57. hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
