Chung and Korth to Play Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in Līhuʻe

Monica Chung and Dr. Jonathan Korth brought Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring to Līhuʻe in a one-night-only, two-grand-piano performance that showcased a demanding 20th-century score in a local setting. The Kauaʻi Concert Association presented the program at the Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center, 3-1901 Kaumualiʻi Hwy, Līhuʻe, HI 96766, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Two percussionists from the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra joined Chung and Korth for the performance.

The two-piano arrangement of The Rite of Spring is a distinctive way to present Stravinsky’s landmark work outside a full orchestral production, and the casting underscored cross-island collaboration. Monica Chung, identified in local listings as Kauaʻi’s own, partnered with Dr. Jonathan Korth of the University of Hawaiʻi, while the participation of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra percussionists added orchestral weight to the island presentation. Tickets for the event had been available at kauai-concert.org.

For local audiences, the program represented more than an evening of music. The choice of venue - Kauaʻi Community College’s Performing Arts Center - repeated the college’s role as a cultural hub on the Garden Isle, bringing mainland-trained musicians and mainland repertoire into the community. One-night-only performances of this scope expand cultural access for residents who otherwise would need to travel off-island to hear similar works, and they offer direct educational value for students and local musicians observing professional-level technique and repertoire.

The production also carries modest economic implications for downtown Līhuʻe. Evening arts events typically concentrate foot traffic near Kaumualiʻi Highway and support nearby restaurants and businesses. The involvement of organizations such as the Kauaʻi Concert Association and the University of Hawaiʻi points to continued partnerships that can sustain a seasonal calendar of touring and resident artists for Kauaʻi.

Monica Chung and Dr. Jonathan Korth’s presentation of The Rite of Spring in Līhuʻe signals local appetite for ambitious programming and for collaborations that bridge Kauaʻi with statewide institutions. Residents interested in similar future performances can consult kauai-concert.org for upcoming schedules and ticket information. The concert's success may encourage more one-night-only stagings and educational opportunities at Kauaʻi Community College, reinforcing Līhuʻe’s role as a cultural gathering place on the island.