Students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo performing arts program will showcase their talents in “Songs, Scenes and Swirls” on Saturday for a live audience.
After a fall semester of dance, music, jazz and acting classes, the students can finally demonstrate their new skills to the community, family and friends at the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center.
“Each class shares what they’ve been working on toward the end of each semester,” said Performing Arts Department Chair Justina Taft Mattos. “For the dance classes, they do one or two dance numbers as a group, and the music classes share a few songs, which will include vocals and instrumentals. Our jazz orchestra takes the second half of the program, because they have so many musicians to showcase.”
The event will feature holiday- and nonholiday-themed performances.
For some students, this will be the first time in their college career that they have been able to perform in front of a live audience, due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic the past two years.
“I think students really look forward to the opportunity to share work with the community, friends and families,” Mattos said. “For the last two years, they haven’t had the opportunity, so this is even more exciting for them. The show also gives students a chance to watch their peers perform their art.”
Students from the acting classes will be emceeing the show as a way to practice their skills in front of an audience.
“Songs, Scenes and Swirls” is the fourth live show at the PAC since COVID restrictions have been lifted.
“All the shows, especially ‘Wordsworth,’ have brought big audiences, which has been delightful,” Mattos said. “Performers are happy to be back, and audiences seem so enthusiastic.”
“Songs, Scenes and Swirls” will be one night only at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the PAC.
Tickets for the showcase and other upcoming shows in the 2022-23 season are available at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.
The PAC’s next show will be a jazz dance performance by Giordano Dance Chicago, who will be celebrating 60 years of premier jazz dance.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.