April 8, 2009

Aloha kakou!

In today’s newsletter:

· This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – TWO shows! Thursday and Friday
· This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (TV) – Mel Amina & 3 Scoops of Aloha
· Jim Kimo West in concert – San Francisco
· Hui o Hawai’i Annual Lu’au, with music by Ho’omana - Roseville, CA
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There will be two Pakele Live! with Tony Solis shows this week – our regular Thursday concert on April 9 and a special CD release concert on Friday, April 10.

On Thursday we feature both Kalei Gamiao and the Gregg Hammer Band:

Those of you who came to (or watched online) the January show where we featured the Abrigo Ohana and Brittni Paiva will remember Kalei – the young ‘ukulele player introduced by Brittni, who performed a few songs at the beginning of her set. Kalei released his debut album last year (Kalei Gamiao Contemporary ‘Ukulele Instrumentals), a blend of original songs and well-known standards, which has resulted in him being on the 2009 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards preliminary ballot in the Most Promising Artist, Instrumental Album, Album of the Year, and Favorite Entertainer of the Year categories. Studying with the likes of Gordon Mark, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, and Kimo Hussey (among others), Kalei began playing ‘ukulele at age 13 and has won a number of ‘ukulele contests. Here is a link to some videos of interviews he did on local TV station KGMB.

Comedian, singer, and impressionist Gregg Hammer and the Gregg Hammer Band (with Kevin "Slash" Brown on guitar, Mark Joven Arista on keyboards, "Butch" Nicolas on drums, Roland Acosta on keyboards and trumpet, and Harold Ibea on bass) offer a blend of music and comedy (and Gregg’s “dancing”) sure to leave you laughing. A former Honolulu police officer (for 10 years), Gregg does impressions of Tom Jones, Elvis, and Don Ho, to name a few. He and the band have a live stage show you can catch on the last Friday of every month in the Gregg Hammer Showroom at Dave & Buster's in Honolulu (1030 Auahi Street, in the Ward Entertainment Complex).

Please join us either in person or online this Thursday, April 9, from 6 – 8 p.m. HST at the Pakele Lounge in the Ala Moana Hotel (lobby level – and you can park free next door at the Ala Moana shopping center!). It’s free, and all ages are welcome! Drinks and pupus are available for purchase.If you can’t join us in person, watch live on the internet at: http://www.pakelelive.com/ Those in Japan can watch online at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/
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Friday’s Pakele Live show features the CD Release party for PALI’s latest album “…With Aloha” (also on the 2009 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards preliminary ballot in a number of categories). In addition to PALI, special guests who will be performing include: Kalapana; Ledward Kaapana; the (Genoa) Keawe Ohana; Jon Yamasato/David Kamakahi/Darin Leong; Don Kaulia; and ¾ of the original Side Order Band - Bryan Tolentino, Del Beazley, and Chris Kamaka (Asa Young is living in N. Carolina and, despite my begging, is unable to make it - although he will be appearing with Bryan later this month in California!).

Please join us this Friday, April 10, to celebrate the release of PALI’s wonderful new CD! For those who can’t make it in person, this special Friday Pakele Live! will also be broadcast live online. The show may start at 6:30 pm (HST) instead of 6, and is expected to run until 9:30 pm or until pau (a number of other musicians have said they might drop by after they finish their Friday night gigs). If you’re coming in person, get there early! With this all-star lineup, we’re expecting a large crowd…
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This weeks’ Pakele Live! with Tony Solis on channel OC 16 consists of
highlights from the appearance by Mel Amina and 3 Scoops of Aloha. As always, each week’s new show begins on Wednesday at 7 pm HST (unless pre-empted by local sports programming). The shows are repeated a number of days/time throughout the week. OC 16 also broadcasts its programming live on the internet, so you can also catch it there. Check their website for the additional show days and times.

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Hawai’i Music Award winner Jim “Kimo” West performs his unique style of Hawaiian “Slack Key” Guitar in the Union Room, upstairs at Biscuits & Blues (401 Mason St., San Francisco) at 9 pm Friday April 17th and Saturday April 18th.

Pomai will enchant with her traditional hula dancing (there may be other special guests, too!), and guests can enjoy great food with a terrific view of the theater district in the city. This new venue near Union Square also features a full bar and discount parking.

Tickets are $10, and reservations are recommended (this is a fairly small venue). For tickets and information, please call (415) 931-6012.
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Hui O Hawai’i of Sacramento, CA is holding their annual lu’au on April 25 at the Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville, CA, with musical guests Ho'omana. This event always sells out, so get your tickets SOON! For ticket information, email hula@huiohawaiisacramento.org.

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Pau for now!

E malama pono a hui hou...