Vespers on the Lānai is a casual event which combines great music with an opportunity for spiritual reflection. We host great local bands and intersperse the music with readings and poetry: a chance to think and connect. We explore a variety of musical genres and think broadly so those of any religious tradition or no religious tradition should feel comfortable. Vespers events are typically on the second Friday of certain months from 7-8pm, so check back on this page for updates about what's coming up! The event is free and open to the public.
OUR IN-PERSON AUDIENCE PROTOCOL:
- While masks are optional, if you feel unwell please wear one. Let's all be mindful of our neighbors' wellbeing (and that of others they'll come in contact with later).
- Picnics are welcome, both indoors and outdoors.
- While we will not limit the audience size, we encourage leaving space between separate parties both indoors and outdoors, if possible.
- Please bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating.
- If rain moves us indoors, we can seat some indoors with the remainder on the lānai (which is covered but narrow) and lawn. So please be patient and understanding should that occur, and be prepared for foul weather if you end up on the edge of the lānai or on the lawn.
ONLINE VIEWERS: we will continue to livestream Vespers online on Facebook from 7-8pm; just click on the live video on which will appear just before or at 7pm. You do NOT have to be a Facebook member to watch; anyone can access the page and video. PLEASE NOTE: We have transitioned to a new FB page dedicated solely to our Vespers livestream; so click on this new link to watch live online: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6155303260429.
We hope to still be able to stream it to our main CCU FB page (www.facebook.com/christchurchuniting), but wanted to share this direct link just in case. If we run in to difficulty with the livestream we will record the event and upload the video on our website as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!
To watch later (along with all our previous Vespers on the Lanai videos), click on the Past Vespers on the Lānai button below, or access our CCU YouTube Channel by clicking here. Catch up and enjoy them anytime!
To get the latest updates on our events, click here to join our email list so you can receive our Vespers announcements.
Please join us in October for our next Vespers on the Lānai event! Artist info coming soon...
In the meantime, enjoy one of our past event videos by clicking here.
Kailua's own Harry Koizumi is back at Vespers! Join us in person or online for this stellar guitarist, vocalist, performer, teacher, and fellow Kailuan! As shared on his website, Harry’s musicality offers extraordinary range and depth: from his soothing Hawaiian slack key and steel guitar renditions, to the intricacies of classical guitar, to soulful rock ballads or the blistering riffs of classic rock, Harry’s fluid guitar playing and resonant voice seamlessly transports his listeners across cultures and styles.
We are so pleased to welcome back this beloved local talent, as it's been far too long since we've featured his gifts of music and spirit. In fact, the last time Harry played for us was our very first online event at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020! We were so grateful for his help in navigating what was then a new experience for us all.
So please join us for Harry's warm heart and voice, and a never-ending selection of favorite songs from a variety of genres. Learn more about Harry at www.harrykoizumi.com.
NOTE: We hope to be outside this month, weather permitting, so please bring a chair or blanket for lawn seating. If we end up inside, seating is provided. Picnics are welcome (both outside and inside). While wearing a mask is optional, if you are feeling unwell, please wear one. Let's be mindful of our neighbors' well-being.
We're thrilled to welcome back Sherele - Hawai'i's Klezmer band! You can hear samples of their music at https://sherelehawaii.weebly.com/
Sherele is a quintet of musicians on O'ahu who play klezmer music, the Jewish traditional music that has its origins among the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. The word klezmer is a Yiddish contraction of the Hebrew words for instrument (kley) and song (zemer). This very expressive style of music can be either slow and soulful or fast and exuberant, and is often played at Jewish weddings and other festive events.
The musicians in Sherele are Lisa Gomes (violin), Norm Foster (clarinet), Anita Trubitt (accordion), Rafael Amaral (guitar), and Marcia Kemble (percussion). The band’s name means “little sher,” and is taken from an Eastern European Jewish tune and dance form of the same name.
You can now enjoy the video of our Friday April 12th Vespers, featuring Kailua's own Palapū Street Band musicians and Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio Alaka’i! Be immersed in meaningful and beautiful oli, mele and hula....and poetry! Click HERE to watch.
Kumu Ka’anohi (Hilary Ann Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Stephenson Aipa) founded Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio in 1980 and has served as a cultural practitioner in the Hawaii DOE Elementary School Hawaiian Studies programs, workshops, blessings, as well as teaching Hawaiian culture and traditions through hula, mele, oli, and ‘ōlelo in an environment of aloha, sharing, mutual respect and cooperation. Kumu Ka'anohi was born in Honolulu, raised in Kailua and at her Grandpa Stephenson’s country home next to Barber’s Point Lighthouse on O’ahu, and she and her husband Nathan Aipa reside in Kailua. Since birth, Ka’anohi was immersed in Hawaiian music, practices, and hula. Besides her family mentors, Ka’anohi had the privilege of learning hula and mele under Mama Caroline Tuck, Aunty Aloma Kadooka, Aunty Bella Richards, Aunty Edith Kanaka’ole, Aunty Irmgard Aluli, Kumu Kaha’i Topolinski and Kumu John Keola Lake over a span of almost 40 years. Kumu Ka'anohi was joined by Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio Alaka'i: Mahealani Akina, Ku’uleialoha Souza, Kaui Yokoi, Nohealani Zeffiro and Jenn Hirokawa.
The Palapū Street Band is an extended ‘Ohana of musicians that have shared their musical talents with Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio as well as community and family events for many years. Palapū Street Band members included: Nathan and Ka’anohi Aipa, Kepa Stern, Tinky Gray, Mike Enos, Kale Bannister, Michael Downes, special guest Walt Keale, and Uncle George Kamalamalama (in loving memory).
Click below to view past recordings of Vespers on the Lānai events.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for these great upcoming events.
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