Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: April 27–May 3, 2023
Join a local bookstore’s fifth anniversary party, view handmade quilts by gifted artists, eat all kinds of SPAM dishes and celebrate Lei Day.
Photo: Courtesy of da Shop
da Shop Turns 5
Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celebrate da Shop’s fifth anniversary on Independent Bookstore Day with a birthday sale, author meet and greet opportunity, and a birthday cake at 2 p.m. The store will be offering goodies like 25% off in-store purchases, 50% off select titles, da Shop sticker with any purchase, and a free tote bag with $100 purchase. Authors and vendors like Jahier Studio, Kākou Collective, Meristic Designs, Tamiko Claire Ceramics, and Scott Kikkawa will be celebrating.
Family-Friendly Event, Free, da Shop, 3565 Harding Ave., dashophnl.com, @dashophnl
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and Raiatea Helm
Saturday, April 29, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Moloka‘i musician Raiatea Helm reunites with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra performing traditional mele. She’s famous for her powerful leo ki‘eki‘e, or female falsetto singing, combined with her ‘ukulele.
$27 to $99, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: Courtesy of Downtown Art Center
Quilting Down Memory Lane
From May 2 through May 14
Downtown Art Center’s second floor Main Gallery will be decorated with colorful handmade quilts made by the talented artisans of the Hawai‘i Quilt Guild. The exhibit will be on view through May 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. There will be a First Friday reception on Friday night, May 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Free, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
Hawai‘i Theatre’s Lei Day Concert
Sunday, April 30, 4 p.m.
Celebrate Lei Day with a concert by award-winning artist Kalani Pe‘a. He returns on stage for his fifth annual May Day concert and will be joined by fellow artists Nāpua Greig, Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka Mākena, and more.
$45–$100, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art
Avant Garden
Saturday, April 29, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
A magical evening blooming with art in Honolulu Museum of Art’s (HoMA) galleries and courtyards will feature performances and experiences throughout the venue: dance, kanikapila, live body painting, a 3D project experience, and more. Guests are invited to dress to impress in their most creative, garden-inspired cocktail attire. Tickets include pūpū and drinks from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and free parking. Cocktails and garden-party-inspired food will be available for purchase at the event.
$125 for HoMA members, $150 for non-members, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī SPAM JAM
Waikīkī Spam Jam
Saturday, April 29, 4 to 10 p.m.
An annual festival dedicated to all things SPAM, with live entertainment and vendors selling creative dishes made out of this popular pantry staple. Proceeds go to organizations such as Hawai‘i Foodbank. Check out all the unique ways SPAM is being prepared for the festival in our recent sneak peek.
Family-Friendly Event, free, along Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī, spamjamhawaii.com, @waikikispamjam
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
Gary Gulman
Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
American comedian Gary Gulman was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and recorded a HBA special in June 2019 entitled The Great Depresh. He’s known for being honest about his depression and anxiety in his skits in the hopes of destigmatizing medication and therapy.
$30 to $40, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotehawaii
The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night
Friday, April 28, 10 p.m.
Calling all Swifties—the Republik is holding a party for Taylor Swift fans this Friday night where you can sing and dance your heart out to all her hit songs.
$15 to $25, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd. #30, jointherepublik.com, @jointherepublik
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Keiki Concert: Peter and the Wolf
Thursday, April 27, 5 and 6:15 p.m.
The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra brings Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf to life with two free keiki concerts. This classic symphonic fairy tale will include narration in English. The performances are about 40 minutes long and free and open to the public. Free keiki crafts, including animal mask-making, will take place starting at 4:30 p.m.
Family-Friendly Event, free, The Barn at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, 327 Keawe St., saltatkakaako.com, @saltourkakaako
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Dept. of Parks and Recreation
95th Annual Lei Day Celebration
Monday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
An annual celebration of Lei Day, this year’s exhibit will include live Hawaiian music, hula, and a lei contest exhibit showcasing some of the most beautifully crafted lei in a variety of colors and methods.
Family-Friendly Event, free, Kapi‘olani Park, 3840 Paki Ave., honolulu.gov
