Aloha Africa 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday Island School Dance ensemble featuring West African guest artists Obuobi Ashong, Nii Anang and Ernest Borketey will perform native sacred dances, flute music, guitar melodies, vocal harmonies and subtle drumming rhythms. They
Aloha Africa
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Island School
Dance ensemble featuring West African guest artists Obuobi Ashong, Nii Anang and Ernest Borketey will perform native sacred dances, flute music, guitar melodies, vocal harmonies and subtle drumming rhythms. They will also perform the hula they are learning while on Kaua‘i. Admission, $15 for adults, $5 for children. For more information call 652-6139 or visit aloha-africa.com
Roots Rockahz
6 p.m. today
Kukui Grove Shopping Center
On the center stage, Roots Rockahz will perform a free show featuring cuts from their “In Dis Time” CD that was a top seller at Border’s Books this month.
Slack key workshop
Saturday and Sunday
Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Learn slack key guitar from Paul Togioka who has recorded with masters Ray Kane, Ledward Kaapana, David Kahiapo, Ken Emerson and Hal Kinnaman. Togioka also received the Hawai‘i Music Awards “Best Recording by a Slack Key Artist” for his CD “Ohana ‘O Kaua‘i Slack Key Instrumentals.” Sessions are for beginners or advanced guitarists. In 1998, Paul and Buddy Panoke received “Best Hawaiian Instrumental Recording” for their CD “Ohana ‘O Kauai Instrumentals.” In 2004, Togioka released his first solo CD “Ki‘Ho Alu Inn” produced by Milton Lau of Ka Hoku Productions and the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festivals. In 2007, he and Ledward Kaapana, Makana, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Michael Kaawa, Jack Johnson and other Hawaii based musicians were featured on the Grammy nominated CD Hawaiian Slack Key Kings.
Togioka instructs with precision and encourages anyone with an interest in Hawaiian music to sign up. Class times: Beginners 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., $25/per day and advanced 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., $35/per day.
Coordinated by the Malie Foundation as part of the 2009 Year of Hawaiian Music theme, a select number of sponsors for beginners are available to those who sign up early. Call Nathan Kalama 822-2166 or e-mail kmfkauai@hawaii.rr.com
Sierra Club Outings
Saturday; Sunday
Sierra Club and Surfrider join forces to clean-up Polihale from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The community is invited to clean Polihale State Park and access road so the park will be in pristine condition when it re-opens in three weeks. Volunteers repaired the bridge and road, now volunteers are needed to clean up the litter. Bring water but do not bring surfboards or fishing gear as the beach is officially still closed. For more information call Judy Dalton, 246-9067 or Gordon LaBedz, 337-9977.
On Saturday there is also a hike along Kalalau Trail to Space Rock scheduled. Hike the famed NaPali coast to the trails high point, above Waiahuakua cave. Spectacular north coast views — a strenuous seven miles round-trip. Call Jane Schmitt, 826-6105.
7th annual Kaua‘i
World Challenge
Saturday
With up to $10,000 in cash prizes, this OC-1, OC-2 and surfski coastal relay boasts the largest purse in the nation. The 34-mile main event starts at 9 a.m. Teams will sprint from Wailua to Hanamaulu, then to the Kaua‘i Marriott and the Marriott Waiohai, finally finishing at Salt Pond where a post-race party will include lunch, beverages and entertainment.
The public is invited to watch the races and come for the fun at the post race awards party on Saturday at Salt Pond. For race registration and additional information visit, kauaiworldchallenge.com
‘Rich Cell, Poor Cell’
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday
Parish Hall, Kilauea, 2518 Kolo Rd
The theme of this presentation with Dr. Cate Shanahan is on how peasant foods can save lives. A wealthy businessman and a poor immigrant eat different diets. When one of them starts to have health problems, their brain cells go to work to understand why. Can they solve the puzzle in time? Follow the story of these two cells to discover how. Author Luke Shanahan and local physician Cate Shanahan will take attendees on a tour of their bodies by featuring the latest from epigenetic and biochemical sciences. Learn the four common elements of the world’s healthiest diets.
Hosted by Malama Kaua‘i. For information call Andrea Brower, 635-1659.
Island School
Chorus
7 p.m. Thursday
Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center
“Are You Listening?” is the first annual spring choral featuring Island School Chorus, Island School Junior Chorus, Island School Keiki Chorus and Island School Singers presenting classics as well as new music. The program includes songs in Hawaiian, Chinese, Spanish, folksongs from Scotland, New Zealand and Korea. Proceeds are placed in a chorus account that directly benefit chorus students. “Are You Listening?” is directed by Philip Steinbacher, with accompaniment by Rose Alfiler. Tickets for adults, $9; students grades six to 12; $5; Students grades five and under, free. Tickets available at Island School office and at the theatre box office.
