Mavis Staples Opens UH-Hilo Arts Center Season

The University of Hawai`i at Hilo Performing Arts Center kicks off its 2014-15 season with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mavis Staples on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

“Staples has been the solid rock of American music for over six decades, seamlessly crossing genres from the delta-inflected gospel sound of the 1950s to pop radio in the 1970s and back again to her gospel roots today,” said PAC Manager Lee Dombroski in a release for the concert.

Audiences will have a varied and diverse season of performances for 2014-15, the release said.

Emel Mathlouthi and her band perform on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., bringing a new sound to Tunisian music.

On Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m, Jacob Rajan takes the stage in Indian Ink Theatre Company’s dramatic storytelling production of The Guru of Chai.

The fall season concludes with Conquering the Sun, the amalgamation of several Hawaiian myths created by Jackie Pualani Johnson and the CU Colorado Caravan, and directed by Kimo Apaka. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.

The spring season opens with Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem featuring vintage American music on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Eric Bibb takes the stage with his finger-picking technique and blend of folk-blues.

Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion dance company presents Pavement on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. “Abraham’s work is provocative, sensual and socially relevant with a strong emphasis on sound, human behavior and all things visual,” Dombroski said.

Massive Company performs The Brave, a work that tells the stories of eight diverse Aukland-based men who reflect on what it takes to be a brave man in the world today, on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The season wraps up with The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles on Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Season subscription packages, ranging in price from $74.40 to $157.60, will be available beginning Sept. 2 by calling the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 932-7490. Single tickets for all events will be available beginning Sept. 9.