FOOD

Wine down @ Town

3435 Waialae Ave. (at 9th) / 735-5900

  Town has added something new to its menu on Wednesdays. That is, Wine down @ Town, a communal tasting experience that features pupus paired with four wines, at $25 per person.

It's an experience suitable for the wine newbie or the oenophile looking for new selections to add to a cellar.

Each event focuses on a specific theme with a wine expert, as well as culinary insight into the hows and whys of pairing wines with great food.

I gravitated to a “;Wine and Tapas”; pairing earlier this month, with the Chambers and Chambers team pouring selections to taste with mussels, manchego and Hawaii Organic Farmers Association-certified Puu o Hoku Molokai Beef. It's not quite enough food to call dinner, but is just fine for those who live by the liquid diet. And, you can always order an appetizer or two, or dessert off Town's regular menu.

Other past events have featured standards like chardonnay and pinot noir from California's Central Coast Wine Country, pit wines of “;South America vs. North America,”; as well as covered the unusual topic of “;What did pirates drink?”; I was on vacation, so sorry I missed that one!

Afterward, you get to vote on your favorite wines, and winners just might find their way onto Town's wine list.

Because it's a group-oriented event, diners should arrive promptly at 6:15 p.m. for the start at 6:30 p.m. Living on Hawaii time thus far has paid off with the addition of an incentive to get people to arrive on time—that is, an extra pre-dinner cocktail.

Call ahead for reservations.

MUSIC

Clarinet and piano recital opens teacher convention

A joint clarinet-piano recital will open the 41st annual convention of the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, featuring acclaimed clarinetist Arthur Campbell and pianist, composer and clinician Helen Marlais.

The recital will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Orvis Auditorium on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.

Another convention event will feature the State Honors recital, presenting the winners of piano and string competitions, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Orvis, as well as the world premiere of “;Canticum,”; a commissioned composition by Jon Magnussen, to be performed by the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus.

All events are open to the public. Call 398-0565 or visit www.hmta.org.

THEATER

WCC students perform blend of drama, comedy

Expect the unexpected, as Windward Community College theater students take the stage at the campus' Paliku Theatre for a showcase of short performances slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Drama professor Ben Moffat is overseeing the student showcase, and both he and theater manager Tom Holowach are directing the performances, which comprise scenes and monologues from dramatic and comedic plays.

About 30 students will be involved in the adult-themed show, and some scenes will include masks students have made.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Call 236-9138.

FAMILY

Hawaiian Waters shows military appreciation

With Veteran's Day being commemorated on Tuesday, it's only appropriate that those who serve our country get some form of thanks, and Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park is doing just that.

For the sixth year in a row, it'll be a daylong appreciation party for all military—both active and inactive—and their families to spend the afternoon at the popular park. There will be live entertainment, prizes, a surf competition on Da' FlowRider and a “;Dive In”; movie, “;Get Smart.”;

The event from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. is free to all active-duty military, reservists, National Guard personnel and retirees with valid ID. Military family members may pre-purchase tickets for $25 at participating military offices. The park will still be open to the public for the usual admission prices.

DANCE

Canned goods drive doubles as dance event

Learn to dance while contributing to a good cause Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Club House, behind the Kapahulu Public Library.

In “;Come Dance with Us,”; the public is invited to experience line dancing to country music, as well as see performances of salsa, two-step, hula and even hip-hop. Groups from Palama, Kaimuki and Manoa will be participating alongside residents of the Kahala Nui Retirement Center and the 100th Battalion Vets and friends.

Attendees are asked to bring a canned good to the event, which doubles as a drive for the Institute for Human Services.

Admission is $15. That includes lunch for the all-day event. Call 988-1818.