Weekend Round-Up: Yardbirds, Ganga Giri, Aloha Peace

By Madeline M. Ziecker

The Yardbirds 2010. Photo Courtesy of The Yardbirds website.

THE YARDBIRDS AT THE MACC Friday, 9/16 at 7:30 p.m. in The Castle Theatre. Tickets $35,$45, $55

The Yardbirds, a legendary rock band hailing from the 1960s, will perch themselves on the MACC’s stage Friday night.

The Yardbirds have been playing for 35 years and are well known for their virtuosity in several musical styles and for their premature success with ‘fuzz tone’ guitar effects.

Current band members are Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Jim McCarty (drums, backing vocals), Ben King (lead guitar), David Smale (bass, backing vocals), and Andy Mitchell (lead vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar). Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty are the only two members from the original band conceived in the early ’60s.

The Yardbirds at the MACC is also a benefit for Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s Jr. Lifeguard Program. Tickets are available at the MACC box office or online.  Ticket prices: $35, $45 and $55. Call 242-7469, or visit www.mauiarts.org.

GANGA GIRI AT CASANOVA ITALIAN RESTAURANT & DELI Saturday, 9/17 at 10 p.m. with a $15 cover charge.

Ganga Giri, our Pacific neighbors hailing from Melbourne, Australia, will share their unique sound live in Makawao late Saturday night.

Ganga Giri. Photo courtesy of Ganga Giri's public website.

The ensemble mixes the haunting drones of Traditional Australian Didjeridu with strong dub bass lines, all atop  world and tribal percussion beats, creating a special blend of both primitive and technological. The music is designed to get into your system, so involuntary dancing is probable.

Ganga Giri‘s music is globally appreciated by music lovers in countries including Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, United States & Canada. The group recently played at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.

“Ganga Giri is a wonderful musician, ” said artist Peter Gabriel, as quoted on the band’s website. “I first heard him at a Womad festival, and loved the mix of his ancient and primitive instrument with a wide range of great dance grooves. Ganga is really taking the didjeridu to places it has never been before and developing a unique style of music.”

For more information about Ganga Giri and samples of their music, visit www.gangagiri.com. 

ALOHA PEACE FESTIVAL MAUI 2011 AT THE MACC Saturday, 9/17 in the McCoy Studio Theater. Starts 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. for free, and then from 7:30-10 p.m. $15. 

Photo by Madeline Ziecker

The Arts Education for Children Group (AECG) will present the Aloha Peace Festival 2011, promoting peace by celebrating Maui’s culture and customs.

This year’s Aloha Peace Festival 2011 will feature live entertainment and performances representing the cultures of Maui, hands-on activities, workshops, food, exhibits and information presented by various cultural organizations such as Aloha in Action, Arts Education for Children Group, Maui Inter-Tribal Council, Mediation Services of Maui and Seasons for Peace.

The festival will begin with an opening ceremony by Lei‘ohu Ryder – healer, singer/songwriter, and educator on Maui. Maui Reggae musician Marty Dread, singer/songwriter Teri Garrison, classical harpist Tatyana Shapiro, and the Maui Pipe Dreams will follow. We will also see performances by Peter Rockford Espiritu (Tau Dance Theater), Na Keiki of Hālau Hula Kauluokalā, Maui Taiko, Odissi Indian Dance troupe, Izanai Yosakoi Japanese Dance group, and Maui Inter-Tribal Council.

Festival Highlights:

“Playing for Change” –  A multimedia movement concert advocating music as a catalyst for positive social change, featuring performances by artists who are passionate about peace. Begins at 7:30 p.m; $15. More information is available at www.playingforchange.com.

“The Mapping of Hawai‘i” – A new exhibit which tells the story of Hawai‘i through reproductions of historic maps and prints.