WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
2 comedians hit the stage at CD release
Patrick Tyrrell, pictured at right, and Harold Wong are Honolulu comedians, and they have something else in common: They’ve both released new comedy CDs. They take to the stage Wednesday at Anna O’Brien’s to launch their latest creations.
Tyrrell is an ex-Marine who uses a deadpan style to deliver a litany of one-liners and non sequiturs, drawing on real life for humor. He’s been co-promoting comedy at Anna’s on Wednesday nights for the last two years. “I just turned 40,” he told the audience in one show. “It’s not that big of an accomplishment; all I had to do was live.” He’ll showcase his album, “I’m Not That Guy,” which features clean, family-friendly comedy.
Wong is a comedic musician whose witty, somewhat naughty compositions detail a strange love life, from falling in love with a “Star Wars” nerd (who “played with my lightsaber”) to dating a zombie (who “tries to keep my heart close by eating it”). His debut album is “Death by Snu Snu,” pictured above.
The CDs will be on sale for $10 each at the show. Jose Dynamite hosts.
Where: Anna O’Brien’s, 2440 S. Beretania St., Moiliili
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Cost: $5-$7
Info: fb.com/ComedyU.HI
THURSDAY, JAN. 14
An evening of laughs with Gabriel Iglesias
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias returns to the Hawaii Theatre, bringing his “fluffy” sense of humor.
Though he’s Mexican-American, he’s got the island sensibility down pat. He often wears aloha shirts onstage and can do a dead-on local accent, one of many imitations and funny voices in his repertoire. His 2013 Comedy Central special “Aloha Fluffy” was shot during a live performance at Hawaii Theatre.
Early on, he made fun of his own weight, saying “I’m not fat, I’m fluffy,” but diet and exercise have helped him drop more than 100 pounds from a top weight of around 450. Still, it’s hard to stay away from food humor, as seen in his 2015 show, Fuse TV’s “Fluffy Breaks Even,” in which he and some friends tour the country checking out fattening foods and then trying to work the pounds off.
Guest comedians Martin Moreno, G Reilly, Alfred Robles and Rick Gutierrez open the show.
Where: Hawaii Theatre
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Cost: $30-$170
Info: hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
SATURDAY, JAN. 16
Awolnation sails to The Republik this weekend with its chart-topping hits.
Awolnation is the brainchild of Aaron Bruno, a multitalented musician who grew up in Los Angeles loving surfing and punk rock. Nicknamed “Awol” in high school because of his chronic absence from class, he dropped out of college and formed a hardcore band, Home Town Hero, and the alternative band Under the Influence of Giants. Those failed to pan out — but a few years ago a self-produced solo track, “Sail,” became an alternative-rock hit. The anthemlike tune spent 79 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts in 2011-2012 and was heard on television shows, commercials, even as Olympic theme material.
After that, Bruno put together a touring band, and he’s been anything but AWOL on the charts. Hits like “Not Your Fault,” “Kill Your Heroes” and “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)” followed “Sail,” reaching the Top 10 on the Alternative Rock charts. His latest single, “I Am,” hit No. 4 and is used by Red Bull for its World of Red Bull television campaign.
Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Prices: $30.50
Info: flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
SUNDAY, JAN. 17
Pianist to perform well-known concerto
Two years ago pianist Vadym Kholodenko, pictured, came to Hawaii to perform an intimate solo recital of Chopin preludes. The 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist will likely add fireworks with his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. His work during the Cliburn competition was called “the highlight of the finals” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which said Kholodenko “took delight in the score’s acrobatic flights and whirlwind passage work, while also bringing affectionate nuances to lyrical episodes.”
The concerto itself features an energetic flow and an intricate connection with the orchestra. It is possibly the most popular of Prokofiev’s piano concertos and the only one the composer himself recorded. “Music entered the room with Mr. Prokofiev,” is how one critic described the work after it debuted in 1922.
Also featured on the program is Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, “Pathetique.” Carl St.Clair, music director of the Orange County, Calif.-based Pacific Symphony, guest-conducts.
Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $34-$92
Info: ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
Note: The symphony also performs Disney film music, accompanied by scenes from movies and live singers, today at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.; $27-$79.
Bassist Kurt Muroki, a Juilliard grad, joins friends for a concert at the University of Hawaii; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Orvis Auditorium; $20-$45, outreach.hawaii.edu, 956-8246.
