Buenos Aires’ hottest tango band, Astillero, heads for Honokaa

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It’s all happening at the Honokaa People’s Theatre this Saturday, Sept. 7, beginning with a dance class at 6:30 p.m., followed by a concert and milonga at 8 p.m. Mariano Gonzales-Calo returns to the stage in Hawaii for one night only, by audience demand, after last year’s fantastic concert at the theater.

It’s all happening at the Honokaa People’s Theatre this Saturday, Sept. 7, beginning with a dance class at 6:30 p.m., followed by a concert and milonga at 8 p.m. Mariano Gonzales-Calo returns to the stage in Hawaii for one night only, by audience demand, after last year’s fantastic concert at the theater.

Mariano is composer and lead bandoneonist of Buenos Aires’ hottest tango band, Astillero. Selling out shows in Europe and festivals worldwide, Astillero brings incredible raw energy and excitement to the passionate traditional Argentine music, carried by the driving force of the unique and beautiful instrument, the Bandoneon. At the forefront of the contemporary tango movement in Buenos Aires, all of the group’s members have been steeped in traditional tango and have worked with a number of important artists and groups from the scene, as independent artists as well as sharing the stage together as Astillero since 2005.

As lead bandoneonist, Mariano Gonzalez Calo is the face of tango now, youth’s power and maestro’s sophistication, known for coaxing his unique instrument to new levels, reveling in raw, adrenalin-soaked emotion, adding a daring, modern edginess to the vision of tango. This performance is a window into the sounds of Buenos Aires today; Mariano is bringing his bandoneon to Hawaii to share an experience like no other.

If you can catch Mariano and Astillero in major cities worldwide on tour or visit their cooperatively owned theater dedicated to their music in the center of Buenos Aires, or this may be your chance here in Hawaii: Don’t miss it. Tickets are $20, which includes an hour of Argentine Tango dance; a lesson with Angel Prince.

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Rural South Hilo will be hosting a second Crime and Safety Meeting at the Papaikou Community Center on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. Representatives will attend from the Prosecutor’s Office and Community Policing. This meeting will serve as the general membership meeting for September, and will focus on the broad concerns of Rural South Hilo residents regarding crime prevention and enforcement. The agenda will be similar to the previous meeting, with a broader scope in terms of communities covered.

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“Time is of the essence” is a phrase most have heard before and can be applicable in many contexts. Waimea Middle School’s (WMS) ‘Ike Hawai‘i Program, in partnership with Paniolo Preservation Society (PPS) and the Waimea Education Hui, will feature three classes in the month of September that take that phrase to heart.

Kupuna, paniolo and founding member of PPS, Sonny Keakealani, will share the vast knowledge he holds of Hawaiian terms used by the paniolo reflecting his connection from the mountain to the sea. Topics will highlight hua ‘olelo, or words and phrases, used to describe storied places, place names, lifestyle and traditions. Each class will be opened with ha‘i mo‘olelo (stories) tied to Waimea, shared by Ku‘ulei Keakealani. The art of storytelling is a gift and skill instilled in Ku‘ulei by her kupuna.

Those who participate in this class will be asked to make a personal commitment to utilize the Hawaiian terms shared at each class so the ‘ike (knowledge) of today will continue tomorrow … and beyond. Classes will be held on Sept. 4, 11 and 25 from 4-5:15 p.m. at Waimea’s historic Pukalani Stables. To register, contact Pua Case at pua_case@notes.k12.hi.us or call 938-5550 with questions.

WMS’ ‘Ike Hawai’i program works closely with core curriculum teachers to provide place-based lessons focused on rigor, relevance and relationships that connect culture to curriculum and tradition to technology. PPS’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate Hawaii’s unique ranching heritage, practices and traditions. This includes sharing all aspects with present and future generations through educational events and activities as well as honoring those who continue to “live” the paniolo life.

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Waimea Education Hui is an informal network of mostly Waimea-North Hawaii schools — public, public charter and private — as well as community organizations and individuals that have joined together to create and share culturally relevant lessons and experiences that nurture a “sense of place and identity” for the next generation to arm them with the skills, values and cultural understanding to become thoughtful leaders and stewards of the land and Hawaii’s natural resources in years to come. Professional and Career Education for Early Childhood, PACE, Workshops are geared to meet training and enrichment needs of early childhood practitioners. Four core introductory courses (ED 105, ED 110, ED 131 & ED 140) are offered in a non-credit workshop format of 16 three-hour class sessions each.

Participants who complete all 16 workshops in a course with a score of 70 percent or better are eligible for community college credit. PACE workshops will begin in Waimea on Sept. 26 at Waimea Elementary School on Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. You may sign up for one or more workshops. Workshops may be taken for credit or for self enrichment. Further questions regarding PACE please contact Mai Wong, 934-2637 or maiw@hawaii.edu. The cost is $18 for each workshop or capstone.

To register for any of the enclosed PACE workshops, call 934-2700. There are a couple of funding opportunities. WDD, Workforce Development Division, and Employer Training Fund (ETF) have approved this course for funding. Call 934-2700 for more information. PATCH also provides funding for this course. Contact 961-3169 about eligibility.

Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1250 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahenutz@gmail.com.