First Weekend of Summer Brimming With Music

By Vanessa Wolf

A possible outfit idea for tonight’s Art=MIXX. Courtesy photo.

Happy Summer Solstice!

The longest day and the shortest night of year in the northern hemisphere are upon us.

If we were pagans, we might build a bonfire to protect against evil spirits and would then send couples leaping through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as they were able to jump.

Instead, maybe avoid the third-degree burns and look into some of the events we’ve found for you below.

Best Reason to Be in Costume Tonight

That’s right: “ArT=MIXX®” – your favorite excuse to dress in costume as a surrogate for the illustrious spy career you left behind – is back and apparently copyrighted.

We both know this is the only other way to rock wigs and latex without an hourly rate, an out-of-the-way motel and sketchy businessmen.

So enough about that.

ArT=Mixx® is an interactive social event that connects artist and audience in a fusion of performing and visual arts. Tonight is the “runway” edition and will feature a wearable art fashion show, interactive photography, celebrity costumes, art-making, video displays, music and more.

Things kick off at 7 p.m. and there will be food and beverages available for purchase.

The event is free, but limited to those 21 and over.

Best Reason to Head to the North Shore in Your Art=MIXX® Costume

This Kings of Spade band member is eerily reminiscent of the ArT=MIXX guy. Courtesy photo.

Honolulu’s Kings of Spade just returned to the islands after an extensive 22-show tour of the mainland.

Back and presumably recovered, they are ready to “unleash a high-energy, foot-stomping, shameless dancing set of urban funk, soul, blues and rock originals plus a full set of Guns N’ Roses’ top hits.”

That’s a lot of promises in one little sentence.

This show will also feature the Maui’s own funk, jazz, hip-hop favorites, Freeradicals Projekt.

Things get going at 9 p.m. and are expected to last until 2 a.m.

Tickets are $20 at the door.

Best Excuse to Go Shopping for Organic Kale

On Saturday, Down to Earth grocery, a staple on Dairy Road in Kahului for the last three decades, is celebrating its grand re-opening.

Following an extensive renovation that tripled the original 3,000-square-foot layout to 9,000 square feet, Down to Earth is now better poised than ever to dish out those wheat berries and almond milk.

Not only can you strut around the new footprint and take in all the products available there, but you can do so while enjoying 35% off of 100 products from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

That’s not enough? There will be cooking classes at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., health and nutrition information sessions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a live performance by Paula Fuga, Mike Love and Sam Gonsalves at noon.

Best Dinner and a Show

On Saturday night, you can join Stella Blues for the music of HAPA.

The full Supper Club experience features a four-course dinner and the music the LA Times called “beautiful, fragile, spiritual, and powerful.”

The full meal deal starts at 6 p.m. and costs $60. Take in just the show at 7:30 p.m. for $30.

Call 808-874-3779 for reservations.

Best Reason to Grab a Blanket and Head to the MACC

John Cruz. Courtesy image.

On Sunday, the 22nd annual Ki Ho’alu Guitar Festival kicks off at 1 p.m. at the MACC.

It promises to be an afternoon of song provided by well-known slack key guitarists as Kevin & Ikaika Brown, Danny Carvalho, John Cruz, Hapa, Stephen Inglis, David Kahiapo, George Kahumoku Jr., Dwight Kanae, Donald Kaulia, Dennis Kamakahi, Walter Keale, George Kuo, Bobby Moderow, Glen Smith, Paul Togioka and Alani ‘Yuki’ Yamauchi from Tokyo.

In addition, locally made arts and crafts and island foods will be available throughout the day.

The event lasts until dusk and is free to public.

Aware of something that’s happening or going to be happening on Maui? LET US KNOW ABOUT IT: [email protected]