8 Thursday, October 1, 2015 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald connects several smaller pieces of wood together to make one image. White, along with other ukulele builders, will be at an opening night “meet the artists reception” from 5-8 p.m. Friday featuring live music by Alan Hale, hula dancing by Sammi Fo, pupus and a drawing for a free ukulele. Throughout the duration of the exhibit, the Ukulele Guild will hold several special weekend events, including two “kanikapila” jam sessions open to all skill levels from noon-3 p.m. Saturday with Alan Hale and again Oct. 17 from noon-3 p.m. with Andy Andrews, both on the porch of the Wailoa center. The guild also will have a demonstration from noon- 3 p.m. Oct. 10 with several builders who will show guests how ukuleles are created by hand — from the various molds used to the techniques to build them. “People can expect to see very expensive ukuleles from our professional members who have been making instruments for 20 years as well as ukuleles by our hobby craftsmen who have been doing it for just a few years,” says Dave Stokes, Big Island Ukulele Guild event coordinator. “There will be some ukuleles that are very traditional — made of Hawaiian koa wood — with minor embellishments, and some made from exotic woods like mango and myrtlewood. The more modern ukuleles will have intricate inlays of abalone and other designs.” Stokes has two ukuleles of his own in the exhibit: a traditional koa wood standard ukulele as well as a more elaborate tenor ukulele made of rosewood with ebony binding, an ebony head stock and mother of pearl inlay. The latter took him about six months to create in his free time. “It’s an artistic release for me,” explains Stokes, who works full time as a boat captain and makes most of his ukuleles to give away as gifts. “You get a piece of wood and you don’t know what it looks like until you start cutting it up — then it’s magic! It’s really an amazing thing when you’re making it with someone in mind and you can imagine how special it will be for them.” The annual exhibit and events are fun for everyone from keiki to kupuna, and an important cultural experience, EXHIBIT From page 2 HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald From left, Mike Perdue, Doug Powdrell, Bob Gleason, Anne Gleason and David Heaukulani pose for a photo with their ukuleles Sept. 23 at the Wailoa Arts & Cultural Center in Hilo. See EXHIBIT Page 9
ib
To see the actual publication please follow the link above