BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Support for the community calendar comes from the Shidler Family Foundation, celebrating excellence in Hawai`i's cultural and educational institutions, including the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.

At the bottom of the page:
Art exhibits and lectures
Deadlines
Ongoing weekly events

Art Exhibits / Programs

• TODAY THROUGH APRIL 19: "Legends of the Hula" is an exhibit of black-and-white and hand-colored block prints by award-winning artist and author Caren Loebel-Fried. It's on display at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. www.volcanoartcenter.org.

• ONGOING: A new NOAA exhibit commemorating the rich maritime heritage of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is on display at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo. "Lost on a Reef" focuses on shipwreck sites discovered over the past decade which represent the last 200 years of maritime history in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9 am to 4 pm, excluding Federal Holidays. 933-8195.

Deadlines

• MARCH 2010:  The 2010 Biennial Lorin Tarr Gill Writing Competition is accepting submissions in fiction, non-fiction and poetry through MARCH 21, 2010. For guidelines visit www.nlapwhonolulu.org or call 373-2925.

• The 3rd Annual E Ola Pono Competition invites students in grades 4-12, to create a story, video, poster or logo expressing their understanding of "E OLA PONO," living with respect for everyone and in harmony with everything. Entries are due MARCH 25, 2010. www.creatingponoschools.com.

• APRIL 2010:  The Actors' Group & VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific invites middle and high school students to examine how disabilities affect their lives and the lives of others. Entries may be the work of an individual student or collaboration by a group or class of students. All submissions must be one-act plays of fewer that 40 pages in length. Chosen work will be staged on TAG's main stage in August 2010 as part of the TAG Young Playwrights Festival. For rules visit www.taghawaii.net, send entries by APRIL 1, 2010.

• The Horkheimer/O'Meara Youth Journalism Award, named in honor of Stephen and Donna O'Meara, is open to young writers in the 8 - 14 age group. Entries will be judged on how the author takes a factual scientific event or discovery and writes an accurate story that is so exciting and informative readers will not want to put it down. Aside from accuracy, judging will be based on creativity, conciseness, and clarity. Contact donna@post.harvard.edu for complete details. Submissions are due by APRIL 10, 2010.

Open-Ended Arts and Culture Announcements

• Aloha Performing Arts Company offers classes in performing arts education.  All instruction will take place at the APAC Loft in Kainaliu, on the second floor of the building containing Creative Costumes, directly across the street from Paradise Found. Call 322-9924 for more information.

• Donkey Mill Art Center offers a variety of art classes and lectures.  The art center is part of the Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture and is located at 78-6670 Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa.  To learn more about current offerings visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org or call 322-3362.

• The East Hawaii Cultural Center offers a number of classes and events. Dates and times are subject to change. Please call to confirm. Call 961-5711 or visit www.ehcc.org for information.

• The Shops at Mauna Lani hosts a gallery showcasing the work of Peter Lik.  His photographs, which captures the natural beauty of Hawaii, include "Pele's Whisper," "Revelation" and "Evolution." Call the store at 887-1909 for details. Visit www.peterlik.com for information about the artist.

Ongoing Events   

WEEKLY: The Hilo Hep Cats present Swing dance classes with occasional workshops and social dance opportunities. For times and locations email hilohepcats@gmail.com.

BY APPOINTMENT: Kona Historical Society offers the Historic Walking Tour. The tour begins at Kailua Pier and the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel and ends at Hulihe‘e Palace. Call 326-9092 for reservations one week in advance of the tour.

MONDAY

• The Kona Brass Quintet rehearses every Monday and welcomes new professional-level brass musicians.  Contact Sue Garrod at 329-1705 or susangarrod@yahoo.com for information. (2/11/10)

• The Volcano Art Center offers free, hour-long tours in Volcano Village. Knowledgeable forest guides are available every Monday to lead people along the easy, half-mile loop trail at Niaulani. The tour starts just one mile from the entrance to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, meeting at 9:30 am at the Center’s Niaulani Campus. For more information, please call 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

TUESDAY

• Kona Stories in the Mango Court offers a Keiki Storytime every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 am. Admission is free, call 324-0350. (2/11/10)

• Life Drawing Open Studio with Bob Weiss.  No registration is required, but participants are required to bring their own art supplies.  The session runs from 6 to 9 pm in Hilo’s East Hawaii Cultural Center.  961-5711. (2/11/10)

• The Pahoa Museum (15-2931 Pahoa Road) presents a Freedom Jazz Dance at 7 pm. 430-1573 (6/03/09)

• EVERY FIRST TUESDAY: The Mind, Body and Spirit Group meets at 3 pm in Kona Stories to discuss spiritual books or films. Call 324-0350. (2/11/10)

• EVERY SECOND TUESDAY: The West Hawai'i Astronomy Club (WHAC) meets to promote the hobby of astronomy. Meetings are in Waimea at either Canada France Hawaii or Keck observatory. See our website for additional details: http://www.whacastro.com 

• The Second Tuesday Book Club reads fiction (with the occasional biography thrown in) at 6:30 pm in Kona Stories. Call 324-0350.

• EVERY FOURTH TUESDAY: "Just The Facts" is a non-fiction Book Club that meets at 6:30 pm in Kona Stories. Call 324-0350.

WEDNESDAY

• "Hawai`iana Live" is a 45-minute cultural program hosted by Leilehua Yuen. It features live hula, the historic pipe organ played by Bob Alder, short films, commentary and a segment with audience participation and interaction. Visit www.hilopalace.com for information. It's from 11 to 11:45 am.

• Amy Greenwell Garden’s Ho`okupu Plant Propogation Club invites kids ages 6 through 14 to learn about growing plants and gardening Hawaiian-style. The Club meets from 1:45 pm to 3:30 pm at the Amy Greenwell Garden. Call 323-3318 or email agg@bishopmuseum.org.  

• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center shows its planetarium program “Hawai‘i’s Observatories: An Update from Maunakea” at 2 pm. This 15-minute 3D original production show concept provides an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries made by observatories atop Maunakea.  Admission rates apply.

• Waimea Consort Rehearsals run from 6:15 to 8:45 pm. New singers are welcome to this a capella singing group that specializes in classical music from medieval early polyphony to contemporary compositions. For information call 885-2143. www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~veillet/choir.html.

• Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa offers a 9-week class entitled “Life Drawing Session” meeting every Wednesday at 6:30 pm.  These 3-hour classes are open to all experience levels and medium.  For more information on these classes please visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org or call 322-3362.

• EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY: Kona Stories Book Shop hosts the Whipper-Snapper-Popcorn-Club at 2 pm. Shop owner Joy reads out loud and leads a lively discussion. This book club is free and open to all young at heart, but especially appropriate for 8 to 12 year olds. For more information call 324-0350. (1/06/10)

THURSDAY

• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center shows its planetarium program “Hawai‘i’s Observatories: An Update from Maunakea” at 2 pm. This 15-minute 3D original production show concept provides an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries made by observatories atop Maunakea.  Admission rates apply.

• The Kona Music Society's Youth Chorus is open to all singers from grades 3 through 12 and meets Thursdays from 3 to 5 pm at the Kealakehe Intermediate Chorus Room. For more information call 896-1967.

• Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa is offering a 4-week class entitled “Exploration in Oils” with Gerald Lucena that meets each Thursday at 5:30 pm.  The 4-hour classes are designed for beginners to intermediates and focus on a foundation of compositional arrangements, the use of bold color, and expressive brushwork.  For more information on these classes please visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org  or call 322-3362.

• The Pahoa Museum (15-2931 Pahoa Road) presents E Ti Doshun playing "modernly ancient music to groove to" at 7 pm. 430-1573 (6/3/09)

• EVERY OTHER THURSDAY:  Kona Stories Book Shop in Kainaliu hosts a Writer’s Group. Local scribes meet to nurture literary creativity, community and individuality.  It’s free and starts at 1 pm.  324-0350 or www.konastories.com.

FRIDAY

• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center shows its planetarium program “Hawai‘i’s Observatories: An Update from Maunakea” at 2 pm. This 15-minute 3D original production show concept provides an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries made by observatories atop Maunakea.  Admission rates apply.

• EVERY LAST FRIDAY: The Volcano Art Center hosts "Fireside Stories in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a monthly series of talk-story sessions about the history, culture and people of Hawaii. Volcano Village resident Kazu Okamoto shares his personal accounts as well as a narration of photographs from the Margaret Cooke collection. Showtime is 7 pm in front of the fireplace in the Volcano House lobby. Reservations are not required, but dress warmly. 967-8222. (10/07/09)

SATURDAY

• The Waimea Town Market at Parker School runs from 8 am to 2 pm and occasionally features entertainment from the HPA Handbell Choir and Waimea Consort.

• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center shows its planetarium program “Hawai‘i’s Observatories: An Update from Maunakea” at 2 pm. This 15-minute 3D original production show concept provides an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries made by observatories atop Maunakea.  Admission rates apply.

• EVERY THIRD SATURDAY: Mauna Kea Visitor's Information Station presents a free monthly program of sharing the cultural aspects and uses of Mauna Kea.  Call 961-2180 or visit www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis.

• `Imiloa Astronomy Center's monthly "Maunakea Skies" program features a tour of the Hawaiian night sky with astronomers from Maunakea observatories speaking about recent discoveries. Admission rates apply. 969-9703 or www.imiloahawaii.org.

• EVERY FOURTH SATURDAY: The Floral Art Group meets at the East Hawaii Cultural Center Pavillion to discus color, structures and techniques in flower arranging.  Participants should bring vases and flora from their gardens.  It’s free and runs from 1 to 3 pm.

SUNDAY

• ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center shows its planetarium program “Hawai‘i’s Observatories: An Update from Maunakea” at 2 pm. This 15-minute 3D original production show concept provides an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries made by observatories atop Maunakea.  Admission rates apply.

• Jazz vocalist Lou Ann Gurney with Jazz Mele performs classic jazz tunes from her new CD, "Joy Ride." Sundays from 6 to 9 pm at The Emerald Orchid in Hilo. American Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, Swing, Boogie-Woogie & Jump Blues. Join the Hilo Hep Cats swing dancers for some fancy foot work out on the dance floor.  961-5400.

• The Olliephonic Horns perform at the Blue Dragon in Kawaihae from 7 to 9 pm. 882-7771. www.olliephonics.com. (6/28/08)

• EVERY SECOND SUNDAY: The East Hawai`i Cultural Center at 141 Kalakaua Street in Hilo offers performances, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and more by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, scholars, musicians, performers, school & community groups, immersion schools and hula halau. 935-9085.

• EVERY THIRD SUNDAY: Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani campus hosts its Forest Work Day from 9 am to noon. The event is a unique opportunity to connect with nature and with each other while helping to restore the beauty and diversity of a native rain forest. No experience or tools are required. Light snacks and refreshments are provided and participants are asked to bring rain gear. Inquiries can be directed to The Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or programs@volcanoartcenter.org.