Written by Paul H Mark:
In celebration of National Library Week 2011, the Mahalohalo Ensemble, a musical group rooted in native percussion and dance traditions of Southern Philippines and Malay gong cultures, will perform at the Pearl City Public Library on Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of UH – SCEP
Mahalohalo Ensemble to perform at the Pearl City Public Library and other selected public libraries on Oahu.
The Mahalohalo Ensemble will perform "Gong Row Music & Dances of the Southern Philippines." Kolintang music (also spelled Kulintang) and rarely seen dances such as Igal (a dance with extended fingernails) and Kapagapir (a fan dance) originate from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago of the Southern Philippines. The music derives its lineage from traditions predating the 16th century and is related to gong row traditions in North Borneo, Malaysia, and North Sulawesi, Indonesia with origins in ceremonial, ritual, and entertainment purposes.
Kolintang is the centerpiece instrument of eight horizonally laid kettle gongs in dynamic musical conversation with larger hanging gongs (agong) and a drum (dabakan) as well as other instruments. This program is suitable for all ages.
The Mahalohalo Ensemble will also perform at three other selected Oahu libraries: April 13, 6:30 p.m. at Waipahu Public Library; at Aiea Public Library on April 14 at 3 p.m. and April 30, 10:30 a.m. at Aina Haina Public Library.
Contact the hosting library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.
The Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, ING Foundation, Armstrong Produce Ltd., Bowman Connectivity Solutions, Inc., Girard's Dressing, Roberts Hawaii Tours, Toshiba Business Solutions, and DFS Hawaii are sponsoring the National Library Week 2011 programs. Additional funding and support is being provided by the University of Hawaii-Manoa Outreach College, Statewide Cultural Extension Program, the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Program schedules are subject to change.
Visit the HSPLS website: www.librarieshawaii.org for a complete listing of National Library Week 2011 programs or call your local library to find out what programs will be offered.
Paul H. Mark
Information Specialist III
Hawaii State Public Library System
Library Development Services
3225 Salt Lake Boulevard, Suite 205 Honolulu, HI 96818-2115
(808) 831-6877 / fax (808) 831-6882
Email: [email protected] Web: www.librarieshawaii.org