PAR-TAY ON! . . . Step back in time to Tinsel Town Hollywood on Saturday, March 24, at the glitzy benefit for Montessori Hale O Keiki school at Gannon's in Wailea.
Walk on the red carpet as you arrive and be greeted by stylized "theater ladies" strutting about with chocolate cigars and popcorn. Attendees will be also treated to an evening of 1940s big-band music as well as glamorous swing dancers in a vintage atmosphere.
Following the silent auction, the chefs of Gannon's will be serving up their version of a sumptuous feast and so will those from Nick's Fishmarket, Joe's, Sarento's on the Beach, Hali'imaile General Store and Son'z at Swan Court, says the publicist for the event.
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Server Melissa Linsey of Japengo at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa will entice you with sushi, sake and seafood at a six-course dinner on Friday, March 23.
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A live auction with Maui Moto motorized scooters and private chef dinners and dancing will complete what many are calling "Tinsel Town Night." All proceeds will benefit Montessori Hale O Keiki. Call 874-7441.
On Friday, March 23, Japengo at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali will present a six-course sake, seafood and sushi dinner.
"It will start at 6:30 p.m. with one seating just like a wine dinner," says Peter Donnelly, the resort's director of food and beverage. Cost is $75 per person, but if you are a repeat customer with an Ohana card, you can get 20 percent off the experience."
Highlights are sunomono seafood shooter; octopus and conch; sashimi; broiled Alaskan kasu black cod with grilled corn, chukka salad, pomegranate kabayaki; maki sushi; grilled local mahimahi with young coconut salad; forbidden rice; lemongrass beurre blanc; hot chocolate souffle cake; and green tea ice cream. Call 667-4727.
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MARK CALENDARS . . . The Maui Arts & Cultural Center has set a firm date for its signature fundraiser, Maui Calls. It will return on Friday, Aug. 10, with dozens of top winemakers and chefs under the stars and the coconut palms in Kahului.
Women Helping Women, Maui's only 24-hour shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, has also set a date for its annual fundraiser.
The 15th annual Elegant Afternoon Tea: Chinese Odyssey - Year of the Dragon will also be at the MACC in Kahului. But on Sunday, April 29.
"We are catapulting this event to all new heights this year, featuring our Ming Dynasty silent auction and Chinatown marketplace, our entertaining live and Chinese firecracker auction, incredible food and entertainment," says volunteer Brooke Simonds.
Limited to 400 people, the annual Elegant Afternoon Tea is again expected to sell out early. Those who wish to donate auction items or be a sponsor have until mid-April to do so. For more details, call 242-6600.
Four Seasons Resorts Lana'i will uncork a five-course winemaker dinner for spring Thursday, April 5, in the Lodge at Koele's Dining Room.
Join Chef de Cuisine Junior Ulep and a representative from Ken Wright Cellars of Oregon for an exquisite evening of food and wine pairings. Discounted kamaaina room rates for this event as well as the island's Ukulele Festival April 13 to 15 - packed with both a stellar lineup of food and music - will be offered. For reservations, you may visit lea.hennessy@fourseasons.com.
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BITS AND PIECES . . . Lots of changes are coming down at Kihei Kalama Village these days. King's Chinese Restaurant is now in the former Wok Star. It's the same franchise as the one in Wailuku. You may wake up to $3.99 breakfasts there daily.
Maui Tacos also opened its newest restaurant on Maui at Kihei Kalama Village Center. This is Maui Tacos' sixth restaurant on the Valley Isle and it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Chef Mark Ellman of Honu Seafood and Pizza and Mala Wailea fame founded Maui Tacos with Shep Gordon, and Ellman still lends his name to the promotion of the growing franchise.
"Maui Tacos was born on Maui 18 years ago, and we are proud to be a part of this community," says Jeff Endervelt, president. "We're fortunate to expand our business at this time and even more fortunate that our guests, both locals and visitors, are continuing to enjoy our unique and flavorful menu." . . . Speaking of Ellman, he'll travel to Naples, Italy, to learn about pizza dough for Honu. He also serves "cougar koolaid" there. Called the Prisoner, it's a fine red wine from Napa Valley by Orin Swift Cellars, which I hear mature ladies with young tastes adore.
