The MACC is BACK with Live Shows Starting Nov. 17

After a long pandemic-induced drought of live shows, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center soon resumes with an ambitious schedule offering a diverse set of shows with artists both known and new to Maui.

Highlights include Smokey Robinson making his Maui debut, Bill Maher, Jake Shimabukuro, and Josh Tatofi as well as the Maui Film Festival’s Stardust Cinema, four concerts by the Maui Pops Orchestra, roots reggae band Steel Pulse, comedian Ron White, the Allman Betts Band, and singer/songwriters John Craigie and Eric Bibb.

All shows will be held in full compliance with current COVID-related safety protocols at the time of when tickets go on sale and if circumstances evolve by the date of the show, the MACC will ease requirements accordingly. Current safety protocols require all patrons to provide a proof of full vaccination and wear a mask.

This initial set of shows will also mark the return of indoor performances at the MACC, taking place in Castle Theater and the McCoy Studio Theater as well as outdoors in the A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion. Other than the Maui Film Festival, which begins Wednesday, November 17 with tickets on sale now, on-sale dates and ticket information will be announced soon. Numerous additional shows are waiting in the wings with more details coming soon.

“We have emphasized repeatedly and optimistically over the past 20 months, ‘when it can TRULY happen safely on Maui, It WILL happen at the MACC’. Well, that time has NOW finally arrived. It is with tremendous joy that we announce the return to live, in-person events at the MACC,” said Art Vento, MACC President & CEO.

“Looking back over these challenging times, the MACC creatively and consistently found ways to safely bring performances to our community. If you could not or should not come to the MACC, the MACC has come to you! Hundreds of performers were featured as part of the ‘LIVE @ the MACC’ series streamed weekly during the lengthy pandemic The MACC’s free series provided safe and accessible programing, financial support for our valued local artists, all while providing sixty minutes of joy to our community via the arts. It is now time to put that lengthy chapter behind us, and focus on the human need to share in-person experiences. Welcome back to the MACC,” said Vento.

What’s coming up at the MACC (in chronological order):

Maui Film Festival’s Stardust Cinema / Nov. 17-21 / 5:45 p.m. program start nightly / A&B Amphitheater
The Maui Film Festival presents Stardust Cinema featuring 13 Maui premieres over five nights under the stars. Programs begin at 5:45 p.m. nightly with two to three films per night along with special award presentations and related short films. The schedule includes a mix of documentaries and scripted features. Special appearances will include surfer Kai Lenny. Full schedule and trailers available on the MACC site (www.mauiarts.org ).

Josh Tatofi ‘Coming Together for the Holidays’ / Friday, Dec. 10 / 7:30 p.m. / Castle Theater
In 2016, Josh Tatofi released a full-length Hawaiian album, also titled Pua Kiele, and with it embedded his imprint in the Hawaiian music scene. Tatofi continues to express his soul through Hawaiian mele. Josh was the big winner at last year’s Na Hōkū Hanohano Awards winning five awards including Hawaiian Single of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Favorite Entertainer.

Maui Pops Orchestra’s Holiday Pops / Sunday, Dec. 12 / 3:00 p.m. / Castle Theater
A long delayed favorite returns for the holiday season with the Maui Pops popular Holiday Pops concert, this year featuring guest vocalist Dee Roscioli. With numerous Broadway and concert stage credits, Roscioli will include in her program holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, My Favorite Things and much more. Jim Durham will conduct the Maui Pops Orchestra in their long-awaited return to the Castle Theater before a live audience.

Jake Shimabukuro’s ‘Christmas in Hawai‘i’ / Saturday, Dec. 18 / 7:30 p.m. / Castle Theater
Along with bassist Jackson Waldhoff and special guests, singer/songwriter Thunderstorm Artis on vocals, and first call
percussionist, Taku Hirano, Shimabukuro will spread good cheer to all with his world-renowned live show in a festive take on the holidays sure to keep spirits bright.

Bill Maher / 10th Anniversary / Thursday, Dec. 30 / 8 p.m. / Castle Theater
Bill Maher will be ringing in the New Year in Hawai‘i again on Dec. 30. To make this year’s 10th anniversary celebration extra memorable, Bill will be joined by two very special guests, Nikki Glaser and Christopher KID Reid. With his sold-out shows for the past nine years, Maher continues to make good on his promise to be the “Don Ho of New Year’s.”

Maui Pops Orchestra’s Broadway Pops / Sunday, Jan. 23 / 3 p.m. / Castle Theater
Maui Pops Orchestra’s Broadway Pops concert features the vocal talents of Morgan James and Ben Davis, both with extensive Broadway and concert stage credits. James has appeared in Motown: The Musical, Godspell, and The Addams Family. Davis has multiple television and stage appearances with the latter including Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and A Little Night Music on Broadway. They join the Maui Pops Orchestra in a celebration of familiar and family-friendly music from Broadway and beyond.

Smokey Robinson / Friday, Jan. 28 / 7:30 p.m. / A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion
A true music legend live and in person for ‘An Evening with Smokey Robinson’, the singer, songwriter, and producer will make his Maui debut, never having performed on the Valley Isle. The acclaimed performer’s career spans over four decades of hits. He founded The Miracles while still in high school and the group dominated the R&B scene throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s with hits such as You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, Ooo Baby Baby, The Tracks of My Tears, Going to a Go-Go, More Love, Tears of a Clown (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and I Second That Emotion, among so many others. Their single of Robinson’s Shop Around became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart.

Steel Pulse / Saturday, Jan. 29 / 7:30 p.m. / A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion
Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from Birmingham, England, originally formed in 1975, composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass); along with Basil’s brother Colin briefly on drums and Michael Riley (vocals, percussion). Steel Pulse was the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. They became inspired to form Steel Pulse after listening to Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Catch a Fire.

Ron White / Thursday, Feb. 3 / 7:30 p.m. / Castle Theater
Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is a classic storyteller; relaying tales from his real life ranging from growing up in a small town in Texas, to sharing stories of his daily life, to becoming one of the most successful comedians in America. Ron rose to fame as the cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, but since 2004 has established himself as a star in his own right. Over the past nine years he has been one of the top three grossing stand-up comedians on tour in America. During this time, all four of his comedy albums have charted #1 on the Billboard Comedy Charts. He is a three time Grammy-nominated comedian, and has sold over 10 million albums (Solo/Blue Collar Comedy Tour).

John Craigie / Thursday, Feb. 10 / 7:30 p.m. / McCoy Studio Theater
John Craigie is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller. Hailed as a “Modern-Day Troubadour” in the style of Woody Guthrie, Craigie’s comedic storytelling style has been compared to Mitch Hedberg, while his music and commitment to living on the road has drawn comparisons to Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Pete Seeger.

Eric Bibb / Thursday, Feb. 10 / 7:30 p.m. / Castle Theater
Grammy-nominated American-born blues singer and songwriter Eric Bibb makes a welcome return to the MACC. Bibb is widely known as one of the most imaginative modern musicians working within the blues tradition today. He has deep roots in American music, based on his own journey as a musician as well as his family background: he is the son of son of singer and actor Leon Bibb (Broadway, NBC television), the nephew of John Lewis (Modern Jazz Quartet), and godson of Paul Robeson (Showboat). Music runs throughout the family tree, and he was raised in an environment where music and politics mattered.

Maui Pops Orchestra’s Winter Pops / Sunday, Feb. 20 / 3 p.m. / Castle Theater
Celebrate an afternoon of great music as Maui’s own multi-award-winning Jeff Peterson, master of Hawaiian slack key guitar, performs with the Maui Pops Orchestra. Included on the program will be the Maui premier of Jeff’s Concerto for Slack Key Guitar and Orchestra, Mālama ʻāina.

Maui Pops Orchestra’s Spring Pops / Sunday, March 13 / 3 p.m. / Castle Theater
Sarah Uriarte Berry returns to the Maui Pops Orchestra stage to provide an afternoon performance that is a tribute to Judy Garland. She has many stage credits include roles in Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza, Beauty and the Beast, and many others. Pops audience members may recall that Sarah appeared with the Orchestra in January 2020 as a last-minute substitute and made quite an impression.

Allman Betts Band / Saturday, April 2 / 7:30 p.m. / Castle Theater
The Allman Betts Band is an American rock group. Formed in November 2018, it includes the sons of three founding members of the Allman Brothers Band – Devon Allman (Greg Allman’s son), Duane Betts (Dickey Betts’ son), and Berry Duane Oakley (son of original Allman Brothers Band bassist Berry Oakley). Their show features new music, songs from their solo projects and classic Allman Brothers and Gregg Allman tunes.

More details on each show with on-sale dates and ticketing information will be available soon on the MACC website. The MACC Box Office is currently open for phone and email inquiries Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
808-242-SHOW / boxoffice@mauiarts.org.