Posts Tagged ‘Maui Arts Cultural Center’

Voices From Okinawa at the McCoy Studio Theater Maui

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Voices from Okinawa is a fascinating example of how interconnected The World can be and the amazing journey that an idea can travel. Jon Shirota ‘s father and three brothers left Okinawa in 1907, the father became a pineapple grower on Maui, his brothers returned to Okinawa while Shirota’s family remained on Maui, and over time Jon moved to Los Angeles.

Voices from Okinawa was first produced and presented by the East-West Players in Los Angeles. Now the famed Honolulu Kumu Kahua Theater is presenting it on Maui, at the delightful McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui on Friday & Saturday January 15 & 16 2010 at 7:30 PM.

Voices From Okinawa “tells the story of Kama Hutchins, an American of Okinawan ancestry who is on the island to teach English to local Okinawans. He eschews traditional ESL teaching methods and asks his students to relate personal stories in front of the class. As each story unfolds, the attitudes of the students toward the American soldiers stationed on the island change. It’s a story of the connection between two cultures:  their differences, similarities and the relationship that comes out of it.”

Jon Shirota is a gifted novelist as well as a playwright whose story is dramatic & comedic, informative without being preachy, and the play is certainly in ‘good hands & voices’ as anyone who has seen a Kumu Kahua production can testify. “Cast members include Kumu Kahua Theatre veterans:  Stu Hirayama, Tyler Tanabe, Julia Nakamoto, Valerie Falle, Daniel Akiyama and Dann Seki. Kumu Kahua newcomers are:  Yumi Nakama and Aya Ohara.”

Tickets are a mere $22, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.  There is some ‘mature content. You may email your requests or questions to boxoffice@mauiarts.org or fax 808-244-8850.

The ever delicious Ba-Le Catering is offering a pre-show dinner from 5:30PM. Check out the dinner menu here.  Don’t miss the opportunity to watch this wonderful play.

New Shanghai Circus at the Castle Theater Maui

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

After wrapping up shows on Oahu the New Shanghai Circus touches down on Maui on Monday January 18 2010 at 4 and 7PM and Tuesday January 19th at 7:30 PM at the wonderful Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui.

Expect a dazzling display of athletic prowess, gravity defying spectacle, colorful costumes, clever choreography, an exhilarating array of acrobatic stunts, balance & poise & precision, contortionists & tumblers, beautiful faces & bodies in motion.  The New Shanghai Circus have thrilled audiences for nearly a decade and are currently making a triumphal tour of the Hawai’i’an Islands.

The New Shanghai Circus embodies more than two thousand years of Chinese Circus tradition drawing upon the talent and dedication of a troupe of performers who will leave you breathless with traditional dragon dances, plate spinning, bicycle stunts, so much more, enlivened by radiant lighting, delightful scenery and evocative music.

Tickets are modest: $12, $18 and $23 and are available via the Maui Arts Box Office, Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, at: 808-242-SHOW (808-242-7469) or contact boxoffice@mauiarts.org or fax 808-244-8850.

Two hours prior to each show, A Saigon Café has a delightful dinner menu with vegetarian as well as carnivore fare.

So once more do yourself a favor and run away to Maui you will be glad you did!

Loggins & Messina Set To Perform on Maui & Oahu

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Loggins and Messina HawaiiMany musicians blaze across the scene like a comet only to flame out or fade away but a few continue to tour with the same verve & gusto that first ignited the passion of their fans.  Through the passing of thirty-five years Kenny Loggins and Jimmy Messina have enjoyed solo as well as duo success and though they remain stubbornly individualistic individuals their fans are super-stoked when they combine their talents and tour together as they have done since reuniting in 2005 for the super successful ‘Sitting In Again’ tour and ‘best of’ album.  Their current tour has taken them the length of the North American Continent and now they are prepared to hop across the Big Water landing on Maui on Saturday November 14 2009, and Honolulu November 15.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center wonderful Castle Theater, One Cameroon Lane, Kahului Maui, is the perfect venue for Loggins & Messina, whose collaboration spawned a flurry of albums during the early 1970s, resulting in beloved songs such as “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “House at Pooh Corner,” “Angry Eyes,” “Vahevala,” “Danny’s Song,” “A Love Song,” “Watching the River Run,” and a song reflecting their love for Hawaii, “Lahaina.” Their concerts are a treat for those into well crafted songs and sharp incisive guitar playing, and Loggins & Messina Concerts are praised for a level of energy that is truly invigorating.

Once again readers are encouraged to run away to Maui for a great concert experience but equally wonderful is a chance to see two great shows by catching Loggins & Messina when they perform at The Neal Blaisdell Arena Sunday November 15 2009.

Tickets priced at $45, $65, $75 and a limited number of $125 premium seating tickets will be on sale at the MACC Box Office, charge by phone at 808-242.SHOW, or online at www.mauiarts.org.  If you are not an Annual Donor of the MACC, you may join now and enjoy the benefits of early ticket purchase immediately. Visit www.mauiarts.org/donorbenefit.html for more information and how to easily become a MACC Annual Donor online.  Ticket limits based upon level of donorship apply with an 8 ticket maximum limit.  Mahalo to Susan Hernadez at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for this info.

And for tickets to the show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall: http://www.blaisdellcenter.com/ticketinfo/index.html or call (808) 591-2211 (events information recording).

For more information regarding Loggins & Messina scope out their website via http://www.logginsandmessina.com/index.html.

Storytelling Festival at the MACC on Maui

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Saturday October 17 2009 from 3PM to 5 PM folks will get a chance to immerse themselves in Hawai’i’an Culture at the Schaefer Gallery at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center when four master story tellers take center stage, sharing tales of Pele and Hi’iakaikapoliopele as found throughtout the isles, stories including Kamapua’a, Lohiau, Hopoe, and others, with at least one tale told in Hawai’i’an and English.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center at One Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui (96732) brings together four brilliant storytellers.  Kalama Cabigon is the most contemporary combining elements of hip-hop, reggae and rock into his Hawai’i’an Music with the group ‘Kupa’aina’ yet he remains rooted in local experiences, a truly diverse talent Kalama Cabigon is a chanter, storyteller, slam poet, musician, actor, who has toured with Ka Halau Hanakeaka doing Hawai’i’an language plays and for the past several years and he has presented stories in Hawaiian and English at the Mary Kawena Puku’i Storytelling Festival at the Bishop Museum.

Nalani Kanaka’ole is a delightful storyteller whose history and that of her family is intertwined with Hawai’i’an history.  The daughter of Hula Master / Chanter Eddie Kanaka’ole (1913-1979), Nalani and sister Pualani are the inheritors of Halau ‘O Kekuhi, founded in 1953 by their mother.  Nalani is a Kumu Hula (Hula Master), “Based in Hilo, on Hawai’i Island, they are looked to as guardians of the hālau’s distinctive ‘aiha’a style which is vigorous and low to the ground, its bent-knee stance personifying power emanating from the earth and its elements. Hālau ‘O Kekuhi is recognized as the guardians of Pele-related hula, carrying hundreds of years of knowledge within the seven-generation hālau. Nālani is a Kumu Hula, artist, designer, writer, and educator. Nālani emanates generations of connection to the past and blends that with today while taking it all into the future.”

Tom Cummings is a master storyteller having learned from his mother Kahili Long Cummings, he weaves tales as an ‘offering’ a ho’pkupu’ to future generations, which Tom has been doing for forty years.  Uncle Tom has traveled extensively throughout Hawai’i and the American Mainland, and other places, mainly sharing tales about ‘folks,’ real and mythical, of Hawai’i and Polynesia, incorporating images & objects, inviting audiences to join in with singing and dancing, further enchanting them with puppets and other objects.

Kekuhi Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani whose roots are intertwined with Hawai’i’an history and culture is a renowned recording artist educator composer, who serves as a living repository of traditions & tales, a bridge to future generations.  A mesmerizing speaker whose presentations often induce that delightful sensation of ‘chicken skin.’

As part of this epic storytelling there will be an exhibit of artwork by Iao Intermediate School 7th Graders inspired by several of the tales to be presented, those images will be on display in the Alexa Higashi exhibit rooms.  Kumu Hula and MACC Cultural Programs Director Hōkūlani Holt will host the event from 3PM to 5PM.

Thanks in part to an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the County of Maui and Kauahea, Inc, this event is FREE, yes, FREE.  What a deal, do yourself a favor and run away to Maui!

Aerosmith set to Rock Maui in October

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

It is officially Roctober on Maui, one of the true greats of Rock n’ Roll, Aerosmith will perform at the War Memorial Stadium (click here for directions to the stadium, gates will open at 4PM for the 7 PM show. This settles several years of wrangling when some strange Universal force cancelled a previously scheduled concert two years ago. In a phone conversation with promoter Tom Moffat, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming show saying that he was “feeling great and everything is back to normal,” and that the band has been looking forward to performing in Hawai’i since 1976, giving out a shout of “Mahalo” to local fans for making this gig possible, adding to the lingo by adding, “I’ll be mahallerring my ass off on stage.” A final request was made for fresh poi in the star’s dressing room.

For those who have been hovering under a rock for the last thirty years or so, Aerosmith burst onto the scene in the 1970’s with a blustering combination of swagger, ‘dirty’ blues, and power driven vocals and superb musicianship and unlike so many of their contemporaries they have neither faded away nor have they burned out, remaining fresh and vital to the end of the decade of the double zeros. Their current line up has remained consistent over the years, fronted by Steven Tyler whose vocals would be enough to cement stardom yet his energy is such that he is as likely to grab a set of maracas as he is to pound the piano or caress the keyboard and in keeping with blues driven rock Tyler’s harmonica is more than a fashion accessory. Equally energetic Joe Perry plays lead and rhythm guitar as well as singing, the silent one in the band is Brad Whitford who is heard only through his impressive lead and rhythm guitar prowess. Another member contributing vocals to solid musicianship is bassist Tom Hamilton. Adding voice to the controlled mayhem, anchor and fan favorite, is drummer percussionist Joey Kramer.

Through the decades Aerosmith has sold more than one hundred and fifty million albums, snagging four Grammys, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards, and a slew of other awards. Their concerts are legendary for excitement and thrills, the band bringing verve to a variety of tunes no matter how familiar or known though naturally audiences scream loudest for their favorites; “chart topping hits like: “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Rag Doll,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and “Walk This Way.” 

A new generation of fans will greet Aerosmith with enthusiasm, fans of the 2008 release of the ‘video’ game ‘Guitar Hero; Aerosmith Edition.’ The game chronicles the band from their early shows at Mendon Nipmus Regional High School in 1970 to their triumphant half time appearance at Superbowl XXXV in 2001.

Tickets for this eagerly awaited show; “Ticket prices are $125 and $85 for reserved seating and $65 for General Admission/Bleacher Seating (plus applicable fees). Tickets will be available first to Maui Arts & Cultural Center ’s Annual Donors starting 10 am on Saturday, September 26. MACC Annual Donors will have early ticket-buying privileges until Thursday, October 1, when tickets will go on sale to the general public. If you are not an Annual Donor of the MACC, you may join now and enjoy the benefits of early ticket purchase immediately. Visit www.mauiarts.org/donorbenefit for more information and how to easily become a MACC Annual Donor online.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.mauiarts.org, in person at the MACC Box Office, by phone at 242-SHOW (7469). Box Office hours are 10 am – 6 pm Monday through Saturday. (Ticket limits based upon level of donor-ship apply with an 8 ticket maximum limit.).

Do not miss this opportunity to run away to Maui to see one of rock’s true living legends perform.

“Heart Strings: The Story of the Kamaka Ukulele.” Maui McCoy Theater Oct 11 2009

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

The crew at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in cordination with the Hawai’i’an Film Festival continue to bring intriguing one of a kind films to the delightful McCoy Studio Theater.  “Heart Strings: The Story of the Kamaka Ukulele” will be shown at 3PM on Sunday October 11 2009.

The film presents the story of Kamaka & Sons one of the few companies capable of claiming nearly a hundred years serving the community of Honolulu, a firm crafting that uniquely Hawai’i’an instrument the Ukulele.  This is a story of hard work, dedication, strength & fortitude, but even more, it is a story about Hawai’i’an ideas and values: Pono, Malama, Aloha, and much more.  It is a film that provides rare glimpse into Honolulu during the 1920s when Samuel K Kamaka started a business in his basement that grew to rival the one time fifteen manufacterers of Ukulele but untimately to survive their demise, thriving to this very day.  To quote MACC press release, “at its heart this film examines how Hawaiian values have shaped the company and how those values reflect a unique worldview and identity.”

Following the film there will be a discussion and opportunity to question the producer Dawn Kaniaupi‘o.  Tickets for this film as a mere $10 and can be purchased via the MACC boxoffice at 242-SHOW (7469) or go online at www.mauiarts.org. “Hope to see you there! Sponsored by an award from the National Endowment from the Arts, County of Maui and KPOA radio.”

Two great sites to check out: http://www.kamakahawaii.com/index.html and http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/kamaka.html .

Samuel Kamaka with one of his original pineapple

http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/kamaka.html

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna to Dance at the MACC

Friday, September 11th, 2009

There are those that Dance to Live and those that Live to Dance.  Mikhail Baryshnikov is Dance.  The decades have not diminished  Baryshnikov’s determination or ability to Dance a fact one can verify by flying away to Maui Thursday September 17 2009 where Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna will perform ‘Three Solos and a Duet’ at 7:30 PM at the wonderful Castle Theater.  Sponsored by the Grand Wailea and an award from the National Endowment of the Arts, and the Performing Arts Presenters of Hawai’i, Baryshnikov and Laguna will perform to the ballet of choreographers Mats Ek, Benjamin Millepied and Alexei Ratmansky.

Baryshnikov was born in Riga, Latvia in 1948 when that nation was part of the Soviet Union.  In 1960 at the ‘late’ age of twelve Baryshnikov began ballet; within four years he entered the famous Vanganova School, soon to win top prize in the junior division of the International Competition.  In 1967 nineteen year old Mikhail joined the Kirov Ballet, making his debut at the Marrinksky Theatre in ‘Giselle.’ Baryshnikov’s fame spread beyond Soviet Russia through the end of the turbulent 60s and beginning of the 1970s, and when he defected to Canada in 1974 it was viewed as a Cold War Triumph.  Baryshnikov graced the National Ballet of Canada, performing in ‘La Sylphide’ before ‘defecting’ to The American Ballet Company, partnering with Gelsey Kirkland,   as well as performing for George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet.  In a dizzying fifteen months, 1974 thru 1979, Baryshnikov appeared in roles created specifically for him: Opus 19: The Dreamer, Rhapsody, and Other Dances.

Baryshnikov squeezed in an Oscar nominated performance in what was/is the only major ballet movie to ever score big at the American box Office, ‘The Turning Point.’  Though Mikhail did not bring home an Oscar for his performance “The Turning Point,’ the role snagged his a David from The David Di Donatello Awards in 1978.  Emmy has also been kind to Baryshnikov, copping an Emmy in 1979 for his White House Performance, in 1980 for ‘Baryshnikov on Broadway,’ and in 1989 for the episode “Baryshnikov Dances Balanchine’ of the special ‘Great Performances; Dance in America.’  Baryshnikov has received several other nominations as well as appearing in two Gregory Hines Movies,   1985’s ‘White Nights,’ and in 1987 in ‘Dancers.’  Many felt it was a treat to see Mikhail as Carrie Bradshaw’s boyfriend during the final season of ‘Sex in the City.’

But Dance remains Baryshnikov’s passion and the passing of time seems not to phase him aside from his comments about old horses going to the glue factory, in fact during recent performance Mikhail has taken to playfully competing with his younger image as portrayed on film projected behind him.  Dancing with Ana Laguna has definitely reinvigorated Baryshnikov.  Ana Laguna is the wife of choreographer Mats Eks, and she has graced such renowned works as Swan Lake and Carmen.

Tickets are $12, $35, $55, $65 and available at the MACC Box Office (Mon- Sat, 10 am – 6 pm) or charge by phone at 242-SHOW (242-7469).

When flying off to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center keep in mind that Lisa Haole of the Food & Beverage Department can arrange catering etc for your group; “we provide tent, tables, table skirt, cash register, Approx 4 menu choices, one being a vegetarian option…price range: $8-$13 complete meal plates – - – .”  Lisa R. Haole Food & Beverage Manager Maui Arts & Cultural Center One Cameron Way Kahului, HI 96732-113 Phone (808) 242-2787 ext. 289 Fax (808) 242-4665 email: fblisa@mauiarts.org

As always one is encouraged to check out http://www.mauiarts.org/calendar.html as well as http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entitY_id=3693&source_type=A and http://www.mikhailbaryshnikov.net/ .

Several Good Reasons to Run Away To Maui In September

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

The folks at The Maui Arts & Cultural Center continue to schedule an incredible array of World class entertainment making it hard to resist the impulse to run away to The Valley Isle.

The Maui Film Festival Candlelight Café and Cinema continues to present a provocative mix of films at 5PM and 7:30 PM at the enchanting Castle Theater. September 4th catch ‘Unmistaken Child,’ a compelling captivating film documenting the Dalai Lama’s challenge to a deceased monk’s disciple to search for his reincarnation. 102 minutes of intriguing insight into Tibetan Buddhism it is touching humorous enchanting as well as a visual treat and a linguistic stew in English and Tibetan, Nepali and Hindi, with English subtitles. Tickets are $10 for those twelve and over, half price for the keiki. An added bonus is a chance to dine at the Candlelight Café from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. For further info check out www.mauifilmfestival.com or call 808-572-FILM.

Likewise for September 11th s offering, the documentary ‘Food, Inc,’ a rather startling expose of the American Food Industry that might upset your dinner, none-the-less visit the Candlelight Café for light supper, deserts and beverages.

A true Legend plays at the Castle Theater on Thursday September 10 2009 at 7:30PM. Grammy Award Winner John Legend brings his soulful prowess with piano and voice to Maui for the perfect finale to his Evolver World Tour. John Legends three albums have been solid hits generating such gems as “Another Again,” :”Green Light,” “Save Room,” “Ordinary People,” and “Used to Love U,” tickets range are, $65, $55 and $45 with a six ticket limit, available via 808-242-7469 or https://www.mauiarts.org/tickets.

For a change of pace check out the McCoy Theater at 6PM on Friday September 11th when the MACC presents “Remembering Roots & Envisioning Future: Five Hawaiian Women Poets.” Poetry can enlighten as well as entertain and educate and is very much Hawai’i’an in the tradition of ‘talk story.’ The five remarkable poets who will share their poems are Puanani Burgess, Ho’oipo DeCambra, Tamara Wong Morrison, and Mahealani Wendt. Entry to this one time event is a modest $20.

Hula is the drawing card Saturday September 12th 1PM at the Castle Theater when the fourth annual international competition brings together group and solo artists for “ Ku Mai Ka Hula: Hula Appears,” an event featuring traditional hulu, kahiko, and auana, modern day hulu styling. $25 for this event.

What, your wallet is tapped out? The Schaeffer International Gallery presents a free exhibit from September 12th thru October 24th “Hi` Iakaikapoliopele.

There is much more at the Maui Arts Cultural Center in September but that will have to await another article. http://www.mauiarts.org/ Do yourself a favor and run away to Maui in Septmber.

Rocking 50’s Festival on Maui

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

A friend found a solution to a perplexing problem: what to do to honor and celebrate his in-laws for their fiftieth anniversary.  Send them to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (One Cameron Way, Kahului) where three terrific bands will perform on Sunday August 23 2009 in the delightful Castle Theater, at 7:30 PM when Tom Moffat Productions presents Rocking 50’s, featuring The Platters, The Drifters, and The Coasters.

Then my friend’s family & friends found out his plans and realized that they had only recently discovered The Drifters’ “with their top charting hits like “There Goes My Baby,” “Save The Last Dance For Me,” “On Broadway,” “This Magic Moment,” “Up On The Roof,” and “Under The Boardwalk.,” and The Platters singing songs like “Only You,” “Harbor Lights,” “The Great Pretender,” “My Prayer,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.,” and The Coasters with their fun vocal antics on tunes as diverse as ““Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Little Egypt,” “Poison Ivy,” “Along Comes Jones,” “Young Blood,” and “Searchin’,” They demanded to be included in the celebration.  Hence a rather noisy family reunion will erupt on the Valley Isle.

Fortunately for a concert with such high caliber legendary performers the prices are more than reasonable. “All seats are reserved and are priced at $25, $35, and $45. Tickets go on sale to MACC annual donors at 10 AM on Saturday, July 25th at the MACC Box Office with public tickets on sale Saturday, August 1st. Charge by phone at 242-SHOW or order online at mauiarts.org. Annual Donor Discounts available.”

Though Lahaina is a wee bit away from Kahului, my friend and extensive family plan to stick with the 50s Rock n’ Roll theme by visiting the Cool Cat Café at 658 Front Street, Lahaina (at the Wharf Center Cinema), for burgers that have been voted the best burgers on Maui for five years in a row. Cool Cat Café pays homage to the rocking 50s with red & white vinyl chairs & booths, shiny chrome, posters & signage. Cool Cat Café has a reputation for great food, modest prices, and terrific drinks. Their burgers are “made fresh daily our signature 6.5 oz. Burgers are 100% Certified Angus Beef ® & seasoned with our special blend of spices. Add seasoned fries, onion rings or side salad.”

Cool Cat Café is more than burgers, offering an extensive menu with complete entrees, vegetarian items, seafood, and an old fashion soda fountain offering Root Beer Floats, Shakes, Malts, and much much more. My friends’ father & mother in law are looking forward to celebrating with ‘drinks’ (firewater); Cool Cat Café has “Daily Drink Specials; Just $3.00 Every Day! Sunday, Bloody Mary, Monday, Mango Margarita, Tuesday, Tropical Monkey, Wednesday, Blue Hawai’i, Thursday, Margarita, Friday, Mai Tai, and Saturday, Pineapple Splash.”

Cool Cat Café offers live music every day so my friend & his family & friends will get an extra treat, in addition to the fabulous concert at The Castle Theater, at the Cool Cat Café they get to experience “Live Music every night, 7:30 PM to 10PM; Sunday, The Whaleshark, Monday, Erin Smith, Tuesday, Luxury Cruise (Live Jazz), Wednesday, Howard Ahia, Thursday, Junior & Orin, and Friday and Saturday local legend Dave Carroll.”

So, treat yourself and friends/family to an escape to Maui the weekend and into the week, around the Rocking 50’s concert at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Sunday, August 23 2009.  The concert begins at 7:30 PM.

Lighten Up with Cheech and Chong

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Chris Lee

 

            The local economy is tanking, pigs are spreading the flu, most of your favorite television shows are airing their finale episode of the season and football season is several months away.  The prescription for these and other woes is Laughter.  Fortunately the comedic duo of Cheech & Chong have reunited and are on tour set to touchdown on O’ahu at The Waikiki Shell on Thursday May 29 2009 and on Maui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at the Castle Theater.

            Cheech & Chong’s Light Up America Tour was launched in 2008 and has carried the duo across the United States and Canada.  Their stoner humor and wry observations about life are a welcome tonic during these troubled times.  Tommy Chong a native of Alberta, Canada, a multi-talented musician and natural funnyman started an improvisational comedy troupe in 1966/67 in a Vancouver BC nightclub because, “It was a topless joint and I didn’t have the heart to fire the strippers,” recalls Tommy Chong “so when I turned the show into a comedy troupe known as ‘City Works,’ I put the girls in the skits. We had the only topless improvisational theatre in Canada.”

            Cheech true/name Richard Marin, born in the barrios of East Los Angeles, found his way to Canada and joined City Works, at a tremendous salary of $60 a week!  After two years the troupe disbanded and the two found that they could easily entertain an audience without an ensemble of strippers.  They made their way to Los Angeles where they became a fixture at the famous Troubadour Club where they were swiftly signed up by a record executive who soon had them recording their first comedy album, their self titled record Cheech & Chong debut in 1971 and was swiftly followed by Big Bambu in 1972, the Grammy Award Winning Los Conchinos in 1973, The Wedding Album in 1974, and many more to follow.

            Cheech & Ching successfully transferred their smoke fueled fun to the big screen with the 1978 film Up In Smoke followed by a slew of hilarious films including the grossly underrated The Corsican Brothers (1984). 

            Cheech and Chong are scheduled to perform at The Waikiki Shell on Thursday May 29 2009 at 7 PM.  Tickets are available via any number of sources, and prices have varied so it is best for you to research your best bargain, one option is via their website http://www.cheechandchong.com/.  

            Cheech & Chong are scheduled to perform at 7:30 PM at The Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahuli, Maui.  Tickets are $59.50 and are available via https://www.mauiarts.org/tickets/ or call via 808-242-SHOW (7469)

 

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