Lois-Ann Yamanaka's novel about growing up in Hilo during the long-ago 1960s, "Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers," is being converted into a Kumu Kahua production by writer Keith Kashiwada and director John H.Y. Wat. ‘Wild Meat’ heads to stage
The book, which has been reviewed as "a play of stories," concerns Lovey Nariyoshi's efforts to forge a personal identity in a world of overwhelming pop-culture influences. The cast includes Michelle Sekine, Lyana Atsumi, Darryl Tsutsui and Martin Romualdez.
"Wild Meat" runs at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 through Feb. 8; and at 2 p.m. Jan. 12, 19, Feb. 2 and 9 at Kumu Kahua Theatre on Merchant Street. The Jan. 19 performance will be signed for the deaf.
Admission for Friday, Saturday and Sundays is $15; $12 seniors, $10 students. Admission Wednesdays and Thursdays is $12; students $10. Information: 536-4441.
Kathleen Mellon, executive director of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation, will present a talk about her organization at 7 p.m. Jan. 3 at Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Highway. Foundation aids performers
The foundation has launched the careers of some of the world's best known performers, including Gail Shaham, who performs with the Honolulu Symphony May 11 and 13. The foundation raises funds for scholarships to gifted students and fellowships to teachers and professionals, and financial assistance to institutions and special projects in Israel.
Mellon has been a personal representative for Zubin Mehta of the New York and Israel philharmonics as well as consultant for the Grand Teton Music Festival in Wyoming, Maggio Musicale Florentino in Italy and the American Friends of Israel Philharmonic. Information: 595-7521.
Doc Severinsen will conduct the Honolulu Symphony at the the 13th annual Hale 'Aina Awards Jan. 20 at the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Severinsen to take baton
Severinsen will lead symphony members in the "Dining and Dancing with Doc" portion of the evening. Top restaurants will provide culinary specialties.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail party and silent auction, featuring such items as a 1997 Lexus, a Steinway piano, trips and restaurant certificates.
Tickets are priced at $1,500 to $5,000 for tables of 10. The event benefits the symphony. Information: 545-2588.
Brian Bradley, who has worked with Robin Williams in improvisational comedy at Los Angeles' Comedy Store, will perform Dec. 26 to 29 at the Comedy Cow at the Ilikai Hotel. Comic booked at Ilikai
Bradley is currently on Broadway in "Grease," playing Vince Fontaine. Appearing with him will be Phil Covington of South Central L.A.
Admission is $12 with a two-drink minimum; free validated parking is provided.
Shows begin at 8 p.m. with an additional 10 p.m. show on Fridays and Saturdays. Information: 926-2269.
The Waikiki Aquarium's 1997 educational offerings include day and night coral reef explorations, evening and overnight visits to the aquarium, an April 6 Hawaiian fossil hunt, and the chance to solve a murder mystery on April 25. Acquire aquarium brochure
Also scheduled are parent and child sessions, classes on marine aquarium keeping and the migration of the kolea, or golden plover, trips to explore reefs in Bali, the Solomon Islands and Belize, and expeditions to Midway Atoll.
Brochures on the programs are available by calling the aquarium education department, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 923-9741.