Screening: The Story of Everything

‘The Story of Everything’, a theater performance written and conceived by Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Kealoha, and now a film produced and directed by Engaging the Senses Foundation, illuminates the intersection between science, the environment, the arts, and mindfulness. The film explores humanity’s rich and diverse explanations for the origins of life and presents powerful solutions for the continued health of the planet and all beings on it. Engaging the Senses Foundation presents their film ‘The Story of Everything’, along with co- sponsors Berkeley Arts Research Center, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and The Arion Press on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Wheeler Auditorium at University of California at Berkeley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. film showing. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Story of Everything’ is my most important work, it’s the culmination of everything I have learned throughout life,” said Kealoha, founder of renowned HawaiʻiSlam and a MIT nuclear physics graduate. “It took me half my life to study the science behind this piece, half my life to study the art of poetry and storytelling, and about half a decade to actually create this work.”

Kealoha draws upon the talents of supremely accomplished, indigenous artist Kauʻi Kanakaʻole, master of the ʻaihaʻa style of hula and oli; Grammy-nominated ukulele virtuoso and composer Taimane; Quadraphonix, a Hawaiʻi-based freeform world beat band; aerial dancers Jamie Nakama and Jory Horn; the hip-hop artistry of Jonathan Clarke Sypert; and the contemporary art of Solomon Enos, whose extraordinary work is exhibited internationally. Special appearances will be made by visionaries Kealoha and Solomon Enos at the film event.

“‘The Story of Everything’ deepens our cross-cultural understanding, reveals our shared universal humanity and educates us about our responsibility to each other and Island Earth,” said Mona Abadir, Chief Executive Officer of Engaging the Senses Foundation and UC Berkeley Alumna. “We are thrilled to showcase and share Kealoha’s beautiful story for the first time in the Bay Area, along with our stellar partners Berkeley Arts Research Center, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and The Arion Press,” said Abadir.

ARC Director Beth Piatote notes, “‘The Story of Everything’ is a film made by the Engaging the Senses Foundation for the big screen, and we are delighted to help bring its artistry and awe to our stage at UC Berkeley. Kealoha’s vision of melding multiple origin stories radiates through spoken word, visual splendor, and Hawaiian traditional arts of hula and music in the unfolding of this grand story. The screening is a perfect date night to launch the Earth Day weekend, and a powerful meditation on the love–and the stories–that connect us all.”