Honolulu Weekly

Samadhi Hawai’i / August’s Samadhi Hawai’i will twist and dangle from monkeypod trees using ethereal silk ropes and spinning hoops, while stilt walkers and fire dancers cover the grounds below them. All this, along with slack key accompaniment from local legend Makana, who composed a new song specifically for the aerial dance.

Samadhi Hawai’i founder, artistic director and performer Andrea Torres says the performance is about becoming one with the environment. “We think of the trees of as our stage, so we have to soak up all of the energy from that stage. It’s such a historical place, too, that it’s an honor to perform there.”

Those with energy to burn can hop in the bouncy house or enter the tire-jumping competition. Those with money to burn can spend it on cocktails in the lanai lounge upstairs, where live jazz from Groove Improv Artists will keep your feet tapping until 9pm, daddio.

Hawai’i State Art Museum, 250 South Hotel St., Friday, 8/1, 6:30pm, [hawaii.gov/sfca], 586-0740