LIHU‘E — An entertainment-rich evening dedicated to the celebration of diversity in people and the arts will showcase Kaua‘i talent as well as the photo exhibit, “Hawai‘i Family Portraits.” The come-as-you-are cabaret boasts hula, song, hip-hop, music, slam poetry, drama
LIHU‘E — An entertainment-rich evening dedicated to the celebration of diversity in people and the arts will showcase Kaua‘i talent as well as the photo exhibit, “Hawai‘i Family Portraits.”
The come-as-you-are cabaret boasts hula, song, hip-hop, music, slam poetry, drama and a drag show. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the lobby of the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center, where the photo exhibit is joined by a silent auction. The cabaret begins at 7 p.m.
“The purpose of “Hawai‘i Family Portraits” is to give traditional values to diverse families,” said event organizer Renae Hamilton.
“Hawai‘i Family Portraits” is a collection of 16 families falling into four categories Hamilton said: gay couples, their extended ‘ohana, parents with lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender children and LBGT people with children.
The images have been hanging in the KCC One-Stop Shop for two months. In an effort to give the exhibit more exposure the show is being shifted to the lobby of the PAC for the cabaret.
For Hamilton the cabaret was a byproduct of the photo exhibition.
“We celebrate people with the portraits and showcase the diversity of art in the cabaret,” she said.
Performers include award-winning Tahitian halau Ori Uvira, Love Tribe, Kaua‘i Sings, Pink Pebbles Crew, Mahelani Yamashita and more.
Traditionally, Hamilton said that a cabaret was a place “you could go to be yourself.”
“That’s why we call it ‘come-as-you-are’ cabaret,” she said.
This event will benefit PFLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Kaua‘i Chapter and Lambda Aloha, both nonprofits dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy to the community and especially for GLBT people, their families and friends.
“Come to the cabaret to be supported as whoever you are,” Hamilton said.
“Hawai‘i Family Portraits” will leave Kaua‘i following the event. The exhibition was funded by a grant written by Equality Hawai‘i and has been shown at the State Capitol, select Borders Books, Music & Movies locations and at some University of Hawai‘i campuses. Two Kaua‘i families are featured but the bulk of the exhibit is of O‘ahu families.
This photo exhibit embraces all Hawai‘i families, telling their stories of challenges and ultimately love in the vignettes that accompany each image.
The silent auction includes a private concert of traditional Hawaiian music, zip-line tours and house-cleaning gift certificates.
Tickets are a $10 suggested donation and available at Larry’s Music, Kapa‘a; YWCA, Lihu‘e; Scotty’s Music, Kalaheo; Talk Story Bookstore, Hanapepe; Small Town Coffee, Kapa‘a; and Super-Duper Scoop Ice Cream. Visit kauaicabaret.com to purchase online.
For more information call 635-3024. Visit Hawaiifamilyportraits.com to learn more about the exhibit.
