Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 21-27: Steely Dead, Pickleball for Peace, Sour Hearts Club, JuggleFest and more

This is another one of those weeks when life takes somewhat of a more, shall we say, eclectic turn as far as things to do around the Big Island.

There is a concert in Hilo by a band that combines the arrangement and precision of rock legends Steely Dan with Grateful Dead’s improvisation and masterful song segues. You can play pickleball to support peace and conflict resolution programs in West Hawai‘i.

A pole dance, fitness and yoga studio in Kona invites everyone — whether you love love or are feeling a bit anit-love right now — to a show that embraces heartbreak and self-discovery with amazing tricks and acts that celebrate the complexity of the emotion.

How about an exhibit that unveils stories hidden in the shadows of time, shedding light on untold stories and overlooked moments that shaped Hilo? Or an all-you-can-eat ice cream jam session with school bands and music groups in Hilo?

Get some inspiration for home design during an expo in Keauhou featuring products and services for designing, building, remodeling and redecorating.

There’s even a JuggleFest — yes, a festival for juggling enthusiasts, no matter their skill level — in Kalapana Seaview Estates complete with workshops, games and performances, as well as a festval gala open to everyone.

Who ever said living on the Big Island was boring? Here are our top 10 things to do for Feb. 21-27.

No. 1 — Hawai‘i Island JuggleFest (Kalapana Seaview Estates, Feb. 21-23)

When: Begins 10 a.m. Friday and ends at 8 p.m. Sunday

Location: Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education, 12-253 W. Pōhakupele Loop

All ages and all skill levels are invited to join this exciting 3-day event for juggling enthusiasts filled with workshops, games and performances. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, young or older, this festival offers something for everyone.

Learn new tricks, improve your technique and expand your juggling repertoire with the help from experienced jugglers (bring your own juggling and flow props). Witness awe-inspiring performances by talented jugglers from around the world. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow members of the vibrant juggling and circus community to exchange tips and tricks.

Come share your passion, make new friends, and experience the sense of community that makes juggling so special. Don’t miss the festival gala, which is open to the rest of the public too, Saturday night. Tickets start at $35 for a single day pass.

More info or to purchase tickets: Click here.

No. 2 — Steely Dead live (Hilo, Feb. 21)

When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Take a journey through rock and roll’s golden era during this unforgettable experience of the sonic fusion between music by the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan.

The bnad’s repetoire is a carefully crafted combination of the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan cross-pollinated with Grateful Dead’s free-flowing, melodic improvisation and masterful song segues.

Seating is open and dancing is definitely welcome. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the show.

More info or to purchase tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 3 — 2025 Living & Design Home Expo (Feb. 22-23, Keauhou)

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 ‘Ehukai St., Keauhou

Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce invites the community to get inspired during the 18th annual installment of this expo packed with products and services to design, build, remodel and redecorate your home.

The event features 33 local exhibitors under one roof. Those who attend also will enjoy live radio spots with KAPA FM DJ Darde Gamayo from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, prize giveaways and a chance to win a free night’s stay at the OUTRIGGER.

Open to the public. Free admission and parking.

More info: Visit the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce website, call 808-329-1758 or email to info@kona-kohala.com.

No. 4 — Enigneering Bash (Waimea, Feb. 22)

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library, 67-1209 Māmalahoa Highway

Meet some of the Big Island’s most talented students, professional engineers and community experts while you discover the amazing world of engineering during this free science soiree in observance of National Engineers Week.

Enjoy mind-bending and inspiring indoor/outdoor activities, demonstrations and displays, including 3-D printing, circuits and electrical safety, fire engine operations and equipment, homopolar motors, magnets and magnetic fields, mini robot building, rockets, solar viewing, Touch-A-Truck and more. There will even be face painting and balloon sculptures.

More info: Call 808-887-6067.

No. 5 — Pickleball for Peace Tournament (Keauhou, Feb. 22)

When: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Holua Racquet & Paddle, 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St.

West Hawai‘i Mediation Center invites the community to join in its first Pickleball for Peace tourney, a fundraising event to help build a culture of peace. All proceeds will go directly to supporting the various conflict resolution programs offered by the mediation center.

All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to play in this round robin tournament with bracket seeding and single elimination. You can play as mixed or gendered doubles, and teams are encouraged to register together. Individual tickets are available, too, in case you can’t find a partner. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.

Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Cost is $55 per person, and there an option to purchase lunch is available.

More info or to purchase tickets: Visit the West Hawai‘i Mediation Center website.

No. 6 — Visual storytelling workshop with artist-in-residence Andrés Vera Martínez (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Feb. 22)

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit, turn at 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Ka‘ū

Author, illustrator and educator Andrés Vera Martínez is February’s artist in residence, the first of 2025. He is currently illustrating a children’s book, “Hawaiian Myths and Gods,” written by University of Hawai‘i professor and Native Hawaiian Marie Alohalani Brown.

Martínez will guide aspiring artists in crafting visual narratives inspired by the written word. No reservations required.

More info: Call Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Interpretation and Education Program at 808-929-8075.

No. 7 — Sour Hearts Club show (Kailua-Kona, Feb 22)

When: 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Location: MyBar Kona, 74-5606 Luhia St.

Did Cupid miss his mark on Valentine’s Day? Does love have you feeling sour? If you answered yes to either of those questions, join The Pod Kona for at this event that embraces heartbreak and self-discovery by celebrating the raw, unfiltered emotions that come along with the joy, pain and complexities of love.

Whether you love love or are feeling a bit anti-love, this show has all the amazing tricks and acts for which The Pod Kona — a pole dance, fitness and yoga studio for like-minded people to build community around wellness and empowerment — is known. Don’t miss out on the fun.

Tickets are $25. You can also purchase a VIP table for 4 people for $150.

More info or to purchase tickets: Click here.

No. 8 — Ninth annual All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Jam (Hilo, Feb. 23)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St.

Here’s the scoop. Come and enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream while you listen to some great music by Big Island student musicians and support their programs at the same time.

This year’s performers include Hilo High School Taiko, Hilo Intermediate School Band, Hilo High School ensemble, Waiākea Intermediiate School ‘Ukulele Band, Hilo High School Blue Band, Kea‘au High School Band and Hilo High School Gold Band.

Tickets are $8 presale or $10 at the door. Craft vendors, concessions and a lucky number drawing are also part of the festivities. All proceeds support music in local schools.

More info or to get tickets: Contact any of the schools with bands/groups performing. But advance tickets from band and ensemble members.

No. 9 — University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Celebrates Black History Month (Hilo, Feb. 26-27)

When: Various times

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, 200 W. Kāwili St.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo continues its celebration of Black History Month, celebrating, honoring and highlighting the achievements, contributions and history of Black people and communities. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. There is no admission charge.

An African string figure workshop is planned for 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in W201 at the Student Services Center. A presentation of the film “BlackkKlansman,” based on the true story of an African American police officer who successfully infiltrated a branch of the Klu Klux Klan, is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. the same day in UCB Room 100.

A discussion about the book “Passing Across the Color Line” with Barbara Hilyer is also planned at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Campus Center Room 301.

More info: Visit the University of Hawai’i at Hilo website.

No. 10 — “Puāhilo: Unveiling Forgotten Memories of Hilo” (Hilo, through May 2)

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 reception

Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

Step into the heart of Hilo’s layered history with this immersive exhibit that is an act of remembrance and a celebration, honoring what was nearly lost while creating space for renewed connection and understanding.

Guest cultural curator Lokelani Brandt unveils some of the stories hidden in the shadows of time and takes you on a journey to discover the threads that continue to bind Hilo’s past and present. The exhibit sheds light on untold stories and overlooked moments that shaped Hilo through generations with a blend of archival materials, oral histories, photographs and cultural artifacts.

Attend the special reception Feb. 28 with Brandt and cultural advisor Halena Kapuni-Reynolds to be even more immersed in the forgotten memories of the East Hawai‘i community.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural website, call 808-961-5711, email to admin@ehcc.org or stop in at the center during regular business hours.

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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/