The Hawaii Theatre Center; in association with Hawaii Calls Inc., Don McDiarmid Jr., Chairman; will be presenting a debut concert version of the popular HAWAII CALLS radio program in a single live performance at the historic Hawaii Theatre this Friday at 7:30 PM.
"This concert will be a little different than a lot of the great Hawaiian concerts we have at the Hawaii Theatre," says Burton White, executive producer of this Friday's production.
Nina Kealiiwahamana, one of the HAWAII CALLS original 'second generation' cast members, will be featured vocally and will also sing the title song. Music director, Aaron Sala, will also be featured. The talented Hawaii Theatre HAWAII CALLS Quintet will feature the music and vocal stylings of Jeff Au Hoy (steel guitar), Kama Hopkins (rhythm guitar), Danny Kiaha (ukulele), Kapono Na`ili`ili (lead guitar) and Kanai`a Nakamura (bass) and the show will feature original HAWAII CALLS arrangements. Kanoe Miller will be the featured hula dancer who will dance not only with the Quintet, but also to rare solo audio tracks.
HAWAII CALLS will also feature what White has coined "souvenir performances" by some of the many notable performers in HAWAII CALLSĘ 40-year history. These audio and video performances gleaned from actual audio and video recordings and will feature Alfred Apaka, Lani Custino, Webley Edwards, Hilo Hattie, Haunani Kahalewai, Benny Kalama, Ed Kenny, Charles Miller, Beverly Noa, Ponce Ponce, Boyce Rodrigues and others.
"One of the most exciting aspects of this concert is the opportunity to see some very rare, and seldom seen, audio and video footage of actual HAWAII CALLS performances from yesteryear," smiles White. Footage was provided by Hawaii Calls, Inc. and the UH Manoa Video Collection at the Sinclair Library.
"I am both extremely appreciative and honored for being provided a license for the HAWAII CALLS trademark by Hawaii Calls Inc.," says White, "This initiative wouldn't be possible without the faith and support of both Mr. McDiarmid and his son, Donald P. 'Flip' McDiarmid."
For four decades, beginning in 1935, HAWAII CALLS was carried on some 400 affiliated stations of the Mutual Broadcasting System, in addition to state and regional individual stations and networks in the United States. Outside of the United States it was heard by Canada's transcontinental network and in Australia, Mexico, the Far East, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean; and by the 200 stations and outlets of the Armed Forces Networks and by special channels to Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, including short-wave, around-the-world hookups.
Tickets are on sale now at the Hawaii Theatre box office (528-0506) or at www.hawaiitheatre.com with discounts for seniors, youth, and students and military with ID. There are special discounts for members of the Hawaii Theatre Center and the Theatre's 'Hana Hou! Hui.'
For more event information please contact the Hawaii Theatre box office during regular business hours; Tuesday through Saturday, 9AM to 5PM; in person or by phone at (808) 528-0506. Information and tickets are available 24/7 online at www.hawaiitheatre.com.
This event is part of the Hawaii Theatre 'Hana Hou!' Hawaiian Programming Series and is sponsored, in part, by Hawaiian Springs Natural Water, ResortQuest at the Executive Centre, City & County of Honolulu, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawaii State Legislature and the National Endowment of the Arts.
