Independence Day Weekend – Makawao and Lahaina
The 4th of July is about celebrating that we live in a country where we are free to do as we please. Say what you will, but compared to the rest of the world, we’ve really got the freedom thing going on here. Let’s exploit it, take advantage of it, appreciate it, and love it to the fullest. (And fight for more freedoms, but maybe not today. I’m kind of busy.) For starters, are you open minded enough to head over to little Makawao …

LMFAO, DJ Lucky Lou Opens. 7:30 PM, Castle Theatre at the MACC, Friday, July 2cnd. $32 advance, $35 at the door

Maui stole something. The hottest electro-hip-hop band of the moment skipped out on the Black Eyed Peas tour for the weekend to rage with the Hawaiians. In pure LMFAO style, they dropped in on us at the last minute, with no warning but the hot posters tearing around the island like wildfire, screeching “I’m in Maui, Bitch!” Miami’s just going to have to go cry in a corner, because maybe …

Oh, “class,” whatever happened to you? Don’t get me wrong, Heinekens and a rusty barbecue are the building blocks for many phenomenal evenings, but sometimes a little dose of those mysterious concepts – class, style, and luxury – can work wonders. This weekend is going to be chock full of so much class that when its over you’ll be running back to re-runs of the Kardashian Sisters with a gleam in your eye. The Kapalua Wine and Film Festival is a spread of events including activities like drinking wine, eating …

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Saturday (June 19), 7:30pm, Castle Theater, MACC, $25
In this day-and-age “Family Time” is a mystical, mildly horrifying concept that tends to decrease drastically in time and effort around the time Girl and Boyscouts stop being cool. However, it’s a well-kept secret that even in this day-in-age parents sit down with their teenagers for a glass of.. umm… juice, and everyone gets sucked into “Family Guy.” Later, someone initiates a light-saber battle or decides to make smores over the stove. And everyone actually enjoys themselves. These moments are pure gold, and …

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, thats amore… And if the Benoits strike a chord with you, it’s probably because your inner romantic is beckoning in the summer and all of its enticing possibilities. These quiet jazz melodies lovingly crafted by this self-proclaimed gypsy couple lift spirits and suggest that there is no reason not to be simply, blissfully happy this season. Their CD Release party for the new album “Golden Sun” will feature complimentary light pupus, no-host bar and full dinner menu available …

Technically, “Tower of Power” is a boy band, with a testosterone-injected name backing their brand of urban soul music. Peppered with delicious blues rhythms, their albums showcase the richness of a well–developed, diversely talented group of musicians. Since their 1968 start in Oakland, California, Tower of Power has been…

Na Lei Na’auao, an alliance of 12 Hawaiian culture, community and environment-based charter schools is supported by something quite a bit better than a side-of-the-road car wash. They have the powerful, talented Mana Maoli Collective behind them. Mana Maoli means “divine or miraculous power” and “native, indigenous, and true.” The name suits the group of successful, inspirational musicians who have come together to form a non-profit band that plays great music and financially support Na Lei Na’auao. The star-studded group, which just returned from a tour of New Zealand, includes …

Friday (May 28), Castle Theater, MACC, 7:30pm, $35/$45/$75
Do you smoke cigars, lounge on $30,000 pianos, or slink around dark corners like the Pink Panther? OK, new question: Would you like to? Well, the logistics for that sort of thing are still left up to you, but Grammy winner Lee Ritenour will certainly put you in the mood. Nicknamed “Captain Fingers,” Ritenour specializes in accessible jazz-fusion and contemporary crossover styles; making music that lends itself nicely to slow dancing and steamy, black-and-white foreign film scenes. Radio patrons have probably heard his …

I feel lucky to be surrounded by so many gorgeous people and places on Maui, and think we should have fun with our clothes and styles in such a way that continues to beautify the scenery. Wings, founded by three UH grads, is a local clothing company that designs clothing for the young women of Maui who spend their mornings, afternoons and nights adventuring the island bedecked in colorful tanks, shorts, and Maui style shell jewelry. The leading ladies of Wings are throwing a party and fashion show on Saturday, …

Jim Gaffigan is the Girl-Next-Door of men. He’s actually much more interesting than an average person, but still gives off a vibe that signals that it would be O.K. to approach him in the dairy isle of the PigglyWiggly and strike up a conversation. In case you decide to do just that while he’s wandering about after his gig at the MACC, I’ll fill you in on his favorite topics… Bacon, Ketchup, and Jesus. Gaffigan plays a beer-drinking, romantically-inept man (alright, so that describes basically all men and the majority …