On Saturday, May 31, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center presents “Me Ke Aloha Pumehana – With Warmest Aloha,” a concert of Hawaii-inspired music and dance, at the Aratani Theatre, featuring the collaboration of two of Los Angeles’ Hawaiian musicians: Daniel Ho and Keali`l Ceballos.
Ho will be coming from Japan, where he just performed for and met with?the first lady of Japan, Akie Abe. The event in Tokyo was hosted by Women Help Women, which helps tsunami victims in the Tohoku area rebuild their lives through networking and business.
The program of all-original Hawaiian and English language songs will feature vocals, chant, and dance by renowned kumu hula Ceballos and his award-winning halau, Halau Keali`i O Nalani. It will premiere new hula choreographies to original music written by Grammy Award winners Ho and Amy Ku`uleialoha Stillman.
“Our challenge was not only how we might do right by Hawaiian music, but indeed how we might contribute to its continued growth,” said Ho. “The lyrics tell present-day stories about our lives and experiences, and the music finds its inspiration in many cultures and genres… From penning our first song to interpreting them as hula dances, ‘Me Ke Aloha Pumehana’ is the debut of a creative effort six years in the making.”
The Aratani Theatre is adjacent to the JACCC, 244 S. San Pedro St. (near Third Street) in Little Tokyo.
Buy tickets through JACCC here. Net proceeds will support the Ukulele Program at the JACCC.
General Admission
$32 – Orchestra / $25 – Balcony
$28 – JACCC Member (Orchestra) / $22 – JACCC Member (Balcony)
$25 – Group +10 (Orchestra) / $20 – Group +10 (Balcony)
View a trailer for the performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUPmrxIxwd4&feature=player_embedded