Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 17-23: Freaky Tiki, Uncle Charlie, Maisey Rika, HI-CAL DEAD, kickball, Earth Day cleanup and more

It’s another week with plenty to do around the Big Island, but if you’re a music enthusiast — or just like to listen to great tunes — several venues have events planned that are pitch perfect for you.

Freaky Tiki will be playing songs from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and more Friday night at Hilo Town Market. Uncle Charlie will be celebrating music from the 1960s and 1970s also Friday night, less than a block away from the market, in The Rainbow Room at The Booch Bar on Keawe Street.

Māori singer-songwriter Maisey Rika and her band bring heartfelt songs exploring themes of identity, justice, family and resilience to the Kahilu Theatre stage Friday night in Waimea. Plus, Palace Theater in downtown Hilo is partnering with Aloha Growers to showcase HI-CAL DEAD, an all-star lineup of Hawaiʻi and California Grateful Dead tribute artists, to Hilo.

PARENTS Inc. has just the event if you want to get outside for a bit this weekend, with its 8th annual Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly fundraiser dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect throughout the islands. Everyone is invited to come out and watch Saturday.

And you can celebrate Earth Day with a special cleanup event Saturday along Highway 130 in Puna sponsored by Uncle Tilo’s Clean Water and Puna state Rep. Greggor Ilagan.

That’s just a sampling of what’s happening.

Read on to check out all of our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for April 17-23.

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No. 1 — Freaky Tiki live (Hilo, April 17)

When: 5:30 p.m.

Location: Hilo Town Market, 69 Waiānuenue Ave.

Featuring Sally Eilenberg on vocals, Curt Eilenberg on guitar and vocals, Pony Hoonan on base and John Mullooly on drums. The band will rock the market with powerful rock and dance cover songs from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and more. The live performance should have you up and on your feet, dancing to some of your favorite tunes from throughout the decades.

More info: Follow Freaky Tiki on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 2 — Uncle Charlie live (Hilo, April 17)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: The Booch Bar, The Rainbow Room, 110 Keawe St.

Uncle Charlie is rocking The Rainbow Room this week, celebrating music from the 1960s and 1970s. Music from some of your favorite bands from those two decades will be covered by the band, providing groovy tunes for a fun night out in downtown Hilo. All ages welcome. Suggested donation of $5 to $20.

More info: Visit The Booch Bar website.

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No. 3 — Maisey Rika: Hoea ki Hawai‘i (Waimea, April 17)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This Māori singer-songwriter blends soul, folk, acoustic and tradition with a deeply rooted cultural spirit. Singing in English and Te Reo Māori, her honey-smooth vocals and heartfelt songs explore themes of identity, justice, family and resilience. She returns to Hawai‘i with a voice that heals, empowers and connects for a rare and moving concert experience.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 4 — HI-CAL DEAD (Hilo, April 17)

When: 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

HI-CAL DEAD is an all-star lineup of Hawaiʻi and California Grateful Dead tribute artists, including Stephen Inglis, Nate LaPointe, Danny Eisenberg, Alex Jordan and Brad Rhodus. They have individually played with legends of the Grateful Dead Family, and also with some of the best tribute bands. Presented by Palace Theater and Aloha Growers.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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No. 5 — PARENTS Inc. 8th annual Kickball Tournament (Hilo, April 18)

When: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. kickball games; 3:30 to 4 p.m. awards and winners announced

Location: Walter CK Victor Baseball Complex, 181 Manono St.

The community is encouraged to come out to cheer on the teams and join the mission to help kick child abuse out of Hawaiʻi. The tournament is a family-friendly fundraiser dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect throughout the islands. The event is open to the public and offers a welcoming, keiki-friendly atmosphere for the entire ʻohana.

More info: Call PARENTS Inc. at 808-235-0255 or email to info@hawaiiparents.org.

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No. 6 — Puna Earth Day Cleanup (Pāhoa/Keaʻau, April 18)

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Location: Along Highway 130

The community is invited and encouraged to join Uncle Tilo’s Clean Water, Puna state Rep. Greggor Ilagan and friends, family members and neighbors for a cleanup of Highway 130 in Puna. No registration necessary for this environmental beautification. Just check in at The Hub, located at the intersection of Highway 130 and 132 in Pāhoa, or Sure Foundation Church, located at 16-1592 Pōhaku Circle in Keaʻau.

More info: Text Rocco at 808-217-7599.

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No. 7 — Kohala Spring Tea (Waimea, April 19)

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check in begins at 10:45 a.m.

Location: Anna Ranch Heritage Center, 65-1480 Kawaihae Road

This elegant afternoon event is in support of Mālama Pono Kohala’s mission to prevent and eliminate intimate partner violence. It will include a pi kai cleansing ceremony, live music, tea bundle station and lei making, community reflection activities, survivor and community storytelling, giveaways and more.

More info/tickets: Click here.

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No. 8 — Kōkua Kailua (Kailua-Kona, April 19)

When: 1 to 6 p.m.

Location: Aliʻi Drive, downtown Kailua-Kona

Mark your calendars! Head downtown to Aliʻi Drive, which will be open to pedestrians only, and stroll historic Kailua Village while you shop, dine and buy local. Also enjoy live music, artists, merchants and restaurants, welcoming you to stop and take a look at or taste what they have to offer. Sponsored by Kailua Village Business Improvement District.

More info: Visit the Kailua Village Business Improvement District website or email to kailuavillage@gmail.com.

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No. 9 — Jim Brickman Live! (Waimea, April 19)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Enjoy an afternoon of heartfelt melodies and intimate piano storytelling with one of the most beloved contemporary composers and pianists of our time. Known for romantic ballads and chart-topping instrumental hits, Brickman brings his signature blend of pop, piano and soothing vocals to the stage. Don’t miss this captivating performance by one of the great piano storytellers.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 10 — Kaʻū Coffee Farm Care Field Day (Pāhala, April 23)

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Kaʻū Coffee Mill, 96-2694 Wood Valley Road

Presented by University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, this field day will provide information about coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust management, sprayer calibration and pesticide calculations. Open to all coffee producers, with a chance to win prizes, too. Free lunch provided.

More info/register: Contact Matt at 808-322-0164 or click here; must register at least 2 days before the event.

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Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on each week in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• 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/
• Waimea Arts Council, Waimea, https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org