Ready, Set – Party at the Pavilion!

By Maesyn

The New Pavilion (file photo)

The Maui Arts and Cultural Center has long been a resource for community entertainment.

From art to music to dance classes, the beautifully landscaped campus offers classrooms of all sizes, art galleries, and theaters to suit all number of local and traveling acts.

Until now, however, Maui was still relegated to smaller shows than many major metropolis areas.

In a visionary attempt to bring the highest calibre of entertainment to our island home, Art Vento, the president and CEO of the MACC has been championing the construction of the MACC’s most elegant architectural achievement to date – the newly opened Yokouchi Pavilion, Courtyard & Morgado Hall.

This magnificent structure features a glass pyramid rooftop.

In a triumphant grand opening, the MACC hosted legendary Elton John last week as the first national touring act to grace the new stage.

Now they are opening this masterpiece to the public in a gesture of community generosity and goodwill. This Saturday, March 12th, the MACC has created a free, full day festival to introduce this facility to its people from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The full day event will feature a smorgasbord of music, dance, art and food, along with bouncy castles and games for the kids. There will be prizes throughout the day, as well as a grand finale fireworks display as the evening comes to a close.

The Pavilion in all its glory (file photo)

Some of the local bands who will have the opportunity to play this world class stage will be Willie K, The Derick Sebastian Trio, Ha‘ikū Hillbillies, Zenshin Taiko and the Maui High School Pep Band.

All of the MACC’s catering partners are coming out together to provide food on this one special day, so the variety of options for the guests will be broad. They can tour the in house catering kitchen and can also partake of beverages served from the new and improved beverage bar area.

You can take a guided tour throughout the facilities, discover classes, watch Halau dancers perform the sacred Hula.

The International Gallery will be open, featuring art exhibits for the public to peruse while the festivities go on.

While they are known for their concert series, there is so much more to explore. The MACC provides a wide array of programming, including classes and contests for kids, Hawaiian cultural heritage education, ballroom dancing, Hula, and more. Most of these programs are free.

While people are enjoying the festival, they can delve deeper into the opportunities offered by the center.

Speaking of opportunities, the construction of the massive Pavilion created 155 jobs for Maui locals.

They just keep giving back.

This 23 month long, $13 million construction project promises to expand Maui’s beacon of cultural experience into the stratosphere of beauty. As the artistic hub of a tropical paradise, nothing could be more fitting.

With 288 panels of glass, the pyramid’s awe inspiring roof reaches 50 feet into the glistening sky.

The original artistic rendering of the Pavilion

Come and celebrate this free gift to the community, and see what all the hubbub is about!

For more information about the free party, call the MACC Box Office at 242-SHOW or go to MauiArts.org.

Aloha!

*If you would like to suggest an event to be featured in the Mauinow entertainment section, please email [email protected]. Aloha!