CHECK OUT NEW STODDARD WORKS

When North Shore artist Silas Stoddard debuted his work at last year’s Art After Dark “Hawaii Ink” event, attendees went crazy over his pop-iconic artwork. As he painted a live portrait of Barack Obama, the larger-than life-painting drew the crowd in awe.

With all the attention on his work, his “Stargirl” paintings began flying off the shelf. He depicts historic figures such as Eddie Aikau, King Kaläkaua and Buddha with bright colors and various textures, using acrylic paints, canvas, printed cloth and stencils. This year, as he gears up to return to Art After Dark for May’s “Remix” event, Stoddard is ready to introduce new pieces.
Check it out 6-10 p.m. Friday at Art After Dark, Honolulu Academy of Art, 900 S. Beretania St.; $10 nonmembers, free for members. For more information on Silas Stoddard’s work, visit www.silasstoddard.com.
— L.M.

GOAPELE BRINGS SOULFUL SOUND BACK TO ISLANDS

The smooth, sultry voice and positive lyrics of Goapele earn her comparison to R&B notables like Sade. Her name, Goapele, means “go forward” in Sitswana.
Goapele’s music was featured in the movie “Honey” starring Jessica Alba, and her performances have sold out nationwide. She’s coming to the Aloha Tower Marketplace Friday with Erykah Badu.
“I have performed in Hawaiçi a couple of times over the years, but it feels like it’s been a long time,” says the musician, singer, songwriter and mother.
“My daughter is almost 2 years old. It’s changed my day-to-day life. I did a natural birth, and it changed my perspective on the world,” she explains in a phone interview from her base in Oakland. “In the beginning, I was focusing on my family and spending time with my daughter. I did shows here and there, but only in the past few months I felt like I had room again to create. I feel like my drive is really strong, and my time is more valuable to me now.”
She’s now working on her third album. “I’m not sure yet what the name of the album will be, but it will probably be called ‘Milk and Honey,’ ” she says.
While Friday’s show is on the verge of selling out, Goapele sees this performance as a way to relax. “There is a lot of work that goes into editing an album, and I just can’t wait to get off the plane and spend a few days before the show on the beach. I just love how clear and warm the water is in Hawaiçi. I feel like people have always been really warm in welcoming me there.”
Goapele and Erykah Badu, 7 p.m. Friday, Aloha Tower Marketplace; $50, 21 and older only; 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.
— Lacy Matsumoto

BOARD SHORTS WITH FLAVOR

Hawaiian Island Creations has added the Islands’ favorite shave ice destination — Haleçiwa landmark Matsumoto’s Shave Ice — to its “Hawaiian Icon Series” board shorts collection. HIC teamed up with Noriko and Stanley Matsumoto to create a functional board short featuring Matsumoto’s rainbow shave ice logo. The shorts come in two colors, black and green, and sell for $53.
Bonus: Buy a pair of board shorts at Matsumoto’s, Macy’s Ala Moana or any HIC store, then wear them into Matsumoto’s and show your hangtag in exchange for a free large shave ice. Perfect for cooling off after a beach session on a hot summer day.
— Paula Rath

DREAM CATCHER

Amos Lee has an amazing life story, characterized by vivid goals, hard work and passions followed fully. In college, he was given a guitar and after graduation he went on to be a teacher — until one day, he decided to leave his comfortable life to pursue a career in music. His intensely soulful music has connected with listeners, landing him three albums with Blue Note Records, hit songs like “Shout Out Loud” and touring gigs with Elvis Costello and Norah Jones.
This Saturday, Lee joins opening act and local girl Anuhea for an intimate performance at NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St.; doors open at 9 p.m., and the cover is $20. www.bampproject.com.
— L.M.

SALES & BARGAINS

• One of our favorite events has finally arrived: the Nordstrom half-yearly sale! Score one-third off many of your favorite summer and spring items. But hurry, the best stuff won’t last. Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center; 953-6100, www.nordstrom.com.
• Memorial Day isn’t just about beaches and barbecues, it’s an extra day added for shopping (well, that’s how we like to think of it)! With deals abounding, it’s easy to forget your vows to keep to a budget and lose control of your spending. So: If you’re going to take part in the spending spree, do it away from the mall at a boutique where it’s hard to go wrong.
The Butik is loaded up with new arrivals, and lots of great dresses and tops have also been added to the sale rack. Shop with friends at a place that won’t leave you spinning in circles just to find a parking spot! The Butik, 1067 Kapiçolani Blvd., Suite A-3; 593-4484, www.thebutik.com.
• Another sad turn of events for lovers of home decor: INTO is closing. The unwelcome news does make short-term bargains available, however; the shop is holding a 30-percent-off sale. Score fab finds for the home for yourself, or bring the perfect housewarming gift to a friend. INTO’s closeout sale goes on through the end of June. INTO, 40 N. Hotel St.; 536-2211.
— Pualana Lemelle

WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?

DJ Zacharijah
“Automatic,” Marcia Griffiths ft. Busy Signal
“Warn Dem,” Torch
“Spliff Tail,” Busy Signal
“Acres,” Capelton
“Divinity Within,” Lion Fiyah