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University of Florida Performing Arts
presents HAPA
7:30 pm
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Like the Hawaiian Islands themselves, Hapa’s Pan-Polynesian music is an amalgam of influences ranging from ancient genealogical chants to the strummed ballads of Portuguese fisherman, Spanish cowboys, and the inspired melodies and harmonies of the traditional church choirs of the early missionaries. Add to this a dose of American acoustic folk/rock, and you have what has been described as the “most exciting and beautiful contemporary Hawaiian music the world knows!”… (Maui Times).
These disparate ingredients blended together musically in the Pacific emotes the unique flavor of what Hawaii and Hapa music is: “beautiful, fragile, spiritual, powerful”… (L.A. Times).
Often encapsulated as the “Sound of Maui,” Hapa’s music evokes a place that many people at different times have referred to as heavenly. The overriding quality of their music is one of beauty and serenity, found in the majestic tones of the ‘oli (chant), mele (song), the elegant movements of the sacred dance known as hula, and the exhilarating innovative sounds of virtuoso slack key guitar. Hapa’s self entitled debut CD, released in 1993, swept the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammys), becoming the biggest selling CD by a group or duo in the history of recorded Hawaiian music. The group’s groundbreaking music has established them as the most recognized name in Hawaiian music internationally since their debut release, with sold-out shows from Tokyo to New York.
Written by Barry Rivers, President, Maui Film Festival
To learn more or hear clips of Hapa’s music click here
To see Hapa perform Lei Pikake, click here
To read The New York Times review of Hapa, click here
Ticket Prices: $30, Pit, Orchestra Rows A-P and Mezzanine; $20, Orchestra Rows Q-Z; $15, Balcony. (Pit seating is limited and subject to availability.)
To purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or within Florida, 800-905-ARTS (2787). For TDD message translation, please call the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771. You can also call Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309 or toll free at 800-277-1700. Buy tickets online!
