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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

HAWAII’S PAULA FUGA TO MAKE HONOLULU SYMPHONY TOYOTA POPS DEBUT

Recent Na Hoku Hanohano most promising artist award-winner will feature songs from her CD “Lilikoi” in Symphony concert

ARTISTS:
Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops Series
Matt Catingub, conductor
Three Dog Night
Paula Fuga

CONCERTS:
Friday, August 31 at 8 p.m., Saturday, September 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 2 at 3 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

TICKETS: $29, $47, $62, $72, $94 (including service fees)
The Honolulu Symphony also offers a 20% discount to seniors, students and military. Identification must be presented, in-person, at time of purchase. Call the Box Office at (808) 792-2000 (days) or (808) 524-0815 ext. 245 (evenings) for more information.
Visit www.honolulusymphony.com

Honolulu – The Honolulu Symphony announced today that Paula Fuga, the recent Na Hoku Hanohano winner, will make her symphony orchestra debut this weekend as the Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops kicks off the concert season with rock legends Three Dog Night. Paula and the Pops Orchestra, led by Maestro Matt Catingub, will feature her soulful, Hawaiian and jazz-inspired songs from her debut CD “Lilikoi” during the opening of the concert. Maestro Matt has written new orchestral arrangements for a selection of Paula’s most beautiful and touching songs, including “Beautiful Face,” “Earth to Moon” and “Sweet Reverie.”

“Working with Paula Fuga – one of Hawaii’s most talented rising stars – is the perfect way to begin this hallmark season for the Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops,” said Maestro Matt Catingub. “The Pops Orchestra sounds fantastic and we’ve got a sensational line-up in store. This season-opening weekend, in particular, offers the music and artistry that our fans enjoy so much: the symphony orchestra debut of a gifted Hawaiian singer and the classic pop-rock songs of music legends, all performed with classic symphonic arrangements.”

Join the Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops and Maestro Matt Catingub in his tenth anniversary season for concerts featuring Three Dog Night and Paula Fuga on Friday, August 31 at 8 p.m., Saturday, September 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets for this special event at the Blaisdell Concert Hall start from $29, including service fees. Seniors, students and military with identification are eligible for a 20% discount. Call the Honolulu Symphony Box Office at (808) 792-2000 or visit www.honolulusymphony.com for more information.

The Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops series is made possible thanks to the generosity of our season sponsor, Toyota Dealers of Hawaii.

About Paula Fuga

If you had to peg Paula Fuga into a certain music genre, it would be almost impossible. But if you had to, something like modern Hawaiian soul might suffice. Paula is fueled by the grit and glamour of love. She is as tortured by it as she is inspired. And this is why everyone can relate to her. She is complex, intelligent and real with the depth and passion to become an icon. In May 2006, Paula released her self-produced, all original debut album, “Lilikoi,” a blend of tradition and evolution: soul and jazz–infused lyrics sprinkled with Hawaiian language, organic instruments like the nose flute and ‘ukulele, and a voice filled with so much soul, you’re guaranteed to become an instant fan.

Internationally, Paula is known as the Hawaiian songstress wearing the “Big Girls Rock” shirt, strumming her ‘ukulele all the way to Hollywood on American Idol. Locally, she is known as Paula, solo artist and singer for Hawaiian roots reggae band DubKonscious, regular at Hawai’i Poetry Slams, educational interpreter at Bishop Museum and active member of Hawaii’s cultural community. In the recording industry, Paula is a rising star who has been likened to a Hawaiian Lauryn Hill is endorsed as a fresh sound by established artists like Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and Nick Hexum of band 311. Paula’s performance at the 2006 Kokua Festival induced chicken skin throughout the audience. She recently recorded a song she wrote with Jack Johnson called “Country Road” for the Mana Maoli CD, which benefits Native Hawaiian public charter schools. She is a representative of Hawaiian culture in her music and daily life, but at the same time possesses a unique sound that is universally appealing.

These concerts are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Honolulu Symphony also gratefully acknowledges the support of the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts.

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