Stuffs
[ DA KINE ]
Karaoke champ named
Christina Youngs, 18, a Windward Community College student, was the winner of Wednesday's Talent Search Contest at Don Ho's Island Grill, beating out nine other semifinalists.She will be leaving Honolulu to appear in Don Ho's Holiday Showcase at Boyd's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 20 and 21.
As part of her winnings, she will also be recording an album with Mountain Apple Records for release in 2004.
Next year's version of the karaoke competition with "Al Waterson and You" starts up on Jan. 7. Contestants 18 years and older can call 947-5736 to register.
Pianos in the park
Sanders Piano will present the first "Pianos in the Park" event in Pawa'a Park tomorrow and Sunday.Featured will be 150 performers and 150 recitals conducted by Ellen Masaki from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, ending with a stunning piece for "Ten Pianos," including two grand pianos. On Sunday, the stage will be shared by students of Ernest Chang and Bichuan Li, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pawa'a Park is adjacent to the Sanders Piano store at 1500 S. King St. The event will help mark the 150-year history of piano makers Steinway & Sons. Sanders Piano is the exclusive dealer for Steinway & Sons in Hawaii.
Admission is free.
Visit Washington Place
Washington Place will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, continuing a tradition that started 145 years ago.All are welcome to take a free guided stroll through the 156-year-old home while the sounds of traditional Christmas music and the voices of carolers will sound throughout this historic home.
Mary Dominis, widow of the famous sea captain, John Dominis who built the mansion, is credited with bringing the first Christmas tree to the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1858. A "Santa Claus of Washington Place" was introduced to pluck fruits and gifts from the tree to the delight of 100 children attending the event.
In 1862, the year Lili'uokalani arrived at Washington Place as a new bride, King Kamehameha IV proclaimed Christmas a national holiday.
STAR-BULLETIN / 1997
The Washington Place Christmas open house tradition began in the mid 1800s. Antiques grace the interior of the "Piano Room," shown above.
Kid-free spree
Need to finish your Christmas shopping but can't tune out the whining? (Not yours; the kids!)Macy's Ala Moana invites parents to two afternoons of kid-free shopping from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday.
Bring the wee ones to the third-floor Special Events Room, where Macy's and the Children's Discovery Center are hosting a three-hour workshop for keiki ages 3 to 10. Instead of grabbing toys and baubles off shelves; whining about hunger, sore feet or the countless hours staring at clothes and jewelry; and running off to the potty the kids will spend a productive afternoon making ornaments, designing wrapping paper, visiting and picture-taking with Santa, decorating Gingerbread cookies and more.
Keiki will also select a gift from Santa's bag to take home. The workshop also includes a snack.
Enrollment is limited and the cost is $25 per child, a small price to pay for relatively stress-free shopping.
Call 524-5437 to register. Or for more information, call 945-5894.
'Art of Cartooning'
Waialua Public Library will host "The Art of Cartooning," a lecture/demonstration by cartoonist Dave Thorne, at 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission is free.Thorne will present humorous drawing demonstrations and will invite participants to sketch cartoons of their own during the hourlong program. Designed for all ages, this Children's Book Week 2003 program is sponsored by the Hawaii Library Foundation and the University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College, Statewide Cultural Extension Program.
Waialua Library is at 67-068 Kealohanui St. For more information, call 637-8286.
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