The First Songwriter Showcase
Sunday May 7th, 7pm @ ProArts Playhouse Kihei
Steve Grimes
Guitarist/songwriter and guitar maker 
Guitarist/songwriter and guitar maker Steve Grimes has amassed an extensive volume of original songs, ranging in styles from folk to funk, from blues to bossa nova. In 2010 Steve was a finalist in the Contemporary Album Of The Year category at the Na Hoku Hanohano Music awards, and in 2012 he won a national songwriting contest for his song Perfect Stranger. Three new full albums of original songs are due in 2023 and 2024.
John Cruz
Hawaiian singer-songwriter
Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz engages audiences with rich storytelling through songs ranging from Hawaiian to blues, folk, R&B and more. Cruz is a multi-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner and contributed a composition and song to the GRAMMY® award-winning album ‘Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2.’ Captivating guitar playing, soulful vocals and a compassionate, genuine heart make Cruz one of Hawaii’s most beloved artists.
Mākena Haliaka
Maui born singer-songwriter
Mākena Haliaka is an artist born and raised from Maui.
She’s grown as a performer and developed her own writing style through playing a weekly radio show at the Pa’ia Youth & Cultural Center as a kid, being a regular at Charley’s open mic scene (RIP), to landing a scholarship from Jason Mraz for the Hawai’i Songwriting Festival, and much more! Her music online is under a project named: Struck By Seda.
Lo Wolf
Musician/singer-songwriter
Lo wolf howls loud and proud -singing straight from her heart. Sultry and soulful in her craft, music is where she comes most alive.
Songwriter Rounds
How It Went Down:
Are you a songwriter wanting feedback on a new song you wrote? OR are you just a fan of well-crafted songs? Want to know how they get made? Want to hear from other songwriters who GET it and give actually useful feedback?
Come hang out with us on Sunday, May 7th for a workshop and a performance- a FULL DAY of Songwriting Magic! Come for one or both parts.
Part 1 is a true Songwriter Circle- songwriter to songwriter feedback- no public audience.
Bring your instrument and one song to share!
AND Later on we will shuffle into small groups and have the opportunity to co-write a song to a brief!
12:30-4:30pm at the gorgeous Backlit Buddha Studios in Kahului
Limited to 15 participants Admission to the Showcase later that evening (below) is included.
I created this event because I wanted more feedback from other songwriters, people who just GET me and the art form that is my passion. There is always better music that comes from songwriters collaborating, giving feedback, and writing with each other- I hope to create a deeper sense of community between the songwriters of Maui and beyond.
- Sara Jelley
Songwriter Showcase
Testimonials From Our Audience:
The show that evening was so spectacular! Every one different and great in their own way."
"Yesterday the real delight was hearing the other songwriters: young and old. Looking forward to more.""
"The show was excellent. All four songwriters were so good. Each of them were very different from each other and maintained a high level of talent and energy from song to song. The background stories were interesting. It was a very entertaining evening. Very well done.""
"The workshop was fantastic! I was nervous getting up in front of that many people to share my song. But it sounded like just about everyone felt the same, ... It was good to get some feedback, but I could have used a lot more. You're right -- the workshop could be a lot longer, but it could literally go on for days. I think we packed in about all we could for the limited time we had.""
"I’m feeling jazzed up and inspired to write more and learn some more instrumentation!""
"Your event was so beautiful and I’m grateful for such a creative safe space to Al connect and make magic together""
"THANK YOU for letting me be a part of the workshop and attend the evening concert. It was all quite wonderful!""
