Night Market brings the focus home to Kakaako this month, with a colorful, eclectic lineup of talented performers, some of them big names, who will rock the main stage and perform up and down Auahi Street. Meet May’s main stage lineup, brought to you by Unsigned, HI Presents:

CAMILE VELASCO:

Camile Velasco was born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Hawaii, where she was surrounded by both reggae and island music. In 2003, Camile auditioned for the third season of “American Idol” and finished in the Top Ten out of 80,000 participating contestants, performing live for over 25 million viewers. Shortly after the completion of the competition in 2004, Camile went with her fellow contestants on a sold out National Tour. Camile was signed to Universal/Motown and has worked with notable artists such as Apl (Black Eyed Peas), Pras (Fugees), Jeru the Damaja and Stephen Marley, Bob Marley’s son.

ERIN SMITH:

Voted Best Female Musician on Maui by “MauiTime” readers four years in a row, charismatic singer/songwriter Erin Smith, who most people might know as the frontwoman of The Throwdowns, comes armed to the stage with her signature red lipsticks, high heels, faux furs, Steven Tyler scarves & guitar. Hailing from Maui, Erin formed The Throwdowns with musical buddies Ola Shaw & Ian Hollingsworth. The band dominated local charts with their anthemic “Kihei Town” and reggae classic “Stay HI” featuring Marty Dread, and have been nominated for three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Erin’s solo work allows her to showcase a more indie-rock, vulnerable and torchy sound. Her first solo album, “Best Disaster,” produced by the team that worked on Arcade Fire’s critically acclaimed album “Funeral,” is set to be released this summer.

SUPER GROUPERS:

Super Groupers (Navid Najafi, Scott Ohtoro and Illis It) are a super powered hip-hop collective relatively new to the scene, but already making waves. As a group and individually, its members have collaborated and opened for artists including Aloe Blacc, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Exile, DJ Swamp, DJ Krush, Dumbfoundead and many other acts.

AUAHI STREET PERFORMERS, PRESENTED BY OAHU FRINGE FESTIVAL

SPATIAL SCULPTORS:

Spatial Sculptors is an integrated community of movers that explore weight, contact, and communication in relation to each other and our environment. Through improvised dance, they create sentences, paragraphs, stories, and experiences. Spatial Sculptors meet regularly at Alive Ballet Center. More information is available at  http://improvdancehnl.tumblr.com.

YASU:

Born in Ube City, Japan and inspired by the movie “Patch Adams,” Yasu came to the United States to become a professional hospital clown. Earning a degree in theatre arts, he also graduated from the Chavez Studio of Magic, the most prestigious magic school in the world. Yasu has performed all over the U.S. with his Japanese culture-themed magic show, and now he has touched down in Honolulu to surprise and delight us.

ISAAC THE STILT-WALKING CLOWN:

Isaac Ligsay is a senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa studying Theater. He has appeared in the premier showing of “Our Amazing Adventure” at The Paliku Arts Festival and recently at Ong King Arts Center in “32 Clowns.” Isaac is actively involved with TADA (Theater and Dance Association), an organization that supports student artists in their pursuits of experimentation, innovation and research. He is excited to show off his stilt-walking skills at Honolulu Night Market.

Things are heating up for the summer, and the fashion show on our main stage this month will be a treat! Coordinated and styled by local up-and-coming designer Tyson Joines, along with local fashion boutiques Bamboo Sky, Basique Threads, and I AM, these looks are cool, classy and very modern.

“I was really inspired by Alexander Wangs Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, said Tyson. “His attention to detail is immaculate.  He presented a very simple yet modern collection.  My show is paying homage to that collection by featuring very subtle elements Wang is now known for.  Keep an eye out for cut-out detailing on clothes, “peek-a-boo” elements such as sheer overlays, and mesh garments as well.”

Here’s a sneak preview of the styles, courtesy of Tyson and photographer Dallas Nagata White. Get there early to grab a seat for this memorable fashion show, happening on the Main Stage at 8 p.m.!

The youth represent at this month’s Night Market, with a campaign against domestic violence called “Healthy Land, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships.” Three teams of 808 Urban’s talented young artists will face off against each other, painting an 8×8′ cube while poets from Youth Speaks Hawaii perform on a nearby stage. After the artists are done, you’ll get to vote on which one you think best represents the issue. Not only will you have the chance to see the process of a mural creation from start to finish, you can participate by making your own art, with a stencil workshop run by 808 Urban and a collaborative art bulletin board for anyone to write down their own opinion on the issues.

How can art and poetry help prevent domestic violence?

“When people walk away from this event we ask them to invest in their best selves, invest into an active community, build supportive bonds, and also show that every individual has the power to change the world around them for the better, inward and outward,” said poet and youth leader Solomon Stoddard.

Everyone loves a photo booth – stop by Foto Fix Hawaii and take some pics, so you can think back fondly on the awesome time you had at Honolulu Night Market later. And check out 3RDi Galleries (pronounced “third eye”) in the warehouse — it’s a local startup company specializing in premium art cases for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Galaxy devices. 3RDi works with local and international artists on artwork – check them out tonight!  

Bamboo Sky’s upfront at tonight’s Honolulu Night + Market – not only will the boutique’s designs be in the fashion show, but the warehouse will be representing: stop by to pick up items from your favorite lines as well as up and coming designers and check out TiffHeartFashion’s Preloved Clothes – with top picks from the Bamboo Sky’s owner’s closet. Retail therapy is now in session.

 

If you need a sweet treat tonight: Aloha Pops’ handcrafted gelato and sorbetto on a stick will do the trick. On their menu: handmade pops in root beer float, key lime pie, strawberry creme, passion orange, guava, strawberry lemon drop and Green River flavors. At No Ka ‘Oi Cookie Company, have fun choosing between (or just get ‘em all) ice cream sandwiches on chocolate chip cookies, three-chocolate brownies, Reese’s chocolate peanut butter chips (all flavors available a la mode) or a root beer float.

Two more for tonight’s retail line-up: Pualani Kailua’s swimwear, popular on island and with an added functionality and fashion flair: it stays in place, doesn’t lose its shape and looks great in and out of the water. For trendy, contemporary casual wear, stop by Florencia Arias for effortless pieces that are perfect for day or night, complement your existing wardrobe and are made in Hawaii from soft natural fabrics. Get your shop on tonight from 6-11 pm!

 

Padma & Pickles, known for their handmade precious and semi precious stones, will have a Tahitian pearl bar at their warehouse booth at tonight’s Honolulu Night Market, back by popular demand. Pick from hundreds of beautiful peacock Tahitian pearls and design your own jewelry – they’ll make it for you on the spot. As an added incentive, 20% of all proceeds will go towards medically treating, fostering and re-homing abandoned domestic animals on Oahu through Padma’s sister company, Love Heals Animal Society. 

Stop by B.E.A.D.S HI for custom handmade bracelets like the popular shamballa bracelet, inspired by Tibetan buddhism and meant to symbolize meditation, enlightenment, peace, and perfection in the mind/body.

 

 

 

Bring your appetite for tomorrow’s #HNLNightMarket: Carval Express’ gourmet plates, sandwiches, salads and fresh baked goodies will be sure to hit the spot. And if you’re looking for burgers and sinfully good bacon-wrapped hot dogs, Beyond Burgers is your jam — check them out Saturday night from 6 pm on!

More local vendors on tap for Saturday night’s Honolulu Night Market. Check out handmade hats, headbands, hair pins and broaches with felted and silk flowers courtesy of Birdie Girls Creations, and for young professionals looking for fashion-forward and fresh styles, stop by Freshionable’s booth at the Pinch of Salt warehouse. JANA LAM was created in late 2010 with the purpose of spreading the joy of pattern, texture and color – check out Jana’s booth for fabrics, clutches and totes in awesome prints and patterns.

Bringing the best of Italy and the Hawaiian Islands, Onda Pasta makes fresh handmade pasta without any preservatives or additives, just like Grandma used to make. Their pasta is the star of the show, but stop by the tent for the fresh sauces and desserts all from scratch. Skip over to France with a visit to Le Crêpe Café — serving up sweet and savory crepes, and for a trip to Thailand without the ticket, hit up Olay Thai’s tent for curries, basil chicken, spring rolls, and cap it all off with a Thai iced tea.

The Illest pop-up shop at the Pinch of Salt warehouse will preview their Kaka‘ako store opening products plus feature a special i&i collaboration with In4mation – stop by for a limited t-shirt drop and other Illest tees for sale from 6-11 pm. House of Aria Downtown will also be in the (ware)house with an epic sale – come on down for on trend fashions, bags, & accessories.