Hawaii State Art Museum - Live from the Lawn - MARDI GRAS

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First Friday Hawaii
Event Calendar Item
Hawaii State Art Museum - Live from the Lawn - MARDI GRAS
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Type: Exhibit / Entertainment
Date: Friday - 3/4/2011
Time: 6 - 9pm
Location:
250 South Hotel Street, 2nd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-0307 or
586-0900
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Cost: Free

First Friday March 4, 2011
Live from the Lawn at HiSAM is “MARDI GRAS”

A few days in advance of Fat Tuesday HiSAM celebrates Mardi Gras with New Orleans funk and Brazilian dance and rhythm, with some salsa and hip hop thrown in for good measure.

On the Lawn the Royal Elephant Brass Band will kick off with classic Dixieland tunes and good time party music. “The Elephants” are seven fine musicians - trumpets, trombones, and tuba, plus drummer and clarinet player. This is their first public Honolulu performance. ^“Our plan is to whet people’s appetite for Mardi Gras,” said Joe Niemczura, trumpet player and front man for the group. “A lot of the New Orleans Musical Tradition is audience participation, and for the HiSAM show we will play some Dixieland Favorites. Louis Armstrong is the most famous musician from there, a giant of American music, and these songs are fun. Hello Dolly, Saint James Infirmary, Mack the Knife- that sort of thing. We’ll bring copies of the lyrics to share, for those who need prompting”.

The Royal Elephants do not use microphones or amplification. “When we practice at Magic Island, walkers come by and tell us we can be heard a mile away.” One of the traditions of New Orleans music is being able to play it during an impromptu parade – for example at a funeral procession. The Elephants won’t be playing any dirges, but they will parade, and expect people to “second line”. This is another feature of traditional music. “In New Orleans, the people who hired the band are the first line – part of the program. But, any onlooker who feels like dancing is encouraged to jump in and shake it to the music, and a small parade will quickly turn into a street party with hundreds of people enjoying the spectacle. You can find examples and even an instructional video about Second Line, via a YouTube search. We’ll play some of the famous second line tunes, and we will lead a short New Orleans style parade down Hotel Street at 7 PM. On the 8^th we will be at the downtown Mardi Gras Street Festival and we will get the second line fired up then as well.”

How did they get the name, Royal Elephants? “At the first rehearsal somebody came by and said we sounded like a bull elephant in heat. When we were done laughing it was easy to tweak that into the name. We like to think it conveys wholesome family fun..... everybody takes their kids to the zoo or the circus to see the elephants – we’ve got trombones and a tuba, which is practically the next best thing!” Be advised, no actual elephants are harmed in the production of this music.

The skilful Capoeira Besouro will follow, led by Mestra Kinha, demonstrating this Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee, elbows, punches and head-butts. Despite that description capoeira is also wonderfully graceful, and impressive in the intimacy and trust so openly displayed by its performers.

African drum and dance from the resourceful Sewa Fare will follow. Badenyaa and Sewa Fare are an amazing group of dancers, drummers and musicians, dedicated to the dance and music of the peoples of the African continent and the African Diaspora. They educate, perform traditional music and dance and engage in creative expression to foster respect and appreciation of black cultures everywhere.

Our main stage headlining band is Delta Skelta. John Cannizzaro leads Delta Skelta in its delivery of heavy funk rooted in the syncopated beats of Cannizzaro’s native New Orleans. Expect Mardi Gras beads!

On the Lanai, Espiritu Libre will play two sets of their unique Salsa music, combining traditional Latin with hints of Brazilian samba, and offering fresh Salsa choreography created by Panamanian dancer Adela Chu. The lineup creating this Afro-Caribbean Latin fusion is Adela Chu on keyboard, Cheryl Bartlett on lead vocals, Saskia Verbeck flute & vocals, Wade Alexander on bass, Alex on bongos, and Kim Duffett on congas, percussion & vocals. Kim Duffet is also a celebrated sculptor and has been commissioned to create several large works by the SFCA.

Dancers Unlimited Hawaii will also dance on the Lanai – they bring a fresh approach to hip hop dance with their uncompromising energy and passion, and their dramatic storytelling choreography. For HiSAM they promise a new Mardi Gras –inspired story.

Le Crepe Café, Soul Patrol, India Café, Onopops and Hawaii Kettlecorn will be serving on the Lawn. Drinks are available on the Lawn and Lanai from Downtown @ the HiSAM, and the restaurant will serve Spanish pupu inside the building.

The SHOP at HiSAM run by Showcase Hawaii offers high quality, locally produced merchandise, national and international brands, and gallery art. The Shop, and the Galleries on the second floor will be open free to the public all evening.

Live from the Lawn is produced by Tim Bostock Productions, and presented by Friends of the Hawai'i State Art Museum and the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

ABOUT THE HAWAII STATE MUSEUM

The Hawai'i State Art Museum is located in No. 1 Capitol Distric Building at 250 South Hotel Street. The building is situated in the historic Hawaii Capital Cultural District, across from 'Iolani Palace and the State Capitol. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the Hawai'i State Art Museum call (808) 586-0900 or visit http://www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

For more information, contact:
Phone: (808) 586-0307,Website: www.hawaii.gov/sfca

Photo: Paula Fuga at the HiSAM. Photo Credit: Sean Michael Hower

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First Friday Hawaii Event Calendar Item

Hawaii State Art Museum - Live from the Lawn - MARDI GRAS

First Friday Hawaii
Event Calendar Item