EVENT:   

Family-oriented fair, with music, art, and other entertainment
Saturday, May 23, 2009 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM
Waikiki Shell, Kapiolani Park, Honolulu
           

ARTISTS:   

Orchestras and ensembles from independent and public schools from across O‘ahu
Hawai`i Youth Opera Chorus
International Horn Society Mass Horn Choir
Autograph Session with Jake Shimabukuro and Jimmy Borges
…and many more!   
                                     

TICKETS:   

$3.00 for adults, children under 12 free.
General admission, pay at the gate.
   
HONOLULU – The Honolulu Symphony announces its first ever “Symphony Fair.”  The event is timed to coordinate with the last Pops concert of the season, featuring jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, at the Waikiki Shell on Saturday, May 23.  Fair activities have been designed to appeal to music lovers of all ages. Nearly twenty musical performing groups from all over O`ahu have volunteered to perform, and more are being added daily.  Other attractions will include a musical instrument “petting zoo,” hosted by the Honolulu Symphony musicians, food concession stands, face painting, sign painting and other fun activities.  This event is sure to be fun for the whole family!

The event will run from 12 noon to 5 pm, with scheduled performances at four locations around the Waikiki Shell grounds, as well as ongoing activities for keiki and adults.  There will also be opportunities to talk with Symphony musicians and staff members, and to contribute to the Symphony’s ongoing Hāna Laulima fundraising campaign.  Participants are encouraged to bring items such as tents, lawn chairs, and blankets, and stay for the afternoon.  ‘Ukulele virtuoso, Jake Shimabukuro will be signing autographs from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and local jazz favorite, Jimmy Borges will be appearing from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
 
“We felt it was important to find a way show the extent to which the Symphony is involved in the whole community,” said Tom Gulick, Executive Director.  “The Symphony contributes in many ways, both as an organization and through its individual members, to music programs in the schools and community groups.  As you know, arts and cultural organizations around the nation are all struggling through this tough economy.  Ticket sales only cover about 30% of the Symphony's operating budget, which is in line with national averages.  Government funding has historically been about 11% of the budget, which isn't much, but even that has been a victim of this economy.  As of today, the Musicians and Staff of the Honolulu Symphony have been working without pay for nearly 3 months.”

Among the groups scheduled to perform at the fair are orchestras from several schools, including `Iolani, Kamehameha, Moanalua Elementary, and Punahou; ensembles from Hawai`i Suzuki Strings, Na Mele o Suzuki, Hawai`i Youth Opera Chorus, Hawai`i Youth Symphony, 'Iolani School, Punahou School, and a Mass Horn Choir from the International Horn Society.  More groups are being added daily.  A final roster will be released prior to the event.