Slack Key guitar concert on Kauai's northshore

On Friday, January 8th on Kauai’s North-shore you can join locals to enjoy a regular event, a traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and ukulele concert offered monthly at our Hanalei Community Center. The audience is treated to great music and some stories about the history of Hawaiian slack key guitar.

This musical style is unique to our islands. Though accounts differ as to its origin most attribute the introduction of guitar here to the Spanish cowboys or paniolos who immigrated here in the 1800’s to work on our ranches. When they left the Hawaiians – always great lovers of music – adapted the style of play to an “open tuning”. They created songs and melodies that worked with tradition chants and also integrated elements from European music.

How to get there: The Hanalei Community Center is just past the retail area on the left side of the highway as you head north through Hanalei. One block past the shopping center you turn left (or toward the mountains) onto Malolo Road. Look for the Hanalei Community Center sign on the edge of the soccer fields. Drive about 60 feet and then turn left into the gravel parking area. The concert is held in the brown building.

You can buy tickets or get more information by going to www.McMasterSlackKey.com/liveshows.html or you can call (808) 826-1469.