The Best of Hawaiian Music at the 2009 Aloha Falsetto Festival July 18, 2009

The only gathering of Hawaiian falsetto (leo ki'eki'e) artists outside of Hawai'i is coming to Los Angeles. Featuring performances by Hawaiian music Grammy winners and nominees all on one stage, plus hula, Hawaiian food, arts and crafts vendors, and more, this festival is truly one a kind. Honoring one of the world's great ethnomusical traditions, the first-ever "Aloha Falsetto Festival" on the US mainland July 2008 was truly an historic occasion and this year's program will not disappoint. Featuring some of the most respected names in Hawaiian music today, the festival features recipients of numerous awards including Grammy Awards, Na Hoku Hano Hano (Hawaiian Grammy) Awards, Critic's Choice and People's Choice awards including Richard Ho'opi'i (Two-time Grammy Winner), Weldon Kekauoha (Most Promising Artist, Favorite Entertainer), Pomaika'i Keawe (Heir to the legacy of Aunty Genoa Keawe). Hawaiian falsetto singing (leo ki`eki`e) is one of Hawai`i's greatest contributions to musical culture. The term "leo ki'eki'e" was coined for a special falsetto concert sponsored by The Hawaiian Music Foundation in 1973, which was hailed as a milestone in Hawaiian music. The origin of today's distinctive Hawaiian falsetto singing has been shrouded in mystery and conjecture with no single source responsible for its introduction and subsequent development but rather a combination of early Island chants (mele oli), Christian hymns, songs and yodeling of immigrant cowboys. These influences inspired Hawaiians to create their own unique musical expression which has become a tradition of its own. (Source: Hawaiian Music and Musicians: An Illustrated History by George S. Kanahele, 1979.)

Tickets starting at $25, on sale now at www.AlohaFalsettoFest.com

$25 - 75.

Official Website: http://alohafalsettofest.com/