Sunsplash vibrations
By Krisha Chachra
Special to The Advertiser
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| O-Maya sings in English and Spanish, blending reggae, Latino and salsa rhythms. The 10-member group from San Francisco will perform on Stage 3 (Gordon Biersch) on Saturday. |
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| Chaka Demus and Pliers, from Trinidad, will perform at Stage 1 (Kapono's). The band members say they're happy to return to Hawai'i for Summer Sunsplash, where they will share the stage with local bands. |
Summer Sunsplash 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday Aloha Tower Marketplace $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door for 21 and older (pre-sale locations: T&C surf locations, UH Campus Center, Kapono's, Don Ho's and presaleticketsonline.com) 536-2161, ext. 107 |
For proof, look no further than her reggae hit "It's a Pity," a song about promiscuity and sexual attractiveness.
"I try to create a sense of belonging with my music," Stephens said. "I feel comfortable anywhere on this planet and I believe my performances translate that to the audience."
Stephens, along with Chaka Demus and Pliers, is flying in from Jamaica for Saturday night's Summer Sunsplash music festival and block party at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. The acts will be sharing five stages with local acts ranging from Natural Vibrations to deejays for the reggae blowout. Levi Mayz of Trinidad will also be on hand.
"It's a Pity" by Stephens "rode the charts in New York and in the Caribbean about eight months ago," said Jonathan Mack, who is teaming with Michael Galmiche and Laka Preis-Carpenter to organize and promote the event. "Roots reggae lovers on the island will know exactly who she is."
Mack certainly does. The three promoters got a taste of reggae's popularity earlier this spring when they put together the Bob Marley Birthday Bash at the Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Thousands of fans showed up for the event — many more than they had projected — and the trio, now going by the promotional name Three Sexy Guys, weren't prepared to handle the overflow.
Some venues ran out of food and drinks, some fans waited in line too long to get in, others complained of a lack of restrooms.
Call it a learning experience.
The trio say they have made significant changes to accommodate Saturday's crowd.
More security, more entrances, more beverage stands — all will likely be needed.
Chaka Demus and Pliers, known for hits such as "Murder She Wrote" and "Tease Me," have performed in Honolulu in the past, so coming for Saturday's inaugural Sunsplash show wasn't a difficult decision.
"The Hawaiian people are loving people," Pliers said. "... (Chaka Demus and I) always get so much warmth and kindness when we come and play here.
"Our songs are full of love and energy, using rhythms of our roots. The Hawaiian people get this and so we love to come and rock with them."
The concerts have been broken down to accommodate all types of music lovers.
Stage 1 at Kapono's is the reggae-dancehall stage, kicking off its entertainment at 6 p.m. with Kawo and ending with Chaka Demus and Pliers from 12:45 a.m. to closing.
Stephens and roots reggae bands will be the focus at Don Ho's Stage 2; Afro-Cuban/hip-hop/salsa/funk/Brazilian is on display at Gordon Biersch's Stage 3; hip-hop and dancehall are outside at Chai's Bistro; and funky soulful house is inside at Chai's.
"We're big on unity and wanted to create a musical experience where different cultures would be represented at one event," said Galmiche. "Music is so powerful and an event like this one brings diverse musical styles together."
To emphasize the cultural exchange of music, Mack arranged for Levi Mayz from Trinidad to join the performers on Stage 2. Mayz is one of the premier Soca musicians in the Caribbean.
"There are so many talented musicians in Hawaiian culture. Just like in Hawai'i, in the Caribbean locals spend their free time at backyard parties, barbecuing and playing music. It is part of the culture."
O-Maya has never performed in Hawai'i, lead female singer Destani Wolf said, but the 10-member group based in Berkeley, Calif., is looking forward to the experience.
"We like to keep people dancing and at the same time we have something to say," Wolf said. "Our music is about treating each other right. We sing in English and in Spanish and our music includes Latino rhythms with a salsa and reggae feel."
Another attraction is DJ Malik from MTV's "The Real World." Malik is spinning hip-hop and dancehall with local DJs Kimo & Trace, along with DJ Noxious, starting at 9 p.m. at Chai's. Inside, Las Vegas' DJ Joey Mazzola will take a spin.
"Each of these stages individually is a $40 show," Galmiche said. "We had such success putting on a good show at the Marley fest that we want people to come back — this time for $15 to see over 25 performers."
Krisha Chachra teaches communications and journalism at Hawai'i Pacific University.
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Sunsplash projected lineup
Stage 1 at Kapono's
Reggae-dancehall
- 6-6:40 p.m. — Kawo
- 7-7:40 p.m. — The Ionz
- 8-8:40 p.m. — Maka/Isight Band
- 9-9:40 p.m. — Whitelines
- 10-10:40 p.m. — Red Degree
- 11-11:40 p.m. — O-Shen
- Midnight-12:45 a.m. — THC/Humble Soul
- 12:45-1:45 a.m.— Chaka Demus and Pliers
Stage 2 at Don Ho's
Roots reggae
- 7-7:45 p.m. — Isouljahs
- 8-8:45 p.m. — Most High
- 9-9:45 p.m. — Hot Rain
- 10-10:45 p.m. — Isa Ako
- 11 p.m.-midnight — Ooklah the Moc
- 12:30-1:30 a.m. — Tanya Stephens
Stage 3 at Gordon Biersch
Afro-Cuban/hip-hop/ salsa/funk/Brazilian
- 6-6:40 p.m. — Paradise XS
- 7-7:40 p.m. — Live Capoeira
- 8-8:40 p.m. — X-Factor
- 9-9:40 pm. — Neken
- 10-10:40 p.m. — Quadraphonix
- 11 p.m.-midnight — Natural Vibes
- 12:30-1:45 a.m. — O-Maya
Stage 4 at Chai's Island Bistro, outside
Hip-hop and dancehall
- 9 p.m.i1:30 a.m. — DJ Malik, DJ Kimo & Trace, DJ Noxious & Guests, hosted by Golden Child
Stage 5 at Chai's Island Bistro, inside
Deep funky soulful house
- 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. — DJ Joey Mazzola, DJ Moody EVA & Guests, hosted by G Spot
