Hawaii Comes To Chatham On Thursday Night

CHATHAM, NJ — Residents and visitors to Chatham can say “aloha” on Thursday night to Hawaii when Andy Wang - a Chatham resident - and Bill Wynne perform in Chatham Borough’s Reasoner Park Gazebo from 6 to 8 p.m.

Wynne won the falsetto contest for the Festivals of Aloha, a festival that focuses on Hawaiian culture and traditions. Wang and Wynne will spotlight ukulele music, acoustic guitar and storytelling in their show on Thursday, “An Evening of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitars.”

“I’m excited to perform authentic Hawaiian music in Chatham,” Wang wrote in a news release about their concert.

“Bill and I have performed together as part of the Hawaiian Slack Key Festival in New York City, South Jersey and Virginia, but never in my hometown,” Wang continued.

Wang said slack key guitars differ in that there's a “finger picked style” of playing guitar.

Wang studied slack key guitars under masters from Hawaii and appeared with what’s known as “Hawaii’s super group” as a special guest. Wang has performed at The Highline Ballroom and Kaye Playhouse in New York, among venues. He has also been an opening act for the Māhaka Sons, a famous Hawaiian group established in the 1970s.

Wynne has been performing for more than 25 years, in well-known destinations throughout Hawaii, as well as in Atlantic City and Carnegie Hall, having also recorded over 200 songs.

In what Wang and Wynne call the “spirit of aloha,” they encourage attendees to patronize Chatham Borough’s eateries, enjoying meals from the restaurants during the show.

For more information about the performers visit www.andywangmusic.com/masters/.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.