The Hawaii Japanese Center’s 15th annual “Musical Nostalgia” karaoke concert is slated for 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Aunty Sally’s Luau House in Hilo.
The Hawaii Japanese Center’s 15th annual “Musical Nostalgia” karaoke concert is slated for 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Aunty Sally’s Luau House in Hilo.
This year’s concert will again feature some of the Big Island’s most talented singers and choral groups performing a variety of Japanese, American and Hawaiian numbers.
Special guest artists this year include KZOO Radio personality Kyoko Sano. Sano was born in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan, and moved to Hawaii in 1995. She began her vocal lessons with Dennis Oshiro in 2003 and proceeded to win a succession of titles, including being crowned 2003 Karaoke Challenge Grand Champion and 2005 KZOO Karaoke Festival Grand Champion.
In 2011, Sano opened the Mele Music Karaoke School.
Also performing a hula number is Hiromi Unoura, an accomplished singer, musician and hula teacher from Japan.
Members from the Big Island’s own Tsukikage Odorikai dance group will accompany singer James Shimazu’s rendition of “Minanoshu.”
Event chairperson Hiroshi Suga confirmed Pauline Fukunaga and Charles Ikeda will return as co-emcees.
Attendees also can expect the return of another “Musical Nostalgia” tradition — an impressive Japanese-inspired stage set designed by Norman Nakano.
Tickets for are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased at the Hawaii Japanese Center, KTA Super Stores (Puainako and downtown), Hilo Hongwanji, Hilo Daijingu, Kamana Senior Center and Asami’s Kitchen.
For information, email contact@hawaiijapanesecenter.com or call 934-9611 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Proceeds from the sale of tickets benefit the Hawaii Japanese Center, a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and perpetuate the history and legacy of Hawaii’s immigrant forbears.