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 Town for the big Parade on Saturday morning and spend the day appreciating and mocking (or appreciatively mocking) the the horses and riders bedecked in all their paniolo finery, kiddos marching in formation with banners, Shriners men zooming about on electric scooters, and schmoozing politicians? The Haiku Hillbillies will be there too. Right up the road, at Oskie Rice Arena, the most liberated (read: drunk or fatalistic) ones will mount bucking broncos and rope calves with gusto. The younger ones are fearless too: kids I wouldn’t let walk to the park by themselves will ride horses five times their size around obstacle courses, doing leaps and jumps, the whole she-bang.

If you’re having such a good time with the Makawao paniolos that you don’t want to leave, then stick around that evening for Spurlesque

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at Casanova’s for $10. It’s a Kit Kat Club Cabaret and Hoedown… with the gents on one side and the ladies on the other, this old-fashioned country night takes on a modern, sexy twist with the belly dancing beauties, Karli, Kristyn, and Brooke, as well as Swing Maui, and Jason Wulf who can teach you and your date how to swing. Oh, and some guy named Trevor Arnholt is going to dress up as Yankee Doodle Dandy! Why? Because he can. Right across the street, Stopwatch is hosting a Makawao Sunday Jam from 5-9 pm for free, so stop by and say hello to all the cowboys enjoying a pint. If something a little “classier” is what you’re looking for…

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It’s a sultry hot night in Lahaina, the stars lighting the curves of a lone wave. Suddenly, reds, blues, and gold explode overhead, illuminating the smooth, white nuances of the crystal ocean, as his finger brushes hers… Paperback romance novel enough for you? Thought so. Nothing could ruin this night short of a nuclear holocaust or ill-timed run-in with the ex-wife (or the current one.) In honor of the holiday and exciting fireworks show, Front Street closes to traffic at 4 o’ clock on Sunday, and the happy spectators will flood in. The fireworks themselves will start at 8 pm. It’s fun to watch the show from the boat pier, the beach right below front street, or the park next to the library. This year, you can also buy tickets (price TBA) to the Old Oyster Bar and Rooftop, 744 Front St., where the only rooftop party in Lahaina will provide a prime spot to view the fireworks, drink cocktails, and enjoy BBQ and pupus from Lulu’s Lahaina, as well as live music and dancing featuring Jamallad, The Haiku Hillbililys, Sheryl Renee, and Dj sets by Dury and Nate Castro. They plan on throwing some good, old fashioned patriotism into the mix too, with a “surprise” (sorry, guys, cats out of the bag) reading of the Declaration of Independence, old fashionedwatermelon eating and spitting contest, and Best pie in Lahaina Town Bake-off and contest. Call 808-357-0920 or email m_lane@hotmail.com for more info.

My best advice? Do whatever you feel like doing. I mean, jeez, Foodland is selling multi-colored explosives right next to the fruit aisle. How could this possibly end badly?

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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 the concert will be so much fun that the dynamic duo of Redfoo and Skyblu will set up camp and never want to leave. This is wishful thinking, but i really can’t help myself. They make their own stuff… even if you aren’t a frat boy, you can rock out to “Shots,” (the dirty version, obviously.) They also make “Party Rock” remixes, which take popular songs to a whole other level… basically they throw a few hits of ecstasy into the music and pump it into our bodies at light-speed. The band has a rep for pulling enthusiastic fans up on stage with them, so deck yourself out in your finest pimp attire. Gotta make momma proud, right? It’s indoors, so pick a seat when you buy the ticket; but there’s also a dance floor, so it really doesn’t matter that much as long as you know how to duck, dive, and fling yourself through the crowd to climb up on stage…See you there? “Yes, It’s on and poppin’…”

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 delicacies, chatting with various important people, and drinking more wine. Let’s hit the high points – The festival begins Friday morning at 7 am with a “shotgun start,” a golf tournament and luncheon with winemakers hosted by Festival Master Sommeliers.  That afternoon enjoy Cab Franc Retrospective , a major red grape varietal established in the South of France in the seventeen century. The highlight of the weekend will be that night at The Grand Tasting, where the beautiful people (or at least the ugly people dressed in beautiful clothing) will mingle, and sip 200 celebrated wines and taste the lovely summer fare provided by Chef John Zaner and his cohorts at the Ritz Carlton – Kapalua at the Aloha Garden Pavilion. On Saturday, a whole host of events will fill the day, beginning with – Heal The World with Pinot Nour, then Kapalua Wine Tour, and a nightcap of Zin and Cheese. On Sunday, wake up at 9 am for a Golf Clinic, followed by Wine Idol: The Master Challenge. Later in the day enjoy DK Secrets: Sansei-Style, followed by the Kapalua Seafood Festival, which will surely put all other food to shame. For many of the events, one can purchase individual tickets from $75 – $135, or use a 4 day pass, ranging from $700-800. If there is a lady to be impressed, a deal to be closed, or a craving for a night out on the town to be satisfied, the Kapalua Wine Festival will hit one out of the park… or design an evening of elegance and grace, however you want to put it.

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 the ones that don’t usually appear in the photo album chock full of Adams Family Style portraits – Hey, we can’t all be good looking. A few families who are particularly talented at appreciating each other and celebrating their strong family ties are George and Keoki Kahumoku, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Kevin and Ikaika Brown, and Richard and Kai Ho‘opi‘i, the father and son teams who are putting on the 4 Fathers and 4 Sons Concert.  These musical families, including Grammy and Na Hoku Hano Hano Award Winners, will surprise and delight with an evening full of slack key guitar, ‘ukulele, vocal harmonies and falsetto melodies showcased during father-son duets and a musical show-down between the sons and fathers. Cafe O Lei will cater a pre-show dinner at 5:30 pm. Take your son to enjoy the show and maybe it will motivate you to do something else together too. But maybe you should agree on something that takes less effort than becoming a famous musician… like fishing. 242-7469, mauiarts.org

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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 for purchase at Cafe O Lei from 6-9 pm. The full band will be there, including Marcus Johnson on acoustic bass, Pat Wellington on drums (Paul Marchetti is in Europe) and John Zangrando on horns and flute. The Benoits’ son, Max, will also drop in from Honolulu to join in on the last set. Saturday from 5:30-8:30, the Benoits will continue to share their new music at Cafe O’ Lei. Next Sunday, June 27th, the Benoits will start to fill a regular Sunday evening dinner music slot at Stella Blues cafe, so don’t worry.. they aren’t going away any time soon. Stella Blues just has good taste in general. This Friday, June 26th, Makana, an eloquent and talented slack key guitar player, will be featured as their supper club guest. With all the beautiful music spinning around the island this week, I hope that everyone turns off 98.3 FM and spends a night out enjoying the artistry and ingenuity of our local musicians.

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Friday (June 4), Castle Theater, MACC, 7:30, $35/$45/$55

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 traveling the world on musical tours in the United States, Japan and Europe. Saxophone and keyboard really jazz up their deep beats and vocals, keeping the sound alive and fresh. Drums, trumpet, flugelhorn, bass, trombone, and lead guitar sew together the fleshed-out songs, bringing them seamlessly together to create easy harmony. Though I don’t believe these ten men will dare attempt a cheerleader-style “tower of power” pyramid, their music will surely entertain a lively crowd at the MACC. 808-242-7469 / mauiarts.org / towerofpower.org [Sierra Brown]

MauiTime Calendar Listing

UPDATE: Na Hoku Hanohano  award winner John Cruz to open for Tower of Power. Find out more HERE.

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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 some of Hawaiis biggest names: George Kahumoku, Paula Fuga, Anuhea, Boom Gaspar of Pearl Jam, Shane Veincent of Sudden Rush, Kapali of Lahaina Grown, Moku and Kalei of 4Fathers, Kawai-Ho, and CJ of Hi-Town. Together they play hip-hop, reggae, jazz, blues, and everything in between. This Saturday, May 29th, they’ll take the stage of Casanova’s in Makawao at 9:45pm to perform “Maoli Music”: a show chock-full of acoustic sets, hula, and traditional Hawaiian music, for $20 which goes to support Na Lei Na’auao. Join the local musical community in supporting Hawaiis culture, keiki, and environment.

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 Top-15 hit, “Is It You?” Though this may be his most famous song, I’ll argue it isn’t his best. Ritenour’s brand of jazz is very complex and subtle. To fully appreciate his talent and impressive mastery of different styles, be sure to listen to tracks like “Rio Sol” and “Etude.” Better yet, see him live. Accompanying him are musicians Michael Paulo, a pop/jazz crossover saxophonist from Hawai’i, and funky bassman, Melvin Lee Davis. Ritenour is touring the islands as part of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano O Hawai‘i Music Festival, taking place May 27-30. A limited number of premium seats ($75) are available. Pre-show dinner by Café O’Lei at The Dunes. mauiarts.org / 808-242-7469 [Sierra Brown]

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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 of women) on “My Boys,” a lonely, funny waiter on “That 70′s Show,” and one of Miranda’s succession of strange and emotionally-abused boyfriends on Sex and the City. He also is a late-night comedy-show slut, making the rounds at the Conan O’ Brien Show, David Letterman, and Late Late Show, all while maintaining steady relationships with Comedy Central, CBS, and Fox. Some insider info has warned us that the seats are close to being fillled up, so if you’re thinking about attending, you should probably shoot a call to the MACC already at 244-show. The show is next week, Friday, May 21st at 7pm for $35-$45.