Weekend Offers Tejano, Bluegrass, Hawaiian and African Music

By Vanessa Wolf

It’s the weekend, and there’s plenty of stuff going on.

Or… perhaps there’s plenty of stuff going on and it just happens to be the weekend.

These existential puzzles are real mind benders, so we’ll leave you to chew it over while we otherwise let you know how you might fill the next 72 hours of linear time.

Since You’re Maybe In Kihei Already…

Tonight it’s Fourth Friday in the Azeka Center.

You know the drill by now: food, arts, crafts, vendors, that balloon guy and music.

“What music?” you ask.

Well,

• 6:15 – 7:30 p.m. – Poni Brendan & The Troublemakers featuring SouLyx.
• 7:40 – 8:55 p.m. – Soul Kitchen

Simultaneously, there’s no cover at Stella Blues (right there in the same strip mall), and you can take in:

• 4-6 p.m. – Ahumanu
• 6:30 p.m. – Natalie Nicole
• 8 p.m. –  Solseed

Los Lonely Boys Finally Play the MACC

Los Lonely Boys. Courtesy photo.

Harry, Jojo and Ringo Garza – the trio of brothers that comprises Los Lonely Boys and possibly argue over who got the worst name – are what the MACC calls “a stunning musical success story. As kids, they backed their father’s band in Texas cantinas and honky-tonks, then dived into the club scene as a live band on their own. Their self-titled debut record from 2003 went double platinum, and the mega-hit single, “Heaven,” earned them a Grammy Award.

Now, several albums later, Los Lonely Boys bring their “infectious blend of pop-rock, Texas blues, “brown-eyed soul,” country and “Tejano” to Maui tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35, $45, $55 and $65.

Getchyer Late Night Bluegrass On

BrownChicken BrownCow String Band. Courtesy image

Tonight at 10 p.m. at Charley’s in Paia, take in the BrownChicken BrownCow String Band.

Their shows are made up mostly of original music with classic bluegrass covers and historic Appalachian melodies. The band itself explains that the genre is hard to nail down as they “comfortably cross over between bluegrass, old-style country, gypsy-jazz, Irish and folk.”

The show starts at 10 p.m .and tickets are $15 at the door.

Please note there is an encore performance – same bat channel, same bat time, same bat door fee – Saturday at Charley’s.

African Superstar You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Oliver Mtukudzi. Courtesy image.

Hey, that’s OK, neither had we.

However, if you take a second to YouTube the guy’s music, you’ll probably agree you’ve been missing out.

Anywho, Oliver Mtukudzi – known as “Tuku” – is considered the pride of Zimbabwe.

Called “one of the most powerful creative forces to emerge on the Afro-pop scene in the last three decades,” the musician performs with his band The Black Spirits at the MACC this Saturday, Jan. 25.

Mtukudzi is known for a distinctive style known to world music fans as “Tuku Music.” His particular fusion incorporates elements of different musical traditions, such as South Africa mbaqanga, the energetic Zimbabwean pop style called jit, and the traditional kateke drumming of his clan.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m., but there will be entertainment from the band Mabanzi in the courtyard at 6 p.m. as well as desserts and beverages available before and afterward.

Tickets to see Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits are $35 advance and $45 the day of the show or half that for those 12 and younger.

Song Stylings Galore at Stella Blues Saturday

Also on Saturday night, take in the Saturday Supper Club with Paula Fuga, Sam Ites and Mike Love at Stella Blues.

Your options include a four-course dinner and show starting at 6 p.m. for $60 or just the show at 7:30 p.m. for $30.

Later that night at 10 p.m. is the Order of the White Rose, The Minorities, AB/BA (or AB/AB, it was printed both ways so we’re confused) and Kittinger Jump.

Maui-based rock and roll band, “Order of the White Rose” will play their first show after a two-year hiatus at Stella Blues. Recruiting Kanoa (of the band Gomega) to play bass guitar, a “revitalized White Rose is ready to retake Maui with their explosive, hard-hitting music.”

The show also features three other local bands, “The Kittinger Jump,” a popular alternative rock band, “The Minorities,” a new punk rock band, and “AB/AB,” a dark-ambient band.

Tickets for all this late night fun are $5 at the door.

Something for the Kiddos Sunday

The Maui Mall will be holding its family Sundays Finale event this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

One lucky student previously nominated by his or her teacher will be presented a MacBook Air by Mayor Alan Arakawa, and an adult will win a $1,000 grand prize pack, as part of the Super Shopper Stamp Card drawing.

Other highlights include a performance by Maui cartoon characters, the 99.9 KISS FM’s Money Machine, a Genki Sushi Kendama contest, Fun Factory scavenger hunt, free picture taking to the first 100 groups by Epic Entertainment Hawaii and more.

Enjoy a Film to Wind it All Up

Written and directed by Keo Woolford, The Haumāna was produced in Hawaii and screens this Sunday, Jan. 26 in the MACC’s Castle Theater.

The plot centers around Jonny Kealoha, the washed-up, alcoholic host of a struggling Waikiki Polynesian lū`au show.

To everyone’s surprise, including his own, he is summoned by the ailing Auntie Margaret, his long-revered kumu, who informs him that she wants him to be the new instructor to a group of male students.

Jonny doubts his own ability, remembering very little from his days as a student.

Thus, he becomes as much a student as a teacher when, through instructing them, he reconnects with the culture he had previously abandoned.

The film airs at 3 p.m. and tickets are $10.