Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings Fundraiser! April 5th 2019
TICKETS: http://bit.ly/sovereign-strings
I am thrilled to partner with Maile Myer, and the Puʻuhonua Society in presenting a concert of Sovereign Strings at the historic St. Andrews church, Friday April 5th! This event will be a fundraiser for the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings, a non-profit I have founded to continue and expand the work researching and celebrating Hawaiʻiʻs legacy of excellence, innovation and influence in the world of music and luthiery.
This event will take a closer look into 19th century Honolulu and the incredible diversity of musical cultures that thrived in the kingdoms cosmopolitan capital port city of Honolulu. Tracing over a century of Hawaiʻiʻs music history through the journey of Mekia Kealakai, from his beginnings as star pupil of Prussian Kapellmeister Henry Berger at the Boys Reform School, to his international success as a music educator and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, and finally to his return to Hawaiʻi in 1920 to lead the Royal Hawaiian Band.
Featuring a performance by the Sovereign String Band under the direction of Maestro Aaron Mahi, performing new arrangements in the old style with works by prince William Pitt Leleiōhoku and his Kawaihau Glee Club, Mekia Kealakai, David Nape, HRH Liliʻuokalani, Moʻi Kalākaua, Queen Emma, and more.
TICKETS: http://bit.ly/sovereign-strings
Sovereign String Band featuring:
Maestro Aaron Mahi- Ukulele Puka Asing- Banjo Ukulele Raiatea Helm Starr Kalahiki Blythe Kelsey Jeff Peterson- Guitar Ian OʻSullivan- Guitar & Ukulele Maikaʻi Nash- Piano Lance Suzuki- Flute Reggie Padilla- Saxophone Fumiko Wellington- Violin Rachel Saul- Violin Anna Callner- Cello Scotty Furushima- Hawaiian Steel Guitar Adam Asing- Double Bass
For those of you that were unable to attend the concerts in January, I invite you to join us for a night of food, music, community and history, in a sacred and historic space.
Papākolea style Hawaiian food by master chef Puka Asing!
A hui hou! -Kilin Reece