Amy Hanaialii Pays Tribute to her Tutu in her Spring West Coast tour.
Wed, Apr 2 - Don Quixoteʻs International Music Hall, Felton, CA
Thru, Apr 3 - Yoshi's Jazz San Francisco, CA
Remembering Napua.... In the 1930ʻs, Napua Woodd entertained her way from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, to New Yorkʻs Lexington Hotel Hawaiian Room to the silver screens of Hollywood. Amy shares her grandmotherʻs glamorous journey entertaining with the stars in a night of remembering her "Tutu".
Recruited as what the Honolulu press called the "Hawaiian Cinderella's", Jeannie Napua Woodd was one of the original Hula dancers at the famed Hawaiian Hotel with the Ray Kinney Orchestra. The General Manager of the Lexington Hotel in New York saw the Royal Hawaiian show and brought Ray and his now called Hula Maids to what would become the infamous Hawaiian Room. Napuaʻs years as an entertainer in New York brought her success and far from island life, working many hours and enjoying the stage. She joined the cast of ʻHelzapoppinʻ Comedic Musical on Broadway, able to run over to do her piece between and get back just before her second set at the Hawaiian Room. The lure of exotic brown skin, graceful figures and beautiful smiles had taken over America, and Napua helped open Hawaiian - Polynesian shows in Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Reno. Finding her way to Hollywood, Napua headed Perryʻs Dance Studio which was located across the street from Graumanʻs Theater and downstairs from Jose Grecoʻs Studio, the choreographer for West Side Story and many motion pictures. Napua landed roles in such movies as Pegan Love Song, Adventures in Paradise and Wake of the Red Which, television roles and helped choreographed for celebrities Shirley Temple and Olympic Ice Skater Sojia Henie. With Auntie Hilo Hattie, their comedic hula delighted audiences nationwide on the Harry Owenʻs Television Show.
Experience a night of entertainment and Aloha as Amy honors her beloved tutu and their love of Hawaii.
Saturday, March 29, 2014 - 7:00p
Napa Valley Center for the Performing Arts, Yountville, CA
www.lincolntheater.com
707-994-9000
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 - 7:30p
Don Quixote's International Music Hall, Felton, CA
http://www.donquixotesmusic.info
831-603-2294
Thursday, April 3, 2014 - 8:00p
Yoshi's Jazz San Francisco, CA
http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/livemusic/artist/show/4124
415.655.5600
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - 8:00p
Soka Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo, CA
http://www.performingarts.soka.edu/news_events/events/default.aspx(949) 480-4ART (4278)