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  • HB
  • POLYNESIAN PARADISE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
  • Jun. 30, 2002
  • KEALI'I REICHEL AND THE BROTHERS CAZIMERO, PLUS

    THE DANCERS OF LES GRANDS BALLETS DE TAHITI

    AND HALAU KEALI'I O NALANI

    Sunday, June 30, 7:30 PM

    For the first concert of KCRW's World Festival 2002, the Hollywood Bowl turns into a Polynesian Paradise! for one night only, Sunday, June 30, at 7:30 PM. The internationally acclaimed guitarist/vocalist Keali'i Reichel and the Brothers Cazimero return to the Bowl stage, with a program of celebrated Hawaiian songs. The concert also highlights the native dance of Tahiti - performed by Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti, direct from the South Pacific - and Hawaii, by the Los Angeles-based hula troupe, Halau Keali'i O Nalani, who perform with the Brothers Cazimero.

    Backbeat Live pre-concert performances take place one hour prior to the concert at the Patio, and are free to all ticket holders. The June 30 session features Bill Tapia, a guitarist/ukulele player and story-teller.

    The guitarist and vocalist Keali'i Reichel burst onto the Hawaiian music scene a decade ago. Dedicated to reviving the language and culture of his native land, Reichel has become known for his amazing performances and successful recordings, which faithfully recreate the traditions of his ancestors. The Brothers Cazimero, Robert and Roland, have been entertaining audiences with traditional music and dance (sung in both English and Hawaiian) for more than two decades. Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti, founded in 1998 by a trio of talented dancers, have become the premier dance troupe in Tahiti and perform regularly in Europe and the U.S. From West Los Angeles, Halau Keali'i O Nalani are one of the Southland's finest troupes.

    Polynesian Paradise is the first concert of KCRW's World Festival 2002, which was created in partnership with KCRW (89.9 FM/National Public Radio). The series continues with World Roots starring Hugh Masekela & Eddie Palmieri, Ozomatli, and Yerba Buena on July 7; Global Divas with Lauryn Hill, the Mahotella Queens and Mariza on July 14; Femi Kuti headlines African Funk with Michael Franti & Spearhead on July 28; and on August 11, World Reggae features Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, and Lucky Dube. The series ends with The Beat of Brazil on September 8, when Leny Andrade takes the stage with special guest Oscar Castro-Neves, and Mônica Salmaso. All concerts begin at 7:30 PM.

    The most popular Hawaiian artist of the 1990s, guitarist KEALI'I REICHEL has successfully balanced American pop music with traditional Hawaiian chanting. He began performing at the age of 17, after which he studied the native language and finally began formal training in chant. He did not begin recording professionally until his 1994 debut album, which became the best-selling release in Hawaiian history as well as climbing to the top of the world music charts. A year later, his second release sold over half a million copies. He has shared bills with Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, and Sting, and last performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1997.

    Celebrating 27 years of singing, dancing, and chanting together, THE BROTHERS CAZIMERO make their Hollywood Bowl debut this year. The legendary Hawaiian musicians have enjoyed success as they have continued to offer a timeless island sound that explores new music and dance forms while remaining true to the Hawaiian heritage. Performing twelve years of sold-out shows at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel alongside dazzling hula dancers, the Brothers' incredible showmanship, infectious humor, and universal appeal have also drawn capacity crowds at Carnegie Hall for two consecutive years.

    Of all the troupes practicing Polynesian dance, LES GRANDS BALLETS DE TAHITI are one of the most innovative. Winning the annual Tahitian dance festival of Heiva several times, the group began taking its production on tour and was recently commissioned for a stage show in Paris. The dances, rhythms, music, and songs of the troupe, which was founded in 1998 and ranges in size from 25-55 members, embody the Tahitian spirit combining tradition and modernity. This performance marks their Bowl debut.

    Besides performing with The Brothers Cazimero, Keali`i Reichel, and other touring acts from the Islands, this local dance group, HALAU KEALI`I O NALANI, led by Keali'i Ceballos, has been one of the leading schools of traditional Polynesian dance. Traditional Tahitian and Hawaiian dance forms are mastered by the group, which fluctuates in number depending on performance, and has members as young as 3. This performance marks the group's Bowl debut.

    One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of just under 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and, in 1991 gave its name to The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. A hit from its very first season, the Hollywood Bowl has remained popular and accessible to a wide cross-section of Southern California's diverse population. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "Open House at the Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 34th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and last summer, close to one million admissions were recorded. It is no wonder that the Bowl's summer music festivals have become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers and Disneyland.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    Sunday, June 30, 7:30 PM

    HOLLYWOOD BOWL (2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood)

    Polynesian Paradise! (with dancers)

    KEALI'I REICHEL

    THE BROTHERS CAZIMERO

    LES GRANDS BALLET DE TAHITI

    HALAU KEALI'I O NALANI

    KCRW's World Festival 2002

    Tom Schnabel, host

    Backbeat Live pre-concert performances take place one hour prior to the concert at the Patio, and are free to all ticket holders. The June 30 session features Bill Tapia, a guitarist/ukulele player and story-teller.

    Tickets ($1 - $70) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at hollywoodbowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850-2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Elizabeth Hinckley, 323/850-2047; David Barber, 323/850-2023