Vespers on the Lānai

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, family friendly, and open to the public. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted and are currently our main funding source for paying our musicians.

EVENT LOGISTICS:

• Picnics are welcome, both indoors and outdoors.
• Please bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating on the grass or adjacent cement area.
• If it rains, the show will go on...inside! We can easily seat 125 people indoors in our Sanctuary, with any overflow on the narrow, covered lānai which can be wet if the wind is blowing. So if the weather is iffy, please bring along your rain gear and a good dose of patience and understanding. Mahalo!
• If you feel unwell, please consider wearing a mask (especially if coughing/sneezing). Let's all be mindful of our neighbors' wellbeing (and that of others they'll come in contact with later).

ONLINE VIEWERS: while we are not currently livestreaming Vespers, we will post a video on our website later in the week. To watch this month's and previous Vespers on the Lānai videos, visit www.ccukailua.org/vespers and click on the Past Vespers on the Lānai button. Catch up and enjoy your favorites anytime!

To get the latest updates on our events, click here to join our email list so you can receive our Vespers announcements.

Featuring violinist Duane Padilla and classical pianist Shiqi (Sadee) Xu, join us an evening of wonderful music, fascinating stories, and a musical journey spanning nearly 200 years! Including Beethoven's lively Violin Sonata in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1, music from John Williams’ deeply moving score for the movie Schindler’s List, and Igor Stravinsky’s wonderfully imaginative Suite Italienne.

We'll be inside the sanctuary for this event (for the grand piano), so chairs are provided and picnics still welcome!

Duane Padilla is an acclaimed violinist and educator whose artistry bridges the worlds of classical, jazz, and beyond. After earning degrees from Northwestern and Yale as a concert artist, he performed with orchestras and symphonies nationally and locally. Duane serves on the faculty at Punahou Music School, is a founding member of local jazz ensemble The Hot Club of Hulaville, and has been awarded for his 2021 recording "Queen Liliokalana" with the Mana Music Quartet. https://duanepadilla.com/

Shiqi Xu is a dedicated performer and teacher who began playing the piano at age seven while growing up in China. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Carthage College, and recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts under the mentorship of Robert Koenig. She has performed with philharmonics, operas and festivals from Carthage to Milwaukee, from Manhattan to Napa Valley, and is known for her versatility as a chamber musician.

We're looking forward to welcoming back one of their fantastic ensembles! Date to be determined, but hopefully this summer! www.chambermusichawaii.org

Click below to view past recordings of Vespers on the Lānai events.