MEDIA RELEASE

John Keawe

In celebration of the 2011 HSPLS Summer Reading Programs, John Keawe, an award-winning songwriter and slack-key guitarist, will present “A Tribute to Slack Key” at four selected public libraries on the island of Hawaii and Oahu from June 1 – 25. Admission is free.

Keawe, a self-taught slack-key guitarist, is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano and Hawaii Music Awards recipient and a contributing artist on Hawaii’s first Grammy winner, “Slack Key Guitar Volume 2” (2005). His performance will offer a tribute to the slack key style, featuring selections from the work of Raymond Kane, Leonard Quan, and many others, as well as numerous compositions of his own.

Keawe will perform at these libraries:

• June 1, 5:30 p.m. – Thelma Parker Memorial Public & School Library (67-1209 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela; telephone: 887-6067)
• June 18, 2 p.m. – Hawaii Kai Public Library (249 Lunalilo Home Rd.; 397-5833)
• June 22, 6:30 p.m. – Waimanalo Public and School Library (41-1320 Kalanianaole Hwy.; 259-2610)
• June 25, 1 p.m. – Hilo Public Library (300 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo; 933-8888)

Keawe is a featured artist from the Statewide Cultural Extension Program (SCEP) and his performances are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii’s Outreach College, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The 45-minute performance is recommended for ages 5 and older. Contact the hosting library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.

The 2011 HSPLS Summer Reading Programs have a record number of sponsors this year, including the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, ING Foundation, Armstrong Produce, Bowman Connectivity Solutions, Inc., Girard’s Dressing, Roberts Hawaii Tours, Toshiba Business Solutions, DFS Hawaii, NFL Charities, First Hawaiian Bank, Aloha United Way, and The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

Corporate and other sponsors include McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, Hawaii Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay of Hawaii, Diamond Bakery Ltd., First Insurance Company of Hawaii, American Chemical Society, Mutual Publishing, The Islander Group, and local Chapter Friends.

For more information about Keawe’s performance, please call the hosting library.