Post #382910 by ikitnrev on Wed, May 28, 2008 7:42 AM

I do have one request/reminder for Hukilau participants to keep in mind.

The Hukilau is a full weekend, filled with many activities, and bands playing a wide variety of music - not to mention after-parties that might extend to the early hours of the morning.

For some of us, Hukilau is a rare opportunity to listen to a classic exotica music, performed live, by groups of skilled musicians. Many people wish to hear the subtle flow of a whispering melody, or the light tap-tap-tap of a drum, or pay close attention to the varied vocal harmonies.

At past Hukilau events, there have been some moments where an almost perfect musical moment has been disturbed by a background static of voices, from people talking at the back of the rooms. If you happen to be in a room where quiet exotica music is being performed, please try to hold your conversation to a respectful minimum, or at a whispering level, or even consider moving to a different room.

Quiet music does not mean that nothing exciting is happening, and it is not simply background elevator music serving as a placeholder before your favorite surf band arrives on stage. For some of us, Hukilau is that rare magical event, where like-minded people can gather to dress up and listen to a genre of music that much of the public ignores. To be in a room where like-minded friends are sitting quietly, enraptured by the quiet exotica sounds ... well, those are often the moments that will long be treasured.

No, there won't likely be any shushing matronly librarian types, walking around with yardsticks in search of someone to whack. (I think they appear in some private after-parties, that I never seem to get invited to.) The above suggestions are only a reminder, not an iron-clad rule, as even the bands that play the quiet exotica music have moments where they let loose with more wild rhythms, assorted bird calls, where the audience will likely be encouraged to let loose and add their own jungle sounds, blow their own conch shell, or perhaps even get out on the dance floor and act only as drunken Hukilau revelers can dance.

Oh, and if you happen to pass a room, or are walking along the beach, and you see a big guy, playing a little ukulele .... pause a second, stop what you are doing, and listen. Chances are that it is Pablus, and he has one of the sweetest voices in the tiki community.

Vern

[ Edited by: ikitnrev 2008-05-28 07:44 ]