A costume ball with live music, comedy and prizes for best costumes should make for a memorable Halloween night. Swampdaddy’s Halloween Costume Ball, featuring The Kauai Rhythm Kings and the comedy of emcee Ed Kaahea, is scheduled 6:30 to 10
A costume ball with live music, comedy and prizes for best costumes should make for a memorable Halloween night.
Swampdaddy’s Halloween Costume Ball, featuring The Kauai Rhythm Kings and the comedy of emcee Ed Kaahea, is scheduled 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Joe’s on the Green, located at the Kiahuna golf course, 2545 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, in Koloa.
Kevin “Swampdaddy” Rogers, lead vocalist and harmonica player with the Kauai Rhythm Kings, is an R&B artist originally from Chicago.
“We have a great time playing at Joe’s with this very fun dance band and we will be rockin’ the Halloween crowd!” Rogers said.
Rogers has hosted the KKCR Radio program, “Mardi Gras Soul Revue,” for the past 16 years.
“If you enjoy my radio program, this band is the live version,” he said.
He has formed three bands while on Kauai. The first was The Tongue & Groove Band, next came Swampdaddy, which is also his nickname, then in late 2012 he got together The Kauai Rhythm Kings with some of the same musicians and focused on bringing swing, rhythm and blues and soul music to the island.
Rogers said they have some of the best musicians on the island, and have opened for Leon Russell, Los Lobos, and The Marshall Tucker Band.
“This dance band has a horn section as well as keyboards, guitar, and one of the best rhythm sections around,” Rogers said.
The former Tongue and Groove Band played on Halloween at Joe’s on the Green between 1998 and 2006. With Halloween on a Friday this year, the Kauai Rhythm Kings want to revive that tradition.
“We sort of debuted at Joe’s on the Green last year,” Rogers said. “That went over really well with a great crowd, and hopefully we can get that same fun crowd down there Friday.”
Local comic legend Ed Kaahea is taking a break from the middle of his “Older Than Dirt” tour to emcee the Halloween event.
Known for his Kalei Egg commercials as well as his movie and television appearances, Kaahea will get the crowd warmed up with comedy routines and raffle off door prizes.
Tickets are available at the door for $13 and online, with a $2 service charge, at www.longhairproductions.com.
