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March 26, 2009 Slam it down
Thursday (Mar. 26), 10pm, Casanova, Makawao
Poetry gets bad press despite its potential for political, social and even personal commentary. Granted, it often sucks. Then again, it's very subjective. After all, who's to say that T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland" or "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" should be canon? I mean, besides scholars who've devoted their lives to studying the poems' every syllable? ("Prufrock" is actually a favorite of mine.) The one rule all poets need to heed is the avoidance of cliché (you'd think more would follow this one). The last time I checked out MauiSLAM at Casanova I was pretty surprised by the originality, as well as performers' ability to not take themselves too seriously as they recited their compositions on stage in three minutes or less. They perform for a $100 prize; local celebrities will serve as judges. Plus, there's beer. This month's installment will be a scrimmage between Maui and Oahu poets, who will compete for a spot in this year's national SLAM competition. HawaiiSLAM founder Kealoha (pictured) is slated to perform, along with other noted wordsmiths. $5.
Forever changes
Friday (Mar. 27), 7pm, Akaku Community Television, 333 Dairy Rd., Kahului
Mass media are what prop up modern society's concept of itself, which is scary when one looks at what's out there. Then again, the media model that currently embraces "reality" shows and news outlets' over-dependence on the Associated Press wire is rapidly crumbling. Means of production, when it comes to information, are now in the hands of the masses (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube). Communication, as revered media scholar James Carey put it, is culture. Example: before the telegraph, communication over long distances was inseparable from transportation (trains and boats brought passengers, goods and news). Consider, in light of this, the impact of having universal access to virtually all information as well as the capacity disseminate one's own message. Mindboggling. So how does one make media that matters? Maui Time publisher Tommy Russo and editor Jacob Shafer will discuss this topic as part of a panel that will also feature Akaku CEO Jay April. The three recently attended the Media Justice Conference on Oahu. All have particularly compelling insights on the direction of media, which they will discuss at length at this media salon. Free.
Medium rare
Saturday (Mar. 28), 7pm, Café Marc Aurel, Wailuku
The meaning of "media" is tricky. As the plural of medium, it essentially means things that go between. Granted, in the parlance of our times we refer to mass media as an overarching entity, and say things like "the corporate media is a joke" rather than "the corporate media are a joke." Yet just like a canvas or a violin, a given news outlet—fictional news purveyor FOX News, for example—is a single medium by which an individual or group can express ideas. An art opening that takes place at Café Marc Aurel this Saturday embraces a third connotation of word medium: that of the spiritual medium, one who supposedly serves as a messenger between dead and living. The show features the work of Maui artists who have collaborated across media (or mediums, I suppose) in order to convey a host of artistic visions unified under a common theme: deriving the unseen transcendent from the visible mundane. The exhibit will feature the work of artists Kati Gomez, Nate Brown, James Coles, Nate Robertson and Zachariah Royalty. Free.
Chicks rule
Friday (Mar. 27), 10pm, Hard Rock Café, Lahaina
A pick previewing a show like Friday's Wahines that Rock, which features three lady-centric musical acts, would be a great opportunity for the author to launch off on a feminist diatribe, no? Despite this, the author feels that the preceding Picks have eaten up her allotted rant ration for this week, so she will instead focus on the merit of the performers themselves. After all, why make gender the focus when in reality it should be the ass-kickingness of Paula Fuga, The Girlas and Erin Smith that draw you to this show. The diversity of musical styles gives the event a more festival-like feel. Fuga's sound, with its island feel and deeply gospel-influenced vocals, has helped earn her national recognition. Oahu-based The Girlas, comprised of three musicians from diverse musical backgrounds, blend bluegrass, slack key, indie and torch/jazz. Then, of course, there's Erin Smith, who, as we all know, totally wails. So, there you have it: people, who happen to be wahines, who also rock. Proceeds benefit Musicians on Call. Tickets are available at Request, Hard Rock and West Side Vibes. $20.
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