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| Waikiki Beach Walk’s February Musical line-up Outrigger Enterprises Group's Na Mele No Na Pua Kamaaina Concert and Sunday Showcase music series continues in February with another great line-up of island entertainment. Music enthusiasts can look forward to an array of musical stylings that include jazz, Hawaiian, hula performances, contemporary island sounds and two exciting ukulele virtuoso. Set to appear on February 22 are Jake Shimabukuro, who headlines the Na Mele No Na Pua bi-monthly concert on the Embassy Suites Grand Lanai at 4pm that afternoon, and Taimane Gardner, whose performance will follow the Na Mele concert downstairs on the Plaza Stage as part of Waikiki Beach Walk's weekly Sunday Showcase. Adding a special bit of nostalgia to the weekly Sunday Showcase series is host and emcee Jeff Apaka. The son of Hawaii's legendary Golden Voice of Hawaii, Alfred Apaka, Jeff carries on his father's legacy and love of island entertainment every Sunday at Waikiki Beach Walk. A consummate performer himself, Jeff has played across the U.S. Mainland, Europe, Canada, and the Orient, in supper clubs, concert halls as well as co-starring in musicals on stages in New York and Los Angeles. Now he brings that rich musical heritage into which he was born to the stage at Waikiki Beach Walk. SUNDAY SHOWCASE This free weekly program takes place every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk. FEBRUARY SUNDAY SHOWCASE February 1 - Alec B & Friends (Jazz) Alec Briguglio, aka Alec B., has accumulated many awards and accolades as a musician, teacher and artist. Born and raised in Massachusetts, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has traveled extensively performing and teaching music around the world. Shortly after moving to Hawaii ten years ago, he quickly established himself as an outstanding musician performing through out the islands and winning the prestigious Hawaii Music Award's Jazz Artist of the Year in 1999 and the Hawaii Music Educator of the Year award. This Punahou Jazz Band Director has also recently released "The Different Flavors of Alec B." which places him into the best of the best Jazz circles in the world. He also is an active member of the Hawaii Water Color Society and his paintings have been displayed throughout Hawaii and the mainland. Listen and enjoy the special unique Jazz styles of Alex B. February 8 – Hula Halau 'O Kehaulani (Hula/Hawaiian) Hula Halau O Kehaulani is under the direction of Kumu Kehaulani Sousa-Yonehiro. Hula Halau O Kehaulani is a non-competitive school offering both the ancient (Kahiko) and modern ('auana) styles of Hula since 2007. Kumu Kehau holds a Bachelors of Arts in Dance from the University of Oregon and has been a dance Director and teacher for over 15 years. She also frequently travels to Japan to teach and is currently sharing her talents with Mika Nakamura of Kiawe Hula Studio in Yokohama. Kehaulani learned the art of hula through Auntie Arlene Kauinohea DeSilva and Leiolani Pratt of Hawaii Kai. Hula Halau 'O Kehaulani also proudly performs every Saturday evening from 5:30-7:30 pm on the 4th floor Grand Lanai of the Embassy Suites as well as many other venues in Hawaii. February 15 – Mo Dahka (Contemporary/Island/Hawaiian) Enjoy sweet harmonies and a variety of Island, Hawaiian, Contemporary Hawaiian, with Mo' Dahka, whose members composed of very talented Island Musicians. They currently perform in various venues and restaurants all over the islands including Mililani and Waikiki. Be serenaded by the melodic rhythm of Mo'Dahka and walk away with a sense of what Aloha is all about. February 22 – Taimane Gardner (Ukulele Virtuoso) Taimane has often been described as a musical child prodigy. She developed her extraordinary skills by performing on the streets of Waikiki to help raise money for the poor. Many people have described Taimane as the "Female Carlos Santana". Taimane calls it "playing with aloha". Through her performances, Taimane had created her own unique style and technique with an uncanny ability to blend classic contemporary songs with classical music. Perhaps her best quality is her on-stage presence. She commands the attention of the crowd as she gracefully and with tremendous energy moves to every corner of the stage. Her magnetic charisma captivates the audience till the end of each of her performance. NA MELE NO NA PUA KAMAAINA CONCERT SERIES This bi-monthly concert series is held at the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk, Grand Lanai, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every other month. (Performance time varies depending on artist.) February 22 - Na Mele No Na Pua Kamaaina Concert presents Jake Shimabukuro Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an "untapped source of music with unlimited potential". His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake's mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only the traditional Hawaiian music many associate it with. From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu cafe, Jake has gone on to play renowned venues such as the House of Blues and The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles); The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA); Tipitina's (New Orleans); Joe's Pub, Highline Ballroom, and B.B. King's Nightclub (NYC); The Bumbershoot Festival (Seattle); The Fuji Rock Festival (Japan); The Music Is Good Medicine Tour covering thirty-two shows (Japan), and many others. Occasional tours with Jimmy Buffett have broadened Jake's experience, regularly exposing his virtuosity and amazing stage presence to crowds of up to 50, 000. Speaking of large audiences, Jake has also performed on national television shows such as NBC's The Late Show with Conan O'Brien (twice) and Last Call With Carson Daly, as well as featured on NPR's Morning Edition, Public Radio International's The World, and The Bob Edwards Show on XM Satellite Radio. Valet parking for up to four hours is available for $6.00 at the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham Vacation Ownership-Waikiki Beach Walk (227 Lewers Street), with any same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |