FRIDAY, JULY 24
Museum celebrating Earhart’s birthday
Amelia Earhart, the famous aviator who was lost over the South Pacific during her around-the-world flight attempt in 1937, will be celebrated at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on Friday.
Earhart’s 118th birthday celebration will offer visitors cake, refreshments and a viewing of the museum’s unique photo exhibit of her visit to Hawaii. Members of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, of which Earhart was the first president, and an Earhart impersonator will be on hand to provide information about her.
Members of the public are encouraged to dress in period aviation costumes, and there will be an Earhart look-alike costume contest at 1 p.m.
Earhart flew to Hawaii from California in March 1937 during her initial attempt to fly around the globe, but during takeoff from Ford Island — from a runway that now runs in front of the museum — her plane spun sideways and the landing gear collapsed, ending that effort. Later that year, she tried again, flying east from the mainland U.S. and making it all the way to Lae, New Guinea. Her plane, with her and navigator Fred Noonan on board, disappeared on the way to Howland Island, about 2,000 miles from Hawaii.
An aviation historical group is exploring the waters of Nikumaro Island, about 2,200 miles southwest of Hawaii, for evidence of Earhart’s flight.
>> Where: Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island (access via shuttles from the USS Arizona Memorial’s Pearl Harbor Visitor Center)
>> When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (costume contest at 1 p.m.)
>> Cost: Regular admission, $10-$20. Free for visitors dressed in period aviation costume and their families.
>> Info: PacificAviationMuseum.org or 441-1000
COURTESY DAVID BENOIT
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Jazz musician Benoit to lead concert in isles
Contemporary jazz artist David Benoit comes to the Hawai’i Convention Center on Saturday.
The pianist and composer is considered one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz, having entertained internationally and for three presidents at the White House. He is especially known for several projects featuring music from the Charlie Brown television series, including "Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years" and "40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas."
Benoit has made 35 recordings, several of which earned Grammy nominations. Just a month ago he released "2 in Love," featuring vocalist Jane Monheit singing ballads, Latin, pop, Broadway and neo-classical tunes.
Appearing with Benoit will be vocalist Spencer Day. A mostly self-taught pianist and singer, Day has released four albums, with his third, "Vagabond," reaching No. 11 on Billboard’s jazz charts in 2009.
Joining them will be saxophonist Michael Paulo, bassist Bruce Hamada and drummer Noel Okimoto.
>> Where: Liliu Theater, Hawai’i Convention Center
>> When: 8 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: $60-$85
>> Info: Tix.com or 951-696-0184
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2014
A haunting mix
House band Late Night Alumni brings its moody, mysterious dance music to the Republik on Saturday night.
The American band’s trancelike sound is distinguished by the haunting voice of singer Becky Jean Williams (pictured), backed by a mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments orchestrated by Finn Bjarnson, John Hancock (pictured) and Ryan Raddon, who is also known as Kaskade. Since first forming in Salt Lake City in 2003, they developed some unusual music-making techniques for a band, working separately and exchanging ideas via electronic sound files.
Their first album, "Empty Streets" in 2003, was full of melancholy tunes, with songs titled "All for Nothing," "Nothing Left to Say" and "Sunrise Comes Too Soon." It went from an underground favorite to an international hit, reaching No. 1 in Spain.
Subsequent albums have also earned them notice. Their second album, "Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Etc.," released in 2009, had the songs "Uncharted" and "You Can Be the One," which were featured in Steve Carell’s 2011 romantic comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love." Their third album, "Haunted," one of the few they worked on together in person, featured a brief quote from Beethoven’s "Moonlight" sonata. They’ve just released their fifth album, "Eclipse."
>> Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.
>> When: 9 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: $10-$15
>> Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
COURTESY HOLLOW SPHERES
THURSDAY, JULY 30
Hollow Spheres releasing new EP at Downbeat
Rock/pop/blues band Hollow Spheres releases its new EP, "Wanderlust," at Downbeat Lounge.
The album marks a new direction from the band’s previous release, 2010’s "Silence Speaks Louder." The idea was to focus on the songwriting and tone down the rock, just a little bit.
Singer-guitarist Sean Cleland described the band’s sound as "a meeting of the minds between Pink Floyd and Steely Dan in their heyday, coupled with a healthy dose of dreamy rock songwriting — all brought to you from underneath a palm tree in Honolulu."
Cleland, the primary producer, said the making of the album involved a quirky, impromptu instrument adjustment during the recording process. In order to obtain "a super thin, bell-like, jangly sound," they cut the neck of a Fender Telecaster guitar at the ninth fret. "The Telecaster was basically a steel-string ukulele at that point," Cleland said. "We posted the photo online and people got a kick out of it."
Fans of the band can look forward to the inclusion of "Hold Me Close, Keep Me Far Away" on the EP. Cleland said it’s an older song they chose to record because the fans were asking for the song.
"It’s from 2010 or so, which we had never properly recorded but always played out live. A lot of friends and fans who saw us back in the day used to say this was their favorite song that we played, so I’m glad we finally got it down on record! It’s a song about being afraid of losing yourself in another person, and the indecision that naturally creeps into your life if you continue to feel this way."
Tempest, Hi Riz and Men in Grey Suits will be joining Hollow Spheres for the release party.
"Fans can expect an eclectic night full of great Honolulu bands!" Cleland said.
>> Where: Downbeat Lounge, 42 N. Hotel St.
>> When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
>> Cost: No cover
>> Info: downbeatdiner.com
