Musicians join for benefit

Get “;groovy”; at Tropical Jam 5 in Waimea Valley.

A benefit for Hui o Ko'olaupoko, it'll bring together a stellar group of musicians that include former Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzman, former Sly and the Family Stone bassist Bobby Vega, guitarist Steve Kimock of the Other Ones, fiddler and electric mando player Michael Kang from jam band favorite the String Cheese Incident, and singer-guitarist Chris Berry, whose trio was nominated for a Grammy last year for best electronica/dance album.

» Where: Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
» When: 8 p.m. tomorrow (doors open at 7)
» Cost: $25 general, $15 children 5 to 18, free for children under 5
» Info: 277-5611

Endo's taiko work celebrated

Hawaii resident Kenny Endo was the first non-Japanese national to be granted a master's name and license in Japanese classical drumming. His career's work in taiko will be celebrated with the “;Convergence”; retrospective.

Performing with Endo will be Kiyohiko Semba, a Japanese master percussionist; violinist Takahashi Kaori; bamboo flautist Kaoru Watanabe; dancer/choreographer Miho Morinoue; and dancer Lynn Denise Barre.

The evening will comprise some traditional Japanese pieces, solo improvisations by both Endo and Semba, a number of Endo's more noted compositions like “;Symmetrical Soundscopes”; and “;Deflecting Intention,”; a work Semba and Endo collaborated on, and others that draw their inspiration from funk, Brazilian rhythms and Tokyo festival music.

» Where: Leeward Community College Theatre, 96-045 AlaIke St.
» When: 8 p.m. tomorrow
» Cost: $25 general; $21 students, seniors and military; $15 children under 12
» Info: 455-0385

Coming up

» Nas with DJ Green Lantern and special local guests, March 19 at Aloha Tower Marketplace
» Ali Campbell, March 21 at Aloha Tower Marketplace
» Manny Pacquiao and Friends (pictured), March 21 at the Waikiki Shell
» Paul Rodriguez, March 22 at Pipeline Cafe
» Anjelah Johnson, March 26 and 27 at Pipeline Cafe
» Brand New, April 2 at Pipeline Cafe » Cake, April 2 and 3 at Pipeline Cafe