“Mahu,” a Hawaiian dance spectacle including transgender hula dancers, will be staged at 7p.m. Saturday (March 25) and at 2 p.m. Sunday (March 26) at Leeward Community College
Kumu hula Patrick Makuakane, whose work with Nā Lei Hulu i ka Wēkiu of San Francisc has made an imprint in the hula community, has assembled a cast of mahu troupers, whose distinct musical and visual style embraces the exotic, an essential trademark. Makuakane’s choreographic vision of ecstasy punctuates a provocative vibe with featured guest artist Kaumakaʻiwa Kanakaʻole, from the fabled Kanaka’o ‘ohana on the Big Island.
The production likely will also be fashion show with plenty of sparkle and glitter.
“Each song, dance and luxuriously-sequined garment was chosen as a deliberate opportunity to be extravagant, or at the very least pleasurably provocative,” said Makuakane in a statement. “No fillers allowed.”
Makuakane has Hawaii roots and studied hula with Robert Cazimero’s Na Kamalei O Lililehua, among others, before venturing to San Francisco to carve his own innovative brand of Hawaiian dance, with modern influences.
Tickets: $40 to $60; a pre-show reception, with a $25 upgrade fee, will include early admission to the show, plus desserts, with a likely opportunity to meet and greet a few mahu or two.
Box office: (808) 455-0385 or visit ltheaatre@hawaii.edu …
Cruz will preview ‘Hawaiian Art’ tunes
John Cruz and his band will give a private preview of tunes from his original musical, “Hawaiian Heart,” from 11 a.m. to noon Friday (March 24) at a studio at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center.
An EP of four tunes from the homegrown musical has been released, so Cruz –- known for his “Island Style” hit song – will preview the new tunes with Taiana Tulley and Bronson Varde, who are the leads in the movie.
“Hawaiian Heart” is described as a musical rom-com about Lani, a young woman returning home to Kauai for the first time in years, reuniting with her high school sweetheart.
Cruz serves as music supervisor for the project but will have a supporting role in the show, which is directed by Josh Goldman. Cruz and Goldman are co-writers of the 15 songs in the soundtrack. …
Remembering Phil Arnone
A private tribute for the late Phil Arnone, the prolific news producer and prized documentary director, will be held April 3 at a private location.
His peers and pals, from the broadcasting world to the entertainment community, will recall and salute his brilliant career as well as his quirky irreverence. He has been rightfully dubbed “Mr. Television,” and his buddies know him for his sense of humor, so wife Michelle Honda hopes the gathering will be a time to share memories and tales about Phil, who shaped and changed the TV programming landscape because of his vision and passion to story-tell, not just about entertainment personalities but profiling such Honolulu landmarks as Kapiolani Park.
Phil died Feb. 12 at his home. Rightfully, he deserves the kind of documentary treatment he bestowed on scores of folks who made a difference in our lives and in TV coverage. I know he hoped to do a couple of shows, but couldn’t proceed because of health issues.
Somebody, somewhere, sometime soon? A Phil salute is beckoning. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Beautiful tribute to Phil Arnone.