Weekend Round-Up: Mike Epps, Hollywood Swing, Pineapples

By Madeline Ziecker

Comedian Mike Epps. Courtesy photo.

Shows

Comedian Mike Epps Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the MACC in Kaului. Tickets are $25, $45, $55 and $65. 

One of Hollywood’s funniest comic actors, Mike Epps, brings his national standup comedy tour to the Maui stage this Saturday night for island fans of his riotous work.

Many recognize Epps from his Comedy Central standup special, “Mike Epps Presents.” Others have seen him star in the recent Sony Pictures film, Jumping the Broom.

Epps is appreciated in the comedy scene for his wit and his ability to combine comedy with hip-hop. In addition to his film, TV, and standup projects he released a comedy rap album, Bidness: Da Album, in 2010.

Tickets are still available for purchase by calling the MACC Box Office at 242-SHOW or online at MauiArts.org.

Brother Noland Live Friday, June 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Duke’s Beach House in Lahaina. Free.

Brother Noland. Courtesy image.

Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Brother Noland plays a release party Friday night for his recently finished CD, Greatest Hits 2.

Brother Noland is legendary in Hawaii for his passionate musical style as well as his warm stage presence. He plays a mix of Jawaiian, Hawaiian contemporary and traditional music, and slack-key guitar.

He’s a very talented (and respected) musician, and as a basic rule – anyone with with multiple greatest hits albums is worth going to see live.

MAPA Stage Production of “Narnia” Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. at Steppingstone Playhouse in Kahului’s Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. Tickets are $14 for adults; $10 for students 18 and under.

Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) presents a stage production of “Narnia” – a musical production based on the classic C.S. Lewis novel series, The Chronicles of Narnia.

The show features a cast of 51 performers ages 12 through 20 to tell the tale of quarrelsome siblings who get transported through an antique wardrobe to a fantastical land of mythical creatures and ethical challenges.

Friday night is the opening night of the show, which runs through Sunday, July 8.

For more information on the show and how to purchase tickets, visit mauiacademy.org.

Maui Pranksters. Courtesy image.

Maui Pranksters – Greatful Dead Tribute Band Saturday, June 30 at 10 p.m. at Charley’s Restaurant in Paia. 

Gentlemen- hold off on shaving your beards this weekend. Bring tie dye bandanas (for wearing) and lighters (for waving) and head to Charley’s on Saturday for a night with the living dead – The Greatful Dead, that is – or at least close enough.

Local psychedelic-rock band Maui Pranksters will play a The Greatful Dead tribute show for lovers of the legendary band’s classic hits as well as other time-and-space-defying jams.

Parties

808 Unlimited MC Showcase Saturday, June 30 at 9:30 p.m. at Stella Blues in Kihei. Entrance is $10.

Courtesy image.

Head to the south side on Saturday night if you’re in the mood for some dirty, fun, potent underground rap and hip hop played by some of the island’s premier emcees.

Maui emcees spinning at the event include TNT, Supreme Beings, DJ Kurt and more special guests to come as the beat goes on.

Halfway to New Year’s Eve Party Saturday, June 30 at 9 p.m. at Diamond’s Ice Bar & Grill in Kihei. Free.

Sinners of all ages (over 21) have a chance to make up for not keeping up with those hell-bent New Years resolutions made back in January.

Come and celebrate the New Year early (or late) and take a second shot at a successful renaissance by drinking and dancing the night away.

Guests are encouraged to dress to impress in their New Years best.

Maui’s Sirens of Song. Courtesy image.

Hollywood Swing Canteen Friday, June 29 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Maui Tropical Plantation in Wailuku. Entrance is $15.

Those who aren’t already off-island on vacation can take a trip right here at home back to the 1940s with a show by Maui’s Sirens of Song, Kit Kat Club Cabaret,  Trevor Arnholt and Jason Wulf with his Swing Maui dancers.

Classic American cuisine and cocktails will be served as guests enjoy a night featuring vintage visuals, a Pin-Up Parade fashion show, and musical performances in the styles of USO, Swing, Big Band, and Hollywood Glam.

Set on Maui Tropical Plantation’s already timeless grounds, the show promises to be an all-the-more authentic time-travel experience.

Community Events

Lana’i Pineapple Festival Saturday, June 3o from 3-9 p.m. at Dole Park in Lana’i City (on Lana’i Island). Free.

A slice of grilled pineapple. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.

What better way to get Lana’i’s new owner acquainted than with a historic Hawaiian Paniolo tradition honoring the island’s pineapple plantation era?

Lana’i residents and visitors come to the island’s Dole Park every year to enjoy the event that features local foods, crafts, keiki booths, pineapple preparation demonstrations, and live entertainment on the grass.

Bring a blanket to sit on, a jacket (for the temperamental, unpredictable weather of late), and an appetite.

Night for the Birds Benefit Friday, June 29 from 6 p.m.-12 a.m. at Maui Brewing Company in Lahaina.

It’s rare that we get the fun incentive to drink for a cause. Maui Brewing Company will host a benefit night in which half of their pint sales go to Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP).

MFBRP’s mission is to recover Hawaii’s endangered bird species and restore their habitat. Maui Brewing Company holds a fundraiser four times a year to benefit the organization.

It’s a decent win-win: the more beer you drink on Friday night, the more birds you shall see in Maui skies and forests.