LIHU‘E — What better way to ring in 2013 than with live music and comedy for a good cause? A fundraising event, dubbed “It’s a New Year’s Celebration with a Concert and Comedy Show,” begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 5
LIHU‘E — What better way to ring in 2013 than with live music and comedy for a good cause?
A fundraising event, dubbed “It’s a New Year’s Celebration with a Concert and Comedy Show,” begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort’s Jasmine Ballroom. Performing are reggae band Revival, along with funny men Shawn Felipe, Grant “Lanai” Tabura and “Champ” from OC-16.
Organizer Sandra Estenzo says the event is not to be missed.
In addition to its main goal of raising funds for the Typhoon Pablo disaster relief, the event will benefit the Kaua‘i Visayan Club and other local nonprofit organizations.
Last month, Typhoon Pablo — the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the southern Philippine island of Mindanao — left a path of destruction, killing more than 200 people and leaving thousands of families displaced.
Relief efforts are ongoing and help is desperately needed for those victimized by this natural disaster, states a news release for the event.
The fundraiser kicks off at 7 p.m. with an hour-long performance by Revival, Kaua‘i’s homegrown reggae band, which paid tribute to the island with its latest album, “Garden Isle,” released in 2010.
Current members of Revival include: Kana “Kanamon” Pikini, bass and vocals; Ola Akau, guitar and vocals; Evan Gibson, drummer; Alika Simpson, percussion and vocals; Tyriss Manintin, vocals; DJ Yaris, keyboard and vocals; Roger Dela Cruz, rhythm guitar; and Keone “Biggie” Kaneholani, vocals.
At 8 p.m. the mics will be handed over to a trio of local comedians, sure to bring out early smiles and laughs for the new year.
Local funny man Grant “Lanai” Tabura — an accomplished comedian, radio disc jockey, actor, special event host and entrepreneur — has been put in charge of the evening’s comedic line up.
A stand-up comedian himself for the last 10 years, Lanai has opened for Damon Wayans and Augie “T” Tulba and performed at the Improv and The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, as well as in Las Vegas, states his biography. Offstage, Lanai can be found participating in several community service efforts, raising more than $50,000 for the Easter Seals through his very own “Camp Lanai” and volunteering for Hotel Association events and the Fight Against Autism.
“It’s going to be a good show,” Lanai said. “A lot of local comedy.”
The hour and a half of laughs also features Shawn Felipe, a world-renowned, multi-ethnic, stand-up comedian who has performed live with many big names over the years, including Russell Peters, Anjelah Johnson, Jokoy and Steve Byrne, according to his biography. He has also appeared as an actor on numerous commercials as well as NBC’s cop TV series “Hawai‘i.”
While his passion lies in stand-up, Felipe’s performances have earned him a nomination for Best New Artist for the 2008 Hawai‘i Music Awards, Best Take Out Comic in Hawai‘i in 2004 and Top 7 Comic at the 36th Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2011, his biography states.
“He’s a local boy and he’s opened up for some really big names,” Lanai said. “He’s a really funny guy.”
Champ Kaneshiro — the face of “The Champ Show” on OC-16 television — will serve as comedic host during the event.
Lanai promises a great evening at an affordable price, with all proceeds going directly to several worthy causes.
Tickets for this 18-and-over event cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Pre-sale VIP tickets are available now for $25.
To purchase tickets visit the Kaua‘i Beach Resort front desk, Subway in Kapa‘a or the Pono Market in Kapa‘a.
For more information contact Sandra Estenzo at 651-6297.
• Chris D’Angelo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lifestyle@thegardenisland.com.
