Starting tomorrow, Ala Moana Center kicks into high gear for the holidays with the "Magic of the Season" song and dance production and Santa's Light Parade. Ala Moana on track
for ChristmasBoth shows run Wednesday through Sunday until Dec. 13 and daily Dec. 16-23. "Magic of the Season" takes to Centerstage at 6:30 each of those evenings, followed by the parade at 7:15 p.m.
In addition, the Jingle Bell Express starts its run Nov. 27. Train tickets are $3 each and children over 36 inches tall and under 10 years of age are eligible to ride. Santa's Train Station is at mall level near the Warner Bros. Studio Store.
For more information, call 955-9517.
Centro Hispano de Hawaii (Hispanic Center of Hawaii) will present its first Posada Dec. 13 at St. Andrew's Cathedral's Tenney Theater. Music of 'Posada' to
fill hall and streetsPosadas are a celebration of the birth of Christ in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Festivities usually run from Dec. 16 through the 24th.
Centro Hispano's celebration, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will involve performances by Folklorico Mexicano de Hawaii, as well as performances by Josephine Guitierrez-Reed and her son Navarre, Luisa Zacarias and the Spanish Choir of St. John the Baptist.
After the performances, a candlelight procession led by two children dressed as Joseph and Mary will make its way to the statue of Father Damien outside the Legislature building, where they will be met by Rep. Alex Santiago. Santiago will sing the role of the innkeeper who meets Joseph. Juan de Vilbis will sing the role of Joseph, who asks for lodging on the night Christ is born. "Posada" means "to ask for shelter."
Tickets for the event are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 3 to 13, presale. Students and seniors get a $2 discount with I.D. Tickets at the door will be $10 adults and $5 keiki.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Hispanic Center at 2044 S. Beretania St. No. 2, or at Mercado de la Raza. Call the center at 941-5216 for information.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Kenny Loggins returns to Hawaii early next year to perform with the Honolulu Symphony and Hapa. Loggins returns to
perform with symphonyThe concert will mark Loggins' first-ever performance with a symphony orchestra.
The concert is 7 p.m Feb. 9 at the Waikiki Shell.
Symphony principal pops conductor Matt Catingub will write the musical arrangements of Loggins' music for the orchestra.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday at the Blaisdell box office. Tickets may also be reserved by calling the symphony box office at 538-8863.
Tickets are $55, $40, $30, and $17.50 in advance for the lawn area; $20 the day of the show.
Loggins and partner Jim Messina wrote and sung some of the most danceable and singable tunes recorded during the '70s. The duo broke up in 1976.
Loggins went on to solo stardom with million-selling albums such as "Celebrate Me Home," "Nightwatch" - which included the mega hit "Whenever I Call You Friend" - and "Keep the Fire," all in the cheerful, sensitive style he had displayed in Loggins & Messina.
In 1997, Loggins recorded the Academy Award-nominated "For the First Time" featured in the film "One Fine Day." The album, "The Unimaginable Life," released in July 1997, shares its title with the book he wrote with his wife Julia, in which the couple illustrate their personal love story with selections from more than 70 personal journals, letters, lyrics and poetry.
Loggins last performed in Hawaii in 1995.
Glen Grant presents an evening of island supernatural tales Saturday at the Waikiki Heritage Theater in the International Marketplace. Spooky tales in Waikiki
Based on a 25-year collection of first-hand accounts of Hawaii hauntings and apparitions, Grant's "Ghosts of Hawai'i" promises a chicken-skin experience.
The author of "Chicken Skin Tales: 49 Favorite Ghost Stories from Hawai'i," will tell his eerie tales from 8 to 9:15 p.m.
The cost of the program is $5. For information and reservations, call Honolulu TimeWalks at 943-0371.
HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support) begins its toy HUGS toy drive begins
drive this weekend to benefit Hawaii's seriously ill children. The group's aim is to collect 6,000 toys in support of two of its hospital programs, Silver Lining and Laughter Wagon.
The "Holiday HUGS" drive takes place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow through Sunday at Pearl Highlands Center, third floor.
There will be picture taking with Aloha Bear from noon to 2 p.m. at a cost of $2 per picture, with all proceeds benefiting HUGS. Shoppers can also enter a contest to win a stay at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui.
Contributions will also be taken at all VoiceStream locations on Oahu and Maui between Dec. 12 and 19.
Another drive will be held at Kahala Mall from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 19, with entertainment by Andy Bumatai, the Rosalie Woodson Dace Academy, and Henry Kapono.
For information about HUGS, call Donna Witsell at 521-4847.
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