Dance Fever: Weekend Rife With Tap, Ballet and Hula

By Vanessa Wolf

Can’t contain your anticipatory St. Patrick’s Day and/or March Madness excitement?

Step away from those bracket predictions and burn off that nervous energy while watching other people work up a sweat.

Ain’t No Party Like a Lahaina Party, ‘Cause a Lahaina Party Don’t Stop

You guessed it.

It’s Lahaina Second Friday and tonight Campbell Park is offering “a full range of family activities for learning and fun with an Irish theme.”

Anticipate live music from Sule and Armadillo accompanied on ukulele by the kids of Boys & Girls Club. Then, the Maui Pipe Band will make sure your Irish eyes are smiling and do what they do at 6p.m.

The event headliner will be the “is it spelled with an apostrophe S or not?!” band – The Polka Paddys/Paddy’s, a 12 member Irish group of dancers, singers and musicians.

The Pioneer will also be cooking up some corned beef and cabbage – a preview of their St. Patty’s Day menu – which will be sold by the Lahaina Town Action Committee.

Not your idea of ono grinds? Other food vendors will be on hand peddling their wares. You can also expect arts and crafts for sale and face painting opportunities for the kids.

Events kick off at 6 p.m. and are free to the public.

P.S.

The party technically stops at 9 p.m.

Hoping to Get a Little Smarter Tonight?

Maybe you already plan to see the Polka Paddys/Paddy’s in Makena on Monday, so skip past Lahaina and head on up to Ka’anapali.

That’s just amazing, isn’t it? Image courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation.

There, in the Haleakala Ballroom at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa enjoy a free “Evening with the Experts.”

Listen as Elsa Cabrera presents her work protecting blue whales and stopping wind farms in Southern Chile. Then Dr. Cristina Castro discusses her research off the coast of Ecuador and her humanitarian outreach efforts, followed by Dr. Emmanuelle Martinez describing Pacific Whale Foundation’s studies of humpback whales off Maui, as part of a larger goal of preventing vessel-whale collisions.

The talks are from 6 to 8 p.m.

Although free, seating is limited. Complimentary advance reservations for seats are recommended and can be arranged by calling PWF at (808) 249-8811 ext. 1.

Their Parents Are Probably So Relieved This Worked Out

Rhythmic Circus. Courtesy image.

Also tonight, the traveling percussive dance (i.e. tap dancing) group Rhythmic Circus comes to the MACC’s Castle Theater with their show, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!”

According to promoters, “This show has risen from an underground percussive dance phenomenon to one of the most popular shows since Tap Dogs. Audiences of all ages agree that it excites, energizes and inspires at every turn, and this agreement has been marked by rave reviews, sold-out engagements and numerous awards.”

The show features four tap dancers, a one man beat box, and a six-piece band playing “everything from funk to blues, and rock & roll to salsa.”

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $12, $32 and $42.

Bust Out Your Björk Swan Dress for This One

Special to this year’s production, professional ballet dancer Nathaniel Hunt will join the Alexander Academy cast as Prince Siegfried; Kihei’s Hanna Claerbout will portray Odette, the Queen of the Swans. Photo courtesy Scott Drexler.

This Saturday and Sunday only, the Alexander Academy Performing Company presents Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake at Seabury Hall’s ‘A‘ali‘ikuhonua Creative Arts Center.

The production opens with select contemporary and jazz pieces choreographed by Academy faculty, thereby offering a modern interpretation before the full-length ballet takes the stage.

This is an opportunity to see 150 of Maui’s dancers – ages three to adult – on stage, joined by professional ballet dancer Nathaniel Hunt of New York.

There are two shows each day at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.

Bench seating is $18 for adults and $10 for kids two to 12, and preferred seats are $30 for adults and $20 for keiki.

Take in Some Music While Helping a Good Cause

Also on Saturday, from 5 to 9 p.m., The Maui Historical Society presents Moonlight Mele featuring Grammy Award Winning artist George Kahumoku performing at the Bailey House Museum.

In addition to live music, the event offers private tours of the Bailey House Museum, a special exhibition by the Maui Historical Society and food for purchase.

All proceeds benefit the Maui Historical Society and their mission.

Tickets are $30 per adult and free for those 12 and under. Call (808) 244-3326 to purchase them.

See Some Merrie Monarch Miss Aloha Hula Winners in Action

Dalire ‘Ohana. Courtesy image.

Also on Saturday, March 15, in the MACC’s McCoy Studio Theater enjoy the “Generations” Series: The Dalire ‘Ohana.

According to the MACC, “Kumu Hula Aloha Dalire has set the highest standards through her performances and those of her hālau for nearly four decades.”

A family affair for several generations, each of the Dalire ‘ohana dancers has won the coveted and prestigious title of Miss Aloha Hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival.

The Dalire ‘Ohana promises to “share insights into a legacy of eight generations of Kumu Hula.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $30 and $15 for those 12 and younger.