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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
 Posted - 06/29/2011 : 08:38:50 AM
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Classes began with eager students and some really nice new instruments. Claudia has a brand new Grimes double soundhole 6 string that she received yesterday. It turned a few heads! And, of course, several campers were proudly showing off some stellar Dennis Lake ʻukulele.
Speaking of Dennis Lake, there are 6 campers building some very fine cigar box ʻukulele. I saw some impressive work going on this afternoon (sanding begins tomorrow), and look forward to seeing the results in a few days!
Dennis Kamakahi told me that is is very impressed with the caliber of musicianship in his intermediate and advanced slack key group. He said it is very gratifying for him to be working with them, and he plans to show them off on Hoʻike Night.
I sat in on Geri Valdrizʻs steel guitar class and heard some very fine Hawaiian vamps being worked on. It is so good to see such interest in my favorite instrument!
Melinda Carol, new to camp, is teaching songwriting and voice training. I heard many campers (including some long time slack key guys) exclaiming that they really enjoyed working with her.
A moment I shall cherish from Tuesday afternoon was seeing Tom Lunneberg and Jeff Cook enjoying a couple of cold beverages while sitting under the palm trees with their guitars. I am sure they are working on something for Open Mic Night!
An impromptu kani broke out in the lobby before dinner, and gathered a large audience, especially when Robyn Kneubuhl stepped into the group and performed a beautiful hula to Pua Mana.
The evening staff concert event featured performances by Robyn and Geri performing some lush, Hawaiian melodies - including a beautiful rendition of Waikiki. Kaponoʻai sang several solo numbers with his ʻukulele and later spontaneously went up front to dance to Rev. Kamakahiʻs thrilling rendition of Puʻu Hone, which Dennis wrote for his fiance, now his wife of 36 years as of July 16 (I remember the date, because Shirleyʻs and my anniversary is July 17th). Melinda Carol shared several exciting and beautiful songs that she wrote on guitar, and then Dennis Kamakahi took the stage...
Wow! He is of course a master musician, but his storytelling can only be described as some kind of gift from ʻAkua. And when he blends them together, it weaves a spell... I found myself transported to distant times and even to the Pacific Northwest as he told of his adventures with Native American tribes that have Hawaiian roots. And the hilarious story of how Kokeʻe was written. It was a performance to be remembered forever.
As Dennis left the stage, I was standing nearby when he and Kaliko broke into Hawaiian, chatting for several moments, and laughing with each other. Priceless!
Today... more of the same - only better! And tonight is Kanikapila Night - Oh Boy!!
Aloha,
-Konabob
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Konabob's Walkingbass - http://www.konawalkingbass.com
Taropatch Steel - http://www.konaweb.com/konabob/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Konabob2+Walkingbass |
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AMC Report - Tuesday
