Q: What is Slack Key Guitar?
A: A Hawaiian fingerstyle acoustic guitar style with a wide range of different open tunings. See www.dancingcat.com for an information booklet of detailed information.
Q: Is Slack Key the same as Steel Guitar.
A: No, Slack Key is played on a regular guitar, Steel guitar is played with a bar on an electric or frypan style instrument laid on the lap or on a horizontally placed instrument on a stand. Some of our featured artists play lap steel including Sonny Lim, and Ken Emerson. Ken is the only one who uses a regular guitar tuned in slack key, then flips it onto his lap and plays the same instrument with a bar all in the same song.
Q: When are your shows?
A: Wednesdays. Doors open at 5:45pm, or sometimes earlier. Shows begin at 6:30 pm and stop at 8:00 pm.
Q: Are reservations required?
A: Reservations are recommended.
Q: How much does it cost to come to the show?
A: We offer 2 ticket options:
Reserved Priority Seating: Tickets are $65 for guaranteed reserved seating on the first five rows.
General Admission: Tickets are $45 for open seating beginning on row six.
Q: Can I purchase tickets at the door?
A: Yes, for most shows door tickets are usually available. However, during the months of January-April, or for our two All Star Shows in June, or for our Anniversary Show in October, we highly recommend advance tickets.
Q: Which seats are reserved for handicap seating?
A: Wheelchairs can be easily accommodated along the center aisle or along either side aisle by moving the regular chair aside (chairs are moveable). Show staff is happy to assist. The entrance is accessible and chairs are movable. For the most efficient seating situation we recommend reserved priority seats. Call 808-669-3858 (our call center) to request a note be attached to the ticket specifying wheelchair needs. That way we can remove the seat/s for your party in advance of the show.
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: In the event of a road closure, a canceled flight, or other extenuating circumstances, refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How long is the show?
A: The show begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 8:00 pm. There is no intermission. Doors open at 5:45 pm, or sometimes 5:30 for big shows.
Q: Where are the performances located?
A: We are located on the west side of Maui, in Napili, which is 20 minutes north of Lahaina. The concert is held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort’s Aloha Pavilion, which is covered, opened air venue with concert seating.
Q: Do you still have a dinner/show package?
A: No. We recommend you call restaurants directly for dinner reservations before or after our show which starts at 6:30 and ends at 8:00 or sometimes 8:15. Nearby fine dining restaurants include the Sea House (at the Napili Kai Beach Resort); Merrimans, Kapalua (next door)- try their happy hour; Faster economical places are at the nearby Napili Plaza. We especially like Mamaʻs Ribs & Rotisserie and Joey's Kitchen.
Q: Do you serve food?
A: No food is served at the concert hall. Some of our patrons enjoy happy hour at the Sea House Restaurant, a short walk down the hill from the concert hall before the concert starts. Merrimanʻs, next door, also has a great happy hour.
Q: Do you serve alcohol?
A: No, but the Sea House Restaurant, also on the grounds of the Napili Kai Beach Resort, has a full bar overlooking the white sand beach, where drinks can be enjoyed before the show. After our doors open at 5:45 pm, drinks can be purchased at the bar and carried up to the Aloha Pavilion (the concert hall) to enjoy. Tell the bartender you intend to carry them to the Slack Key Show so that they pour into a paper or plastic “to go” container. Glassware is not allowed in the pavilion. Note: These “to go” drinks are not allowed on the beach.
Q: What are the box office hours?
A: The box office/Will Call desk is open only on show day at 5:45 or sometimes a bit earlier. Tickets may be purchased at the door when there is availability. Avoid disappointment by purchasing tickets in advance by calling 808-669-3858 or www.slackkeyshow.com.
Q: How big is the concert hall?
A: This intimate venue seats up to 250 in an open air pavillion.
Q: Are the seats padded?
A: Yes, padded, movable chairs.
Q: Is the seating elevated?
A: The concert seating chairs are on flat ground. The stage is elevated.
Q: Where do I park?
A: Two optimal PARKING OPTIONS: There is a paid lot located at the nearby tennis courts across the street, as well as limited street parking available. To access the paid parking, drive past the Napili Kai Beach Resort, continue past Merriman's on your left, and then turn right onto Kapalua Drive. From there, make another right into the parking lot, where you will find a QR code to scan using your phone and pay the $10 fee. We recommend dropping handicapped patrons at the Napili Kai lobby, where a golf cart shuttle can be provided by the front desk to the pavilion, or from where the walking is short, although it can be steep.
A: We recommend the Sea House Restaurant for a delicious, and conveniently close sit-down meal with a view. Happy Hour 2-5 doesn't take reservations and is very reasonably priced. Dinner service begins at 5:30 and reservations for that slot must be made well in advance. Our show ends at 8pm for later reservations. (https://www.napilikai.com/dining/) (808-669-1500).
For a quick, inexpensive but nutritious eat-in/to-go meal we recommend Mama’s Ribs and Rotisserie or Joey's Kitchen at the Napili Plaza.
Q: What hotels are nearby?
A: The show is located at the Napili Kai Beach Resort (www.napilikai.com 808-669-6271) which is the most convenient to our show. Right next door is the Mauian Hotel (www.mauian.com 808-669-6271). Somewhat lower in price, and next to the Mauian, is the Napili Village (www.napilivillage.com 808-669-6228).
A: If your children love music and enjoy sitting still and listening quietly to concerts, they will enjoy our show. The content of the show is suitable for families. It is a dignified concert venue featuring a relaxing style of Hawaiian music with light humor and storytelling about the songs. Generally, young children are not sufficiently engaged but music-oriented teens do enjoy it. Some parents supply their children with an iPad and headphones for quiet entertainment (like on the airplane).
A: Our show ends at 8:00 most nights. Call the restaurant to see how late you can reserve a table.
A: Please call our reservation line at 808-669-3858 or email us at answers@SlackKeyShow.com