Danny Carvalho and Nani Edgar have performed individually and with others over
the years, but they recently joined forces to create the exciting new group Kailua
Moon!

A prolific singer-songwriter and accomplished slack key guitarist, Danny has
packed more musical experiences into his 25 years than many musicians twice his
age. He began his formal training at age 10 with noted slack key player Ozzie
Kotani. At age 14, Carvalho became the first slack key guitar player to be featured
on National Public Radio’s nationally syndicated program From the Top. At age
16, he made the first of two appearances on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home
Companion, and released his first album, Slack Key Journey - On My Way. He
released his second album, Somewhere, when he was 18 – and was nominated for
a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii’s GRAMMY® Award) for Slack Key Album
of the Year. Carvalho’s music was also featured in the Academy Award-winning
film, The Descendants.

Carvalho also studied with one of the most celebrated figures in modern-day
Hawaiian music: the iconic, multi-GRAMMY® and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award
winner Dennis Kamakahi, a member of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame who
composed over 500 songs (many of which have become classics). Carvalho
continued to perfect his skills playing slack key guitar under Kamakahi’s tutelage,
and Kamakahi and others encouraged him to add his voice to his music. He
listened, and eventually studied under acclaimed vocal coach Neva Rego.
Over the years Carvalho further expanded his horizons, composing and producing
his own songs. His third album, 2013ʻs Ke Au Hou (“a new era”), is a reflection of
his growth as a singer-songwriter, but also as lead artist, band leader, arranger (the
album included some very intricate and collaborative arrangements), and producer.
Along with that growth has come the desire to spread his wings beyond the
traditional Hawaiian music he has loved for so long, and Ke Au Hou saw the
beginning of his expansion into blending traditional Hawaiian with contemporary
Hawaiian while creating some new arrangements, and from there into other genres
– including the closely-related folk genre, as well as some acoustic pop. 
Carvalho’s new chapter saw him become a versatile performer with strong
musicianship and vocal and writing skills who delves deeply into a variety of
musical styles and genres while not losing sight of his beloved Hawaiian slack key
roots – an artist who appeals to a wide variety audiences, both young and old. 

 
Singer-songwriter and hula dancer Puanani “Nani” Edgar began her training at age
6 in Ventura, CA with her mother Sylvia Edgar, who was determined to share her
Hawaiian heritage and culture with her daughter. Sylvia began teaching Nani hula
at her school, Hula Hālau O Puananiha’aheo. As for her singing, Nani says that
although she’s been singing all her life, her mother wouldn’t put her on stage to
harmonize with her until she was 16.

Nani has performed internationally with GRAMMY® Award winning artist Daniel
Ho, touring with him in Japan and Australia where she danced hula, sang harmony
and back-up vocals, and played ‘ukulele. She has also gone beyond the Hawaiian
music genre, successfully winning a 2014 “Sing Your Frozen Heart Out”
competition held by Kohls’, where musicians submitted videos of themselves
singing the popular “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen”. Nani’s video stood out
among the 4,000 other entries with her playing the ‘ukulele and performing an
Amy Winehouse-inspired version of the song. Her video was used in a Kohls’
commercial that aired during the American Music Awards Ceremony on ABC. 

Nani’s original songs are influenced by artists such as Miranda Lambert, Tom
Petty, Billy Joel, and Gavin DeGraw, whom she looks up to because she sees the
messages in their songs as a key element in their success. “What I love about
writing is that I can express things that I can't normally express in conversations. I
can write what I am really trying to say. Some people can debate in public. I write
songs. It's my comfort zone.”

Event details and ticket information are in the prior blog post (below).  We are VERY limited on tickets after just one week of ticket sales.  We'll keep you posted and have Kailua Moon CD's on sale at our store.
 

Monday, August 7, 2017
Academy Dance Studio
1937 Goodyear Ave,  Suite 702, Ventura, California
 
7:00 PM      Hawaiian Style Ukulele Workshop (Suited to all levels)
 8:00 PM     Concert (time approximate following workshop)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$25.00 includes workshop and concert
$15.00 includes concert only
Prices go up July 31st!
Contact Anacapa Ukulele
805-500-6848


Join us for a magical  evening.  The spirit of aloha will be shared with you. 

Aolani Kaeka Preuss will be teaching a Hawaiian-stlye 'ukulele workshop that will be suited to all levels of 'ukulele players.
AOLANI  BIOGRAPHY
 
AOLANI KAEKA PREUSS
Growing up in a rich culture of music, Aolani started singing and playing music with her parents. She has been performing since then and her talents as an artist continue to grow. Aolani sings in many style and genres like Country, Blues, Folk, Jazz, and of course Hawaiian.
Her works include opening for many wonderful performers both from Hawaii and here on the mainland. In adjacent to a single release of "My Friend", Aolani released her first album "Daddy's Gift" in 2010.
She joined forces with Mauro Quibin in 2014 to release "Funny Love". This was just the start of their musical adventures!
 
MAURO QUIBIN
Bassist with over 30 years professional experience. Mauro's career started early straight out of high school playing local venues in southern California. He started out covering Classic Rock and expanded to Contemporary Jazz and Blues.
The earliest studio work was with producer and engineer Art Munson. In thefollowing years, Mauro has worked and recorded on 5 Independent Albums. In 2007, Mauro was introduced to the Hawaiian culture and music and like most, have found such a special place in his heart for it. Currently Mauro instructs privately. He is also involved in several after school enrichment programs teaching and mentoring children.

LOWELL EDGAR
Ventura's hidden talent; Lowell has had a passion for music and the Hawaiian culture for years.  He has produced numerous music projects and has collaborated on several motion picture soundtracks.  He adds his special touch to the trio with his guitar playing.

Location for the June 19th Kris Fuchigami Workshop and Performance:

ACADEMY DANCE STUDIO
1920 Goodyear, Ventura 93003.


Limited tickets are available, and sales will end Friday or when we sell out (whichever happens first).  We are VERY close to a full house!

Effective June 14th, Ticket Prices are as follows:
Combination Workshop and Performance $30.00
Performance Only                                     $20.00

There WILL BE NO tickets at the door, sorry!  But VERY happy for those of you who got your tickets!               

Special Event Monday, June 19, 2017
Get your tickets now!
Kris will be giving a workshop suitable for all levels of `ukulele players.
Workshop  7pm
Performance 8pm
 
Workshop and Performance $25.00 in Advance     $30.00 At the Door
Workshop Only                        $15.00 in Advance     $20.00 At the Door
Performance Only                   $15.00 in Advance     $20.00 At the Door

Anacapa `Ukulele is excited to once again welcome Kris Fuchigami and his mom Keiko on keyboard!  Kris and Keiko are on tour in California teaching, performing and promoting Kris’ latest CD, "MORE THAN THIS," Please be sure to get your tickets early, they are available in the store. 


Abour Kris:
Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kris Fuchigami began his musical journey at the age of 13. With an old beat up ukulele in his hands, and a strong desire to master the tiny little instrument, two years later, Kris won the grand prize at the Hamakua Music Scholarship Competition on the Big Island, where he competed against classical pianists, singers, drummers, and many other genres of musicians. Kris went on to headline, and perform at many ukulele festivals. He has gained recognition throughout the world, and yet, he still manages to give back to his community. He produces an annual ukulele competition and teaches privately out of Hilo Guitars and online. Come out and meet this dynamic duo, and learn from one of the best!

What is better than "stringtime" in springtime?  As the weather warms up and the flowers bloom the aloha spirit and music fill the air.  Hello Spring!

Our Kanikapila was a huge success.  We thank all the guests for showing up, taking part, and of course, bringing all the scrumptious food! 

Kenny Walters and Jim Monahan started the festivities with splendid playing and singing.  What soulful sounds filled the room!  Next the "Ukulaliens" entertained us with fun sing-along and play-along numbers.  They  then brought up the "Hula Husbands" with special guests Miles Lang and the lovely Jill Martini for "Puamana" complete with hula dancers!  Great fun.

We wrapped up the day to the energetic rhythms of none other than "Rin-Kon-Tiki," Ventura's premier island band. 

A HUGE THANK YOU to the entertainers and guests! 

If you missed it, please try to come to the next one.  If you were there, I hope you are still glowing from the fun.  Looking forward to another fun time in May.  Date to be announced soon!

Mahalo and Aloha