Kealoha

First Thursday June highlights

Ed Morita,

After missing the last two poetry slams, it was fantastic to be back at Fresh Cafe Thursday evening for another summer “No Rules” slam.This month showcased songwriter Kevin Sandbloom as the featured performer. Among Sandbloom’s credits are music for the…

Party pics: First Thursday

Eric Baranda,

The “No Rules” First Thursday poetry slam got underway last night at Fresh Cafe, allowing poets to perform in creative and unpredictable ways throughout the summer. Seasoned poet and performer NerCity from Oakland was the featured poet of the night.…

First Thursday March highlights

Ed Morita,

Fresh Cafe hosted Thursday’s final slam poetry qualifying round before next month’s First Thursday Grand Slam Finals, which will be held April 5. Aside from another stellar field of poets, the audience was treated to a double header of featured…

First Thursday February highlights

Ed Morita,

Taylor Mali, one of the biggest names in slam poetry, hit the stage last night for First Thursday at Fresh Cafe.Mali is a four-time National Poetry Slam champion, a veteran of HBO’s “Def Poetry” and the former president of Poetry…

First Thursday December highlights

Ed Morita,

Taimane Gardner and Jason Tom headlined a great night of performances up in the rafters of Fresh Cafe at December’s First Thursday “No Rules” Slam.With the warehouse space still showing remnants of the previous month’s art exhibit, First Thursday featured…

First Thursday October highlights

Ed Morita,

Fresh Cafe was decked out all in white for October’s First Thursday poetry slam. The new white interior was in preparation for artist Aaron De La Cruz, who was next door painting a car as part of his new exhibit,…

First Thursday September highlights

Ed Morita,

September marked the beginning of the official slam poetry season, with the first qualifying round of the First Thursday poetry slam taking place last night at Fresh Cafe.Every month, the top two finishers of the monthly slam competition qualify for…

First Thursday August highlights

Ed Morita,

The “Summer of No Rules” came to an end last night at Fresh Cafe with the biggest turnout of poets and musicians yet. Over the last few months, poets were allowed to perform team pieces, cover poems, as well as use musical…

First Thursday July Highlights

Ed Morita,

Poets put on some of the best performances of the summer at July’s “No Rules” First Thursday poetry slam at Fresh Cafe.Headlining the night was featured poet and North Carolina native, Carlos Robson, a National Poetry Slam champion. A writer,…

Video: First Thursday June Poetry Slam

Ed Morita,

The summer of “No Rules” continued at last night’s First Thursday poetry slam at Fresh Cafe. Among the many talented performers was featured poet Jason Carney, who has appeared on HBO’s “Def Poetry.” Carney is a former skinhead who had…

Video: First Thursday Poetry Slam

Ed Morita,

First Thursday kicked off its summer of “no rules” on a festive, yet slightly soggy, Cinco de Mayo. This summer, performers are allowed to do team pieces, use musical instruments, props and even perform cover works. A first for First…

Kokua for Japan

Ed Morita,

Nonstop went behind the scenes for Kokua for Japan, Sunday’s huge fundraising concert at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Great Lawn. The superstar lineup was filled with both local and national acts, including Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, Mick Fleetwood, Jack Johnson,…

First Thursday poetry grand slam finals

Ed Morita,

First Thursday celebrated its eighth anniversary in grand style at Fresh Cafe Thursday night. Kealoha kicked off the evening with an original poem inspired after a day at the beach. After warming up the crowd, he started the competition that…