Burbank, Calif. - July 16, 2013 - Say "aloha" to the second season of KCET's original arts and culture series, Live @ the Ford, with an electrifying new episode, "Alohafest! Kanikapila!," airing Thursday, July 18 at 9 p.m. This program highlights the vibrant Pacific Island culture and showcases a variety of Pacific Islander performers from Southern California. 

"Kanikapila," a Hawaiian term meaning "jam session," is a free-flowing, unstructured sudden outburst of dancing and singing just for the fun of it. Originally presented at the Ford Theatres in 2012, this Kanikapila features Southern California talent from two Pacific Island cultures. The indigenous Maori warrior traditions of New Zealand come to life with poi balls, sticks and the ever-popular haka or war chant. Professional Polynesian dance troupe "Halau Hula a Kawika Laua 'o Leinani" takes over the stage with a captivating presentation of ancient and modern forms of hula. Finally, The Kalama Brothers - the newest rising stars from Hawaii whose acoustic sound is a blend of rhythm and blues, rock and Hawaiian -round out the episode.

The episode repeats Monday, July 22 at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 24 at 12 a.m.  

Live @ the Ford is produced in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, in association with CDK Productions. This partnership supports KCET's current initiative to develop local programming that contributes to the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. The series is taped exclusively for KCET at the historic Ford Theatres in Hollywood.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Arts Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development, and general resources for the community, artists, educators, arts organizations and municipalities.

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