MASTERS OF HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR SERIES CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW DAY (Hawaiian Music Shows Every Wednesday at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua)

LAHAINA, MAUI--Having completed two full years of weekly Hawaiian music shows, Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series celebrates its second anniversary by changing to a new day. Beginning October 5, the shows will take place every Wednesday evening in the theater of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. There will be one 7:30 pm performance now through December 21, 2005. Starting December 28, there will be two performances each Wednesday, at 6:00 and 8:30 pm.

Concert series founders Wayne Wong and Paul Konwiser along with host George Kahumoku, Jr. developed the concept of the shows: music combined with talk story to provide an expanded view of Hawaii's culture and musical heritage.

"These two years have been the most fulfilling of my life," says Konwiser. "For me, it's been a great privilege to get to meet so many of Hawaii's top entertainers. But what's more important is that over 13,000 people have seen the show. They've had a rare opportunity to experience a unique aspect of Hawaiian culture."

In the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series, the artists draw from their own local traditions and from the music of their `ohana (family), giving traditional songs a personal feeling and telling the stories behind the music. The visiting master artists say they enjoy performing in this series because it provides a welcome opportunity to interact with the audience in such an intimate setting.

Wong adds, "The small theater where we do the show is perfect for this kind of performance. We're very grateful to Javier Cano and Clifford Nae`ole of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Without them this concert series might not have happened."

In addition to continuing rave reviews, winning the Hawai`i Music Awards and a Keep It Hawai`i Recognition Award, this past year has confirmed that the music and stories coming out of this concert series are authentic and of the highest caliber.

Tickets are $40 per show general admission, and $30 for state residents with a current Hawai`i driver's license. For reservations, call toll-free (888) 669-3858 or (808) 669-3858 in Hawai`i. Check the ongoing performance schedule of artists on the website http://www.slackkey.com.

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About Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc
Founded for the love of the music and grounded in the concept of aloha, Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc is dedicated to perpetuating and preserving traditional Hawaiian music, especially the unique Hawaiian acoustic guitar art form known as "Ki-ho‘alu" (Hawaiian Slack Key). The corporation develops programs, events and the concert series to create a deeper awareness and understanding of this authentic Hawaiian cultural art form. View the ongoing performance schedule of artists on the website www.slackkey.com.