KEIKI STAGE
SATURDAY, MAY 6
Aloha and welcome to the Keiki Stage for Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival #12! I’m ELM and I’ll be em-ceeing this stage for the next two days, and let me tell you, the line-up of performers who’ll be up on this stage Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7 is absolutely spectacular. This amazing 2-day celebration of story and song just gets better and better, and as you can see from your programs, here at the Keiki Stage, we’ll offer one terrific entertainer after another—keep your eyes on us! – Eden-Lee Murray, Emcee
10am
Maili Beamer Loo Keiki Hula
Our first guest performer is Maili Beamer Loo with her Keiki Hula dancers.
Hālau Hula 'o Kaho'oilina Aloha ("the Legacy of Love") carries on the hula tradition and teachings of Auntie Nona Beamer. Aunty's hanai daughter Maile Loo is passionate about teaching children the joys of life and the stories of Hawai'i through hula. Kumu Loo leads the non-profit Hula Preservation Society which she co-founded with Auntie Nona in 2000.
10:30
Mr. Steve aka SteveSongs
Steve Roslonek or SteveSongs has been writing and performing his award-winning music for kids and families for the past fifteen years. Steve has delighted audiences throughout the country, including at prestigious venues like Symphony Space in New York City, Wolftrap in Vienna VA, the Kennedy Center and the White House in Washington, D.C., and Fenway Park in Boston. Anyone who’s attended a SteveSongs concert appreciates Steve’s ability to connect with his audience. It’s no wonder he's been called a modern day Pied Piper!
Steve is also "Mr. Steve," National Co-host of the PBS KIDS, which features the popular shows Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Super Why, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That and Peg + Cat. Steve performs original interactive songs that reinforce the day’s curriculum theme. Steve recently released his latest CD Orangutan Van (2014) which can be heard regularly on Sirius XM Radio.
Steve has performed at over 3000 shows across the country. He’s won numerous prestigious awards, including 2 Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, a Nappa Honor, 2 iParenting Media Awards, and 2 Children’s Music Web Awards. His critically acclaimed CD is Marvelous Day (2006). Combining his two passions, music and kids, has yielded what Steve calls “the coolest job ever.”
11am
PAPA — Paliku Academy of the Performing Arts
The Paliku Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA), directed by Mr. John-Paul
(“J-P”) Tai, has been creating quality, family-centered and professional musical productions since its inception in 2007. PAPA is proud to create a safe environment, where youth can find and cultivate their love and respect for the arts. Fueled by their motto, "empower, engage, educate", PAPA has traveled across the country with its various Touring Companies of performers, ages 7 and up. They have presented "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and THE WIZ with their newest partner, the historic Hawai'i Theatre Center. This summer they will present Beauty and the Beast on the Hawaii Theatre stage—returning for their 4th year--with performances running between July 21 and 30. They continue to push their hard working students to always do their best and look forward to another season of working with talented youth from across the island! They will be presenting some of their favorite musical numbers from past productions. Take it away Mr. J.P.!
11:30
Ed Chevy
Our next performer is proof positive that dreams can come true no matter what. Ed Chevy is a brilliant sign language entertainer who lifts American Sign Language (ASL) to a living art to the beat of classic rock music. He blends visual expression, dance and body language to enable family, friends and visitors to appreciate the art of sign language. As Ed is about to demonstrate, Sign Language is fun and easy to learn. Ed has built an illustrious career as a highly acclaimed performing artist, with 33 successful years in show business.
NOON
Billy Sage Reads Dr. Seuss
Known as "Hawaii's Man of a Thousand Voices," Bill Sage has been a voice talent professional for over thirty years. He has voiced over 100,000 commercials, bits, promos, and station ID's for virtually every radio and TV station in Hawaii since 1975. He's also performed in over 1500 shows in Hawaii since 1985 as a standup comic, impressionist, and emcee, winning the Pele Award 4 times for excellence in advertising, radio division. Bill is one of Hawaii's most sought after ad copy and comedy writers, and has been the President of the Sage Corporation since 1983--one guy with over a thousand employees, all of whom live in his larynx. Bill is also a composer and lyricist, and is the chief writer for the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalist's annual Gridiron Show. This is his 12th appearance as guest performer here on the HBMF Keiki Pavilion—he’s been with us from the very start. And now, hang loose, Doctah Seuss, ‘cause here comes Billy Sage!
12:30
MR. STEVE aka SteveSongs
Back for his second of three appearances on our stage today.
1pm
Melinda Falgoust
Melinda Falgoust is an international award-winning author and illustrator. This former educator also performs at lives events with Porta-Puppet Players, an improvisational theatrical troupe. She often reaches into her actor’s bag of tricks to bring out a cast of colorful and quirky characters who help bring her books to life.
Let’s see what she has in store for us today! Please welcome Melinda Falgoust!
1:30
Uncle Wayne & The Howling Dog Band
Uncle Wayne, a musician and early-childhood specialist, has shared his original music with Hawai‘i’s keiki for over two decades, releasing two CDs. He formed the family folk group, Uncle Wayne and the Howling Dog Band, six years ago. They’ve created a positive musical ruckus at schools, libraries and their monthly Family Pau Hana events on Oahu and Maui ever since. The band will release their second CD in late 2017.
2pm
Alton Chung, Storyteller
Up next, a very special guest: Storyteller Alton Chung! Mix together the magic and superstitions of the Hawaiian Islands with the history of Japan and Korea and you get finely spun stories from a man rooted in a very unique culture and a one of a kind perspective. All of this is combined and delivered with a deep sense of reverence and authenticity. Not only does Alton Chung breathe life into traditional Asian folktales with sensitivity and deep connection, but he can also touch into the fire of ancient Hawaiian legends and tell them with passion and respect. Please help me welcome Alton Chung!
2:30
PAPA -- PALIKU ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
Second show!
3pm
Jeff Gere—Storyteller
Up next is a performer that’s been with us on the Keiki Stage from the very first HBMF 12 years ago. Born on Halloween, international storyteller Jeff Gere blends talents as painter, puppeteer, and mime into performances that have electrified audiences in Hawaii for 25 years. Jeff's physical energy, morphing elastic face and voice characterizations make his shows events. Jeff becomes his stories! Before leaving the Parks Department, Jeff produced the Talk Story Festival, Hawaii’s biggest storytelling celebration for 26 years. Now happily retired, Jeff travels the world in search of stories to bring back, and performs constantly.
3:30
Lopaka Kapanui – Storyteller
Our next performer, storyteller Lopaka Kapanui, eagerly shares tales of between-world spirits and Hawaiian mythology with locals and visitors alike. For nearly two decades , he has led after-dark ghost tours around the island of O`ahu. With his theatrical, mesmerizing style, he gives fascinating glimpses into Hawaiian spirituality. Lopaka has published two short story collections, Haunted Hawaiian Nights, and The Legend of Morgan’s Corner and Other Tales. His third book, Mysteries of Honolulu, is a compilation of short stories he has shared on Facebook, and is available through Amazon.com as an ebook.
4pm
Castle Performing Arts Center’’ Annie, and Guys & Dolls
Karen Meyer and her talented Castle High School students have been with HBMF from the very beginning, and we are happy to welcome them back again this year. In 1982 the Castle Performing Arts Center became the first DOE Learning Center, and was recognized by the White House as one of the top after-school arts programs in the country. This August, CPAC will perform for the third time at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Karen Meyer, in her 15th year as CPAC director, has represented CPAC around the world, and has directed, acted and designed for many island stages. Please welcome Karen Meyer and her gifted CPAC players, with favorite highlights from recent productions.
4:30 PM
MR. STEVE aka SteveSongs
Back for his third performance today!
