Our Picks for the Weekend
Star-Bulletin staff
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NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
Samurai Takoyaki in Waikiki serves up the dumplings alone, with noodles, or even in soup.
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EATER
Samurai Takoyaki
2310 Kuhio Ave. / 926-1515
Takoyaki is a sometime treat at Shirokiya, but cravings tend to arise at those inopportune moments when it's unavailable. There is a source, however, if you don't mind heading for Waikiki, where Samurai Takoyaki has set up shop on Kuhio, in the complex that houses Scruples nightclub.
If you've never had it, takoyaki is a dumpling of octopus encased in a squishy batter of flour and egg, baked in a special molded frying pan (think waffle maker), drizzled with okonomiyaki sauce, topped with fish shavings and green onions. When they're small enough, they'll slide down your throat. Sluuurp! Yum. Don't try it with these bigger ones.
Six pieces will set you back $4.50; 10 pieces are $6. Add cheese for $1 more. It works.
You can also order it in combination with a side order of fried udon for $7.50. The batter tends to be a bit thick and gummy on this takoyaki; I actually like the chewy noodles better. But I do want to try it again, next time in soup ($4.50)!
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
MUSIC
Benefit helps slam team’s trip to national contest
Gallerie Ha in Wailuku, Maui, has been host to a weekly Fundraiser Friday for Team Maui SLAM! to help them pay for the team's trip to the National Poetry Slam early next month in Madison, Wis. Pat Masumoto (owner of Gallerie Ha), J. Marc Mance, and Jahsun Stoltz and Michael Pinchaud of the Unsung Mighty Few will join slam master Kealoha's Honolulu team in the state's best showing ever at the national contest.
There will be one more benefit to help send off the Maui team on July 31, this time at the Casanova Italian restaurant on Makawao Avenue. Other aspiring poets will compete for a $100 prize, plus the slam team will spit out their rhymes, the Kit Cat Club Burlesque troupe will perform and dance music will be provided by DJ Boomshot.
Admission is $10 for the 21-and-over event. Call (808) 268-4487 or visit mauislam.com.
FAMILY
Movies, entertainment round out Makiki festival
The first "Rediscover Oahu - Makiki" family event kicks off this weekend at Makiki District Park.
Food and drink, free movies and live entertainment will be the order of the day both Friday and Saturday.
Friday's events start at 4 p.m., with music by Island Storm and Simplisity until 7:30 p.m., when the movie "Evan Almighty" will screen.
Main stage performances begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, highlighted by appearances by Guy Cruz and Marc Pearlman at noon, Jake Shimabukuro at 2 p.m. and Frank De Lima at 6:50. The night's featured flick will be "Bee Movie."
The festival ends at 10 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
FREEBIE
Celebrate food and arts at weekend events at KCC
The campus of Kapiolani Community College will be busy this weekend with a couple of activities.
Saturday will be a day of celebrating Okinawan food culture in the college's Lama Library. Besides the sale of andagi (and anda-dog) and the sweet potato mochi known as nantu, expect special panels and performances through the day starting at 11 a.m.
Also, take in the "Oroku Restaurant" exhibition, part of the "Hawaii by Food" component of the Smithsonian Institution's traveling food exhibit "Key Ingredients."
On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the campus' lower parking lot area, the fifth annual Abled Hawaii Artists' Festival commences, featuring the work of artists and performers with disabilities.
Both days' events and parking are free to the public. Call 734-9562 or visit kcc.hawaii.edu.
MUSIC
Take in bands’ sounds at free harmonica recital
Consider the humble harmonica, a seemingly lone instrument. Then listen to the Hawaii Harmonica Society as they present their 11th annual recital and concert, and you may need to reconsider your musings.
The Small World Harmonica Band and the Hawaii Reed 21 Harmonica Band will showcase tunes from the 1940s through '60s. Nearly all the members are senior citizens who meet weekly for class and practice sessions. As a community service, the groups perform regularly at various community events, at elderly activity centers, senior residences and nursing homes on the island.
With support from the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, the free concert will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Mission Memorial Auditorium, 350 S. King St., next to Honolulu Hale. Call 833-4336 or 734-3279.
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