Sunday, April 15, 2007

HAPA at the Aladdin Theater


Barry Flanagan & Nathan Aweau
On Friday night we went to a HAPA concert at the Aladdin Theater. HAPA is a Hawaiian band that performs a mix of traditional and new Hawaiian music and chant. They produce an amazing sound for just three guys! The concert was really good and we had a great time. HAPA is Barry Flanagan, Nathan Aweau, and Charles Ka'upu  and two hula dancers.

Not only are these guys good musicians, they are very funny! And Charles, the chanter, is a thoughtful, spiritual person. The place was packed with folks who are from Hawaii originally, or who just love going there to visit.
Nathan & Charles
We first heard HAPA when Keli'i Kaneali'i was the lead singer. Our favorite album is the one called "Collection", which has their best songs.

The Aladdin Theater is a funky, old, art-deco style stage theater. It's a smaller venue that has been renovated at various times over the years. It looks like someone in the 1970's used that "antiquing" paint that was popular and put a wash on the columns. Gold lame curtains were added to the upper boxes. The original painted lampshades are still there, but I wish the place could be restored with true art-deco colors and style.

1 comment:

laserone_ said...

I bet that was a lot of fun! I am going to check out the band's website. I can tell from that one photo of the inside of the theatre, that it must be a really neat place! :)