Stuffs
[ DA KINE ]
Second City returns
Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow for Chicago's famed Second City comedy troupe, returning to Hawaii to perform April 29 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and May 1 at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall.The performances will feature some of the best sketches, songs and improvisations from Second City's 40-plus-year history.
Founded in Chicago in 1959, the Second City has become the premier training ground for the comedy world's best and brightest. Its alumni list reads like a who's who of American comedy, as it includes Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, John Candy, Mike Meyers, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley and countless others.
The evening will provide audiences with the chance to see comedy stars in the making, in addition to enjoying hilarious satire and cutting-edge improvisation.
On Oahu, call the Blaisdell box office at 591-2211, or call the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at 808-242-SHOW (7469); or check out Ticketmaster locations including Times Supermarkets, BYU Hawaii and ticketmaster.com, or 877-750-4400.
Can you draw?
The Last Sanctuary is hosting a contest in search of the best illustration of any character featured in the Dark Horse Comics series, in conjunction with the release of the film "Hellboy," set to open April 2.The contest starts tomorrow and continues through March 30. Drop off entries by 3 p.m. that day to the comic-book store at 1485 Kapiolani Blvd.
The winner will received a poster autographed by the "Hellboy" cast or filmmaker, a "Hellboy" prize package, reserved seating to the advance screening and a Last Sanctuary gift certificate.
For more information, call 955-2440.
Musicians against war
The first anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq is being observed with a free event Sunday, sponsored by Not in Our Name-Hawai'i, at Ala Moana Park's McCoy Pavilion.The combination anti-war fair, concert and educational event runs from 2 to 7 p.m., with a courtyard concert featuring Makana, Jon Osorio, Jammerek, Kahuli, James McCarthy, Red Degree, poets and other special guests.
Films on Iraq and Palestine, and panel discussions on "The Militarization of Hawaii," "The War on Iraq" and "Attacks on Civil Liberties," will also be part of the day's events.
Photographer Ed Greevey will exhibit his photographs representing more than 30 years of resistance in the islands, plus there will be activities for the keiki, information tables and displays, games and food available.
Students from the international PeaceBoat organization promoting peace and human rights will also perform traditional Japanese dance, didgeridoo, African drumming and a participatory lion dance from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
For more information on PeaceBoat, go to www.peaceboat.org. For more information about the Not in Our Name event, e-mail nionhawaii@yahoo.com or call 534-2255.
HPR drive to begin
Hawaii Public Radio aims to raise $468,000 during its semiannual on-air fund drive, "Challenge 2004." The funds will be used to pay for broadcasting fees for the next six months.The challenge starts at 6:19 a.m. Wednesday, continuing through April 2, with 400 volunteers waiting to take phone pledges.
The drive will feature a live remote broadcast from 6 to 9 p.m. next Friday from Koehnan's Interiors in Hilo. HPR music director Gene Schiller will host the proceedings, which will include Robert Alder on the Hammond B-3 organ, jazz vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Stark and the KANO Public Radio chorus.
The numbers to call to make pledges are 944-8800 for KHPR, or 888-970-8800 from the neighbor islands; and 941-3689 for KIPO, or 877-941-3689 from the neighbor islands.
Those wishing to volunteer can call HPR's Membership Services department at 955-8821.
Bluegrass + isle sound
Bluegrass banjo virtuoso Pete "Dr. Banjo" Wernick and guitarist Ken Emerson, a master of the Hawaiian steel guitar, will find common musical ground March 28 at Kapono's, in the first concert of a unique series called "Bluegrass Beat Meets Hawaiian Heat," a Tim Bostock Production.Wernick, a founding member of bluegrass supergroup Hot Rize, will be joined onstage by his wife, Joan, in a performance of white-hot bluegrass instrumentals and traditional duets. Wernick has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of bluegrass stars, including Chris Thile (Nickel Creek), Jerry Douglas (Alison Krauss and Union Station) and Peter Rowan (Old and in the Way).
Emerson's career has led to a number of musical adventures. In addition to appearing with local slack-key legends such as Gabby Pahinui and Ray Kane, he's also toured with blues legends like Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop and Boz Scaggs. He's worked with rock artists Todd Rundgren, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash as well.
Advance tickets are available at $18 for adults and $10 for children 11 to 16. Children 10 and under will be admitted free. Tickets are available by calling 545-2820 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets will also be available at the door for $23, $12 for children 11 to 16.
The concert will open with a short set by the Squirrel Hunters, an Oahu bluegrass band.
The second concert in the series, scheduled for April 25, will feature bluegrass flatpicking guitar master Dan Crary and Hawaiian slack-key guitar legend George Kahumoku. Plans for a third concert are being finalized.
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