THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
RASTA THOMAS’ BAD BOYS OF DANCE – The Bad Boys of Dance is “a fresh, new dance company comprised of the most talented and versatile young male dancers in the world today… each hand selected [for] his extraordinary physical abilities and artistry.” The company’s founder Rasta Thomas says he started the group “to show the world what great male dancing looks like and to make dancing fun, entertaining and accessible to a whole new generation,” and describes his company men as “the dancers of tomorrow… hot, young and fresh to death… ‘hybrids’ that can do it all–from ballet to hip hop–[with] an unparalleled ability to morph from one style to another and are entertaining and exciting to watch.” $12 / $30 / $40. 7:30pm. Castle Theater, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); 242-SHOW (7469); mauiarts.org / rastathomas.com
AMBROSIA’S NEXT TOP DJ CONTEST – Shake what your momma gave ya at Ambrosia’s Next Top DJ Contest, beginning this Thu. night. Six of Maui’s most talented no-name (yet) DJs will compete for a chance to grab Ambrosia’s Thu. night residency gig. What’s the catch? Competitors have to undergo some serious scrutiny from guest judges, like veteran Ambrosia DJs CIA and AstroRaph, plus yours truly, Jen Russo. I for one will be doling extra points to anyone who dresses up like Deadmau5, and DJs CIA and AstroRaph will be assessing technical abilities with a fine tooth comb. DJ Del Sol emcees, and the party rages for three weeks each Thu., with eliminations each night, crowd-sourced votes and a head-to-head showdown between the finalists. No cover. 10pm. Ambrosia (1913 S. Kihei Rd.); 891-1001; ambrosiamaui.com [Jen Russo]
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17
MAKAWAO THIRD FRIDAY AND MOTHxp WITH KANEKOA AT CASANOVA – This month’s Makawao Third Friday theme is “Lovers Get Lost in Makawao,” and street fair festivities include a poetic performance by sultry songwriter and violinist Maeysn (center stage), spicy sounds by Dr. Nat and John Zangrando (Casanova’s outdoor stage) and pony rides and children’s activities at the “Keiki Korral” (Pi’iholo Ranch building parking lot). For detailed event information, see our Da Kine Calendar beginning on page 22. Plus, check out the mad skills of MOTHxp and Kanekoa–two of the isle’s most talented, progressive bands–late night at Casanova. It’s a powerhouse pairing that’s sure to enthrall from the balls of your feet to the music-loving meat between your ears (and it’s the perfect preview to a special series of shows which begin next week when the famed Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons come to town, playing at Three’s Bar on Feb. 23, 24 & 25, with Kanekoa and MOTHxp joining-in on the latter two nights, respectively). Free. 6-9pm. Makawao Town. mauifridays.com
THREE CHEERS FOR PINK MARTINI – Portland’s Pink Martini is one of the few ensembles on Earth that can sculpt music into something that’s visceral yet palatial, rooted yet transmuted. And MauiTime’s own Ynez Tongson is one of the few writers on-isle who uses language in a way that’s supremely lithe and sparklingly on-point. So, we’re going to leave it to Tongson to describe Pink Martini (as she did the last time the 12-piece was on Maui, in March 2010): “If you’ve never had the joy of being intoxicated by Pink Martini, imagine how pop would sound if it met a time traveler and a linguist–and later, all three of them decided to go out for drinks. Do that, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what it’s like to listen to [their] music that’s globally, historically and emotionally diverse. One moment you’re a signorina, shyly declaring your love in an Italian cafe, and the next you’re an unshaven hombre in Spain, laying in the gutter, clutching an empty bottle of red wine, trying to light your cigarillo. Whatever mood you’re in—happy, lovestruck, hopeful, cynical, sad, annoyed—Pink Martini’s got something you could toast to.” (PS: Arrive early for the pre-show dinner made available by Makawao Rodeo General Store, and stay late for the after-glow party in the Yokouchi Pavilion with music by Gene and Shea Argel.) $35 / $45 / $65. 7:30pm. Castle Theater, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); 242-SHOW (7469); mauiarts.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
CIRCUS OF DREAMS: THE FIFTH ANNUAL SOURCE INTERACTIVE ARTS FESTIVAL – Fri., Feb. 17 through Mon., Feb. 20. Even if you took your wildest technicolor reverie and shoved it in a multiplication machine, turned the dial up to 11 and doused the product in intergalactic glitter (among other magical stuff), the result would still be just a fraction of the fun that’s to be had at the Source Interactive Arts Festival. A la Burning Man, Source (now an official “regional burn”!) is a weekend world where hundreds of local creatives convene for four days of stuff like–as MauiTime contributor Sara Tekula described in a 2010 story–”[a] colorful, larger-than-life fuzzy cupcakes on wheels, powered by humans on bikes. An enormous, rideable LED-and propane-lit dragonfly with mechanical controls like those on a forklift. A replica of an oil derrick, 200 feet tall, rigged with a record-setting amount of jet fuel exploding into a mushroom cloud above you. A ‘psychic taxi cab’ ride that takes you not to your chosen destination, but where you are ‘meant to go’…” With regards to the latter, we’d like to make a prediction, too, and say you’re meant to go–and will have a blast if you do. A limited number of day passes are available for $80 online only. Weekend membership starts at $200 and is available online or at Choice (Lahaina), Wine Corner (Paia), Requests (Wailuku) and Dragon’s Den (Makawao). sourcemaui.com
WORLD WHALE DAY – The world needs more whales–but it could also use a few more whale idioms and expressions. Phrases like “whale of a time” and “big as a whale” just don’t cut it when it comes to describing these enigmatic denizens of the deep–especially in a place like Maui, “where thousands of humpback whales migrate each winter [as its waters are] the principal mating and calving area of North Pacific humpback whales in the United States,” according to the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF). Nonetheless, it’s apropos that the Maui Whale Festival is one of Maui’s (ahem) biggest festivals, expected to attract more than 17,000 attendees this year. Slated for this Sat., World Whale Day is the culminating event of a six-month season of educational festivities that celebrate Maui’s whales, and this year has expanded hours and a second entertainment stage. Kicking-off the event is the colorful Parade of Whales (9am), which begins at Alanui Keali’i Dr., proceeds North along S. Kihei Rd., and boasts a bevy of floats and costumed sea characters created by local organizations. The main entertainment stage hosts headlining entertainers Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Willie K, Anuhea, Hapa, John Cruz, Marty Dread, Nuff Sedd, and Manute’a Nui E, and a new second stage features music for keiki and kupuna alike by Uncle Wayne & The Howling Dog Band, Evakali Ribbon Dancing, Lily Meola, Keisha the Hoopnatizer, Canada’s Chestemere High School Jazz Band, Zumba with Roya, and youth theater by Peter and Melinda Wing. This is an opportunity to see and hear some of Hawaii’s most beloved and noted musicians, including several Hoku award-winning performers, all in one place–for free,” says Greg Kaufman, president and founder of PWF. “Many people bring their beach chairs and make a day of it–they don’t want to miss any of the great acts.” For keiki, the event offers activities (like a knot tying workshop lead by PWF naturalists), inflatable rides, cotton candy, shave ice and games in the Keiki Carnival area. Also, nearly 100 local artisans selling Maui-made wares will set up shop; as will loads of local nonprofit organizations like Community Work Day, Friends of Haleakala National Park, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project and Surfrider Foundation, at the event’s “Eco-Alley.” And of course, there will be plene kine ono grinds, with breakfast, lunch and dinner fare from area restaurants and food purveyors. Plus, the annual Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta (think rubber ducky race–but with whales–on a water courseway) other offers and the opportunity to win free roundtrip airfare between the Mainland and Maui. Free. 9am-8pm. Kalama Park (S. Kihei Rd.); 249-8811 ext. 2; mauiwhalefestival.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19
THE MAUI CHAPTER OF THE HAWAII SECULAR SOCIETY CELEBRATES DARWIN DAY – There’s no more rapturous a fact than evolution; that for 13.75 billion years since the Big Bang–as Charles Darwin eloquently concludes in The Origin of Species (1859)–”from so simple a beginning, endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.” Notwithstanding this, “atheist” is still a dirty word in the world today, and it’s sometimes hard for freethinkers to find nonreligious social groups. Enter the Hawaii Secular Society, “home for Hawaii’s outstanding community of atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, brights, skeptics, naturalists, and all other nontheists.” If you “love science, rational thought and critical thinking,” the group invites you to join ranks (it’s free!) and participate in their monthly meet-ups. February’s festivities are in celebration of Darwin Day (held on or around Feb. 12, Darwin’s birthday), and this Sun. the society’s Maui Chapter will congregate for a hike, happy hour libations and art reception. Free. 1pm. Cary & Eddie’s Hideaway Restaurant & Lounge (500 N. Puunene Ave., Kahului); 946-7811; secularhawaii.org
HAWAII UNITE MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH THIRD WORLD – Mana Maoli’s a “collective of educators, artists, musicians, cultural practitioners, community organizers, and families who share a vision… [to] facilitate individual and community healing and empowerment by fostering lifelong learners who think, feel, and act in ways that are pono.” The group’s music project–referred to as the Mana Maoli Collective–”donate their time and talent” to create CDs and concerts that help raise funds to support Hawaiian charter schools. Tonight’s big show features performances by this great group, including John Cruz, Paula Fuga, Mike Love, Lopaka Colon, Anuhea, Innavision and Kapali Keahi. Plus, the whole show’s augmented by international reggae superstars Third World and Tarrus Riley. $35 advance / $40 day-of. 4:30 gates / 5pm show. A&B Amphitheater / Yokouchi Pavilion, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); 242-SHOW (7469); mauiarts.org
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
MAUI-STYLE MARDI GRAS FOR MANA’O – Much-loved Mana’o Radio’s 10th anniversary is just around the corner (March 11)–closely followed by the fifth anniversary of the passing of its co-founder, Barry Shannon (April 7). Shannon left behind a nonpareil musical legacy on Maui–and a famous wife, Kathy Collins, who says, “It’s hard for me to believe that [Barry] has been gone for half the time we’ve been on the air, because his presence is felt so strongly at the station… [But] 10 years of sharing Mana’o calls for a special celebration, and I know Barry would be delighted [that] the sixth annual BarryFest [Mana’o’s annual fundraising and concert tradition held in Shannon’s honor] will be a Mardi Gras party held on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21. Coming from Cajun stock and growing up in bayou country, Barry loved the music and food of New Orleans. I can hear him saying, ‘Laissez les bon temps rouler!'” Headlining the entertainment lineup is none other than Willie K and his Warehouse Blues Band. Plus, performances by Mana’o Jazz Regulators, Maui Underground, Mana’o Radio Orchestra, Bob Jones, Dorothy Betz & Les Adam, Dr. Nat & Rio Ritmo and Mardi Gras music by S.E. Kalama Intermediate School’s ‘Ukulele Jazz Band. Alan “Soundcheck Maui” Shep serves as emcee, and volunteers will be doling out pounds upon pounds of Mardi Gras beads, masks and favors. $14 minimum donation / $50 admission + three-course cajun dinner. 6pm-12:30am. Stella Blues Cafe (1279 S. Kihei Rd.); 874-3779; manaoradio.com
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