Photo by Jeane McMahon

“OUR BEATS ARE BROKEN,” A SOURCE MAUI FUNDRAISER

THU., FEB 2 – An evening of breakbeats and drum n’ bass with Keegan House, Aaron Jae and IMAT. Keegan House is a seasoned producer and promoter who’s “most known for his whompy and funky monster electro house sets” and is a veteran organizer for Source Maui. Aaron Jae is a former San Francisco-based breaks DJ who co-founded “Evil Breaks” in 2004 and earned “worldwide recognition as one of the largest and most respected breaks promoters on the West Coast.” Meanwhile, IMAT “brings you to the liquid side of drum and bass” and boasts a two year residency at the Minneapolis Bolt: Underground “prior to his exodus into the Pacific.” Also, The Amazing Dr. Mills will be on hand “demonstrating self-decapitation and visual deformities since birth… Come watch him lose his head!” PS: The earlier you show up, the earlier the show starts. And, the longer you stay, the longer they play! $5. 9:30pm. Casanova (1188 Makwao Ave., Makawao); 572-0220; soundcloud.com/keegan-house / fromthefloor.net / aaronjae.com / soundcloud.com/humtech / randymills.me

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ARTIST BIOS:

Aaron Jae | Crew of Ninjas/Space Cowboys | AaronJae.com
Aaron Jae, a former San Francisco based breaks DJ, has been tearing all across the US of A dropping his brand of hard-hitting, dirty, nasty breaks. He co-founded “Evil Breaks” at the beginning of 2004, a crew who then redefined the SF breaks scene by not only bringing out the biggest names in breaks, but by also bringing out those less known that deserved to be heard.  Their consistently slammin’ events have gained the crew world-wide recognition as one of the largest and most respected breaks promoters on the west coast.  In the past years Aaron Jae has played at over 100 events both locally and abroad, sometimes playing 2, 3, and 4 shows in a single weekend, continually playing alongside the most respected names in electronic music.  His list of residencies is quite extensive, including multiple online & offline radio stations, San Francisco clubs, and various crews and collectives.  If you get a chance to see Aaron Jae play live, take it. His performances are always full of turntable tricks, crazy antics, and an energy that you just can’t get from a recording.

Keegan House | Synergenesis Full Moon Gatherings & Source Interactive Arts Festival | SoundCloud.com/Keegan-House & FromTheFloor.net
Keegan House began as a dancer in the 1980s with influences from break dancing to Micheal Jackson.  Later, after falling in love with electronic dance music, Keegan began to DJ house music in Portland, OR where he attended his first psytrance show and his love deepened even more.

After moving to Maui and spinning multiple house parties, he formed Synergenesis Full Moon Gatherings to take the underground to the next level with acts like Eoto, Lynx and Jamie Janover, Beats Antique and David Starfire. With that exposure Keegan House found himself playing Maui’s clubs alongside those artists and more such as Mochi Pet, Mimosa, Stephan Jacobes, Zapper and Dat Girl, Blutech, An-ten-ai and Mr. Rogers.  Though most known for his whompy & funky monster electro house sets,  his roots are in house music with a strong passion for drum & bass, psytrance and breaks.

Keegan House maintains his residency on Maui as a DJ, seasoned producer and promoter while also deeply involved with infamous Baldwin beach parties at the Cover and a veteran organizer for Source Maui. This year marks his second time as the electronic music stage manager for Source Maui.  Keegan is someone to keep an eye on as his tracks become available and other projects such as psytrance gatherings begin to manifest.

IMAT | SoundCloud.com/Humtech
With over 14 years DJing and producing electronic music, IMAT brings you the liquid side of Drum and Bass.  IMAT held at 2 year residency at the Minneapolis Bolt:  Underground, prior to his exodus into the Pacific, where he worked with the likes of Lenka Paris, Alexander East and ChiChi LaRue.  Since making Maui his new home, IMAT continues to produce his unique and stylish sound while bringing his favorite tracks to you.

The Amazing Dr. Mills | RandyMills.me
Dr. Mills has been demonstrating self-decapitation and visual deformities since birth.  They still don’t know exactly what’s wrong with him.  Come watch as he loses his head!

ECSTATIC DANCE MAUI

If you’re sick of the socializing n’ drinking drama of the conventional dance scene–and a la Alison Jiear you “don’t give a fuck no more… [and] just wanna dance”–check out DJ Nadi’s new Ecstatic Dance Maui series. The event kicks off this Thu. and is slated to continue every Thu. henceforth. Nadi’s a ten-year vet of the Maui DJ scene who has an eclectic, “borderless” style, and he describes this “dance santuary” as a DJ-led “playground for dancers to move and express in a drug-and alcohol-free environment,” where individual’s boundaries are respected on a talk-free floor. $10 (though no one will be turned away for lack of funds). 8:30-10:30pm. Community Hall, Makawao Union Church (1445 Baldwin Ave.); 557-7167; facebook.com/pages/Ecstatic-Dance-Maui / soundcloud.com/nadimusic

Q103 FM PRESENTS STEVE-O (OF JACKASS FAME), LIVE AT OCEAN’S

SAT., JAN. 21 – Yep, the McCartney to Johnny Knoxville’s Lennon brings his brand of self-inflicted slapstick comedy to the Valley Isle. The show also features opening comics Chino LaForge (Maui’s own) and Ed Ka’ahea (from Kauai), and is hosted by Michael C. Hall. Tickets available at Oceans (Kihei) and Bounty Music (Kahului), online at hightideconcerts.net and fla.vor.us/groovetickets, or by calling 1-855-2-FLAVOR. $35 advance. 7pm doors / 8pm show. Ocean’s Beach Bar & Grill (1819 S. Kihei Rd.); 808-891-2414

TONIGHT: The Airborne Toxic Event at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center

FRI., JAN. 20 – Sorry hippies, this isn’t an event about Chemtrails–it’s a concert by the Los Angeles-based hipster band acronymically known as TATE (named after section two of Don DeLillo’s book White Noise). “I’m trying to get down an emotion, a scene or a setting,” says frontman Mikel Jollett, of songwriting (in the band’s online “biography of sorts”). “Everything important that happens after that happens between the music and the listener; the rest of it is all mythology. The collective interpretation of it is way more important than what I think.” $23.50 / $28.50 / $55.50. 8pm. Castle Theater, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); 242-SHOW (7469); mauiarts.org

PROJECT RUNWAY

MON., JAN 23 – The State Department of Transportation (DOT) invites the public to attend an informational meeting regarding the Kahului Airport Runway 2-20 Structural Improvements Project. The meeting’s purpose is to “inform the public about the current conditions… present several repair options that are being considered and discuss possible short-term and long-term effects… [and] provide the community an opportunity to identify and respond to areas of concern and interest.” Free. 6:30pm. Pomaikai Elementary School Cafeteria (4650 S. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului); 808-587-2160

Run like greased lightning to get your tickets for Maui OnStage’s “Grease”

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Performances run February 24 through March 11; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm / Sundays at 3pm;  Iao Theater (68 N. Market St., Wailuku); $15/$22/$40

Guest directed and choreographed by Brian Swasey from New York, and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

“Grease” book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

Tickets available at If The Shoe Fits (Wailuku) and Lava Java (Kihei) or through the Maui OnStage box office (by calling 808-242-6969 or online at mauionstage.com).

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Photos by Jack Grace. Top (L-R): Jonna Ahan and Lia Krieg. Bottom (LR): Lia Krieg and Jonna Ahan.

By Amanda Thomas

SoundWave has been a predominant fixture in the Maui music scene for well over a decade, with guitarists Jack Fisher and Harry Davisson playing music and practicing yoga together since 1978. After recruiting Bill Baldwin on bass, keyboardist Mike Elam and elusive drummer Patrick McDowell, SoundWave began booking private parties, weekly shows and rehearsing in their own secluded upcountry  farmhouse-studio zealously dubbed “Club Lava Lamp.”

The turn of the century barn was once the legendary “Winery Recording Studio.” It’s every bit as eclectic as the guys in the group. Decked out with a collection of lava lamps and unique throw rugs, the studio is definitely a blast from the past. All five guys gather there without fail twice a week, and jam to the instrumental surf rock hits from the 60’s and 70’s.

But surf rock isn’t where it ends for SoundWave, who’s biggest musical influence is The Ventures. They’ve mastered hits from nearly all other genres including jazz, funk, blues, rock, Latin and even classical. These guys continue to rock the stage playing for hours at a time, impressing audiences by hammering out up to nine songs back to back while letting the music speak for itself.

Jack Fisher acts as the informal frontman of the singer-less band and has an uncanny ability to connect with audiences of all ages, taking set breaks to interact with listeners. “This New Year’s eve was amazing,” he said. “We had a group of 50 or so people come up to the barn and we all just jammed for nearly six hours. It was the perfect mixture of good people sharing music and great food. It doesn’t get better than that.”

In fact, SoundWave has been drawing all types of crowds throughout Maui for ages. At one time they were even headlining a weekly show in Paia at the Green Banana Cafe. Although in recent years SoundWave collectively decided to jam together at the barn and only book specific gigs. The next public performance for these old school rockers is opening the show for Maui Art & Cultural Center’s Starry Night Cinema on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Starry Night Cinema will be held in the Yokouchi Pavilion and is a free family event. SoundWave will open the evening at 5pm and play an 80 minute set as night falls, then a few shorts will be shown on the giant screen before the feature film Surf’s Up begins.

Event organizers are suggesting that guests bring a blanket or beach chair to secure a comfy spot on the A&B Amphitheater grounds. Food, drink specials and family friendly activities will be available throughout the evening.

PROARTS PRESENTS “RUTHLESS”

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>>> Returning from a holiday hiatus, this play continues its run Jan. 6 through 15. Starring Lina Krueger, Heider Turner, Kristi Scott, Dale Button, Alison Mikes and Rose Roselinsky, this campy off-Broadway hit is the final show of ProArts’s Fall/Winter season. The story wittily follows a naive 1950s housewife and her adorable–but sociopathic eight-year-old daughter. Produced by Jonathan Lehman, “Ruthless” enlists the choreography talents of Aly Cardinalli, musical direction by Anne Durham and Marti Kluth, retro costumes by Sarah Loney, scenery by Caro Walker and lighting by Bonnie Prucha. $25 adults / $20 youth (18-years-old and younger). 7:30pm Thu-Sat. / 3pm Sun. ProArts Playhouse, Azeka (Makai) Shopping Center (1280 S. Kihei Rd.); 463-6550; proartspacific.com

SHERYL COOPER’S 3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY MASTER DANCE CLASS (FOR CHARITY!)

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THU., DEC. 29 – Learn sweet steps from Sheryl Cooper at these charitable dance classes. And, yes. We mean Sheryl Cooper as in Alice Cooper’s wifey of 35 years. She’s danced in videos for her hubby, Aerosmith, The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton, and studied with some of the dance community’s most notable, like Ruth Page, Robert Joffrey, Joe Tremaine, Glen Tetley and Michael Kidd. Plus, her professional credits include California’s Pasadena Dance Theater and Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance Company, as well as work with the likes of Goldie Hawn, Steve Martin, George C. Scott and the late great Jackie Gleason. Three classes beginning at 6pm. $15 each class / $30 all three classes. Proceeds benefit the Alice Cooper Solid Rock Foundation. Omori Studio A, MACC (One Cameron Way, Kahului); RSVP by calling 280-0047; alicecoopersolidrock.com

KWANZAA CELEBRATION WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICANS ON MAUI ASSOCIATION

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THU., DEC. 29 – Celebrate the seven principals of Kwanzaa–umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith)–with a Kwanzaa reading shared by Nubian Pageant Systems. Free. Iao Parkside Recreational Center (park at the Wailuku Community Center and follow the red, green and black balloons); 280-1394