FRIDAY
Rudd returns with his bluesy rock, reggae
Versatile Australian musician Xavier Rudd brings his retro-flavored blues-rock and reggae-inspired tunes to the Hawaii Theatre today.
Thematically, Rudd’s songs range from odes to saving the planet to saving traditional cultures. He gave a crowd-pleasing show at The Republik two years ago in which he played acoustic guitar, at one point laying it down flat to play lap-steel style, as well didgeridoo and harmonica. At times, he even played guitar and didgeridoo at the same time, with the sound of the long tubular, Aboriginal instrument sending chills through the crowd.
“Rudd layered songs with sound, changed up the rhythms frequently and embellished his delivery with chanting and tribal-influenced singing,” wrote the Star-Advertiser’s Elizabeth Kieszkowski. “It was indeed a groovy show.”
Since that appearance, Rudd released his ninth album, “Nanna,” with musicians from Australia, indigenous Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Germany and Papua New Guinea. He’s had two albums go platinum, “Solace” (2004) and “Food in the Belly” (2005), while his “Spirit Bird” reached No. 2 on the Australian Recording Industry Association charts.
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 8 p.m. today June 24
Cost: $35-$50
Info: hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
A night of reggae
Head on over to Wet ’n’ Wild for some cool vibes at Reggae Summit Hawaii.
Headlining the evening will be Third World, a Jamaican band that’s been performing its blend of R&B, funk, pop, rock, dancehall and rap internationally for nearly 40 years. They’ve had several tunes reach the top 40 on the charts, including the protest song “96 Degrees in the Shade” and a reggae-disco remake of the Gamble-Huff pop classic “Now That We Found Love.” Third World’s albums have been nominated for 10 Grammys.
The band has performed with Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Bono, Sting, The Police, Whitney Houston, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffet, Eric Clapton and Bob Marley. (They opened for Marley’s first world tour in 1978.)
The band recently released a cover of the Abyssinians’ tune “Yim Mas Gan” (“Let Him Be Praised”), which was produced by Marley’s son Damian.
Also on the bill is roots-reggae musician Luciano, whose 1993 tune “Shake It Up Tonight” topped reggae charts in the United Kingdom and launched his international touring and recording career. His most recent album, “Zion Awake,” was nominated for a Grammy this year.
Local artists Siaosi, Kiwini Vaitai and Kaipo Kapua lend their talents.
Where: Wet ’n’ Wild Hawaii, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei
When: 6 p.m. today
Cost: $35
Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
SATURDAY
Festival showcases fitness, health trends
Get the latest in fitness and fun at the ESPN 1420 Sports Festival on Saturday.
Nearly 100 booths will be on hand at the sixth annual event presenting the latest developments in sports, health and fitness products and services.
New this year will be a fitness challenge, sponsored by health club Kakaako Fitness, which will offer parent-child teams the chance to win two round-trip tickets wherever Alaska Airlines flies by taking on an obstacle course. “It’s something anybody can do,” said ESPN promotions manager Cy Carnate. “It’s a real fun way to have a parent and child work together.”
Preliminaries are 10 a.m.-1 p.m, with the eight fastest teams advancing to the finals starting at 1:30 p.m. Children must be 11 or younger to compete. Prizes will also be offered for individual competitors.
Other new activities this year include a table-tennis competition and a rock-climbing wall. The festival will also be bringing Dodgebow, a combination of archery and dodgeball. “We had that last year and it was really popular,” Carnate said. “It’s soft-tip archery. It’s like shooting Nerf arrows.”
Where: Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free admission
Info: espn1420.com
Comedian Matt Braunger (“MADtv” and “Up All Night”) laughs it up at Hawaiian Brian’s, 8 p.m. today. $20. Hawaiianbrians.com
MONDAY
Surf photographer to discuss his work
Get the lowdown on those amazing shorebreak photos at a screening of “Shorebreak: The Clark Little Story,” a new film premiering at Hawaii Theatre.
The North Shore photographer will be at the screening to offer photography advice and talk about his experiences out in the surf.
Little, who grew up surfing and playing in the ocean in Waimea, was prompted to create his genre of photography after his wife bought a photo and he decided he could get something just as good. A company in the United Kingdom promoted his work, resulting in instant acclaim, appearances on television and, ultimately, several nature photography awards.
The film was produced by former pro surfer Peter King, who’s been called “surfing’s most powerful journalist.” It’s been described as “50 minutes of non-stop action that will have you inspired and prepared to start capturing your own shorebreak moments” — but that’s up to you. Little has suffered a separated shoulder, had his fins knocked off and been hit by his own camera in gnarly shorebreak.
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free; ticket required
Info: Visit clarklittle.com to get tickets
