Arts & Culture

Thursday, September 19. The Friends of Italy Society of Hawai`i, the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco and the Honolulu Academy of Arts are presenting a feast of contemporary Italian film September 26th through October first. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa offers these flavors of home from two lively members of the large Italian ex-patriot community in Honolulu. | The Honolulu Academy of Arts Doris Duke Theatre hosts the 3rd Annural Cinema Italiano in Hawaii, September 26th through October first. The series is co-presented by the Friends of Italy of Hawai`i, which welcomes director, Pietro Reggiani to open the festival with his acclaimed film, “My Brother’s Summer.” For a schedule of films, check www.honoluluacademy.org or call 737-CIAO (737-2426). Runs: 3:32.

 

Friday, September 15. H.C. Westermann is a distinctly American artist of the latter 20th century. Principled, independent, a master craftsman, he operated under the mainstream radar, but continues to influence artists today. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with Michael Rooks who curated a first-ever show of Westermann’s early paintings and objects for the Contemporary Museum. Runs 3:32.

 

Thursday, September 14. “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” scooped every major Tony award in 1979, the year it opened on Broadway. Stephen Sondheim wrote both the lyrics and score, and some consider it the greatest work in his stellar career. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa offers this sampling from the Army Community Theater production. Runs 3:35.

 

Friday, September 8. Girl Fest Hawai’i is a growing community project committed to preventing violence against women through education and art. State agencies along with businesses and organizations large and small are now jumping in to support the festival’s 10 days of comedy, art, spoken work, film, music and workshops that begin tonight. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with two featured performers. Runs 3:34.

 

Thursday, September 7. The UH Manoa Art Department’s “Intersections” program is starting the Fall semester with a bang, hosting Eddo Stern, an artist who operates in a zone between fine art and computer gaming. Israeli by birth, Stern’s games involve complex role playing in real and simulated environments. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa has this report. Runs 3:41.

 

Tuesday, September 5. A new documentary, “First Battle,” premieres tonight detailing a fascinating and little known aspect of Hawai’i’s history before and during World War II. “First Battle” proposes how a multi-ethnic group of community members softened the impact of the war and helped craft a transition from plantation society. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports. Runs 3:31.

 

Friday, September 1. Honolulu’s community of Orthodox Christians has spent months preparing for the annual Greek Festival, a fundraiser for Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa stopped there for a glimpse into the local Greek community. Runs 3:54.

 

Thursday, August 31. Last weekend, the Hawai’i 2050 Sustainability Task Force held a kick-off conference that drew an overflow of participants committed to a future that safeguards Hawai’i’s most important resources. Convened by the Hawai’i Institute for Public Affairs, members of government, the general public, the military, as well as business, and ecological groups gathered to examine possible futures. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa begins coverage with long-time futurist and UH professor, James Dator. Runs 4:04.

 

Friday, August 25. This week, cement rubble from a demolished downtown building has been trucked up to Makiki Heights for a new installation on the rolling lawn at The Contemporary Museum. TCM has commissioned Maria Elena Gonzalez to work with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity in their Catalyst Artist in Residence Program. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with Gonzalez about her work with houses and their personal and cultural implications. Runs 3:29.

 

Thursday, August 24. Cuban-born Jose Carreno is described as one of America’s top 4 dancers, with incredible magnetism and astonishing technique. Known for powerful leaps and glorious pirouettes, Carreno is in Honolulu to perform in Ballet Hawai’i’s Sleeping Beauty this weekend. HPR’s Noe Tanigawa caught up with him at a rehearsal to find out more about his work and the mystique which some say makes ballet dancers Cuba’s leading export. Runs 3:48.