Photo by Jeane McMahon

“OUR BEATS ARE BROKEN,” A SOURCE MAUI FUNDRAISER

THU., FEB 2 – An evening of breakbeats and drum n’ bass with Keegan House, Aaron Jae and IMAT. Keegan House is a seasoned producer and promoter who’s “most known for his whompy and funky monster electro house sets” and is a veteran organizer for Source Maui. Aaron Jae is a former San Francisco-based breaks DJ who co-founded “Evil Breaks” in 2004 and earned “worldwide recognition as one of the largest and most respected breaks promoters on the West Coast.” Meanwhile, IMAT “brings you to the liquid side of drum and bass” and boasts a two year residency at the Minneapolis Bolt: Underground “prior to his exodus into the Pacific.” Also, The Amazing Dr. Mills will be on hand “demonstrating self-decapitation and visual deformities since birth… Come watch him lose his head!” PS: The earlier you show up, the earlier the show starts. And, the longer you stay, the longer they play! $5. 9:30pm. Casanova (1188 Makwao Ave., Makawao); 572-0220; soundcloud.com/keegan-house / fromthefloor.net / aaronjae.com / soundcloud.com/humtech / randymills.me

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ARTIST BIOS:

Aaron Jae | Crew of Ninjas/Space Cowboys | AaronJae.com
Aaron Jae, a former San Francisco based breaks DJ, has been tearing all across the US of A dropping his brand of hard-hitting, dirty, nasty breaks. He co-founded “Evil Breaks” at the beginning of 2004, a crew who then redefined the SF breaks scene by not only bringing out the biggest names in breaks, but by also bringing out those less known that deserved to be heard.  Their consistently slammin’ events have gained the crew world-wide recognition as one of the largest and most respected breaks promoters on the west coast.  In the past years Aaron Jae has played at over 100 events both locally and abroad, sometimes playing 2, 3, and 4 shows in a single weekend, continually playing alongside the most respected names in electronic music.  His list of residencies is quite extensive, including multiple online & offline radio stations, San Francisco clubs, and various crews and collectives.  If you get a chance to see Aaron Jae play live, take it. His performances are always full of turntable tricks, crazy antics, and an energy that you just can’t get from a recording.

Keegan House | Synergenesis Full Moon Gatherings & Source Interactive Arts Festival | SoundCloud.com/Keegan-House & FromTheFloor.net
Keegan House began as a dancer in the 1980s with influences from break dancing to Micheal Jackson.  Later, after falling in love with electronic dance music, Keegan began to DJ house music in Portland, OR where he attended his first psytrance show and his love deepened even more.

After moving to Maui and spinning multiple house parties, he formed Synergenesis Full Moon Gatherings to take the underground to the next level with acts like Eoto, Lynx and Jamie Janover, Beats Antique and David Starfire. With that exposure Keegan House found himself playing Maui’s clubs alongside those artists and more such as Mochi Pet, Mimosa, Stephan Jacobes, Zapper and Dat Girl, Blutech, An-ten-ai and Mr. Rogers.  Though most known for his whompy & funky monster electro house sets,  his roots are in house music with a strong passion for drum & bass, psytrance and breaks.

Keegan House maintains his residency on Maui as a DJ, seasoned producer and promoter while also deeply involved with infamous Baldwin beach parties at the Cover and a veteran organizer for Source Maui. This year marks his second time as the electronic music stage manager for Source Maui.  Keegan is someone to keep an eye on as his tracks become available and other projects such as psytrance gatherings begin to manifest.

IMAT | SoundCloud.com/Humtech
With over 14 years DJing and producing electronic music, IMAT brings you the liquid side of Drum and Bass.  IMAT held at 2 year residency at the Minneapolis Bolt:  Underground, prior to his exodus into the Pacific, where he worked with the likes of Lenka Paris, Alexander East and ChiChi LaRue.  Since making Maui his new home, IMAT continues to produce his unique and stylish sound while bringing his favorite tracks to you.

The Amazing Dr. Mills | RandyMills.me
Dr. Mills has been demonstrating self-decapitation and visual deformities since birth.  They still don’t know exactly what’s wrong with him.  Come watch as he loses his head!

JOLLY OL’ ST. NICKODEMUS

FRI., DEC. 16 – Hailing from New York City, Nickodemus is a global funk maestro with dozens of remixes and compilations to his credit; and since 1998 he’s been the resident DJ and producer of NYC’s Turntables on the Hudson. Of his latest full-length album, Wax Poetics magazine raves, “Riding high on a whirlwind energy of world beats, Sun People sounds like a steamy summer of bright nights and breaking dawns. Simply put, this is hot.” While he spins his originals, it’ll all be made organic by Carlos of Monkeys with Drums, who accompanies Nickodemus with live percussion. Plus, BiOniC LoVe SoUnDSyStEm’s DJ Boogiemeister brings “shamanic global beats n’ dubwise organic music treats” as will Valerie the Vibe Goddess from San Diego. And as is the case with every sure-to-sell-out Beats Bazaar production, patrons will enjoy the visual alchemy of VJ Douglas Deboer and live painting by Melissa Bruck. Ten percent of proceeds benefits Critical Beats’ mission to build a multimedia lab for a native Shuar tribe. $15. 9:30pm. Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave.); facebook.com/beatsbazaar / criticalbeats.org

Not only are the holidays stressful, but cooler weather lends to loathsome colds. Whether it’s your physical or mental health which ails you (and let’s hope not both), luckily laughter’s the best medicine. Maui’s got two healthy doses (read: live comedy shows) comin’ at you this week–specially done-up in Christmas cheer–compliments of Chino LaForge and his Maui Stand Up Comedy nights.

UPCOUNTRY >>> Thu., Dec. 8, 10pm, Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave.), $10 (adult humor; 21+); call 808-572-0220 for reservations.

SOUTH SIDE  >>> Sat., Dec. 10, 10pm, Stella Blues Cafe (1279 S. Kihei Rd.), $10 (adult humor; 21+); call 808-874-3779 for reservations.

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BETTER THAN CANDIED YAMS OR HONEY-GLAZED HAM, IT’S MAUI SLAM POETRY’S HOLIDAY SLAM!

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THU., DEC. 1 – No worries, you won’t be deemed a grinch if you don’t stick to this month’s holiday theme. But when and where else can you perform an ode to eggnog, sonnet for Santa, verse for Vixen, quatrain for Kwanzaa or haiku for Hanukkah? Never mind that a $100 cash prize is on the line (as is the case every month at Maui Slam Poetry events). Be sure to dress in your finest (or funniest) festive attire, and stick around for the dance party by “the mischievous elf” DJ SID and “visual alchemy” by VJ Douglas Deboer. Poets must sign-up by 9:30pm. $5 cover. Free with non-perishable donation to the Maui Food Bank. (Note: The goods most-needed are canned meats, canned produce, canned soups with protein, and dry cereals, rice and pastas.) Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave.); 808-572-0220; facebook.com/mauislam

THIS WEEK’S PICKS:

“LIFE’S UNCERTAIN. EAT DESSERT FIRST.”

(Unknown)

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FRI. NOV. 18 - Hey, gastronome geeks: a tasty temporal anomaly will occur at the crest of Baldwin Ave., this Friday. See, T. Komoda Store & Bakery (colloquially, Komoda’s)–the king of cream puffs; prince of pies; despot of chocolate dobash; sultan of the stick donut–will stay open from the hours of 5-8pm (I repeat: 5-8 POST MERIDIEM), during the almost-official launch of third Friday parties in Makawao Town. Paniolo party people can ride this sugar high throughout the night, as entertainment and activities abound (see below). 5-8pm. Makawao Town. mauifridays.com/makawao
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LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & MORE @ MAUI FRIDAY TOWN PARTIES: MAKAWAO THIRD FRIDAY
Kepa (center stage), Hula Honeys (Casanova), Upcountry Celtic (Casanova’s parking lot), Laurie Balubar (Garden Cafe), Lily Meola (Paragon Salon’s grand re-opening party), DeejDAS (Pink By Nature), DJ Christian Barcellos (ON CORE Studio), harpist Atyana Shapiro-Leiste (Baldwin/Makawao Ave. intersection). Plus, ornament decorating projects for keiki, face painting and balloon twisting, tarot card readings, Pilates and Gyrotonic demonstrations, tours of Maui FM 102NINE studios, and the Malama Wao Akua art show at Viewpoints Gallery.
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YO, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF MAKAWAO TOWN, BY KAMUELA VANCE:

BOO!LESQUE WITH CHERRY BLOSSOM CABARET

Friday (Oct. 21), 8pm & 9:30pm, ‘Iao Theater (68 N. Market St., Wailuku); $15 (separate admission for each show)

An evening of Halloween-themed burlesque, featuring the sultry sensation Violette Beretta, with Hawaii’s premiere burlesque revue, Cherry Blossom Cabaret.  808-242-6969; mauionstage.com / cherryblossomcabaret.com

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BURLESQUE WORKSHOP: BURLY-Q BASICS WITH CHERRY BLOSSOM CABARET

Saturday (Oct. 22), 2:45-4:30pm, Body Alive Yoga Movement Studio (1995 Main St., second floor, Wailuku), $50 (must register by Oct. 18)

Learn glove and stocking peels, fan dance basics, boa tricks, classic bump n’ grind, character building and more. ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED. ABSOLUTELY NO WALK-INS ALLOWED. MUST REGISTER BY 10/18. SIGN UP AT cherryblossomcabaret.com/academy.html

WHOOPS, SORRY! This class has been canceled as of 10/19.

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CHERRY BLOSSOM CABARET PRESENTS SPEAKEASY MAUI

Saturday (Oct. 22), 10pm doors / 10:30pm show, Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao), $10 (before 10pm) / $15 (after 10pm)

Featuring Cherry Blossom Cabaret, Hawaii’s premiere cabaret revue, and Maui’s finest, Kit Kat Cabaret, plus DJ Joey The Wrench. 808-572-0220; casanovarestaurant.com / cherryblossomcabaret.com

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WHAT IS BURLESQUE?

THIS WEEK’S PICKS:

ON WHICH YOU CAN ELIGH

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SAT., OCT. 15 – Eligh of the Living Legends returns, bringing underground hip hop Upcountry. Presented and hosted by The Grouch, with DJ Fresh and Enzyme Dynamite. Tickets available online or at Requests (10 N. Market St., Wailuku). $20 advance / $25 door. 10pm. Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave.); 808-572-0220; elighmaui.eventbrite.com

Kerr & Co. in Concert

Four (more) shows island-wide

Holy canoli! Have you heard? Jenny Kerr, a critically acclaimed Americana multi-instrumentalist (she rocks guitar, clawhammer banjo, dobro and harmonica) made her Maui debut last weekend at Three’s Bar & Grill. This week, she’s got four big shows–Friday (Sept.2) at Stella Blues Cafe, 9:30pm; Saturday (Sept. 3) at Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon, 10pm; Sunday (Sept. 4) at Casanova‘s Upcountry Sundays, a benefit for Mana’o Radio, 2pm; and Friday (Sept. 9) at Casanova, 10pm–where she’ll be joined by six-string samurai Eric McFadden, who’s famed for his collaborations with George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic (seriously!). Also, Phil “Philbillie” Milner joins the crew–a man who spent his formative years cutting his teeth at Valley Isle clubs; but who hasn’t been back to Maui in more than 25 years. Why the homecoming delay? Well, he’s toured Europe eight times with the Jenny Kerr Band, and has been working with the likes Bob Weir, Bonnie Raitt and Tracy Chapman. And as if it couldn’t get any better, Maui’s own Josh Greenbaum will be manning the kit. He’s a Zeptember hero of mine (PS: Zeptember commeth!), with obvious chops and countenance that examples his soulful commitment to his craft.

This Week’s Picks: Tiki Your Fancy

Friday (June 17), 9:30pm, Casanova, Makawao; $8 w/ tiki-inspired costume / $12 general

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Whereas Catholicism’s Limbo is on the outskirts of Hell, the comparatively preferable Trinidadian limbo is a hike-up-your-skirt kind of contra dancing that’s known the world over. Everyone knows there’s no sitting in limbo, but if you can go low, show off your stuff at Mojomana’s big Casanova show, this Friday (June 17). Prizes include custom-carved tiki trophies by Toddzilla and over $1,000 in prizes. While that’s way cool, those are just the perks. Because the night is all about the music. Frontwoman Melissa M. calls her new lineup—with Toddzilla and Handsome J—a “high speed, low drag trio.” Augmenting their American pop/surf culture music—shaken with a Hawaiian-style twist—is guest percussionist Berto, and opening up the show is DJ EdaKit (who many may know as a fine sushi artist).

This Week’s Picks: Grouch Surfing

Saturday (June 4), 10pm, Casanova, Makawao; $20 advance / $25 door

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Underground hip hop fans, rejoice! Wrapping up a more than 30-show nationwide tour, Corey Scoffern—aka The Grouch—returns home to the Valley Isle. Bringing “positive messages over unforgettable 808 drums and a melodic slump California is known for,” The Grouch takes the stage with “dynamic super duo” Zion I, promoting their 2011 release Heroes in the Healing Nation—a record our Album of the Week reviewer Ben Lowenthal calls “hip-hop for people who like to think,” and a “feel-good album that avoids being sappy and proves you can be tough and sensitive at the same time.” Keeping with their do-gooder theme, The Grouch and friends have partnered with charities across the country, and proceeds from Saturday’s shindig at Casanova will benefit Japan tsunami relief efforts. (Fans would do well to get their tickets ASAP, as The Grouch has held but a handful of on-isle concerts over the last two years, each of which has swiftly sold out.) Plus, Oahu’s Tassho Pearce joins the bill, alongside Revolutionary Habitat and special guest-host Mountain. 808-572-0220; casanovamaui.com / zioniandthegrouch.com