Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

Picks%20of%20the%20Week

by Kate Bradshaw

February 19, 2009

Straight to the Source

Friday-Tuesday (Feb. 20-23), Camp Keanae, Haiku

Did you know that we get the term “guy” (as in: Florida Governor Charlie Crist? Man, that guy is hot!) from effigies of Guy Fawkes, which Brits would burn after Fawkes plotted to blow up the Parliament building in 1605? Fawkes and crew sought to restore Roman Catholicism as Great Britain’s national religion. Fast forward to Black Rock Desert, Nevada, Labor Day Weekend, the modern era: Burning Man. Unlike Fawkes, this event promotes radical self-reliance and expression, decommodification and leaving no trace, among other things. This weekend’s Source event is Maui’s Burning Man equivalent. In its second year, Source consists of music, art and theatrical performances as well as health and education workshops. Look for the Franklin Symposium, a meeting of the minds described as “adult show and tell.” But Source is more than the sum of its parts; it’s something you really have to experience in order to fully grasp it. This year’s theme is The Great Expression, a not-too-subtle word play indicating creativity and collaboration in the face of economic peril. A bunkhouse and tent camping are available on-site for multiple-day attendees. For more information and to buy tickets, visit sourcemaui.com. Presale tickets are $175 for an all-inclusive pass and $65 for a day pass.

Heating up Lahaina

Friday (Feb 20), 5:30pm, Lahaina Civic Center

When I was made aware of Pepper’s Maui show I warily checked out their MySpace page. My concern was that they might not be very good. Yet a band that started out in Hawaii (Kona, to be exact) that has become a national act warrants attention when they come back to the islands. So I clicked, and was pretty impressed with what I heard. In addition to their originality and obviously good musicianship, Pepper has a natural edge that other bands in its league lack: their Kona roots add a layer of Hawaiian life and music to their already eclectic rock/reggae/dub sound. One might lump these guys with the likes of 311 and Slightly Stoopid, with whom they share similarities on the surface, but I detect a much broader net of musical influences in their sound. While punk-inspired tune “Blackout” is so far my favorite tune of theirs, I detect the influence of some of my own musical heroes, namely Cream, in some of their other tunes. Yet while their songs tend to be heavy and driven, their approach to music is playful (look at their album art) and extremely dynamic. It’s no wonder that the band has shared the stage with Shaggy, Snoop Dogg and Burning Spear, among others. The Alliez open. Find tickets at Quietstorm, Maui Tropix, Hard Rock, Otopia or Request.

Cool hand fluke

Saturday (Feb. 21), 9am, Kalama Park, Kihei

What do whales, sunsets and Creedence Clearwater Revival have in common? I mean, aside from the obvious? Here’s a clue: I doubt you’ve ever heard anyone say, “Man, that whale/sunset/CCR song sucks!” All three enhance the arenas of existence in which they operate, so it is tough to imagine anyone disparaging them. All three are celebrated periodically. Sunsets are observed daily. The town of El Cerrito, CA celebrates John Fogerty Day July 15 in honor of Creedence’s singer/rhythm guitarist. Maui honors whales every February. The Pacific Whale Foundation’s Whale Day celebration kicks off with an all-things-whale parade, which goes along South Kihei Road from the fire station to Kalama Beach Park. Festivities continue at said park with food, live music, information booths and more. Musical acts include: John Cruz, The Willie K Band, Micah Wolf, Marty Dread, Gomega, George Kahumoku Jr., Shifty Sailors and others. Plus, Maui Time staffers like myself will be representin’ by way of a booth. Bring me a thermos full of cold Corona and I’ll make you famous. Free.

Pecha keen

Tuesday (Feb. 24), 6:30pm, Café Moana, Paia

I have lost count of the number of times I’ve heard friends complain that there is no intellectual community on Maui. I mean, there are plenty of intelligent, creative people here, but it’s hard to get them to assemble in one place. Pecha Kucha night is an event that has great potential to bring together those on-island who seek to creatively exchange ideas and information. Here’s how it works: Participants put together a 6-minute, 40-second PowerPoint presentation consisting of 20 slides, each to be projected for 20 seconds. The beauty is that presenters can talk on any topic they wish. I’ve been to an event like this that included presentations on everything from the history of pepper to how to build a rocket. And you don’t have to present to attend; it’s totally cool if you would rather have couple of beers and take it all in. If you’re interested in presenting send an e-mail to pechakuchanightmaui@gmail.com with your idea.

Jimmy!

Tuesday (Feb. 24), 7pm, MACC, Kahului

Grab your frozen concoctions, Parrotheads. He’s coming, with his Coral Reefer Band in tow. Sure, there are those who say that Jimmy Buffet is overexposed, that he’s become too commercialized and blah, blah, blah. But you know what? His music is fun; it makes you bob your head and sing along. And he’s never pretended to be anything more than that, so why not just tip one (or five) back and enjoy? Tickets are $56 and up; call 242-7469 or visit mauiarts.org. [JS]