FRIDAY
>> Kealoha presents multimedia creation show
There’s big picture, and then there’s THE big picture. Which might be the best way to explain “The Story of Everything,” an epic multimedia production by Kealoha being staged at Hawaii Theatre on Friday.
“The Story of Everything” combines music, dance, poetry, chant, storytelling and science to tell the story of creation, covering 13.7 billion years in elapsed time.
Kealoha drew on a variety of sources for the work, ranging from TV’s “The Big Bang Theory” to his own scientific background to the Kumulipo, the traditional Hawaiian creation story. The staged production features many well-known local artists, including ukulele virtuoso Taimane, world music-fusion band Quadraphonix, aerialists Jamie Nakama and Jory Horn and hip-hop performer Jonathan Clarke Sypert. with many of the visuals provided by artist Solomon Enos.
Kealoha was the first poet laureate of Hawaii, chosen by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in 2012. As a college student at MIT, he studied nuclear physics, but found himself drawn to slam poetry.
“The Story of Everything” is the culmination of his life’s work so far: Kealoha said he spent “half my life to study the science behind the piece, half of my life to study the art of poetry and storytelling, and then about half a decade to actually create this work.”
ON STAGE: “THE STORY OF EVERYTHING”
>> Where: Hawaii Theatre
>> When: 7 p.m.
>> Cost: $15-$75
>> Info: hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
—
SATURDAY
>> Isles bring romantic mood to country star Thomas Rhett
Country music star Thomas Rhett returns to Hawaii this weekend in a visit certain to bring back good memories — for him and his fans.
Though he’s based in Nashville, Rhett honeymooned here with his wife Lauren in 2012. The Rhetts also shot a video on the North Shore for his song “Die a Happy Man,” which premiered in 2015. The song was a monster hit, winning Single Record of the Year from the Academy of Country Music, Top Country Song from the Billboard Music Awards, Song of the Year from American Country Countdown Awards and Single of the Year from the Country Music Association in 2016.
It’s just one of a slew of honors that the son of country musician Rhett Atkins has piled up in the last eight years. Rhett’s third and fourth singles, “It Goes Like This” and “Get Me Some of That” both hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Rhett’s got a nice ear for variety, with songs ranging from traditional country ballad (“Marry Me”) to country pop “Make Me Wanna” and even a bit of rap (“Front Porch Junkies”).
CONCERT: THOMAS RHETT
>> Where: Blaisdell Arena
>> When: 7:30 p.m.
>> Cost: $25-$225
>> Info: ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000
—
SATURDAY
>> Annual Chinatown arts fair promotes kidney health
Head downtown with the kids for a day of art and entertainment and give a boost to kidney health.
The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii hosts its fourth annual Walk on the Wild Side at Fort Street Mall and various Chinatown locales on Saturday, raising awareness about a chronic disease that particularly affects Hawaii. Up to 5,000 people are expected to attend.
Entertainment includes taiko drummers, arts and crafts, a fashion show hosted by Miss Hawaii pageant winners and fire truck viewings hosted by the Honolulu Fire Department. Medical professionals will also be on hand to provide free health screenings. Chinese lion dancers will perform at Fort Street Mall, then head to 1041-A Nuuanu Ave. to bless a new art space, the Wild Side Gallery.
Teams and solo players will walk through Chinatown, searching for clues to solve a mystery while exploring the history of the area. Participants can register for the walk on Fort Street Mall.
The risk of kidney disease among Hawaii’s population is 30 percent higher than the national average, according to foundation stats, and more than 4,400 people in the islands are on dialysis.
HEALTH FAIR: WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
>> Where: Fort Street Mall, Bethel Street and Sun Yat Sen Park
>> When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: kidneyhi.org/wows
—
MONDAY-TUESDAY
>> Madeleine Peyroux’ soulful sound takes on a political edge
Singer Madeleine Peyroux has a graceful lilt in her voice that reminds us of great jazz and blues artists like Ella Fitzgerald, and especially Billie Holiday.
Her voice has always been charming, with a hint of pain, and so it fits right in with her latest project, “Anthem,” which she’s bringing to Blue Note Hawaii for two nights.
Peyroux worked with fellow composers Patrick Warren and Brian MacLeod to brainstorm the album — inspired by the 2016 presidential campaign — with David Baerwald writing most of the lyrics to the warm yet melancholy songs. She called the songs “an attempt at contemporary story-telling.”
The album shows off a new side of Peyroux, whose voice has been her trademark since her days busking on the streets of Paris. She was directly involved in the production of the album, which includes songs in a variety of styles, from pop and Latin to jazz and folk, and features acoustic and electronic instrumentation.
CONCERT: MADELEINE PEYROUX
>> Where: Blue Note Hawaii
>> When: 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
>> Cost: $36-$46
>> Info: bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890
For additional events, visit staradvertiser.com/calendar.
