A friend told me about this two hour Hawaiian music show a while ago, but Saturday mornings from 6 to 8 a.m. is a bit early even for me. But I finally listened to it last week, and encourage you to do so as well if you enjoy Hawaiian music. The host is John Putnam, who play a variety of English (plus hapa-haole) and Hawaiian songs for this Mele O Hawai’i show.

KXCI community radio website info: www.kxci.org, 91.3 FM radio. Request line is 520-622-5924.

Last week Putnam played favorites by Raiatea Helm, Israel Kamakawiwio’ole, Cyril Pahinui, Mark Yamanaka, Brothers Cazimero, Cecilio & Kapono, etc. I just heard Cyril, Mark, and Lehua play live a few weeks ago at the Hawaii County “Magic of the Season” events. But the best singer for that holiday event was Henry Kapono (of former Cecilio & Kapono duo) who sang “Danny’s Song” and other favorites to a huge crowd in Hilo, Hawaii.

KXCI even lists their programming playlist (click here for January 5 show).

My favorite Hawaiian music station on the Big Island (when I get to go home) is KAPA 100.3/99.1 FM, where the radio hosts speak Pidgin English and have a Hawaiian word of the day for the listeners. And by the way, one of my favorite singers who plays slack key is Kohala local boy/friend John Keawe, who attended the same high school as me. I think I own all of his CDs.

And save the date: February 21 for George Kahumoku, Jr. at the Fox Theater, 17 W. Congress St.

Then after two hours of Hawaiian music, you can head over to Lani’s Luau for authentic Hawaiian food for lunch. They say they “speak aloha” at that restaurant, located at 2532 S. Harrison Rd. (NW corner of Golf Links Rd).

Listen to Mele O Hawai’i tomorrow morning, and every Saturday morning.

Saturday December 1st, 7:30 p.m. at the beautiful Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress downtown.

Robert Shaw and the Lonely Street Band bring a brand new version of “Blue Christmas – A Holiday Salute to the King,” a high-energy, theatrical, yuletide salute to the music of Elvis Presley. In addition to the great holiday tunes that Elvis recorded, Robert and the talented performers from Loney Street Productions will treat you to many wonderful standards of the season!

Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation
P.O. Box 1008, Tucson, AZ 85702
phone: (520) 624-1515
fax: (520) 624-5855
box office: (520) 547-3040
email: foxinfo@foxtucson.com

With all this election madness this week, I almost forgot about the monthly 2nd Saturday Downtown on Nov. 10th.

Cinema La Placita will be showing the cute 2007 “Bee Movie”, at 6 p.m. in their temporary parking lot on Jackson St. between Stone Ave. and Scott Ave.

The movie stars Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick and Chris Rock.

Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us..

Born to “bee” wild…at 2nd Saturday Downtown.

More info on Cinema La Placita, www.cinemalaplacita.com.

And for the full event schedule for 2nd Saturday Downtown on Nov. 10, click here. I hear that the lively Afro-Brazilian group Batucaxe is playing for FREE at the Fox Tucson Theatre at 7 p.m., 17 W. Congress St. If you haven’t heard this group or been to a show at the incomparable Fox, this is your chance.