“Lihau’s Journey” (the film) becomes a hula drama, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Waimea’s Kahilu Theatre, featuring members, from keiki to kupuna, of the Beamer Solomon Halau O Po‘ohala and special guest kumu hula Keala Ching. ADVERTISING “Lihau’s Journey”
“Lihau’s Journey” (the film) becomes a hula drama, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Waimea’s Kahilu Theatre, featuring members, from keiki to kupuna, of the Beamer Solomon Halau O Po‘ohala and special guest kumu hula Keala Ching.
Just as the Beamer-Solomon halau’s recently released film produced by Ari Bernstein follows a young woman on her own spiritual journey to connect with her cultural roots and the true meaning of the hula, this performance will take audiences on a similar journey, melding video footage with stage performances of both hula kahiko and ‘auana.
With Russell Paio on lead guitar with Kama Hopkins on rhythm guitar, Ha‘i Kelly on bass, and hula loea Hulali Solomon Covington on ‘ukulele and ipu heke, the performance will explore the halau’s multi-generational commitment to empowering children, young teens and adults to find their spiritual center through the dance disciplines of hula. Special guest musician Gary Washburn will present several piano solos, including the ‘ohana’s beloved song, “Paniau,” written by their great-grandmother Helen Desha Beamer.
This program is presented by E Hula Mai Kakou, a new educational nonprofit to perpetuate and preserve the hula, and in particular, the Beamer-Solomon method of dance and oral cultural tradition. Ari Bernstein, Leiomalama Tamasese Solomon and members of the production crew will be available for a movie signing, conversation and photos from 4:30 p.m.
As an early Mothers’ Day suggestion, makana (gift packs) will be available that include two DVDs — the halau’s “Eia Ka Hula II” and “Lihau’s Journey” — and a limited offering of contemporary mu‘umu‘u.
Advance tickets are $20, available at the Kahilu box office and online at www.kahilutheatre.org. Admission is $25 at the door.
