Martha Redbone’s ‘Bone Hill–The Concert’ at Kahilu Theatre

Martha Redbone’s “Bone Hill – The Concert,” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., at the Kahilu Theatre.

Inspired by Redbone’s own life, and the lives of the women whom she descended from in Appalachia, “Bone Hill – The Concert” is a musical journey that tells a unique American story about family and dreams.

Martha Redbone’s “Bone Hill – The Concert,” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., at the Kahilu Theatre. Photo Courtesy.

The story is told through a wide-range musical palette that consists of traditional Cherokee chants and lullabies to bluegrass and blues, country, gospel, jazz, Rock & Roll, Rhythm n Blues, and funk.

“Bone Hill – The Concert” desires to be honest about uncomfortable subjects and especially the subject of race in America.

The piece addresses the predicament of the Cherokee people who returned home after the Trail of Tears, the U.S. government’s racial reclassification legislatures of the Mid-Atlantic States, ancient burial grounds being desecrated in the name of industry, and much more.

While it reveals erased, forgotten truths, “Bone Hill” does so with humor, sadness, and exuberance.

“Martha Redbone is a mesmerizing performer, writer, and storyteller,” says Broadway Directory Charles Randolph-Wright. “Bone Hill is a uniquely American story of family and dreams – I cannot stop thinking about her unforgettable journey. No matter who you are or where you’re from, Martha takes you home.”

The accompanying 6-piece band led by co-creator Aaron Whitby on piano and organ features Charlie Burnham on violin and harmonica, Marvin Sewell on banjo and guitar, Alan Burroughs on dobro and guitar, Fred Cash on bass, and Tony Mason on drums.

Doors at Kahilu Theatre will open at 6 p.m. for the performance and there will be beverages and snacks available for sale at the Kahilu Theatre bar.

The Kapa Kahilu exhibit is currently on display in the Kohala Gallery, featuring some of today’s most respected kapa artists.

Tickets are $68, $48, $38, $20 and available for purchase online or by calling (808) 885-6868, or at the Kahilu Theatre Box Office at 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will also be a Youth Show performance of “Bone Hill – The Concert” at the Theatre on Monday, Oct. 31, at 10:30 a.m.

For more information about Youth Shows offered at the theater, contact Education Coordinator Lisa Shattuck at [email protected].

“Bone Hill – The Concert” will also be performed at UH Hilo on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for the Hilo performance are available at the UH Hilo Box Office at (808) 932-7490 or online.

This performance is made possible by generous sponsorship by Concepción S. & Irwin Federman, Frank Snow and Kona Brewing Co.