Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 6-12: Show some HEART for Hilo youth theatre; plus, Super Bowl parties and more

We’re taking a different approach this week in the top 10 things to do on the Big Island and highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go.”

Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week on stage at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo.

HEART is about creating opportunities — opportunities that many keiki wouldn’t otherwise have. The youth theatre program is a cornerstone of the Hilo arts community, producing several beloved large-scale productions throughout the past 5 years.

Those shows included “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Grease.”

The theatre’s work also received statewide recognition, including five BroadwayWorld Awards, most recently earning Best Youth Theatre in the State of Hawaiʻi and Best Play for the acclaimed production of “A View from the Bridge.”

HEART gives hundreds of young people the chance to experience professional-quality theatre in a supportive, inclusive environment.

“This concert is a celebration of how far we’ve come — and a look toward where we’re going,” said HEART Producing Artistic Director Larry Reitzer in an announcement about the upcoming benefit concert.

Community support is more vital than ever this year as the program faces an unprecedented funding challenge after losing its largest grant because of widespread cuts to arts funds.

“When our community supports HEART, they are investing directly in our youth and in the future of the arts on Hawaiʻi Island,” Reitzer added in the announcement.

You’re also supporting the youth who participate, learning much more than getting their close-up.

“Live theatre doesn’t just teach kids how to sing or act,” Reitzer said. “It teaches them teamwork, discipline, empathy and confidence. It gives them a place to belong.”

This milestone event Monday (Feb. 9) will feature very special guest artist Matt Shingledecker, whose Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tour credits including starring roles in “Wicked,” “Les Misérables,” “West Side Story,” “Rent” and “Spring Awakening.”

He’ll be joined by Nashville singer-songwriter Hobo Cane (Javier Mendoza); HEART all-star Meili Aspen, who recently starred in the theatre’s productions of “Cabaret,” “Heathers” and “Chicago”; as well as island favorites Pomai Conant-Longakit and Kimo Apaka.

Tickets start at $20, with all proceeds and every donation made directly supporting HEART.

So if you don’t make it to any of the other 9 events in this week’s top 10, be sure to turn out to support Hilo’s youth theatre and the keiki it serves.

Sunday is also Super Bowl Sunday, though. So check out the Big Game Day events happening this weekend.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Feb. 6-12.

P.S.: Keep an eye out at the end of this week’s top 10 for a bonus item!

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Video Courtesy: Kahilu Theatre website

No. 1 — Mariachi Divas (Waimea, Feb. 6)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This two-time Grammy-winning group promises an unforgettable night of music, culture and celebration. The groundbreaking, all-female ensemble is known worldwide for its dynamic performances that blend traditional mariachi with fresh, contemporary flair. Perfect for the whole family, this concert is a joyous celebration of music, heritage and female empowerment. Tickets start at $30.

More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 2 — 5K Walk/Run for Literacy and Silent Auction (Waikōloa, Feb. 7)

When: 7:30 to 11 a.m.

Location: Start at Kohala Coffee Co., Waikōloa Plaza, #J101, 68-1820 Waikōloa Road

Friends of the Library-Waikōloa Region invites the public for a fun-filled day of raising awareness and funds to increase literacy with prizes, drawings, free kids activities such as a bubble cannon and more. A silent auction is also planned at Kohala Coffee Co., with funds raised to support building of the Waikōloa Library.

More info: Visit the Friends of the Library-Waikōloa Region website.

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No. 3 — The Back Boys (Hilo, Feb. 6)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

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

Featuring Adam Kay Sr., this First Friday musical event promises an evening of Hawaiian melodies through the music of Hawai’i Island. Suggested donation of $5 to $20. All ages welcome.

More info: Contact The Booch Bar Hilo at 808-498-4779 or visit the website.

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No. 4 — Body N Soul (Kea‘au, Feb. 6)

When: 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Countryside Café, Kea‘au Shopping Center, 16-586 Old Volcano Road

Happy New Year to y’all! Yew-Haw! Come dance the night away or just groove to the sultry vocals of Sheri Fox. And if you ask nicely, we’ll even have some of the boys sing a song or two. Joining Fox on vocals is Doug Espejo on guitar, Tim DeSilva on bass, Bruce Miyashiro on keys and Bruce David on drums. Food and drinks will be available for sale. $10 cover.

More info: Contact Countryside Cafe at 808-731-4880.

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No. 5 — Kravin’ Munchies 4th annual Craft Fair and Quilt Display (Waimea, Feb. 7)

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Town Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Road

Celebrate the 33rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival with handcrafted works of art from local quilters around the Big Island. The hall will also feature a variety of local vendors and food booths, including Hiro’s Cookies, which is excited to be back again in Waimea. The bakery will feature limited edition flavors including peanut butter chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia nut, among others.

More info: Email to aloha@kravinmunchies.com.

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No. 6 — Bluegrass at The Booch Bar (Hilo, Feb. 8)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: The Booch Bar Hilo, 110 Keawe St.

Y’all should wonder on over to downtown Hilo this weekend as The Rainbow Room is filled with the high lonesome sound. Come for some delicious brunch vittles and some tasty tunes from The Wanderbirds. An open community Bluegrass Jam follows, hosted by Bluegrass Hawai‘i. You’re also encouraged to bring a traditional stringed instrument, a tune to share and some friends to cheer you on.

More info: Contact The Booch Bar Hilo at 808-498-4779 or visit the website.

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No. 7 — “Reflections on this site: successes & mistakes” (Pāhoa, Feb. 8)

When: 11 a.m. till pau

Location: Pāhoa Urban Food Forest, Living Planet Learning Center, 15-2881 Pāhoa Village Road

Pāhoa Urban Food Forest — the second Sunday of each month — hosts events exploring various aspects of permaculture and living sustainably with the land. THIS MONTH: The best way to learn is from other people’s mistakes. Discussion will surround successes and failures throughout Pāhoa Urban Food Forest’s years of food forest development and experimentation. Bonus points for sharing your own lessons. Suggested $10 donation in time, cash, materials, little-fire-ant-free plant keiki.

More info: Visit the Living Planet Learning Center website.

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No. 8 — Super Bowl Party (Hilo, Feb. 8)

When: Doors open at noon for pre-game

Location: Hilo Elks Lodge, Downstairs Lounge, 150 Kino‘ole St.

There will be multiple viewing screens, a pupu buffet and nacho bar to enjoy while you root on your favorite team surrounded by community members and friends. Entry is $10 for current members, $15 for others. Veterans and active duty military members are free. Hilo Elks Lodge encourages everyone to come be its guests.

More info: Call 808-796-3111.

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No. 9 — Super Seafood Boil (Hilo, Feb. 8)

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: Ka Lihikai Restaurant + Bar, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, 93 Banyan Drive

Get ready for a Sunday seafood feast! Dive in to enjoy snow crab, Kaua‘i shrimp, mussels, clams and all your Game Day favorites while catching the big game island-style. See you there! Seafood Boil is $110. Other dishes available for various prices.

More info: Call (808) 932-4545

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FEATURED ITEM

No. 10 — Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre (HEART) 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser (Hilo, Feb. 9)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

This year is different for this budding and successful community education theatre crew as it faces an unprecedented funding challenge, having lost its largest grant because of widespread cuts to arts funding. That means community support is more vital than ever to sustain its youth programming and upcoming production of “Frozen.” This milestone event will feature very special guest artist Matt Shingledecker, whose Broadway, Off-Broadway and national tour credits including starring roles in “Wicked,” “Les Misérables,” “West Side Story,” “Rent” and “Spring Awakening.” He’ll be joined by others including island favorites Pomai Conant-Logakit and Kimo Apaka. Tickets start at $20; every ticket purchase and donation made directly supports HEART.

More info/tickets: Call the Palace Theater box office at 808-934-7010 or visit the Palace website.

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BONUS EXTRA

No. 11 — Irie Pau Hana (Hilo, Feb. 6)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: @Ānuenue On The Bay, 60 Kamehameha Ave.

Make your way to Bayfront for a First Friday streaming show live featuring R&B, reggae, lovers rock, hip hop, Afrobeats, trap and jazz through sounds of Selecta Quality, who will be spinning real soulful, smooth, loungey vibes. If you’re cruising downtown, feel free to listen live on 89.9FM.

More info: Visit the @Ānuenue On The Bay website and follow the café on Instagram.

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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 that 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/