Q103 FM PRESENTS STEVE-O (OF JACKASS FAME), LIVE AT OCEAN’S

SAT., JAN. 21 – Yep, the McCartney to Johnny Knoxville’s Lennon brings his brand of self-inflicted slapstick comedy to the Valley Isle. The show also features opening comics Chino LaForge (Maui’s own) and Ed Ka’ahea (from Kauai), and is hosted by Michael C. Hall. Tickets available at Oceans (Kihei) and Bounty Music (Kahului), online at hightideconcerts.net and fla.vor.us/groovetickets, or by calling 1-855-2-FLAVOR. $35 advance. 7pm doors / 8pm show. Ocean’s Beach Bar & Grill (1819 S. Kihei Rd.); 808-891-2414

(Left to Right: Mike Love, Sam Ites)

They don’t call it Stella for nothin’. This South side restaurant is nothing short of stellar — of note, their lineup is top-notch; and September 17 and 18 with Paula Fuga and Mike Love, featuring James “Hutch” Hutchinson (on bass, of Bonnie Raitt fame) and Sam Ites (percussion), was no exception the example. Under Stella Blues warm, vaulted wood ceilings — with patrons’ palates tempered by four-course cuisine and gin & tonic (well, for me anyway) — this ensemble took to the Supper Club stage for an anticipated follow-up to their raved-about July show. What better way to kick off the Fall season?

Love, accompanied by Ites, opened with three songs that early-on drew waterworks and impassioned hoots from the crowd; with his full-body musicianship including all manner of looping and layering with an army of pedals positioned at his toes (and a pair of Crocs neatly tucked behind him). Fuga then took to the stage, handing out set lists on purple note paper (Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design helped score one for me. See the photo below… So cool. #scrapbookdork), adding her sweet as suga soul to Hutchinson’s bass beats. Fuga, Love and Ites “are all in another band called Dubkonscious,” Fuga explained before they performed a new track (the title of which gin & tonic has, sadly, obscured in my memory).

It was the kind of night full of cheers and tears in ways outside where words or photos can worthily convey. The kind of good vibe night where I couldn’t help but find myself thinking of those I love who would’ve loved — and I would have loved to share — the experience with; in the way you want your very best moments to be with your whole family from Mom to pet fish [though, I did have the best company: Scott Johnson and his wife Marla, and Trisha Smith from Maui Weekly and her two boyfriends (show off)… Another neat note being that it’s been exactly a year since Marla’s benefit at Mulligans with — guess who — Paula Fuga and Mike Love (!) AND the Johnsons are on the eve of organizing #ZEPTEMBER, which they and everyone involved have generously decided to dedicate as a benefit to my leukemia bills. #craziestcoolestthingever?).

Because oh, the talent! Oh, the spirit! It was a night I’ll forever regard among the ranks of my holiest promenades through the realm of mastercraft sound. Like Elvis Costello in the rain and rolling blackouts, rolled into an artisan after dinner bun baked in Zion. Like Ween the week before the historic Reno Hilton was gutted for a timeshare, if the after party rumor was real. Yeah. I went there. It was that good.

So, I can only say that next time Paula Fuga and Mike Love roll into town, do yourself — and those you love — a favor by getting tickets early and treating yourself to a night for your own scrapbooks…

(Thanks again, Scott! Set List: “No Place Like Home,” “For the Love of You,” “Lovers Rock,” “Saving My Love,” “Lilikoi,” “Country Road,” “The Sun Will Rise,” “Sweetness,” “Beautiful Face,” “Queen,” “Tangled,” “Parachute,” “Misery’s End.”)

Get more behind the scenes photos of Paula Fuga, Mike Love and Sam Ites at Q103 with Shaggy Jenkins, in this pre-show blog post: MAUIVENTS.COM

(Left to Right: Paula Fuga, Mike Love, Hutch Hutchinson)

(Left to Right: Mike Love, Trisha Smith, Sam Ites)

Owner Kale Boverman introduced the show with lots of love to the media peeps in the audience including Trisha Smith (pictured above) of Maui Weekly, John Woodhouse of The Maui News (see his Scene cover story here), and Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design — plus the always-fashionable Erin Smith, fresh off a hip evening gig.

OK. I know this is beyond-ridiculous rationalization, but now that Paris Hilton has been spotted on People.com reading MauiTime (thanks, Daisy on Facebook!) — in September, no less — I think it’s fair game to talk a little fashion. Because like it or not, Paris has handcuffed herself to the last decade. But, whoa. Back to that “beyond-ridiculous” part and strike the rest of the sentence. When the limbo gods ask you, “How low can you go?” it should follow up with “Not that you should.” And I should not have gone that low.

But, I shouldn’t be embarrassed about blog-complimenting famous Mauians about their stylish coordinates, either! Fashion is fun, and Erin Smith does a great job at being the one and only Erin Smith (photographic evidence at the close of this post). Major kudos for having both the eye and the guts to pair a cotton candy pink dupioni skirt, with a slashed tee-to-tank top with a silk-screened shark boasting coral colored gums. #toocool And like the second rule in Zombieland, “double tap.” Smith dropped off her gear and returned in a second set of swanky threads. #seriouslythistimeimeanittoocool (Maybe too, I’m eager to check out what all Super Fantastic hot pink glitter fuss is all about…)

Also, had to snag the shot of Smith with Love — both wearing the same shade of emerald — a friendly reuniting after their interview the day before. And if I’m gonna bus’ it out and talk clothes, why not mention that Love’s tee had particular style with a neatly drawn hala tree! Exactly the kind of attire that makes me rejoice in its Pacific inspiration.

Whew. That was like girlie Tourettes.

UPDATE 10/08/10: Added another great photo — one I found from Jen Russo — of an early Fuga and Love show. And, a photo of (from the most recent Stella show) of the lovely Erin Smith (center), Marla Johnson (right) and their friend (left) — who I don’t know their name because of bad reporting gin & tonic.

Why such a belated update? This iPhone lover (belatedly) discovered iPhoto. Didn’t work on my other comp, but now photos too dark to see when sending via e-mail/Posterous, magically appear!

Sent from my iPhone

In 1870, Tiffany & Co. (no doubt for marketing purposes) published passages purportedly of Gregorian tradition, poetically describing birthstones attributed to each month. September’s stanza reads, “A maiden born when autumn leaves / Are rustling in September’s breeze / A sapphire on her brow should bind / To bring her joy and peace of mind.” Sapphires—a crystalline form of aluminum oxide—are cool, but tin is cooler. Tin Can Tuesdays at Mulligans on the Blue—which includes a drive for the Maui Food Bank—have been a Tuesday mainstay for nearly a year now, with music by Murray Thorne (6:30-8:30pm) and stand-up comedy hosted by Shaggy Jenkins of Q103 (9-10pm). No Cover; 808-874-1131; mulligansontheblue.com

Mauians have another cool opportunity to help the hungry this week, with a canned food drive and special concert with Kanekoa at Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill this Friday (September 17), celebrating another ellipses around the sun for none other than Noah Francis. Who’s Noah Francis? Frankly, I don’t know. But, I’ve heard from more than a few that he’s a way-cool dude. The kind of dude who likes to give rather than receive, and who has turned his birthday into a benefit for Maui’s needy bellies—thus deserving to be showered with joy, peace of mind and, sure, sapphires if you’ve got ‘em. 10pm; $5 or canned goods donation; 808-874-9299

Still feeling all warm and fuzzy from this Friday night? Keep it up by attending another benefit on Saturday (September 18), at Oceans Bar & Grill. Local bands One Inity, Pac Vibe and Manalii join forces for the Na Hoa Mele Benefit Concert, to help a gem of a little girl named Ailana Mamac-Tangaro who’s battling Leigh’s Disease, a rare neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system. 10pm; $10; 808-891-2414

Oh, and (speaking of benefits for girls with “A” names and rare “L” diseases… I know, shameless*—but out of overwhelming gratitude), if you have yet to get your tickets for next Friday’s (September 24) huge ZEPTEMBER concert (also at Mulligans; $10 advance/$15 door), you can do so at Requests, Wow Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill, Westside Vibes, 808 Deli or Wings Hawaii. Billed as an “epic tribute to rock and roll’s greatest band,” it’s a night that will live up to that and much more, with bass and beats by Shawn Michael and Josh Greenbaum of the Vince Esquire Band, along with an all-star cast of local guitarists and vocalists including Tom Conway, Vince Esquire, Kaulana Kanekoa, Kanoa Kukaua, Jessica Rabbit, Joette Burke, Mary Jane Babashoff, Nils Rosenblad, Phil Ellison, Chris Sendry, Erin Smith, Murray Thorne, Pete Sebastian, Kahala, Cheryl Rae, Jack Gist, Halemanu Villiarimo and more. Presented by KAOI FM 95.1, Mulligans, Wow Wee Maui, Awakeningonline.com and MauiTime—with endless aloha to Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design—sound, stage and groovy lights will be provided by Pete Lago of Maui Wave Studios and Trish “The Dish” Smith of Maui Weekly fame will helm the night as mistress of ceremonies. And—rumor mill has it—some out-of-this-stratosphere surprises are in store, thanks to Bounty Music, Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, and maybe even Willie K and Paula Fuga.

Speaking of the latter, check out Fuga with Hutch Hutchinson and Mike Love at Stella Blue’s Supper Club this Friday and Saturday (September 17 -18). 6-9pm; $30 show / $60 with dinner; 808-874-3779; stellablues.com

*LINKS! LINKS! LINKS!

>>> Read more about Mulligans on the Blue in this January 2008 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about the Maui Food Bank in MauiTime’s November 2009 Charity Gift Guide

>>> Da Kine Calendar Listing for Murray Thorne (playing music from his recent solo release Tin Can Telephone), Tuesday nights at Mulligans on the Blue

>>> Read more about Murray Thorne in this August 2010 MauiTime article

>>> Da Kine Calendar Listing for Tin Can Comedy Nights hosted by Shaggy Jenkins of Q103

>>> Read more about Tin Can Comedy in this July 2010 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Kanekoa in this March 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill in this August 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Pac Vibe in this May 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Requests in this August 2009 MauiTime feature (be sure to watch the awesome video!)

>>> Read more about Wow Wee Maui’s chocolate in this March 2008 MauiTime Eat Me! special issue

>>> Read about gift ideas from Westside Vibes (and a few other places) in this December 2007 MauiTime Holiday Gift Guide

>>> Read more about 808 Deli in this March 2008 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about the lovely ladies of Wings Hawaii in this November 2009 MauiTime article

A little letter from a little girl (heartbreak warning!):

September 3, 2010

Aloha,

My name is Ailana Mamac-Tangaro.  I have been diagnosed with “Leigh’s Disease” — a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system.  Leigh’s Disease can be caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA or by deficiencies of an enzyme called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase.  Symptoms include vomiting, loss of head control and motor skills.  Also includes loss of appetite, continuous crying and seizures.  It eventually attacks the organs which lead to impairment of respiratory and kidney function.  All of these symptoms is what I have now.

I was hospitalized in the Chock Children’s Hospital in California, where I had to undergo a Tracheotomy and am now on a ventilator breathing machine.

I need to be transferred to the Stanford University Medical Center in California to receive the treatment that I need.  I am expected to be there for 3 months along with supporting family members. I am in back in Hawaii, but we are awaiting to go back to California at the end of September.

I am asking for donations to help care for the medical costs that are being incurred and for transportation cost to Stanford University Medical Center where I can receive the necessary care that has been recommended by my doctor and specialists.

I hope that all who are able can make a donation to help me in my fight in getting better.

Thank you very much for your care and concern.

Mahalo a me ka ha’a ha’a (with humility),

Ailana Mamac-Tangaro

& The Mamac Family & Friends of Ailana

Theater-loving Mauians are spoilt for choice this summer. If the artsy Market St. scene is your thing, head to Gallerie Ha for a special performance of WARGATE. Sponsored by the Maui Live Poets Society (MLPS), poet/actor Wide Garcia will perform his original–and satirical–two-act monologue recreating World War II nostalgia. Guests are invited to share their own original art, music or spoken word with a WWII theme, dress up for the ’40s costume contest, and boogie to big band beats [Fri (July 16), 7pm, donations to MLPS accepted, 51 N. Market St., Wailuku, 244-3993, gallerieha.com]. Also on Market St., at the historic ‘Iao Theater, Maui OnStage presents their second weekend of The Wedding Singer, the musical. Featured in last week’s Arts & Entertainment, it’s a spunky stage rendition of the rom com flick made popular by Drew Barrymore, and friend of the paper, Adam Sandler [Fri & Sat , 7:30pm, $40/$20 and Sun, 3pm, (through Aug 1), $15, 68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 242-6969, mauionstage.com]. Wedding Singer may be the last of the ‘Iao’s ’09-’10 season, but more is in store. Maui OnStage has announced an open audition for Arsenic and Old Lace, the show slated to kick off the new season, in October. Interested? Call to make an appointment, prepare a comedic monologue, bring along a current headshot and resume, and be ready cold-read the script [Wed (July 21), 6-9pm, 68 N. Market St., Wailuku, 242-8680]  (more…)

Meanwhile, South Pacific celebrates its finale weekend. The Maui Academy of Performing Arts presents this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic at the Maui Tropical Plantation, under a ceiling of stars. Bring blankets or low chairs for lawn seating, and come hungry–Bruddah Willy’s Sticky Ribs and a full bar available before showtime [Thurs, Fri & Sat (July 15-17), 7:30pm, $18-$25, 1670 Honoapiilani Hwy., Waikapu; 244-8760, mauiacademy.org] On the West side, Theater Theater Maui presents Follow That Rabbit, an updated version of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. It’s the summer-long culmination of 42 hardworking keiki, who’ve studied the art of acting under director Kristi Scott [Fri, 10am & 7pm, Sat 7pm, Sun 3pm (July 16-18), $10 adults / $5 keiki, Westin Maui Restort & Spa, Ka'anapali, 808-661-1168]. Too, at the Hyatt’s Maui Moon Theater, are the colorful acrobatics of Cirque Polynesia–a show which offers year-round kama’aina specials and deals for keiki [Mon - Saturday, 6pm, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Ka'anapali, 667-4540]. And if you simply can’t get enough funny, there’s plenty of comedy to be had. The island improv of The Comedy Hui features fast-paced games, musical numbers and a slew of wacky characters [Fri (July 16), 7pm, $22 adult / $11 keiki, McCoy Studio Theater, MACC, 242-7469, www.mauiarts.org]. Plus, check out this week’s Arts & Entertainment for the nitty gritty on the Tin Can Comedy‘s championships, where not only can you win cash, and a chance to open for Augie T in September, but the pupus are free and the beer is cheap [every Tues through Aug 31, 9pm, Mulligan's on the Blue, Wailea, 874-1131].

JULY 13 – Championships Round One

Winner snags first entry into finals, and a $50 cash prize.

JULY 20 – “Musical Night”

$75 cash prize and a chorus-worth of bragging rights.

JULY 27 – Championships Round Two

Second-spot entry into finals, and a $50 cash prize.

AUGUST 3 – “Improv Night”

$75 cash prize and bragging rights for being funny on the fly.

AUGUST 10 – Championships Round Three

Winner assumes third spot in finals, and a $50 cash prize.

AUGUST 17 – “Flashlight Night”

Silent and more subtle than a gong. $75 cash prize for the winner still in the spotlight.

AUGUST 24 – Championships Round Four

$50 cash prize and last-available spot to compete in the finals.

AUGUST 31 – Championships Finals

The final four qualifiers duke it out by performing their best 10-minutes sets. Winner takes all.

SEPTEMBER 4 – Augie T Live at The ‘Iao Theater

The Tin Can Comedy Champion will take to Maui’s most historic stage, to open for Augie T.

HEY THERE. I’M A VIDEO. WATCH ME: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauitime/4425877998/

MORE ABOUT AUGIE T.

DON’T BE BLUE. BE ON THE BLUE! CLICK ME.

Friday, (July 9), 10pm, Casanova, Makawao, $10

Keys of Creation’s hit “Heart of Polynesia,” is just the kind of anthem I love to turn up on Q103 (Happy B-day, BTW!), when curling my way down from Kula on Kekaulike Avenue. How can you not love a sweet, rootsy chant to “live up Polynesia,” while in sightline of our own bicoastal blessing? Makes me feel all revolutionary and stuff—stoking hope for some great Pacific peoples’ collective that remains to be had and held. Beyond their lyrics, Keys of Creation’s members themselves speak to the diversity needed to achieve such harmony. Front man Iakopo is a Cali kid raised in Samoa (for which I’ll divulge personal sentimentality towards, my mom being of the same uncommon rearing), and backing his vocals are Poly poi dog band members Chris (drums), Lil Dread (bass), Kainalu (keys), and Justin (guitar). But I digress… I’m preaching to the choir, aren’t I? As entrenched as reggae is here in the 808, you’d be as hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t much care the band’s sound, as you will be hard pressed to find parking at the Casanova show, Friday night. So, if you see me cruising the roads headed that way, give me a wave… maybe we can carpool. 808-572-0220, casanovamaui.com, keysofcreation.net