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“A Night of Sovereign Strings”
Featuring Maestro Aaron Mahi • Puka Asing • Raʻiātea Helm • Jeff Peterson • Ian OʻSullivan • Maikaʻi Nash • Starr Kalahiki • Blythe Kelsey


Join us for “A Night of Sovereign Strings,” a musical journey into modern music’s 19th century Hawaiian roots, as an all-star cast of instrumental and vocal virtuosi re-imagines the vibrant string ensemble styles of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

APRIL 5, 2019 FUNDRAISING CONCERT, DINNER, TALK STORY + AUCTION
APRIL 6, 2019 CONCERT ONLY


Date and TimeFriday, April 5, 2019, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Event TypeLive Concert, Papakōlea-Style Hawaiian Food, Talk Story and Silent Auction (Friday); Live Concert only (Saturday)
Event Title“A Night of Sovereign Strings,” presented by Pu'uhonua Society as a fundraiser to benefit the newly formed Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings. Saturday concert benefits both organizations.
LocationSt. Andrew’s Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Sq., Honolulu
DescriptionThe Sovereign String Band recaptures the diversity of musical cultures found in late-19th-century Honolulu, from ʻoli to opera, symphonic strings to brass, fiddle and banjo to flute and Hawaiian-style steel string guitar. Music historian Kilin Reece, in collaboration with Maestro Aaron Mahi and 14 of Hawai‘i’s award-winning musicians, brings to life Honolulu’s legacy of influence in the world of music.
Program (Friday)5:30 pm •  Dinner + Silent Auction in Davies Hall @St. Andrew’s 6:30 pm •  Doors open for Concert-Only ticket holders
6:30 pm •  Talk Story with historian Kilin Reece
7:30 pm •  Musical Concert; Silent Auction closes

TicketsFriday, April 5:
$50 - $80 at http://bit.ly/sovereign-strings
Saturday, April 6: Calabash/donation at the door

More info
808-387-4583; mekiasmartin@gmail.com

Hawaiian musicians synthesized the diversity of the Hawaiian kingdom’s musical cultures into a unique brass and string ensemble sound that would delight audiences around the world. Tracing the lives of these musicians and their music reveals a largely untold chapter of Hawai‘i’s role in shaping not only the history of modern music, but also the designs of the most iconic and widely used stringed instruments in use to this day.

About Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings
Founded by Kilin Reece in 2019 in honor of legendary musician Mekia Kealakai, the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings is a nonprofit dedicated to illuminating the excellence, innovation and contributions of Hawaiʻi to the world of music, as we know it today.

About Pu‘uhonua Society
Pu‘uhonua Society creates opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Hawai‘i-based artists and cultural practitioners to express themselves and engage with and impact audiences. We support artists and makers who serve as translators, mediators and amplifiers of social justice issues in the community. For more information, visit puuhonua-society.org.

Media Note: Image attached:
1) Mekia KealakaiPhoto credit: courtesy Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings


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