The 24th annual Garden Party is coming up from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9 under the shady monkeypod trees at the Yokouchi Family Estate in Wailuku.
The annual signature fundraiser for the Maui Academy of Performing Arts invites you to wear your best party hats and indulge in signature foods by Maui restaurants along with live entertainment, art and auctions. You must be 21 and older to attend.
"The Garden Party is one of our favorite events of the year!" says participant Dana Pastula, owner of Cafe O'Lei restaurants. "There is always good food, industry friends and a great cause. We see community supporters and customers and, most of all, it's a good time!"
Article Photos
“Vineyard Food Co.’s co-owner/chef Ralph Giles (left) works with a Maui Culinary Academy student at last year’s event.
Grins 2 Go photo
"We pride ourselves on the quality of our food and our service," says Shaughn Helliar of Duke's Beach House. "We are proud to be invited to participate and we really look forward to having a fun-filled day with plenty of great food to taste."
Duke's will cool you off with shrimp and lobster gazpacho and Kula greens; while Cafe O'Lei will do its famous Manoa lettuce wraps and kalua pork quesadillas - perfect for an al fresco setting.
Participating for the first time will be 100 Wines Maui with Kauai prawns with sweet potato, sweet corn and walnut and lemon Serrano chile vinaigrette. Three's Bar & Grill will do Caprese salads with pohole fern shoots, Hamakua mushrooms and garden pesto. Monekypod Kitchen will mix fresh ahi poke.
Fact Box
* The details: From 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 at Yokouchi Family Estate in Wailuku.
* How much: Tickets are $75 in advance; $85 at the door. Includes all food and beverage. Outlets are MAPA in Wailuku; Topaz Goldsmith & Gallery and the Nail Shop in Kihei; and customer service kiosks at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center and Whole Foods in Kahului. Call 244-8760.
But it doesn't stop there. A Saigon Cafe will return with its ever popular garden party shrimp; Bentos & Banquets by Bernard will make Thai chicken and Chinese cole slaw; Bistro Casanova will bake tiramisu; and Maui Chocolate Fountain will flow with fondue.
Other restaurant participants will include Flatbread Co., Lahaina Coolers, Maui Tacos Mexican Surf Grill, Vineyard Food Co., the Waterfront Restaurant, Whole Foods Market, Maui Brewing Co., Hansen Beverage Co., and Maui Coffee Roasters.
Of course, Fresh Art participants will be painting on site. They include George Allen, Robin Bones, Jackie Pias Carlin, Michael Clements and more.
Kapalua Spa will provide complimentary spa services (see story, below). Attendees may enjoy live performances of beloved musicals including selections from "Annie," "My Fair Lady," "Man of La Mancha" and more. In addition, there will be live jazz by the well-known local duo Moondance (Jim Howlett and Rudy Esquer), and a vintage car display by Maui collectors.
Since the event benefits MAPA's educational as well as its performing arts programs, do bid on the live and silent auction items from hotel stays to jewelry.
"Now, I'll admit that I'm biased, but I think that the $75 ticket price is really an exceptional value since it includes all food and beverages served at the event, complimentary spa services, fantastic live entertainment, Fresh Art and live and silent auctions!" says Adam Burke, director of operations and marketing.
