Best of the Weekend: Mat Kearney, Broadway, Marathon

Vanessa Wolf ran the Istanbul Marathon in 2008 and considers all such related feats of physical insanity officially crossed off the bucket list.

By Vanessa Wolf

It’s Friday once again, and we’ve taken the liberty of sifting through this weekend’s arts and entertainment options to bring you the highlights.

Best Date Night

Mat Kearney. Courtesy photo.

If everything we’ve got is blowing away

We’ve got a rock and a rock till our dying day

I’m holding on to you, holding on to me

Maybe it’s all we got, but it’s all I need.

Let Mat Kearney murmur the sweet nothings for you tonight at the MACC.

Kearney, an Oregon-born and Nashville-based singer-songwriter, has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition since the debut of his album Nothing Left to Lose.

Just don’t get crazy and crawl up on the stage while he’s performing. He’s been down that road before, and it makes it hard for him to remember his own romantic lyrics.

Kearney plays tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Castle Theater. Tickets are $25.

Best Way to Take In Some Traditional Hawaiian Music

Kuana Torres Kahele was born on the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hilo, Hawai’i. He began composing, arranging and playing traditional Hawaiian music at an early age.

He was inducted at 15 by renowned Kumu Johnny Lum Ho as one of his permanent musicians for Hālau Ka Ua Kani Lehua.

In 1995 Kuana, with Këhau Tamure, formed the multi-award winning Nä Palapalai. The duo gained critical acclaim for reviving Hawaiian classics, as well as for their compositions.

Discover why Kahele has garnered 13 new Nā Hōkū awards in just two years tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the intimate McCoy Studio Theater at the MACC.

Tickets are $25 for standard or $45 for VIP, which includes a meet and greet with the artist.

Best Way to Catch Up On What Those Youngsters Are Talking About

The first Social Media Boot Camp of 2013 starts on Saturday, at 10 a.m. at the Malcolm Center in Kihei.

If you’re new to social media or don’t know your Pinterest from your Tumblr, this workshop might be for you.

The class will cover everything from social media dos and don’ts to an overview of everything from Facebook to LinkedIn. They will also be providing basic site use instructions as well as tips on strategy and etiquette.

The class runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and seating is limited to 30 registrants. Registration is $65 and lunch is included. The Malcolm Center is location at 1305 Holopono St., Suite 5 in Kihei.

Best Late Night Option

BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand wraps up its “Shoyu Chicken Tour” this Saturday night at Fleetwood’s on Front Street in Lahaina.

With roots in the mountains of West Virginia, their shows are made up mostly of original music which crosses over between bluegrass, old-style country, gypsy-jazz, Irish and folk.

Their last two shows sold out, and this final event starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door and entry.

Best Reason to Get Up While It’s Still Dark Outside

The 5th Maui Oceanfront Marathon starts in Wailea at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

If you’ve been training, prepare to enjoy 26.2 thigh destroying miles of whales, sunshine and beautiful oceanfront and mountain vistas.

The course starts The Shops at Wailea and is rolling downhill to sea level at 1.3 miles, then flat, running against traffic on the shoulder. At mile 10 starts the “Long Green Mile” uphill to mile 11. From there it rolls downhill to mile 17 and then sea level and flat to the finish line in Old Lahaina Town.

This race benefits each of the non-profits organizations that tend each mile of the race course, providing aid stations, entertainment, course monitors, coning, etc.

Friends, families and supporters may want to consider setting up at one of the beaches along the Honoapi’ilani Hwy to cheer on the racers as they come past.

Online registration is closed, but late registry is available at 2480 S. Kihei Rd #28, Kihei from 9AM to 1PM or Saturday at the Pioneer Inn in Old Lahaina Town between 10AM and 5PM.

Best Taste of Broadway

Join Broadway stars Gary Mauer and Elizabeth Southard as they present “Broadway Pops” along with the Maui Pops Orchestra.

The show features a collection of memorable songs from hit shows such as “Les Miserables,” “Show Boat,” “West Side Story” and “Chicago.”

Southard and Mauer sang the lead roles of Christine and the Phantom in the Broadway production of “Phantom of the Opera” and will reprise some of those tunes, as well.

The show starts at 3 p.m. in the Castle Theater and tickets are $10, $25, $35, $45.

Have an event you want harshly judge…er…considered? Drop us a line at [email protected].