Na Leo Lani Summer Program 2023!

Summer days are here again! Keep cool with six weeks of singing with Na Leo Lani.

Do you love singing but aren’t sure whether you have the time to commit to joining a chorus? Or maybe you are already in a chorus and want to dip a toe into the cool waters of barbershop harmony? Well, come give our easy breezy six-week Summer Program a try! We will be learning two barbershop takes on contemporary tunes over six weekly rehearsals, May 31 – July 5, culminating in a performance (and open mic opportunity!) for friends and family on Saturday, July 8.

Come join us!

When? Weekly on Wednesday evenings 6-8 p.m., May 31 – July 5

Where? We rehearse in the Mo’ili’ili Hongwanji Social Hall Annex, 902 University Avenue, Honolulu

For driving and parking directions, see: https://naleolani.org/join-us/

How much? $25 (includes sheet music, learning tracks, and vocal instruction with the chorus). If you decide you would like to audition and join Na Leo Lani at the end of the program, your Summer Program fee will go toward your first month of NLL chorus dues.

How to sign up? Email naleolanichorus@gmail.com and let us know you are interested!

Marking Memorial Day

Jun3

At this week’s rehearsal, Na Leo Lani members wore a festive mix of red, white, and blue to honor and acknowledge those who served and those we’ve lost.

Raising our voices for Hawai‘i’s volunteers!

Jun3

Na Leo Lani was pleased to perform for the June 2 ceremony at 15 Craigside honoring Hawaii’s top volunteers of 2023. Guests included Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. Thank you to Adam LeFebvre for the lovely photos and video excerpt [click here to hear us!] from the event.

Shabooming along & PBJ!

May25

Another fun night of rehearsal with ensemble -style sectionals and a debut of a new tune by Pure Nerves quartet. The theme was “Goth Night,” which made for a lot of folks in black and some heavy eyeliner. 😉

Enjoy the video snippets and pic below.

Group B working on blend.

Pure Nerves offered an ode to America’s favorite sandwich. 🙂

Doing our best to look like “Goths” — with a dash of Halloween spirit thrown in (photo courtesy of Suzanne).

Celebrating volunteership

May18

We had a ball today performing at the City & County of Honolulu Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual volunteer recognition celebration at the Waikiki Community Center.

In addition to honoring O’ahu’s 2023 volunteers of the year, we also recognized one of our own, Rosie Ramiro, who volunteers for the Lanakila Senior Center and many other places.

Whether serving on chorus committees, helping with rehearsal logistics, carpooling, or just sharing snacks, all of our NLL members are vital volunteers in our own right. Harmony is by definition a collective venture!

See video and pics below.

A couple of favorites.

Photos and video courtesy of Adam LeFebvre, a fellow barbershopper who serves the City and County of Honolulu when he’s not singing!

Standing up for endangered species

May17

In honor of Endangered Species Day and the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the ladies of Na Leo Lani had a hoot doing energetic anti-poacher themed physical warm-ups at tonight’s rehearsal.

Our most spirited members sported outfits and images of their favorite wild species, from ‘Ohi‘a lehua (currently under threat from Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death) to rhinos. Enjoy the pic below.

Sweet Adelines give a hoot (& a howl, bark, squeak, and hiss) for monk seals, polar bears, pandas and more — all living creatures like us who love to vocalize.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with song

May6

We marked this week’s rehearsal with jaunty interpretations of Mexican attire, in a commemorative nod to May 5, 1862, when Mexican soldiers in the town of Puebla valiantly repelled troops sent by French Emperor Napoleon III. Despite being deeply outnumbered, Mexico’s defenders won. Mexican President Benito Juárez in turn declared the day a national holiday. (It would take four more years for Mexico to finally put an end to France’s conquering intentions, but that’s a story for another day. 😉 )

History lesson aside, Cinco de Mayo gave us a reason to celebrate spring with colorful outfits and shouts of Olé!

We also celebrated this week with thanks and a round of applause for our hard-working Music Team and outgoing BOD officers Kieko (President) and Kristi (Vice President).

Hot diggity denim!

Apr26

Ar tonight’s rehearsal we marked National Denim Day with a rhapsody in blue — blue jeans, that is. Following some high-spirited singing, we held our annual Board of Directors installation ceremony to welcome new and ongoing members onto the BOD.

Thank you, Music Team and installation volunteers, for making tonight fun!

And a very happy birthday to Karlyn, who did the birthday sash proud with her beaming smile.

Birthdays make our hearts sing

Apr21

Hard to believe these ladies are another year older — could it be that singing a cappella makes one age in reverse, like Benjamin Button? Either way, we’ll never pass up a chance to sing Happy Birthday — in four-part harmony, of course!

Happy birthday, Anna and Vera! And happy birthday in absentia to Coralyn, who missed her chance to wear the April birthday gals’ sash (there’s always next year 😉).

. . . and many more!

I want to ride my bicycle

Apr20

We celebrated World Bicycle Day (June 3) a little early this year with a rehearsal homage to bicycle couture. A Tour de France trophy to Yvonne for being most in the spirit!