Black and White Night Book Launch with Dietrich Varez
Pele and Hi’iaka, A Tale of Two Sisters
With Special Guests Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah
Friday, November 4th
5:00–7:30pm
Black and White Night is a downtown Hilo tradition, and the biggest street party of the year! For Black and White Night 2011, on November 4th, stop by Basically Books for an evening of sharing the art and culture of Hawaii through the legend of Pele and Hi’iaka.
Special guests Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah
The fun starts at 5:00pm with Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah as they perform traditional chants and hula celebrating the story of Pele and Hi’iaka. Leilehua and Manu both grew up with stories. Blessed with the privilege of being raised in part by their grandparents, they were exposed to the skills, talents, and culture of an older generation. When they were young, the term “cultural practitioner” was not yet in vogue. What is now known as “cultural practice” was then simply the way one’s ‘ohana, one’s family, did things. Children like Leilehua and Manu learned by observation, and by listening to stories. Now they pass on that tradition.
Author Dietrich Varez
Our celebration of the Pele and Hi’iaka legend continues at 5:30pm with artist and author Dietrich Varez! Varez will be launching his latest book Pele and Hi’iaka, A Tale of Two Sisters, published by Petroglyph Press. In this book, one of Hawaiian mythology’s greatest epics is freshly interpreted by one of Hawaii’s most celebrated artists. The story of Pele, goddess of Hawaii’s volcanoes, and her youngest sister, Hi’iakaikapoliopele, is retold and lavishly illustrated with the artist’s iconic block prints. The sensitive visual interpretation and simplified text honor the rich mythology passed through Hawaiian oral tradition. The picture–book style offers a fresh and accessible visual tribute to these enduring mythical figures with the turning of each page.
Don’t miss these exciting Black and White Night events at Basically Books! Please visit www.downtownhilo.com for more information on Black and White Night in downtown Hilo.
