May 3 (Tuesday): Honolulu HI

Folk singer Cordell to perform May 3 in a Pete Seeger tribute at the University of Hawai`i-Manoa Campus Center


Cordell, Hawai`i's award-winning folk-country singer, will perform in a May 3 noontime concert at the Campus Center on the University of Hawai`i-Manoa Campus, in a salute to American folk singer Pete Seeger, on the artist's 86th birthday. Cordell will be performing along with Gordon Manuel Freitas, Hawaiian troubadour, a popular singer/songwriter and storyteller, and Keiko Bonk, a well-known songwriter active in protests that seek to improve our lives. PLUS -- a big very special plus: Elly Chong, whose name in Hawaii is synonymous with folk singing.

The event is being coordinated by former Hawai`i Lt. Gov. Jean King. Cordell will sing some of the folk songs Seeger made famous, including "This Land Is Your Land," written by Woody Guthrie, with additional verses added by Seeger and Cordell; plus Bobby Darin's Vietnam-era hit, "Song of Freedom," and some of Cordell's originals, like "Cease Fire," "Song of Peace."

Freitas is best known as one of Hawai`i's most accomplished musicians, and is much sought after for both live performances and recording sessions. He is also a chronicler of the events of the Islands, with folk songs that range from stories about 19th century Hawaiian cowboys to the 1946 tidal wave that hit Hilo on the Big Island. He is an award-winning recording artist.

Comments: Former Regent Ah Quon McElrath. MC: Julie Teruya, Musicians' Union Member Services Director.

Co-Sponsors: University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, J. M. Musto, Executive Director.

Musicians' Association of Hawaii, Local 677.

For more information contact Keith Haugen at hakumele@aol.com .

Photos: Cordell, Keiko Bonk