FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAHILU PRESENTS
MAKANA
IN-PERSON & ON-DEMAND
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023
Kamuela (HI)— Kahilu Theatre proudly presents MAKANA, LIVE from the Kahilu stage on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7pm, and this is a concert you donʻt want to miss! Makana will perform vocal and slack key guitar renditions of some of the most beloved and moving classics from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. You might call it "slack folk" or “slack rock” — and it will be performed acoustic — of course! For years Makana has performed with and on tour opening for legends including: Joe Walsh of The Eagles, Santana, Bad Company, Sting, Elvis Costello, Leon Russell, Eddie Vedder, Gotye, Jason Mraz, Chris Isaak, and many other bonafide rock stars.
Makana has since then created a repertoire of his favorite classics, sung in English, played in his unique, impossible-to-imitate symphonic style of slack key guitar. Come enjoy an evening of Makana singing and playing some of the most cherished songs from some of the greatest artists of our time — all in his own signature style. Be prepared to feel every emotion… and experience a whole new level of solo acoustic performance.
Makana is a singer, composer, and master of the Hawaiian slack key guitar tradition. From his youth as a slack key guitar prodigy to his historic theatrical concerts honoring kupuna, from his presidential poetic protests and people’s anthems to his aloha ‘āina, Makana has an unmatched artistic legacy. Esquire Magazine refers to him as “the greatest living player,” and The New York Times calls him "dazzling." As a child he learned directly from the legends of the art form, including Bobby Moderow, Raymond Kaleoalohapoinaʻoleohelemanu Kāne, and Sonny Chillingworth. Slack key is a style dating back to the mid-1800s in which the guitar strings are “slacked” into beautiful chordal tunings. In these tunings — handed down through generations — the player performs alternating bass patterns, complex rhythms, and lead melodies simultaneously to create a sound that evokes three guitars in one, producing a lush acoustic soundscape that summons the dramatic imagery of Hawaiʻi. His original music has been featured on three Grammy-nominated albums, including the soundtrack of the Academy-Award winning film The Descendants. Guitar Player Magazine ranked him as one of the top 3 guitarists in America, and the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts recognized his contributions to the art with the Slack Key Legacy Award.
Beyond slack key guitar, Makanaʻs music transcends the traditional to include folk, cross-cultural blends, as well as bluegrass, blues, Latin, rock, and modern forms like hip-hop. His live performances are raw, spontaneous, and transparent; his oeuvre is vast and diverse — he's released over 300 songs through albums, singles and social media, with billions of listens — and all of his music is inspired by a deep commitment to serving and lifting others. His concerts offer a moving and unforgettable window into humanity through the lens of Hawaiian values and a rare integration of ancient and contemporary artistry.
Donʻt miss this amazing opportunity to see MAKANA LIVE — only at Kahilu on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7pm. This concert is sponsored by Kate Bell & Tom Blackburn, Carol Greenwell & Fred Dosher, Stephen Kirkham, Caroline Landry & David Kirk, Ron Meyer, and Diane & Dann Miller. There are two ways you can watch:
IN-PERSON: We are delighted to be able to offer In-Person tickets ranging in price from $40 - $70, which can be purchased at KahiluTheatre.org.
ON-DEMAND: Available November 3, 2023 On-Demand online. On-Demand tickets for this show, which are good for an entire household, are $19.99 and available at Kahilu.TV. Monthly and annual subscriptions are also available for Kahilu.TV. Can’t watch it live? Catch it on-demand the next day, the next week, or the next month.
Kahilu.TV is a subscription-based platform that brings the best of Hawaiʻi’s music and culture into your home or to anywhere in the world that you want to watch it. It features livestreaming pay-per-view events, recorded on-demand content, and exclusive subscriber content as well as free videos.
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