| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Ray Sowders
Akahai
USA
96 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2005 : 1:13:10 PM
|
Aloha,
I'm going to be in Las Vegas for the Christmas holiday and was wondering if anybody out there knows somebody who knows somebody? I am hoping to find a way to perform if possible, if nothing else perhaps make some contacts for future visits. Just thought I'd ask...
Mahalo,
Ray Sowders
|
|
|
Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2005 : 2:47:33 PM
|
Ray,
Don Narup just moved to Las Vegas. He used to organize concerts for us here in San Diego and was a memeber of our local San Diego Slack Key Society (kanikapila). He is organizing concerts in Las vegas now. His Taro Patch name is IANUI. you can search for his member name and send him an email directly. I'm sure he would be glad to help. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
 |
|
|
chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2005 : 05:11:34 AM
|
Aloha e Ray,
I'm going to send you Don's email via the members connection. |
|
|
|
ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2005 : 08:13:57 AM
|
| Don't know if you've made your trip to Vegas already but I'd suggest contacting California Hotel since their target clientele are the locals flying in from the islands. |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
|
|
|
chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2005 : 11:01:53 AM
|
| California Hotel is a joke. George Kuo drew fewer than 100 for two shows there (approximate - I was there). Hundreds of Hawaiian vacationers, but too many other things to do I guess. Plus, the hotel hasn't had any fresh air since 1961. There is smoke in every possible place that it can settle. Beware. |
|
|
|
Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2005 : 9:23:30 PM
|
Sorry to hear that the turn out for Kuo/Pahinui/Mahi was so poor -- those guys are some of the finest musicians touring from Hawai`i...so laid back, with such nahenahe sounds. Next time you're on O`ahu, be sure to catch them Sundays at the Waikiki Beach Marriott.
As for Vegas island-kine info, check this site:
http://www.alohavalley.com/ |
Auntie Maria
===================
My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST)
www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio
"Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
|
|
|
|
Ianui
Lokahi
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2005 : 11:49:25 AM
|
Actually there was almost 200 at the concerts between the two shows.
The Kuo concerts was promoted in the Hawaiian Kine Newspaper for 3 months prior to the event, It was advertised on the Radio every night, every hour, for 3 months. Kuo was interviewed on the radio several times prior to the event. These entities reach the largest Hawaiian population outside Hawaii that reside in this area.
Large posters were placed in the Hotel, in the elevators and a 30 second video was shown on the Hotel Channel of events which is accessible in every room for 1 month prior.
Announcements were made at local Hawaiian Civic meetings.
By the way C & K were here a month ago and they drew about 300.
I am having a concert 10/21 in a predominately White, over 55, upper income area. All the demographics (demographic analysis is part of my real job) I have come up with, based on who bought tickets to my prior concerts, says this is the demographic that buys and supports Hawaiian Slack Key. We will soon see if that holds true here.
I represent a popular Reggae group and several other commercial artist. The Hawaiian population buys tickets to these events. They don't buy Slack Key tickets.
|
Edited by - Ianui on 09/17/2005 11:55:05 AM |
|
|
|
RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2005 : 12:53:55 PM
|
We just had a free concert by Makaha Sons here in San Jose. Decently publicised. At about 1/3 way into the concert there were less than 200 people by my reasonably accurate head count. Tough to judge the demographic breakdown, but two of uss agree that a reasonable count showed that a good half or more were around or over 55, predominantly white, and coming from our area, mostly upper income. That was Makaha Sons. That was Free.
Peter Medeiros has said on numerous occasions. You want to be a slack key player (or Hawaiian style musician) -- do not quite your day job. (Hope I'm not misquoting Peter.)
|
|
|
|
Ianui
Lokahi
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2005 : 6:21:25 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by RJS
We just had a free concert by Makaha Sons here in San Jose. Decently publicised. At about 1/3 way into the concert there were less than 200 people by my reasonably accurate head count.
Makaha Sons were here last year and I'm told they had 50 in the audience.
We just did another gig at the Calif Hotel two weeks ago with two Asian Comics and drew over 500.
|
Edited by - Ianui on 09/17/2005 6:31:31 PM |
|
|
|
RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2005 : 7:15:22 PM
|
| Is there really a Calif Hotel? I thought that was just a send-up. |
|
|
|
Ianui
Lokahi
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2005 : 06:34:10 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by RJS
Is there really a Calif Hotel? I thought that was just a send-up.
Yep sure is. Its common for 95% or more of the Hotel to be occupied by Hawaiians and the hotel has 781 guest rooms. The owners of the hotel also has a travel agency that brings thousands of Hawaiians to Las Vegas every week. Its an older hotel (built in 1975) in the downtown area, and as Chunky says if you don't smoke its not the place to stay. You can get a room for as little as $49.00 |
|
|
|
Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2005 : 07:40:44 AM
|
quote:
Is there really a Calif Hotel? I thought that was just a send-up.
Actually, a send-up would be "Hotel California" not "California Hotel" (right?), and this place is older than the Eagles song in any case. quote:
At about 1/3 way into the concert there were less than 200 people by my reasonably accurate head count.
Too bad, I could not make it cause I am desperately trying to finish up the CD submissions to Jesse. I am going to see Led in La Honda today though! And this brings up an issue about these events. When I first started to attend Hawaiian music events in the SF Bay area, (about 15 years ago?), there was only about one event per month happening in the area. Now, in the months of August and September particularly, there are 5 to 6 events EACH week! This is an embarrasment of riches for me, but it must also have an effect upon the total attendance for each event. I only have the time to attend about one event every two weeks, which means I miss most of the late summer events. I think there are a lot of people in the same situation as me.
All that being said (well... written), we attended the Cazimero's concert in the BIG FOX (seats about 3000) recently (in MAY) and IT WAS SOLD OUT. This was aponsored by the Montalvo association, which is a well known local Arts organization with broad support. It also helped to have Patrick Makuakane's Hula group as part of the show. I think timing vis-a-vis other events is a very important factor in the turn out.
|
Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 09/18/2005 07:47:00 AM |
|
|
|
ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2005 : 8:32:31 PM
|
| Lawrence, you're absolutely correct when you say that timing is everything. The last time the Brothers Cazimero were in the SF Bay Area (before this year) they had an extremely bad turnout (I was there) and as a result they vowed never to return. The only reason they came to the Fox Theater in Redwood City this time is because Patrick Makuakane is a former student of Robert Cazimero's. My wife and I just attended the Keali`i Reichel/Na Leo concert at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga recently and that was completely sold out and that was on a Thursday evening. So, who knows??? |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
|
|
|
RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 06:05:30 AM
|
In spite of the cold, that was one fatastic show, no?
Timing is part of it. Also overexposure. As much as we like certain performers, seeing them too frequently, or if they don't change their show enough, coupled with having a lot of their material recorded- well, it is part of our criterea. (Confession: yes we did skip that last few Caz brothers concerts, as well as the last few Keola. Other names could come up, but they wouldn't be as much fun to mention on this site.)
Add to that family obligations.
Add to that the fact that we are also intersted in other forms of music, like opera, guitar recitals, Latin, some types of folk. And neither time nor money allow us to see it all. Choices have to be made.
I guess one of the binds is that the performers we would like to see are people who probably don't have the fan base to fill a venue, while the ones with big recognition are like the energizer bunny. But sometimes too much of a good things, no? |
|
|
|
Ianui
Lokahi
USA
298 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2005 : 07:51:05 AM
|
Actually Timing in a broad sense really doesn't set high on the priority list, as no matter when the concert is, its not going suite somebody. Nor can you ever plan for all the rationalizations someone will have for not coming.
The timing of an event is predicated on the availability of the artist. That availability has a lot to do with costs. Paying air fare from San Francisco is a lot cheaper than from Hawaii. Those type of things have a lot to do with "Timing". Second is the Venue. Some dates like a Saturday night cost more at some venues. So a date during the week or Friday could be less expensive. The dates available at the venue also come into play. The last Friday in the month is the only date open then thats whats available.
When all thats figured out you can start putting audience availability in the equation.
I marvel at this conversation as it was only 3-4 years ago that what we have today was only a dream in most places. I am very biased in my opinion as I think there were a few events that really kick started Slack Key concerts on the west coast. One was Andy putting up Taro Patch Net, another was the organization of So Cal Slack Key Society, which from the posts here on Taro Patch influenced others to get involved and get something started in their area.
I think Patrick Landeza's role as a teacher, performer and tireless efforts in expanding the availability of Slack Key has been overlooked. Remember when Keola had the only video around? I was in the room when Bruce Lamb and Patrick made the first how to play Slack Key DVD, and now a number of artists have made them. Trust me, or ask Bruce, none of them would have made one without Patrick leading the way.
Concerts are pretty common now, but remember when they were few and far between. I went to a few and frankly was disappointed. Not by the artist, but by the venue being in a dark Bar, being hustled for drinks, poor sound systems, and people standing around blocking the view of the stage. So I started putting them on with the idea of presenting quality entertainment, in a quality environment. Why, because the information I read and heard from Slack Key fans was it was needed. Again it was Patrick Landeza and all his artist friends that supported, guys like me, and helped to open new areas for Slack Key performance. Again that's all been in just the past 3-4 years.
I find it amazing we are talking about overexposure.
I can't picture this:
1st person: You going to Gabby's concert tonight? Sons of Hawaii playing to.
2nd person: No I heard them last year and bought their lastest record last week. Besides they'll be back next year (won't they?)
As far as I'm concerned there can never be overexposure. The skill and talent of Slack Key artists is indescribably brilliant. Humble in nature they are a band of brothers without equal. I know not everyone is as fanatical as I am, but ANY opportunity to see and hear them should be taken advantage of. I won't go into all the entertainment, personal enjoyment,or almost spiritual reasons to attend but being real crass about it, if you don't support their efforts, they are not coming back. Uncle Dennis,Cyril and all of them are extremely nice people, but you not going to get opportunities to sit on there front porch and listen.
Its real simple, if you don't attend, I can't pay the artist, If I don't pay the artist, then they can't afford to come to a hall near you. So please don't take a performance of an artist for granted. A lot of hard work has been expended in the past few years to make Slack Key instruction and performances by legendary artists available here on the mainland. Can we make it better? Sure but its your support, comments, and overall participation that will cause that to happen.
|
Edited by - Ianui on 09/20/2005 08:08:02 AM |
|
|
|
Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2005 : 08:21:56 AM
|
Don,
Remember we were lamenting the low turnout that occurs at some of these fantastic events, including some low turnout numbers that you indicated above. I thought I made it clear that the situation for me was an embarrasssment of riches, at least in the SF Bay Area. It still remains true that sometimes a low turnout is partially due to other similar events in the same area at the same time. Sometimes it is also poor promotion. Perhaps the promoter cannot do much about the timing, but if it is possible to choose among a few dates, it would be wise to not overlap another big-draw event. I know of some promoters who did not even bother to check Auntie Maria's site or Saichi Kawahara's extensive event publication (KaPalakiko Newsletter) before setting a date.
quote:
The timing of an event is predicated on the availability of the artist.
Yes, and I guess that this is one of the reasons that there are so many events in the summer and August in particular.
quote:
2nd person: No I heard them last year and bought their lastest record last week. Besides they'll be back next year (won't they?)
As far as overexposure goes (as opposed to colliding events) there are a bunch of people that I could handle a lot of (like Led and Ozzie and Cyril), whereas there are some others, in the periphery of my interest, that seeing once a year would be enough. I suppose most people are like this in regard to their preferences. It is very deja-vu that I heard a person this weekend say almost your exact quote above explaining why they were not going to an event we were discussing.
quote:
I think Patrick Landeza's role as a teacher, performer and tireless efforts in expanding the availability of Slack Key has been overlooked.
Absolutely! Patrick is a wonderful force in this area! We also should not overlook George Winston, his Dancing Cat label did a very great deal to create the rise in interest in Slack Key in particular. And his recent arrangements to help re-issue classic recordings through the Cord label are a great asset too.
P.S. - We kinda Hijacked Ray Sowders original post did'nt we??
Sorry Ray!
|
Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 09/20/2005 09:37:53 AM |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
