First Quarter Showcases Announced

January 7, 2022 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcases for January through March, 2002, have been announced.

January's Livestream Steel Guitar Saturday showcase will feature showcase veterans Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, and Greg Sardinha with Kaipo Asing and Helene Woodward. The showcase will be broadcast on January 22 on the Showcase's Facebook page and YouTube channel.

February's Livestream Kanikapila will originate from Moloka‘i on February 26. This will be the first steel guitar event presented on that island. Kanikapila musicians are expected to include Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Greg Sardinha, Kapono Lopes, and Helene Woodward. Moloka‘i steel guitarist Victor Patron will also be featured.

The March Open Stage Showcase will once again present videos submitted by steel guitarists and steel guitar ensembles worldwide. Steel guitarists interested in submitting performance videos for the program should visit the Showcase website's Open Stage page for additional information. The showcase will be broadcast on March 12.

All livestream broadcasts will start at 3:00 PM Hawaiian Standard Time.

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcases have previously originated from O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island. February's showcase marks the inauguration of a showcase on Moloka'i.

Showcases are monthly Hawaiian steel guitar presentations that are livestreamed on the Showcase's Facebook page and YouTube channel. The Showcases originated as a pivot from in-person live steel guitar festivals which were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three types of showcases are offered.

The Livestream Steel Guitar Saturday series presents two popular Hawaiian steel guitarists in separate performances. Videos of NextGen keiki steel guitarist performances are presented between the live performances.

The Livestream Kanikapila events feature a group of all-star musicians singing and playing popular Hawaiian songs. Livestream viewers can play along at home with the musicians or just enjoy the performances.

Open Stage Showcases provide an opportunity for steel guitarists worldwide to submit performance videos for airing in the livestream broadcast. Previous open stage performance videos have originated from many U.S. states, Japan, New Zealand, England, and Sweden.

Due to the large success of the showcases and the ability to reach a worldwide audience via the Internet, showcase presentations will continue to be offered on a regular basis and will be combined with live in-person festivals when such festivals are resumed.