An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet, Nov. 10

Modern Māori Quartet. PC: Josh Griggs via Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents the Modern Māori Quartet, the self-styled “Māori Rat Pack”, for their signature cabaret show, An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet, in their first-ever appearance at the MACC in the McCoy Studio Theater, Thursday night, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The cabaret-style show blends old school charm with modern pizzazz to highlight New Zealand’s musical past and present.

The show features unique spins on Māori waiata (song), showband hits and pop music, all infused with the multi-talented Māori foursome’s irresistible charisma, sublime harmonies and universal humor. The quartet of suave crooners, all accomplished actors/musicians and graduates of the NZ Drama School, include James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora.

“It’s always a lot of fun to be touring internationally and see how new audiences react to our style,” says Modern Māori Quartet founder James Tito. The group recently conducted its first tour of the UK and have also recently visited Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Rarotonga and Uzbekistan.

“We want to continue showcasing our contemporary spin on classic Māori showbands to the rest of the world,” said founding member Matu Ngaropo, recently returned to the showband as its Music Dramaturg. “We’d love to be global cultural ambassadors for Aotearoa New Zealand, representing our proud heritage of world-class Māori showband entertainment.”

MMQ brings the concept of a Māori Ratpack into the present with a contemporary twist, weaving their acting and musical abilities together to tell stories, fusing hearty and humorous Māori storytelling with the Western tradition of showband entertainment.

An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet takes place on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the McCoy Studio Theater.

Tickets are $30 (plus applicable fees) and are available through the MACC Box Office by calling (808) 242-SHOW or online at MauiArts.org.  MACC members receive a 10% discount.