Da Kine
Star-Bulletin staff
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GRAMMY AWARDS
Material Girl to play with cartoon band
The Grammy Awards will open with a meeting of the Material Girl and the virtual world. Madonna and the Gorillaz will perform together for the first time at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, airing from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The 47-year-old pop star will sing with the Gorillaz, who will be appearing in 3-D animated color. The brainchild of Blur front man Damon Albarn, the Gorillaz are a melding of rock and hip-hop that represents band members as cartoon alter egos created by animator Jamie Hewlett.
Also performing: Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen, U2 with Mary J. Blige, Coldplay, Faith Hill with Keith Urban, Sugarland and Jamie Foxx.
It will be McCartney's first-ever performance at the Grammys. He is nominated for three awards, including album of the year for "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard."
VIRGIN RECORDS
The animated Gorillaz, a rock/hip-hop band, will kick off the Grammy Awards with Madonna.
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Hawaii promoter of Sly Stone gets invite
Hawaii resident Steve Topley and wife Kathryn Heller are at the Grammy awards, and the invitation seemed to come out of nowhere.
Topley was Sly Stone's promotion man and tour manager when the Family Stone was hot in the late '60s, early '70s, and when the band broke up, he went on to work with other acts, such as War. But he always maintained Sly Stone as a client, even during the years when Stone withdrew due to a drug habit.
Even though Sony had the rights to the band's music, it had not released any retrospective CDs. But that all changed "when Starbucks sold 100,000 copies of a tribute album to the Family Stone, and now Sony is releasing it as well," said Topley.
The upshot: The band is reuniting to play at the Grammys, doing a duet with Maroon 5.
"They'll all be there, every original member alive and well and kicking," said Topley. "Sly Stone, Freddie Stone on guitar, Rosie Stone on piano, Cynthia Robinson on trumpet, Jerry Martini on saxophone -- he had a band in Hawaii for a while -- Larry Graham on bass and Greg Errico on drums.
"This is just great. We're leaving for the Grammys on Saturday because we don't even want to miss the rehearsals!"
RESTAURANT REPORT
Mardi Gras menu
Dixie Grill celebrates Mardi Gras Wednesday through Feb. 28 with a special menu of Cajun creations.
The "Peacemaker" Po'boy (fried oysters and shrimp on French bread), Jambalaya and Louisiana Soft Shell Crab Etouffé are among specials. Dessert is an annual treat, Beads & Brulee, with Mardi Gras trinkets to keep.
A New Orleans traditional drink, the Hurricane, will also be featured, with $1 from each one sold going to the Red Cross for victims from Hurricane Katrina.
Call 596-8359 (Ward) or 485-CRAB (Aiea).
Go mad for martinis
Sergio's Italian Restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village pays tribute to that most trendy of cocktails with a Martini Madness Celebration through February.
Grey Goose and Barcardi martinis will be poured for $5 from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly in the lounge.
To soak up the vodka, complimentary crostini with Italian spreads will be served. Call 951-6900.
Dinner and wine
Alan Wong's Pineapple Room hosts a Winez & Grindz dinner Feb. 17.
Sous chef Brandon Hamada's menu includes Ahi Carpaccio with Kim Chee Yuzu Sauce (with Muller Thurgau, Paul Furst, Franken, 2004), Butter-Poached Kona Lobster with Nozawa Farm's Sweet Corn Salsa, (Eden Valley Riesling, Betts & Scholl, 2005), Miso-Glazed Maui Cattle Company Beef Tenderloin (Library Selection Pinot Noir, Au Bon Climat).
Cost is $60; $80 with wines. Call 945-6573.
KAHALA MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Chefs Wayne Hirabayashi, left, and Alfred Merkel are working with mounds of chocolate for Valentine's Day.
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Valentine's dining
Valetine's Day is nine days away. Don't delay making reservations -- you don't want to be taking your sweetie to Zippy's. Not that there's anything wrong with Zippy's, but ...
The Kahala Mandarin Oriental is offering special menus at all its restaurants:
» Hoku's four-course menu features entreés such as Kiawe-Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Roast Duck served with Wok-Fried Vegetables & Vegetable Fried Rice. Cost is $90; $45 children. Call 739-8780.
» Cabanas Seaside Grill five-course set menu centers on a Seaside Surf and Turf (Oven-Roasted Wagyu Kobe Rib Eye of Beef and Chilean Sea Bass). Cost is $85. Call 739-8760.
» Plumeria Beach House dinner buffet costs $46; $23 children. Call 739-8760.
» Tokyo Tokyo four-course dinner is $120 per couple. Menu includes Black Angus Ishiyaki Steak cooked lava rock. Call 739-8901.