Henry K. Allen Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival 2011

2011 Maui Invitational Music Festival and Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel present the Third Annual Henry Kaleialoha Allen Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival April 29, 30 & May 1, 2011

Celebrating the music created on the Hawaiian steel guitar, the festival features free concerts, presentations, and hands-on workshops throughout the weekend at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel. For a complete schedule, visit www.aecg.org. Honoring one of “Hawai‘i’s Living Legends of Hawaiian Music,” Henry Kaleialoha Allen, the festival also features well-known Hawaiian steel guitar players, cultural enrichment specialists, and special guests.

Its namesake – honored teacher, author, and virtuoso – Henry Kaleialoha Allen, performs throughout the three day festival. He is recognized as “The Master Artist” of the Hawaiian steel guitar and Hawaiian music by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists. In 2009, Allen was recognized by the Hawaii State Senate as “Hawaiian Musician Extraordinare” and “Living Treasure” in recognition of his lifetime work on the Hawaiian steel guitar. In addition to Allen, Hawaiian steel guitarists Duke Kaleolani Ching, Greg Sardinha, and Japan‘s Kiyoshi “Lion” Kobayashi perform. Also appearing are Alan Akaka & the Islanders, Japanese singing sensation Masami Sato and, from Yokohama, Japan the Kani Ka Pila steel guitar trio.

A star-studded free concert under the stars in the Tiki Courtyard at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel beginning at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 30, is the gala event of the Festival. Henry Allen and his band “Tropical Swing” headline an evening featuring Hawaiian steel guitar players, vocalists, and hula dancers. The music continues with dancing until 10pm followed by a late night jam session.

The schedule of free workshops includes a daily hands-on Hawaiian steel guitar making class with Dr. Neil Scott (building kits are provided). He is director of the Archimedes Project at the University of Hawai‘i, a multidisciplinary research project that focuses on improving human/computer interaction strategies and technologies. Dr. Scott has developed a more affordable way to build the instrument making it more accessible to aspiring players, thus perpetuating Hawaiian steel guitar music.

Free presentations by Hawaiian cultural enrichment specialists Danny Akaka, Jr. and Aloha Keko‘olani, a tribute to Joseph Kekuku (the inventor of the Hawaiian steel guitar), and workshops and performances by festival participants are also on the schedule. For all three days, island arts and crafts, educational displays and exhibits, and Hawaiian cultural activities are presented throughout the hotel. The festival begins with the only ticketed event offered during the weekend, an exclusive opportunity to meet and talk story with Henry Kaleialoha Allen on Thursday, April 28. It ends on Sunday, May 1 at Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel’s famous Sunday Champagne Brunch when some of the festival’s Hawaiian steel guitar players, hula dancers, and special guests entertain. May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i and the hotel celebrates the holiday in traditional island style.

The Henry Kaleialoha Allen Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival is supported by Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), the County of Maui, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, West Maui Health Alliance, Jazz Alley TV and HawaiiOnTV.com. It is part of the 2011 Maui Invitational Music Festival created by the nonprofit organization AECG to provide opportunities for students to study and play alongside accomplished instructors. It includes classes and workshops that are open to musicians and vocalists of all ages. For more information and a complete schedule visit www.aecg.org.

For more details contact Kaanapali Beach Hotel at:
2525 Kaanapali Parkway – Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 661-0011

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