About
Hilo is an unaccompanied folk duo with tight harmonies & loose sci-fi shtick. Our songs are traditional, but our vibe, banter, & arrangements aren’t.
On Earth, Laura Ciporen and Lissa Michalak can be found in New York City. In space, they can usually be found on Hilo station, using ancient songs to help coordinate their work on the engineering crew.
Their colleagues have compared them to a giant can of space worms.
But affectionately.
Sample set from Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, 2025
Non-Hilo performance as part of the Folk Music Society of NY’s stage at Porch Stomp! 2025
Gigs
| Date & Time | Location | More info |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2026; 8:00 pm | Peoples’ Voice Café; 239 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012 | A Cappella Vocal Night (other act to be confirmed). Entry by donation. |
| June 20, 2026; 2 – 3:00 pm | Porch Stomp! (Peoples’ Voice Café stage); Governors Island, NYC | Part of a full day of FREE folk and trad fun! |
| April 25, 2026; 4:30 – 5:20 pm | NEFFA (New England Folk Festival Association) | “Shantying Space Sailors at Work.” One day in the life of space sailors and engineers just trying to keep Hilo Station functioning, as told through traditional (ancient to us!) work songs and some shtick. |
| Feb. 13, 2026; 6 pm | Boskone (Boston-area Scifi convention) | A new set for 2026! |
| Sept. 27 & 28, 2025; various times | Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival | Solo sets, sets with fellow performers, helping the demonstration crew, etc. |
| Feb. 14, 2026; 6 pm | Boskone (Boston-area Scifi convention) | Introducing Hilo, space sailors and the most tuneful members of the Hilo Space Station engineering crew. |