Celebrate the women of jazz at Palace

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

On Saturday, Hilo’s historic Palace Theater will celebrate women in jazz with a film and a dance.

On Saturday, Hilo’s historic Palace Theater will celebrate women in jazz with a film and a dance.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the screening of “Lady Be Good: Instrumental Women in Jazz.” This new film documents the challenges and joys women experienced playing in jazz bands and combos from the 1920s through the 1970s. Award-winning filmmaker Kay D. Ray will be on hand to talk about the film and the women who it features.

After the movie, the audience is invited to dance in the Palace lobby to jazz and swing tunes performed by MINX — an all-star band of five women well-known to Big Island fans.

Lou Ann Gurney is the vocalist in Jazz Mele; Leslie Harlib (keyboard and vocals) has entertained for many years on Black and White Nights; Robin Jensen is the island’s top female sax player, often appearing with Jazz Mele; Diana Webb is the bassist for Terrapin Station and Smack Dab; and Sandy Heikes plays drums with the R&B combo Full Tilt Hawaii.

This one-time event is in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Admission for students with ID is $7, seniors are $9 and general admission is $12.

For more information, call the Palace Theater at 934-7010.