I used to define Kaua‘i the way most visitors do: By its sandy beaches, year-round warm weather and aloha spirit. Now, I’m starting to see a different side of this tropical paradise. There’s a bustling community of artists who reside
I used to define Kaua‘i the way most visitors do: By its sandy beaches, year-round warm weather and aloha spirit. Now, I’m starting to see a different side of this tropical paradise.
There’s a bustling community of artists who reside on this island. And when I say “artists,” I don’t mean painters and sculptors (but they count too).
I’m speaking about actors, playwrights, musicians, crafts people, quilters, dancers, singers, fashion designers, filmmakers and a slew of other people on this island who live to express themselves through their work.
While people say that the arts are dying, there’s a core group of businesses and organizations that are fighting to keep them alive in our community.
This weekend alone, Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center presents three middle-school plays, musician Larry Rivera will be performing at the Kaua‘i Museum, Hawai‘i Jaycees hosts a free concert at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center and downtown Kapa‘a hosts its monthly art walk. Then, on Monday, Women in Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol.”
Galerie 103 in Po‘ipu is off to Miami, showcasing the work of local artists at the Art Basel Miami Beach 2010 until Dec. 5. The Lihu‘e Public Library hosts the Kaua‘i premiere of “One Voice,” an award-winning Hawaiian documentary about the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest on Dec. 10.
Later this month, “Mrs. Clause in Menopause,” “A Christmas Carol” and “You Could Die Laughing” all hit the stage, plus live performances by Kaua‘i Chorale, Willie K and Danny Couch.
Last month, in my effort to try and do something new, I visited three new art galleries, took in a play and attended an arts festival.
But the event I had the most fun at was the old Kapa‘a town Art Walk that takes place the first Saturday of every month. Artists, musicians and visitors roam the small stretch of Kuhio Highway in downtown Kapa‘a to soak in live music, eat pupu and get to know the local arts community.
The most-lively scene was at Alley Kat Art, a hidden art gallery and studio tucked around the corner of the Dragon Building.
A line of visitors snaked its way into the alley to look at ceramic masterpieces made by Jennifer Hill and ink drawings by Hugh Russell. Out in the back, a makeshift stage hosted Lynn and Thayne Taylor as they performed live music.
Included among the visitors was a number of artists who came out to support each other’s works.
Tomorrow, Alley Kat Art stays open late as part of the first Saturday Art Walk. The gallery hosts artist Janet Biondi and her new pastel drawings, and Andy Rising will be performing on the cello.
The old Kapa‘a town Art Walk takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.
