PICKS
BY ANU YAGI
THURSDAY, MARCH 29 MUST-SEE PHOTOJOURNALIST PETER SIMON: “THROUGH THE LENSE: A LIFE FILLED WITH HISTORY, FRIENDSHIPS, ADDICTIONS” – “Peter Simon is a magician... capturing moonbeams in his hands and lens. Most of the world’s thrilling places elude their documentations, but Peter’s life is a voyage of his generation; a virtual prism of the counterculture from then to now.” – Diane Sawyer. Dear readers, scan this entry quick enough to get the gist, then get in your car and head to Haiku, OK? This event’s not-to-be-missed. For over 40 years, Peter Simon has documented some of the world’s most historic events–from 1960s protests, hippie communes and the New Age movement, to the greatest names in rock, reggae and pop. In this multimedia presentation, Simon “speaks honestly about his photographic art, privileged background, alternative lifestyle explorations and addictions.” If you know what’s good for you, you’ll also get a copy of his gorgeous book I and Eye, and show up early for Thai dinner entrees, desserts and chai made available pre-show. Plus, the ever-amazing Randall Rospond performs live. $15 cash at door. 6pm live music / 7pm presentation. Temple of Peace (575 Haiku Rd.); 575-5220; templeofpeacemaui.com / petersimon.com
MMM, MMM MAKANA – In an interview with Makana a few years back, he sincerely told me, “When I’m standing on the beach composing a song for the sunset...” I didn’t hear a word afterward because I’d puddled under my desk, little cartoon hearts spinning around my girlish wreckage. Because sure, Makana’s adorable–but what makes him super sexy are his stellar skills. Recently he got loads of coverage when he sang a protest song at a big APEC dinner before the Obama ‘ohana and other world leaders (what Rolling Stone later inked as the “Occupy anthem”); in 2008 he was named one of the US’s top three six stringers by Guitar Player Magazine; and pubs from The New York Times to National Geographic rave that he’s “a dynamic force within the [slack-key] style” and “charting a new sonic frontier with deep ties to tradition.” If you think you can keep yourself together (I can’t), catch Makana this Thursday, around sunset, at Stella’s Supper Club. $30 show-only / $60 with four-course dinner. 6pm dinner seating / 7:30pm showtime. Stella Blues Cafe (1279 S. Kihei Rd.); 874-3779; stellablues.com / makanamusic.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 30 ‘LIVE’ AUCTION: GET WET WITH LIFEGUARD AND FIREFIGHTER HOTTIES – Maui’s finest men are up for auction! With bidding starting at just $20, winners get wet with lifeguard and firefighter hotties by joining them in the Spa Grande’s co-ed termé. It’s all part of this month’s Divas Night Out event at the Grande Wailea, where “your water glasses are always kept full and chocolate treats are always at your reach.” The spa’s also donating a variety of treatments and products, with bidding starting at $25. Proceeds benefit the Visitor Industry Charity Walk which supports local nonprofit organizations. More good news: if things in the tub get uber awkward and you decide to try to drown yourself, loads of cute dudes are there to save you. Reservations required. Tickets: $50 divas / $25 mini divas. 7pm. Spa Grande, Grand Wailea (3850 Wailea Alanui); 875-1234 ext. 4949; grandwailea.com
JOURNEY TO “COCONUT ISLAND” WITH THE KIT KAT CLUB CABARET – This Friday, “watch as go-go dancing stewardess encounter saucy security guards, feisty pirates, sinister mermaids and wish-granting genies,” as the Kit Kat Club Cabaret “takes you on an exotic, fantasy-inspired journey–from the inside of a romantically stylized airplane, through the comedic Bermuda Triangle, then onto an exotic tropical island!” Plus, the VIP hookah lounge boasts a coconut kefir tonic bar and Chef Elijah’s scrumptious amuse-bouche (like mahi mahi on a bed of wilted kale topped with the plantation’s pineapple salsa). PS: the speakeasy password is “pineapple.” $10 advance / $15 door. 6:30pm doors / 7:30pm show. Maui Tropical Plantation (Honoapiilani Hwy., Waikapu); facebook.com/kitkatclubcabaret PHOTO BY MICHAEL ANDREWS
SATURDAY, MARCH 31 19TH ANNUAL HAIKU HO’OLAULE’A & FLOWER FESTIVAL – The words “flower festival” (in Haiku to boot!) sure feel good, huh? They evoke the sense of being drenched in midmorning sundrops; of pony rides and pie eating contests, book sales and jumpy castles, and buckets upon buckets of beautiful blooms–everything the annual Haiku Ho’olaule’a & Flower Festival indeed has. Best of all, amidst all that goodness, it’s all for a good cause as proceeds support the education and enrichment programs for keiki at Haiku Elementary School. See our Da Kine Calendar for details. Free admission. 9am-4:30pm. Haiku Community Center (Hana Hwy.); 575-3004; haikuhoolaulea@gmail.com
I LIKE ICKE – “If I was to sum up this man [David Icke], his beliefs, in a little succinct sentence, dear listener, it’s ‘Noam Chomsky with lizards.’” – John Safran (on Triple J’s Sunday Night Safran; Nov. 6, 2011). Last week’s cover story on in/famous conspiracy theorist David Icke was a horrendous challenge–not only because of short time and resources–but because it felt damned-near impossible to tackle the wild ideas Icke’s promulgated over his controversial 22-year career–mercurial notions which I find utterly fascinating but ultimately hard to reconcile. Frankly, I didn’t do as good of a job on the piece as I’d have liked; but anyway it doesn’t matter ‘cause Icke’s on-isle to tell you all about his stuff himself. “This isn’t the sort of thing I can explain in five minutes,” Icke says, and for that reason he globe-trots giving all-day lectures at big venues (like he will at the MACC, this Saturday). This year he has but two American appearances (of just three worldwide)–and luckily for us, one’s on Maui. I’ve been anticipating Icke’s Valley Isle visit more than keiki do Christmas, and can’t wait to go (that is, if I’m not banned from the premises). Because really, I like Icke, and hope to see you there, too. $39 / $69 / $99. 9am registration / 10am10pm program. Castle Theater, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); 242-SHOW (7469); mauiarts.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 31 MEET THE AUTHOR: WAYNE MONIZ – “The singing snails announce / A deity is among us...” – from the poem “Ke Kolea” by Wayne Moniz. This Saturday, Maui author and playwright Wayne Moniz presents a program on the lawn of the Bailey House Museum, reading from his new book, Beyond the Reef: Stories of Maui in the World (plus a scene from “The Cruel Sun,” from his last book, Under Maui Skies and Other Stories). The program also includes music by Maui-born and Na Hoku Hanhohano award-winning artists Kevin Brown and Sheldon Brown. Moniz’s new book features a new collection of kaona (Hawaiian metaphoric poetry), many of which are dedicated to his family and friends like the late Pekelo Cosma. And as in his previous anthology, each fiction piece is of a different genre, from comedy to crime to a ghost story and even a Western. $10 suggested donation / $5 for Maui Historical Society Members. 4pm. Bailey House Museum (2375-A Main St., Wailuku); 244-3326; mauimuseum.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 1 MEET THE AUTHOR: GWYN GORG – Gwyn Gorg’s a Renaissance woman who sings, dances, acts, writes, and–perhaps most importantly–teaches (in 2008, Gorg was named “Teacher of the Year” by the United Teachers of Los Angeles union and currently is an instructor at the University of Hawaii’s Maui Language Institute). This Sunday at Yogi Shala Studio, she reads from her book I Am The Blues–an anthropomorphic tale that “depicts the evolution of the blues from rhythmic drums in Africa merging into wails across the Middle Passage and morphing into calls and responses on the plantation fields. When freedom came, the drum rhythms and tones expanded to include new forms, instruments, and subsequently evolved into new genres.... soul, rhythm and blues, pop, techno, funk, country western, and rap.” Free. 3pm. Maui Yoga Shala (Old Paia Train Depot, 381 Baldwin Ave.)
TUESDAY, APRIL 3
MONDAY, APRIL 2 EVERY BODY’S WORKIN’ FOR THE WELLNESS – Maui County’s idealistic, alliterative and oxymoronic “Workplace Wellness Week” kicks off today. While not much can be done about the soul-sucking daily grind, research underlines the importance of taking “micro breaks” by standing, walking and stretching regularly throughout the day, and making informed food choices. Not only is it good for body and mind, but it can help employer’s bottom line by “reducing sick leave and absenteeism, lowering health plan expenditures, workers’ compensation claims, disabilities management costs and increase productivity.” Learn more on Thursday, Apr. 7 at the free Workplace Wellness Fair (10am-2pm), where attendees will receive tips from health experts about diet and “nutrition, ergonomics, exercise incentives, health education and screenings and [my favorite] stress management.” Maui County Building (200 S. High St., Wailuku); 280-1299; co.maui.hi.us.
HIPNAUTICAL – Roger and Bobbie Jo Curley–a husband-and-wife duet playing guitar and Celtic harp, respectively–have been touring the world on their sailboat, S/V Hipnautical (hence the name of their group), playing “eclectic adult contemporary music.” The pair now call Maui home, and every Tuesday evening they bring gig at Hana Hou Cafe in Haiku. (And since it’s MauiTime’s annual Food Issue, let me insert a recommendation for Hana Hou’s ultra ono pahole fern salad.) “We don’t really play dance music,” writes Roger, “but people often do get up and move around a bit while we play. We are basically an acoustic duo allowing people to enjoy the venue with the unique sounds of Bobbie’s Celtic harp, her amazing vocals and our artful musical arrangements.” No cover. 6-9pm. Hana Hou Cafe (Haiku Marketplace, 810 Haiku Rd.); 575-2661; hipnautical.com / hanahoucafe.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 FREE FITTINGS WITH A SWIMWEAR SPECIALIST – Go ahead and berate me because this week, I’m doin’ the hand job jive for the high-end corporate outfit/ter and paradise appropriator with the audacity to tagline itself “purveyor of island lifestyles.” But here’s my defense: I’ve got a soft spot for Tommy Bahama because in my years spent tornadowhipped in Kansas–about as far away from Maui as can be imagined–I paid the furnace bills by selling silk aloha shirts to KC elite before their trips to the isles. In some strange way, it kept me from being too homesick; and truth be told, I had a great time. Tommy Bahama
products per-pop might cost you a couple Franklins, but it’s quality stuff (I still have–and wear–a lot of my old uniforms)–especially their swim suits. This Wednesday, the company’s fit specialist, Lissette Marquez, will be at the Whaler’s Village location for their “Sip and Swim” event (one of just a handful of appearances nationwide), helping wahine guests put together their water-side ensemble. Plus, they’ll dish free appetizers and refreshing beverages. Reservations recommended. Free. 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Tommy Bahama (Whaler’s Village, Ka’anapali); 661-8823; tommybahama.com
MARCH 29, 2012
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