FUEGO LATIN ORCHESTRA HAWAII will be bringing the heat to the stage for all your grooving needs! FUEGO is the Big Island’s most dynamic musical group. Creating unforgettable moments of rhythm and fun on the dance floor for all levels of dancers with their versatile musicality, this collection of passionate musicians are dedicated to keeping Latin music alive! Fuego’s team is dynamic and on point with their interpretations of all the most popular Latin hits, timeless classics and innovative originals. Fuego will have you moving even in your seat from the minute they drop the first note.
Doors at 5pm…Show 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance…$25 at the door (children 12 and under are free).
Weather Permitting: A Melodic Family Saga
Born from the shared passion for music and united by blood ties, Weather Permitting isn’t just a band; it’s a harmonious fusion of family bonds and musical talent. At its core is the young piano prodigy, Mateo Belmarez, whose warm vocal stylings reminiscent of crooners such as Harry Connick Jr. and innate gift for the keys dazzles audiences and serves as the melodic heartbeat of the ensemble. Leading the rhythm section is his father, the seasoned bass player, Brad Belmarez, whose expertise sets the groove alongside his brother, the versatile and stylist guitarist, Brandon Belmarez. This familial synergy provides the band with a solid foundation and a unique musical connection that’s palpable in their performances. Enter Bill Wingert, the star trombonist whose virtuosity adds layers of richness to Weather Permitting’s melodies, captivating audiences with each soulful slide. Moreover, the enchanting vocals of Sally Woodcock and Jamie Belmarez, who also mesmerizes on the flute, transport listeners to higher realms, while adding depth and emotional resonance to the band’s performances. Together, this ensemble, bonded by kinship and a shared love for music, delivers captivating and eclectic jazz performances leaving audiences spellbound, weather permitting.
Doors at 5pm…show 6:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets are $12 in advance…$15 at the door (children 12 and under are free).
Before joining forces, the duo behind Sgt. Splendor were already formidable solo artists, Kate Vargas chalking up acclaim at outlets like NPR, HuffPost, American Songwriter, Rolling Stone and Vice (including praise from the “Dean of American Rock Critics” Robert Christgau); and Eric McFadden amassing an impressive resume including stints on guitar with George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, Anders Osbourne, Karl Denson, Stockholm Syndrome, and Eric Burdon & The Animals, plus a slew of solo albums, and session work with everyone from Jackson Browne to The Clash’s Joe Strummer.
“One of the most unique bands to come out of the new millennium is the contrasting duo of Sgt. Splendor. The group consists of singer/songwriter/guitarist/flautist Kate Vargas, and her partner in crime, guitarist/vocalist Eric McFadden (George Clinton & P-Funk, Eric Burdon, Les Claypool, etc)…is this an album for the masses?… yes. Yet it is even more so an album for the music aficionados who understand and appreciate in-depth, heavy songwriting, wrapped in a blanket of heavy Blues and Rock music that holds its own against anything you can throw at it. “ – Tone Scott / GOLDMINE Magazine 2024
Sgt. Splendor’s upcoming album “ISOTOPIA”, is slated for release in November 2025. The first two singles from the album, “Hey, Splendor” and “Money In It”, feat. Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) on bass, and Paulo Baldi (Les Claypool) on drums are available now.
Doors at 5pm…Show 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance…$30 at the door (children 12 & under are free).
Psychedelic rock band Uncle Charlie and the Blue Dragon Tavern presents The Beatles vs. Rolling Stones…a classic rivalry of two of the most iconic bands in rock n’ roll history! Uncle Charlie will be performing selections from both of these legendary bands in their own inimitable style…in other words, psychedelic jams and segues will be in abundance! But it will be up to you, the audience, to decide the winner of this “Battle of the Bands”! Don’t worry, Uncle Charlie will be performing a 2nd set of Grateful Dead for all of our Deadhead friends!
Featuring Steve Fundy (guitar), Warren Nelson (keys), Dave Ojeda (bass), and Tim Taylor (drums).
Doors at 5pm…Show 6:30pm. Tickets are $12 in advance…$15 at the door (children 12 & under are free).
Get ready for a night of original funk like you’ve never heard before! Yumbel Marassi proudly presents his new project, Pocket Full of Funk, making its debut at Blue Dragon.
A New Musical Experience:
This isn’t just a show; it’s an innovative musical journey designed to move your feet and ignite your soul. Expect a blend of irresistible funk rhythms with hints of reggae, all infused with the raw energy of Afrobeat. Prepare to be captivated by a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly new.
Island Vibes and Local Talent
Pocket Full of Funk features a stellar lineup of Big Island musicians:
Yumbel Marassi: Composer, Vocals, and Bass
Michaeloha Elam: Trumpet
Fara Tolno: Percussion
Quinn Rocklinone: Keyboards
Kalei Webster: Guitars
Daryl Cozzi: Drums
Don’t miss this chance to witness the birth of a new musical sensation! Join us at Blue Dragon for a night of unforgettable grooves and good times!
Doors at 5pm…Show 6:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance…$20 at the door (children 12 & under are free).
The Pau Hana Pickers bring their special brand of Americana, folk, rock and country to the Blue Dragon for a good ole foot stompin’ time! The band features Jonathan Brooke on guitar/vocals, Jeff Quin on fiddle, and Delphina on upright bass/vocals.
Doors at 5pm…show 6:30pm-9:30pm…tickets are $10 in advance…$13 at the door (children 12 and under are free).
John Keawe is a Grammy and multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winning slack-key (Kiho`alu) guitarist, composer and recording artist. John’s music is infused with the spirit of Aloha and is reflective of many elements personal to him. He has recorded several albums, bringing Hawaiian slack-key into the homes of people from around the world. John is often joined by his lovely wife Hope dancing hula.
Doors at 5pm…show 6:30pm-9pm. Tickets are $10 in advance…$13 at the door (children 12 and under are free).
Get ready to bebop your speakeasy socks off with Big Island Swing Band featuring versatile Na Hoku Hanohano Award recipient Jesse Snyder, horn arranger, sax and clarinet player teaming up with the former horn section of Kahulanui and the finest swing era musicians in Hawaii. The newly formed band has an exciting array of all the favorite dance and crooner tunes from the 20’s, through the 50’s. They have it all, from Benny Goodman’s, Oh, Lady Be Good and Artie Shaw’s, Frenesi to Tommy Dorsey’srendition of Louis Armstong’s, On the Sunny Side of the Street and Duke Ellington’s, Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me.
Swing music naturally evolved from jazz as the 1920s ended and the 1930s began and became very popular during the post war times, when swing jazz became more ‘dance floor friendly’ for larger audiences. Because of this, the rhythm and horn sections were featured. So, you Ain’t Misbehavin’ by joining Jesse Snyder-tenor and baritone saxophones/clarinet; Josh Timmons-trumpet; Gary Washburn-keyboard; Russ Lundgren-drums; Jenny Brown-trombone and Yumbel Marassi on upright bass as they strut their stuff, east coast or west coast style. Female vocalists will also be featured.
Doors at 5pm…Show 6:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance…$20 at the door (children 12 and under are free).
Come celebrate New Years Eve at the Blue Dragon with P FUNK ALLSTAR RONKAT SPEARMAN’S KATDELIC!
RonKat Spearman is a prolific songwriter and Multi-Platinum Artist, Producer, Composer, Grammy and BMI award recipient. Writing for: JADE, (triple platinum hit Don’t Walk Away) Toni Braxton (won Grammy for multi platinum I Belong To You on Album of the Year) along with El Debarge, George Clinton, Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Kanye West, Bootsy Collins, Shock G, Dj Quik, Rick James, Eryka Badu, Scarface, The Mary Jane Girls, Darius McCrary, Tichina Arnold, Klymax, Angelo Moore and many others. One of RonKat’s first records, IMPULSE, a pioneering Electronic EP that was on his first independent label, is still sought after by many DJ’s and producers. In 1998 RonKat met and wrote with George Clinton and joined Parliament Funkadelic in 2000. He toured the world playing guitar, bass and vocals for P Funk for ten years. During that time he moved to San Francisco where he formed the side project, KATDELIC, which was voted two-time winner of Best of the Bay, in 2017 and 2019.
Early Show 6:30pm-8:30pm…Late Show 9:30pm-12am. Tickets are $45 in advance for each show…$55 at the door (children 12 & under are free). Includes champagne toast and NYE party favors.
