FEAST AT LELE

This 3-hour luau was the culmination of a 44^th wedding anniversary week which began in Oahu at the Pro Bowl 2016 game.  Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina and we found ourselves on the same beach where the royal family of Maui would feast and entertain.  The Feast at Lele represented a musical and 5-course culinary journey of the islands of Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa and was, by far, one of the best luau experiences we have ever had.

We arrived a little early to just enjoy our Mai Tai and admire the ocean view.  For your designated drivers there were also delicious non-alcoholic juices available.

 

At 6:00pm, Mai Tai in hand, we began the seating process.  As we started down the ramp to the beach sounds from a three-member ukulele group filled the air.  We each received a beautiful purple fresh flower lei and were then escorted to our private table, 2^nd row and just to the left of center stage.  Banana & sweet potato chips served with a tropical ginger & ogo seaweed salsa awaited us at our table.  I loved the fact that we were seated at our own table, right on the beach with a slight tropical breeze and gorgeous sunset.  Everything about it screamed romantic. 

 While others were being seated we strolled leisurely down to the waters edge to enjoy the spectacular Maui sunset.  Here you can also opt to have professional photos taken with the sunset as your backdrop.   

 

Once we were back at our table our assigned server and drink runner jumped to attention, attending to our every request.  “I’ll have a Blue Hawaii” I requested of our drink runner only to discover I didn’t like the taste.  He suggested the Lava Flow so I gave that a try.  This is basically a strawberry pina colada and goes down extremely easy.  Any and all beverages are included in the price of your ticket so I found it fun to experiment with the different drinks.   If you are planning on having adult beverages however, you must present your ID so be sure to bring it along. 

 

Everything is served right at your table so there is no need to move once you sit down, unlike your typical luau.  The Feast at Lele is a 5 course fixed menu, served family style at your individual table and sprinkled with a 5-7 minute performance between each course.   The food preparation is well thought out and takes you through four different regional flavors.  Each region comes with three plates of food showcasing some of the regional specialties. 

My favorite dish throughout the evening hailed from the island of New Zealand and consisted of  a medley of stewed mushrooms and onions served on orange and purple sweet potato accompanied by a 5-hour island scented braised short rib in a kiwi fruit soy jus.  Absolutely melt in your mouth beef.   My next favorite dish was from the island of Samoa and consisted of grilled mango ginger chicken with a Tahitian vanilla aoli & mango relish.  Just as a side not , I could not recommend this for young children.  Not because of the $125 price tag but because the menu is fixed and you won't be able to order 'mac and cheese' for them. 

Between each course you are entertained by a 5-7 minute dance from each of the four different Polynesian cultures that corresponds to the culinary experience you just enjoyed.  The dance troupe is relatively small and they perform all of the different island dances.  Even with all the costume and makeup changes, they were very enthusiastic and energetic and their personalities added immensely to the overall experience.

This production was over at about 9:30pm and was perfectly executed and well worth the $125 per person charge. 

For more information on Feast of Lele

'ULALENA AT MAUI THEATRE

Aloha (greetings) and Hele mai (come)! 

There is a rain and wind that rises at twilight in Maui.  It whispers of other places and other times, both mythical and real. It blows between daylight and night, between times and worlds. It is hopeful and cleansing. The ancient Hawaiian name for this wind and rain is ‘Ulalena.

The ‘Ulalena story is an interpretative modern dance in a theatrical presentation with a somewhat Cirque de Soleil flare.  It depicts the creation, transformation and rebirth of the Hawaiian Islands through song, dance and music.  A circle of life which ends with the cleansing ‘Ulalena rain which represents cultural revival and renewal of the Hawaiian spirit.   

The story transports you through the first Polynesian explorers, the arrival of Europeans and the struggles of the plantation era.  Incorporating music, dance and the use of over 100 instruments played live by only 3 musicians, the production was colorful and entertaining.   You will want to be sure and read the story line printed in the program before its starts as the entire production is presented in Hawaiian chant. 

You will come face to face with unique characters such as Mo’o (Lizard Goddess),  Maui (Trickster God),  Pele (Volcano Goddess), Hina (Moon Goddess),  Kamapua’a (Pig God) and Kalo (staple food of the Hawaiian people).   

The scenes will include In The Beginning, The Ocean, The Mythical Forest, The Village, The Makahiki, The European Explorer, Shadows, The Hawaiian Monarchy, The Regenerating Forces of Nature, and ends with the REBIRTH!   A true circle of life depiction. 

Check out ‘Ulalena at Maui Theatre for more information.

The Music of ABBA, ARRIVAL from Sweden

I felt I was in a time warp – they looked like ABBA, dressed like ABBA and sounded like ABBA.  

The group was billed as The Music of ABBA, ARRIVAL from Sweden and as I took my seat last evening at the Collier Theatre for the Performing Arts in Medford, I naively assumed it would be random people singing and playing ABBA music. From the minute they stepped onto the stage I was blown away by their looks and by the end of the concert I was totally convinced that these talented young people were not just performing ABBA music but that they were, in fact, ABBA!

History reflects that the ABBA name sprang to life in 1973 and was derived from the first initial of each member, Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid.  ABBA jump started their career after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 but dis-banned in 1982 after dealing with death and kidnapping threats.  This could not hold back the phenomenon that has followed ABBA music to this day as they profit from record sales of over 400 million.

The Music of ABBA, ARRIVAL from Sweden consisted of four young performers taking on the personality and identity of the original ABBA members.  Jenny, as Agnetha, recreated the heyday of ABBA with her singing of “As Good As New”.  Vicky, as Anni-Frid, sang one of my favorites,  “Money, Money, Money”.   There was also “SOS”, “Waterloo”, “Mama Mia”, “Chiquitita”, and the songs just went on and on. 

After 90 minutes of non-stop hits the group walked off stage leaving me sad to think they would not be performing “Dancing Queen”.   A standing ovation by the audience brought the group back to the stage with a final sing-along of “Dancing Queen” that had everyone on their feet.

If you are anywhere close to an upcoming concert be sure to check them out. 

The Music of ABBA, ARRIVAL in Sweden