Enjoy the sounds of Hawaii without leaving Vashon when slack key guitarist Makana returns to perform at the Open Space for Arts & Community at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Described as dazzling by the New York Times, Makana is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer and composer and a popular performer on Vashon. His previous two shows at the Open Space ended with standing ovations.
Makana has been featured on three Grammy-nominated albums, including the soundtrack for the Academy Award winning film “The Descendants.” He has shared the stage with Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson, opened for music legends Sting, Carlos Santana and Elvis Costello and performed in venues ranging from Asian and European opera houses to The White House.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Makana began singing when he was seven years old, took up ukulele at nine and began learning the ancient art of slack key at 11. By 14 he was performing professionally. He has dedicated his life to celebrating the beauty of tradition while exploring new, relevant perceptions, sounds and themes. His music often honors his forebearers, the Hawaiian music legends as well as the rock poet idols of the 1960s, paying homage to the kupuna (elders).
Slack key, or Ki Ho’alu, is over 200 years old and indigenous to Hawaii. The style is characterized by “slacking” the strings to open chords and thereby free the hands to alter the sound.
Makana has developed his own dynamic style, calling it Slack Rock for its elements of rock, bluegrass, raga and blues.
Local singer-songwriter Allison Shirk will open the evening with two of her songs.
Halau Hula O Napualani founder Gloria Nahalea and her husband Bill Nahalea will join Makana in a song. Gloria has taught hula and other Pacific dances to over 40,000 students and in 1999 was the recipient of the Washington State Governor’s Heritage Award.
A special VIP reception will precede the concert and feature hula from Gloria and Bill. It will be a chance to meet Makana and enjoy pupu-style appetizers from Herban Feast.
VIP tickets include a reserved seat, the pre-show reception with Makana, pupus, a lei, an autographed CD and photo with Makana.
The VIP reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Doors for general audience will open at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and may be purchased at the Vashon Bookshop, brownpapertickets.org and if still available, at the door.
The VIP tickets are $100 and available only at brownpapertickets.org.
As the event may sell out, the show producers advise buying tickets early.
