(Left to Right: Mike Love, Sam Ites)

They don’t call it Stella for nothin’. This South side restaurant is nothing short of stellar — of note, their lineup is top-notch; and September 17 and 18 with Paula Fuga and Mike Love, featuring James “Hutch” Hutchinson (on bass, of Bonnie Raitt fame) and Sam Ites (percussion), was no exception the example. Under Stella Blues warm, vaulted wood ceilings — with patrons’ palates tempered by four-course cuisine and gin & tonic (well, for me anyway) — this ensemble took to the Supper Club stage for an anticipated follow-up to their raved-about July show. What better way to kick off the Fall season?

Love, accompanied by Ites, opened with three songs that early-on drew waterworks and impassioned hoots from the crowd; with his full-body musicianship including all manner of looping and layering with an army of pedals positioned at his toes (and a pair of Crocs neatly tucked behind him). Fuga then took to the stage, handing out set lists on purple note paper (Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design helped score one for me. See the photo below… So cool. #scrapbookdork), adding her sweet as suga soul to Hutchinson’s bass beats. Fuga, Love and Ites “are all in another band called Dubkonscious,” Fuga explained before they performed a new track (the title of which gin & tonic has, sadly, obscured in my memory).

It was the kind of night full of cheers and tears in ways outside where words or photos can worthily convey. The kind of good vibe night where I couldn’t help but find myself thinking of those I love who would’ve loved — and I would have loved to share — the experience with; in the way you want your very best moments to be with your whole family from Mom to pet fish [though, I did have the best company: Scott Johnson and his wife Marla, and Trisha Smith from Maui Weekly and her two boyfriends (show off)… Another neat note being that it’s been exactly a year since Marla’s benefit at Mulligans with — guess who — Paula Fuga and Mike Love (!) AND the Johnsons are on the eve of organizing #ZEPTEMBER, which they and everyone involved have generously decided to dedicate as a benefit to my leukemia bills. #craziestcoolestthingever?).

Because oh, the talent! Oh, the spirit! It was a night I’ll forever regard among the ranks of my holiest promenades through the realm of mastercraft sound. Like Elvis Costello in the rain and rolling blackouts, rolled into an artisan after dinner bun baked in Zion. Like Ween the week before the historic Reno Hilton was gutted for a timeshare, if the after party rumor was real. Yeah. I went there. It was that good.

So, I can only say that next time Paula Fuga and Mike Love roll into town, do yourself — and those you love — a favor by getting tickets early and treating yourself to a night for your own scrapbooks…

(Thanks again, Scott! Set List: “No Place Like Home,” “For the Love of You,” “Lovers Rock,” “Saving My Love,” “Lilikoi,” “Country Road,” “The Sun Will Rise,” “Sweetness,” “Beautiful Face,” “Queen,” “Tangled,” “Parachute,” “Misery’s End.”)

Get more behind the scenes photos of Paula Fuga, Mike Love and Sam Ites at Q103 with Shaggy Jenkins, in this pre-show blog post: MAUIVENTS.COM

(Left to Right: Paula Fuga, Mike Love, Hutch Hutchinson)

(Left to Right: Mike Love, Trisha Smith, Sam Ites)

Owner Kale Boverman introduced the show with lots of love to the media peeps in the audience including Trisha Smith (pictured above) of Maui Weekly, John Woodhouse of The Maui News (see his Scene cover story here), and Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design — plus the always-fashionable Erin Smith, fresh off a hip evening gig.

OK. I know this is beyond-ridiculous rationalization, but now that Paris Hilton has been spotted on People.com reading MauiTime (thanks, Daisy on Facebook!) — in September, no less — I think it’s fair game to talk a little fashion. Because like it or not, Paris has handcuffed herself to the last decade. But, whoa. Back to that “beyond-ridiculous” part and strike the rest of the sentence. When the limbo gods ask you, “How low can you go?” it should follow up with “Not that you should.” And I should not have gone that low.

But, I shouldn’t be embarrassed about blog-complimenting famous Mauians about their stylish coordinates, either! Fashion is fun, and Erin Smith does a great job at being the one and only Erin Smith (photographic evidence at the close of this post). Major kudos for having both the eye and the guts to pair a cotton candy pink dupioni skirt, with a slashed tee-to-tank top with a silk-screened shark boasting coral colored gums. #toocool And like the second rule in Zombieland, “double tap.” Smith dropped off her gear and returned in a second set of swanky threads. #seriouslythistimeimeanittoocool (Maybe too, I’m eager to check out what all Super Fantastic hot pink glitter fuss is all about…)

Also, had to snag the shot of Smith with Love — both wearing the same shade of emerald — a friendly reuniting after their interview the day before. And if I’m gonna bus’ it out and talk clothes, why not mention that Love’s tee had particular style with a neatly drawn hala tree! Exactly the kind of attire that makes me rejoice in its Pacific inspiration.

Whew. That was like girlie Tourettes.

UPDATE 10/08/10: Added another great photo — one I found from Jen Russo — of an early Fuga and Love show. And, a photo of (from the most recent Stella show) of the lovely Erin Smith (center), Marla Johnson (right) and their friend (left) — who I don’t know their name because of bad reporting gin & tonic.

Why such a belated update? This iPhone lover (belatedly) discovered iPhoto. Didn’t work on my other comp, but now photos too dark to see when sending via e-mail/Posterous, magically appear!

Sent from my iPhone

In 1870, Tiffany & Co. (no doubt for marketing purposes) published passages purportedly of Gregorian tradition, poetically describing birthstones attributed to each month. September’s stanza reads, “A maiden born when autumn leaves / Are rustling in September’s breeze / A sapphire on her brow should bind / To bring her joy and peace of mind.” Sapphires—a crystalline form of aluminum oxide—are cool, but tin is cooler. Tin Can Tuesdays at Mulligans on the Blue—which includes a drive for the Maui Food Bank—have been a Tuesday mainstay for nearly a year now, with music by Murray Thorne (6:30-8:30pm) and stand-up comedy hosted by Shaggy Jenkins of Q103 (9-10pm). No Cover; 808-874-1131; mulligansontheblue.com

Mauians have another cool opportunity to help the hungry this week, with a canned food drive and special concert with Kanekoa at Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill this Friday (September 17), celebrating another ellipses around the sun for none other than Noah Francis. Who’s Noah Francis? Frankly, I don’t know. But, I’ve heard from more than a few that he’s a way-cool dude. The kind of dude who likes to give rather than receive, and who has turned his birthday into a benefit for Maui’s needy bellies—thus deserving to be showered with joy, peace of mind and, sure, sapphires if you’ve got ‘em. 10pm; $5 or canned goods donation; 808-874-9299

Still feeling all warm and fuzzy from this Friday night? Keep it up by attending another benefit on Saturday (September 18), at Oceans Bar & Grill. Local bands One Inity, Pac Vibe and Manalii join forces for the Na Hoa Mele Benefit Concert, to help a gem of a little girl named Ailana Mamac-Tangaro who’s battling Leigh’s Disease, a rare neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system. 10pm; $10; 808-891-2414

Oh, and (speaking of benefits for girls with “A” names and rare “L” diseases… I know, shameless*—but out of overwhelming gratitude), if you have yet to get your tickets for next Friday’s (September 24) huge ZEPTEMBER concert (also at Mulligans; $10 advance/$15 door), you can do so at Requests, Wow Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill, Westside Vibes, 808 Deli or Wings Hawaii. Billed as an “epic tribute to rock and roll’s greatest band,” it’s a night that will live up to that and much more, with bass and beats by Shawn Michael and Josh Greenbaum of the Vince Esquire Band, along with an all-star cast of local guitarists and vocalists including Tom Conway, Vince Esquire, Kaulana Kanekoa, Kanoa Kukaua, Jessica Rabbit, Joette Burke, Mary Jane Babashoff, Nils Rosenblad, Phil Ellison, Chris Sendry, Erin Smith, Murray Thorne, Pete Sebastian, Kahala, Cheryl Rae, Jack Gist, Halemanu Villiarimo and more. Presented by KAOI FM 95.1, Mulligans, Wow Wee Maui, Awakeningonline.com and MauiTime—with endless aloha to Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design—sound, stage and groovy lights will be provided by Pete Lago of Maui Wave Studios and Trish “The Dish” Smith of Maui Weekly fame will helm the night as mistress of ceremonies. And—rumor mill has it—some out-of-this-stratosphere surprises are in store, thanks to Bounty Music, Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, and maybe even Willie K and Paula Fuga.

Speaking of the latter, check out Fuga with Hutch Hutchinson and Mike Love at Stella Blue’s Supper Club this Friday and Saturday (September 17 -18). 6-9pm; $30 show / $60 with dinner; 808-874-3779; stellablues.com

*LINKS! LINKS! LINKS!

>>> Read more about Mulligans on the Blue in this January 2008 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about the Maui Food Bank in MauiTime’s November 2009 Charity Gift Guide

>>> Da Kine Calendar Listing for Murray Thorne (playing music from his recent solo release Tin Can Telephone), Tuesday nights at Mulligans on the Blue

>>> Read more about Murray Thorne in this August 2010 MauiTime article

>>> Da Kine Calendar Listing for Tin Can Comedy Nights hosted by Shaggy Jenkins of Q103

>>> Read more about Tin Can Comedy in this July 2010 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Kanekoa in this March 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill in this August 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Pac Vibe in this May 2009 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about Requests in this August 2009 MauiTime feature (be sure to watch the awesome video!)

>>> Read more about Wow Wee Maui’s chocolate in this March 2008 MauiTime Eat Me! special issue

>>> Read about gift ideas from Westside Vibes (and a few other places) in this December 2007 MauiTime Holiday Gift Guide

>>> Read more about 808 Deli in this March 2008 MauiTime article

>>> Read more about the lovely ladies of Wings Hawaii in this November 2009 MauiTime article

A little letter from a little girl (heartbreak warning!):

September 3, 2010

Aloha,

My name is Ailana Mamac-Tangaro.  I have been diagnosed with “Leigh’s Disease” — a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system.  Leigh’s Disease can be caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA or by deficiencies of an enzyme called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase.  Symptoms include vomiting, loss of head control and motor skills.  Also includes loss of appetite, continuous crying and seizures.  It eventually attacks the organs which lead to impairment of respiratory and kidney function.  All of these symptoms is what I have now.

I was hospitalized in the Chock Children’s Hospital in California, where I had to undergo a Tracheotomy and am now on a ventilator breathing machine.

I need to be transferred to the Stanford University Medical Center in California to receive the treatment that I need.  I am expected to be there for 3 months along with supporting family members. I am in back in Hawaii, but we are awaiting to go back to California at the end of September.

I am asking for donations to help care for the medical costs that are being incurred and for transportation cost to Stanford University Medical Center where I can receive the necessary care that has been recommended by my doctor and specialists.

I hope that all who are able can make a donation to help me in my fight in getting better.

Thank you very much for your care and concern.

Mahalo a me ka ha’a ha’a (with humility),

Ailana Mamac-Tangaro

& The Mamac Family & Friends of Ailana

Erin Smith @erinsmith808

Girls Gone Rockin’

Mulligans on the Blue, this Wednesday Sept 1, 2010 9pm to 11pm, $7 for ladies includes a drink, boys free

Maui rock phenom Erin Smith isn’t satisfied sitting on her duff at home writing sonnets and songs to her husband. She needs more, how much more? How about a night of rocking out for a ladies night at Mulligan’s on the Blue, that will have music, fun, fashion and hair. You have been ready for a night to get dressed up and go out with the girls right? Maui Thing @mauithing is featuring a new item every week, and gift certificate giveaways, and Soleil Luna @soleillunasalon will is giving away coupons and gift certificates and Erin Smith and Wolf will be rocking the room. All her natural born inspiration and creativity will be pouring into new original music, and the occasional local Maui entertainer will be guest appearing on these Wednesday nights, its going to be pure ear candy. Mulligans on the Blue hosts from their beautiful perch in Wailea and includes a drink in your cover, plus boy toys get in free. I am looking for the right stilettos already.

Attendees trying, and failing (even with the help of photoshop) to write "350"

This Sunday, The Studio Maui in Haiku is the place to be to pay homage to our lovely mother earth at the Mother Earth Day Festival: Live Consciously, Consume Sustainably.  Keys of Creation, Erin Smith, Jamallad, Mountain, and Isa Inca Hansen will serenade attendees during the daylight hours. DJs Del Sol and Elf will follow up in the evening. The visuals are also going to be captivating: the performance will feature silk aerialists, bellydancing, and poi spinning.

Silk Aerialist; cb-pr.com

When you need a break from skanking, free-form spinning, or wutanging along to these fun local bands, head over to the healiing room for massages, reiki, aromatherapy, and reflexology. Bountiful food booths will keep energy high, and the silent auction will feature wonderful products and services. Just like at any good festival, there will be keiki activities and room to run around and goof off. This is the annual festivals 7th time around the block, so you know its been a hit in the past. A donation of 5 to 10 dollars is requested, and the fair will be going strong from 1pm to 8pm.

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