Ukulele Virtuosi Taimane Performs at Pepperdine

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts presents

Taimane

Elemental Tour

“Taimane rocks the stage with a sensual vibrancy and a white-hot talent that captivates and beguiles!”

–Pierce Brosnan

“Taimane manages to not only rock out but connect the audience with meaningful Hawaiian traditions and dances.”

–Austin American-Statesman

“A phenomenally talented ukulele virtuoso, Taimane has developed a flamenco-inspired strumming technique that is breathtaking.”

–The Maui News

Thursday, October 17, 2019, 8 p.m.

Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University

24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA

August 12, 2019 – Malibu, CA – Ukulele master Taimane makes her Smothers Theatre debut performing with her quartet and a Polynesian dancer at Pepperdine University in Malibu on Thursday, October 17, at 8 p.m.

Tickets, priced starting at $20 for adults and $10 for full-time Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522 or visiting arts.pepperdine.edu. More information about Taimane is available by visiting taimane.com.

Born and raised in Hawaii of Hapa Samoan descent, ukulele virtuoso and songwriter Taimane is renowned for both her fierce and inventive style of playing on the four-string island staple and prowess in using music and movement to paint vibrant images that elicit a deep emotional response. Taimane’s attraction to the ukulele began at age 3, and by age 10, she regularly performed in public, busking in Waikiki every Friday night with her father holding down security duties and Waikiki Beach Boys (adults whose home and workplace was the beach) serving as her band. By age 13, Taimane landed a position in Don Ho’s venerable variety show at the Waikiki Beachcomber, playing in the spotlight every week until Ho’s passing. This experience further fueled her desire to perform for and connect with audiences.

Mentored by ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro, she quickly became a YouTube sensation with over 15 million video views and 250,000 online followers.

Fast forward to today, and you have an artist who tours the world and has carved out a unique niche in music—merging a wide-array of genres, from Bach to Led Zeppelin, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns, summoning a seemingly limitless palette of emotions via an instrument previously viewed as a restricted device. Taimane weaves in original compositions that are as far ranging as her musical tastes. With the fierceness of a rocker, and the grace of a dancer, Taimane and her music are wowing ever-larger audiences.

Taimane kicked off 2019 presenting concerts in New York at the largest performing arts gathering in the world, and gained major praise and buzz. She is currently modelling for All Saints fashion brand in their new “Hawaii New Waves” campaign. Taimane was prominently featured in episode one of Martin Clunes’ 2019 ITV documentary series Islands of America, and press described Clunes as being “gobsmacked” by Taimane’s performance.

In March, Taimane and her band performed at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, playing to roaring crowds and receiving rave reviews from a wide range of industry players and media including NPR's Bob Boilen. Taimane was also named 2019 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Favorite Entertainer of the Year.

Taimane’s quartet will include herself on ukulele and vocals, Ramiro Marziani on classical guitar, Jonathan Heraux on percussion, Melissa Folzenlogen on violin and background vocals, as well as Liʻo performing Polynesian dances. Taimane is poised to share her music and vision of Hawaii with the world. Experience her beauty, grace, and passion and see why she is quickly becoming a global cultural beacon.

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University provides high-quality activities for over 50,000 people from over 1,000 zip codes annually through performances, rehearsals, museum exhibitions, and master classes. Located on Pepperdine’s breathtaking Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific, the Center serves as a hub for the arts, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Facilities include the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 118-seat Raitt Recital Hall, the “black box” Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

THE DETAILS:

WHAT: Taimane—Elemental Tour

WHEN: Thursday, October 17, 2019, 8 p.m.

WHERE: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA

TICKETS: (310) 506-4522 or arts.pepperdine.edu

PRICES: $20–$40 for adults, $10 for Pepperdine students

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