The Vagina Monologues
The Vagina Monologues began in 2000 as an off-Broadway show and gave way to the V-Day Campaign, a global movement to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women. Additional pieces have since then been added to the original script, and the monologues have been performed countless times all over the world.
Local directors Terri Madden (Playbuilders Hawaii,) Tony Pisculli (Hawaii Shakespeare Festival,) Lola Love, Michelle Poppler, Katharine Rita, and Mish Umipeg (Cherry Blossom Cabaret) bring this play to life once again, along with a diverse cast of women, including yours truly! Not all of Ensler's monologues will be performed in this presentation, but there will be a variety of pieces, both light and humorous, and dark and tragic. All, however, are equally important and share a common theme of women embracing their vaginas--both literally and metaphorically.
The Vagina Monologues runs this weekend only, opening on Friday, February 17th at 7:30, and continuing on Saturday, February 18th with two shows, one at 7:30, and one at 9:30. Official afterparty follows at RaKuen; purchase a Peach V-Tini and $1 of the proceeds benefits V-Day Honolulu. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. This show is expected to sell out so presale ticket purchases are strongly encouraged! Available at brownpapertickets.com. (Links below.)
Hard Rock Rising 2012
Hard Rock Cafe presents Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands. Over the past month, bands all over the world participated in an online pre-qualifying competition, where fans voted for their favorite bands by downloading a song from them on the Hard Rock Rising Facebook app. Today, the voting ended and Hard Rock Cafe announced the bands that are to preform at preliminary battles at their local Hard Rock Cafes.
Ten local bands including Sing the Body, Mano Kane, Any Given Chance and Prevail, will compete over the next three Saturdays (February 18, February 25, March 3) in qualifying battles at the Hard Rock Cafe Waikiki, with a final battle on March 10. Finalists will then compete for a chance to perform at Hard Rock Calling 2012 at Hyde Park in London.
There is no cover for this 21+ event. Audience participation determines winners so be sure to rock hard for your favorite bands! Oh, and if you decide to get a bite to eat, ask for Jamie--she's an awesome server.
CAKE (and other BAMP Project concerts!)
It seems like only yesterday I used to complain about the lack of big-name concerts in Hawaii. But local promoters BAMP Project has been on a roll lately, bringing some of the biggest names in rock today to the islands. February 24th marks the long-awaited return of quirky alternative-rock veterans Cake. I last saw these guys on my birthday (how appropriate) back in 2010 and I can honestly say it was the most fun I ever had at the old Pipeline Cafe; now I'm curious to see what they bring the the Aloha Tower Waterfront.
Other upcoming BAMP shows to look forward to are Foster the People (March 18,) The Shins (April 17,) and the opening of BAMP's new venue, The Republik (TBA.)
Wasn't there something going on this Tuesday? I'm not sure, but I've never been one to caring about celebrating an occasion on the day of. Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day or Single's Awareness Day, why not do something a little different. This year you have the opportunity to honor the gender (and bodypart) that brought you into this world, support the local bands you love the most, or you can have your cake (and eat it too!)
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