HONOLULU (August 31, 2010) – Released today, CJ Helekahi’s debut CD “Ka Mahina” is sharing the magic of beautiful Hana, Maui with the world. Known to many as “Boom,” CJ has gained a reputation for the beauty of his voice, from his soaring tenor to his caressing falsetto. With the much-awaited release of “Ka Mahina” (The Moon), CJ is coming full circle to share music that embodies the pure spirit of tropical Hana and highlights his unique vocal abilities and range. Guest artists Kaiolohia Funes Smith, Leokane Pryor and Pekelo Cosmo join CJ on “Ka Mahina” to create a musical experience unlike any other. Produced by Dave Tucciarone and distributed by the Mountain Apple Company HAWAI’I, “Ka Mahina” includes four original and six classic songs.

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Japan’s legendary all-girl rock band, Shonen Knife, is returning to Minnesota in support of their upcoming full length CD, “Free Time”, set for release on August 31, 2010 from Good Charamel Records). The band makes rolls into Minnesota as part of its 2010 North American Tour on September 20, 2010, 8:00 p.m. to play The Cave on the campus of Carleton College in Northfield, before heading off on the remainder of its Midwest and Eastern U.S, and Canadian stops.

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After 14 years of developing its repertoire and playing before and educating 25,000 people in the last three years alone, Minnesota’s own Sumunar Gamelan & Dance Ensemble embarked on its Indonesian performance and study tour on July 3, 2010.

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Thao Nguyen, lead singer of Thao With The Get Down Stay Down. (Photos by Trang Do)

By TOM LAVENTURE

AAP staff writer

MINNEAPOLIS (July 1, 2010) – This wasn’t the first visit to the Twin Cities for Thao Nguyen, and her popularity filled the Cedar Cultural Center early this month for a performance that may mark a transition in her career.

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Saint Paul, Minn. (July 6, 2010) – The 2010 Dragon Festival will be held this weekend, July 10-11, 2010, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Phalen Lake Park, 1530 Phalen Drive, St. Paul, MN 55106. The Dragon Festival is a two-day free event to showcase cultural heritage, entertainment and traditions of ethnic Asian Pacific Islander communities within the Twin Cities. This pan-Asian community event is to promote cross-cultural understanding and to keep the cultural heritage alive within the younger Asian population.

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Bob Yang

By SAI CHANG

St. Paul, Minn. (July 16, 2010) The Center for Hmong Arts and Talent is holding its annual IN SESSION: Singer/Songwriter Competition in July and August. IN SESSION is a competition open for amateur singer/songwriters to display their musical abilities to the Twin Cities’ audience. Last year’s competition featured an array of talented musicians, including Bob Yang, who emerged as the 1st place winner.

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By TOM LAVENTURE

AAP staff writer

MINNEAPOLIS (June 11, 2010) – Tuyet Huong wanted to chase her dream while also keeping your feet firmly on the ground. Tuyet, like many other young women, grew up watching professional and amateur singers on television talent shows and at Vietnamese cultural performances. She enjoyed singing but hadn’t given actual performing much thought – until about five years ago when a promoter overheard her sing at the urging of her friends.

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HONOLULU (March 29, 2010) – World renown singer, composer and Slack key master Keola Beamer “ and two-time Grammy nominee, Raiatea Helm, partner on a brand new CD, “Keola Beamer and Raiatea” released as a world music stage production in last April from Mountain Apple Records (mountainapplecompany.com).

When two of the most powerful Hawaiian music stars devote 14 months of their lives to a recording studio the result is pure magic. Blending traditional and contemporary Hawaiian musical styles, Keola and Raiatea have created a CD that is infused with the spirit of the islands and thrives with innovative rhythms.

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The first weekend of the Minnesota Sinfonia’s Summer Concert Series will feature South-Korean-born violinist Hye-Jin Kim, winner of the 2009 Concert Artists Guild International Competition. Kim will perform with the Sinfonia in two free-admission concerts beginning June 24, 7:00 p.m. at Lake Phalen Regional Park Amphitheater, 1600 Phalen Drive, St. Paul. The poor weather alternate site is First Covenant Church, 1280 Arcade Street, St. Paul.

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One of the most renowned and active viola virtuosos of our time, Nobuko Imai, will make a debut appearance with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota on Monday, June 14, 2010, 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul. Ms. Imai will introduce the U.S. premiere of a new work from Toru Takemitsu, “A String around Autumn” written for viola and piano, and especially for Imai by the eminent Japanese composer.

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