Weekend Has Laughs, Vignettes, Mohawks and Music

By Vanessa Wolf

With Fred’s looks, things were touch and go, but Pebbles turned out hot in the end. Courtesy image.

So while researching in order to come up with something to lead with in this here preamble part, one might find themselves reading “History Orb’s” historical events list for Feb. 7. Said list may soon find them spellbound with wonder to discover that on this day in history, “This is Tom Jones” debuted on ABC (1969), Madonna’s “Open Your Heart” went to #1 (1987) and Mike Tyson testified at his rape trial (1992).

All of that is almost as important as other key Feb. 7 events, such as George Harrison having his tonsils removed (1965), the world’s joy when Pebbles and BamBam (or Bambles) finally wed (1993) and the moment we realized that what for months we’d mistaken for a stuffed sea otter wearing a yellow raincoat on the side of the Hana highway was actually a fire hydrant (2011).

Anyway, who knows what frivolous if not downright meaningless trivia today might bring for future generations?

In the meantime…

How About We Start Calling it Wu-Town?

Wailuku First Friday. Courtesy photo.

At least consider it for a minute before you respond.

Tonight is First Friday in W(ailuk)u-Town and things get going at 4:45 p.m..

Dr. Nat and the Rio Ritmo band will be performing at the Wailuku Banyan Tree Park from 6 p.m.

At 6:15 a.m. ukulele performer Derrick Sebastian will open, followed by Da Braddahs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the Maui Thing Stage.

In addition to the usual, Timothy Wenk performs street magic, the Beer and Wine Garden has live music, and the documentary film “Black History and Cultural Significance” will play at the Iao Theater at 6 p.m.

Events are free to the public.

Watch “Playlets” About Family Relationships With Your Family

Flowers of Hawaii. Courtesy image.

Tonight in the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater is Kumu Kahua Theatre: “Flowers of Hawai‘i” by Lee Cataluna.

Ten vignette playlets capture the essence of family relationships. The play is written by Lee Cataluna, best known for her newspaper columns about island life and witty stage play.

It’s the mission of Kumu Kahua Theatre to foster and stage locally written plays set in Hawai`i or dealing specifically and truthfully with local subject matter and it sounds like this one fits the bill.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25.

If you miss it tonight, you can catch it again – same time, same theater – mañana.

Laugh It Up, Chuckles

Jo Koy. Courtesy image.

Comedian Jo Koy plays the MACC’s Castle Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Promoters promise his “infectious, explosive energy onstage, insightful jokes and family-inspired humor cross all boundaries.”

Koy is a regular guest on Chelsea Lately, a headline comedian at the world-famous Improv club, and performs to sold-out crowds in comedy clubs internationally.

Please note that although his comedy is billed as the family-inspired boundary crossing variety, it is not suitable for kids.

Tickets are $30, $40 and $50.

Witness the Best Mohawk This Side of Mr. T

The inimitable Kings of Spade. Courtesy image.

Tonight at Charley’s in Paia, Kings of Spade will be kicking off their CD release tour and seriously: Kasi Nune’s hair is a work of art.

With the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, the high energy Honolulu band finished their second studio album and are ready to share it with the world.

Recorded in Nashville by Grammy nominated producer Dave Cobb, their new self-titled album will be available on iTunes, Cd Baby, and all other online retailers next Friday, Feb. 14.

Joining them on the ticket will be Maui’s funk/soul/hip-hop band Freeradicals Projekt.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets are $20.

Chinese New Year Seemingly Has No End!

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Makawao History Museum is celebrating Chinese New Year with a children’s event.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there will be children’s activities throughout the day.

Events are free to the public.

Get Your Ukulele Fix

Jake Shimabukuro. Courtesy photo.

Jake Shimabukuro is a worldwide ukulele phenomenon, “renowned for his super-fast and complex finger work.”

He grew up on Hawaiian standards and is constantly expanding his repertoire, combining elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk, and flamenco.

Seems the only genres missing are disco, dubstep and death metal and we can only assume he’s working on it.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the MACC’s Castle Theater and tickets are an exceedingly reasonable $12, $35 and $45.