Outstanding Hawaiian band Makaha Sons coming to Toronto ... What earthquake?

Just listening to this Makaha Sons song via YouTube is making me smile. And they're coming to town in a few weeks as part of a Hawaiian/Polynesian entertainment extravaganza.

There are few things better in the world than the mellow sounds of a Hawaiian singing group. The rhythm sounds like the gentle beating of the waves on a golden beach, and the harmonies are spectactular. It's a warm, wonderful and engaging sound like nothing else I've found on earth.

The great news is that The Makaha Sons will be at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre - Kobayashi Hall on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. This “Evening of Aloha” will include performances by the Children’s Ukulele Ensemble, local Hula Dance Schools and other surprises.  Net proceeds from the concerts will go to the Children’s Ukulele Program directed by Juno Award Winner, Melanie Doane which gives a group of elementary school children from the Toronto School Board the chance to experience the joy of music through the ukulele.

Local organizer Pam Pitz has been working like a madwoman to put this show together, and I love her dedication. In a press release, she explained that for nearly three decades, "The Makaha Sons have committed themselves to perpetuate traditional Hawaiian music throughout the world. They are recognized as one of Hawai‘i’s premiere Hawaiian musical groups, maintaining a vibrant sound, full and rich with harmonies that only they can create. Their incomparable vocal arrangements and delightful stage presence filled with comical antics have won the hearts of thousands of fans worldwide."

Indeed. Check them out on YouTube. Better yet, pick up a ticket for the show and support Hawaiian music here in Toronto. Tickets are $45.00 and are available by cash or certified cheque/money order through the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Box Office at 416-441-2345 or On-Line at www.ticketweb.ca (type in "The Makaha Sons.")

For more information: www.eveningofaloha.webs.com, www.makahasons.com, www.melaniedoane.com.

And for a little added fun, check this YouTube video of Melanie Doane and James Hill doing "Avalon" on a pair of ukeleles. You can't help but smile at something that's that much fun. I hadn't heard of James Hill but this B.C. artist is outstanding. Hope he comes to Toronto some time soon.

THAT'S NO EARTHQUAKE...

Well, okay, maybe 5.8 is something spectacular in Virginia. And there's no doubt there was some damage caused in Washington D.C., although reports that the Washington Monument was suddenly leaning like the Tower of Pisa were quickly rebuked as a figment of someone's imagination.

There was a little shaking going on. But when you grow up in California, 5.8 is barely a blip. And it's not much compared to the one that shook Ottawa last year. THAT was fairly noticeable in Toronto. But not Tuesday's mild shake.

To hear people in Toronto talk about it like it was some major event was beyond silly. My favourite spoof was former Star Travel writer Reb Stevenson, who found an old photo and posted it on her Facebook page.

Oh, the humanity...

VIRGIN AMERICA ADDS NFL, NCAA

Now THIS is something worth celebrating. USAToday reports that, to beef up its sports content in time for the football season, Virgin America is adding more network channels to its in-flight entertainment system.

"The California-based airline, which is one of the few carriers to offer seatback TV for domestic flights, says the NFL, college football and other sports games televised on NBC and FOX in the New York area will be broadcast live starting this month, adding to its current broadcast of ESPN and CBS content."

Too bad they don't fly into Toronto any more. Damn. I doubt Air Canada or WestJet will bend over backwards to give us our NFL fix....